University of Auckland ranked top university for Education

University of Auckland ranked top university for Education

The University of Auckland has been ranked 20th in the world for the subject of Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject released today. This is the highest ranking of any Education faculty in New Zealand.

The 2017 QS World University Ranking for education lists the best universities in the world to study education. The subject of Education has only been included in the individual subject rankings since 2012.

The University’s ranking of 20th out of 800 universities worldwide is an increase of three places from a ranking of 23rd in 2016 and 26th in 2015.

Dean of Education and Social Work, Professor Graeme Aitken, says the results are excellent news for the faculty and its staff and students.

“It is particularly pleasing to see our ranking continue to rise. We are now one of the top 20 providers of education in the world, and top-ranked in New Zealand. This is especially significant given that one of the measures of success is employer reputation. We are clearly seen by employers as leaders in producing employable, quality graduates.”

The Faculty of Education and Social Work currently has 3826 students enrolled across three campuses, 62 Foundation, 2,427 Undergraduates, 366 Graduate Diploma students, 647 Post Graduates and 324 Doctoral students.

The faculty offers 512 courses across 33 study programmes, many delivered in close partnership with schools and centres. Last year 1,165 students graduated with degrees from the faculty, the majority of 795 with Bachelor degrees or Graduate Diplomas, 290 post graduate and 22 doctoral students.

The rise in rankings comes after a successful 2016 for the faculty. Among several accolades, Dr Melinda Webber received a $300,000 Marsden Fast-Start grant to undertake a research project examining the distinctive identity traits of Ngāpuhi, New Zealand’s largest iwi.

And last November, two professors from the faculty were awarded top research honours by the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ).

Distinguished Professor Viviane Robinson (School of Learning, Development and Professional Practice) ONZM received the Mason Durie Medal.

Professor Robinson specialises in improving education through student-centred leadership that focuses on learning and well-being. Her research has shown the considerable effect leadership capabilities and practices have on student performance.

Professor Stuart McNaughton (School of Curriculum and Pedagogy) ONZM received the Dame Joan Metge Medal for his contribution to educational science research, for advancing literacy and language development and for his impact on education policy, nationally and internationally.

Founded in 1990, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is the leading global provider of higher education and careers information and independent research. Its activities span across 50 countries, working with over 2,000 international universities and business schools.

Since 2011, QS has extended the scope of the world rankings to include the evaluation of individual disciplines. The rankings are based on research citations, alongside reputational surveys of over 121,000 academics and graduate employers worldwide.

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