Prestigious Australian universities tumble in latest global rankings after scandal-plagued year

Some of Australia’s most prestigious universities have tumbled in global rankings following a tumultuous period marked by scandals across the higher education sector.

The Australian National University (ANU) fell three spots to 93 from 90 in the Centre for World University Rankings.

The university has been marred by multiple scandals during the tenure of high profile chancellor Julie Bishop over its plans to scrap $250m in costs, axe jobs and allegations of workplace bullying.

Ms Bishop resigned from the top job last month – seven months before her contract was due to end.

The University of Sydney also fell from 94th spot to 100, as it deals with allegations of racial discrimination filed by Jewish staff in the Federal Court.

The University of NSW maintained its position as the nation’s leading tertiary institution for a second year holding onto its position at 52 in the global rankings, followed by the University of Melbourne at 64.

The University of Queensland also retained its spot at 103 while Monash University jumped three spots to 113 in the global rankings.

The University of Western Australia fell to 160 from 151.

The University of Adelaide also slipped 2 spots to 115, while the University of Technology Sydney jumped to 308 from 314.

Despite the year of scandals, many Australian universities still ranked within the top 10 per cent of campuses across the globe.

The Center for World University Rankings is now in its 15th year and lists the top 2000 universities out of more than 21,290 institutions across the globe.

It ranks universities on four factors including education, employability, faculty and research.

The US had 8 universities in the top 10 including the Ivy League schools of Harvard, Stanford and MIT.

The UK’s Cambridge and Oxford universities also made the top 10.

UNSW ranked first in the Oceania region.