Széchenyi István University has achieved an outstanding result in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings published on 30 September. The University climbed 210 places in just one year, representing by far the greatest improvement among Hungarian institutions.

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious and globally followed higher education league tables among university students. On 30 September, the organisation published its latest global rankings, which feature Széchenyi István University for the fourth time in its history. The prestige of the ranking is reflected in the institutions occupying the top positions: the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University and Stanford University in the United States, with the latter two sharing third place.

The ranking includes 13 Hungarian higher education institutions, with Széchenyi István University rising from 1,835th place last year to 1,625th this year.

“It is particularly valuable feedback for us that, among Hungarian universities, Széchenyi István University has achieved the greatest improvement in its position. This result demonstrates that our University’s deliberate, long-term development is becoming increasingly evident in international comparisons as well. This progress has been driven by the strengthening of our research performance, the expansion of our international partnerships, and the development of our cooperation with corporate and institutional partners,” said Professor Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University.

She added that the THE World University Rankings provide a particularly comprehensive international comparison, assessing universities on the basis of 17 performance indicators. “The fact that we have now been included in the rankings for the fourth consecutive year is significant in itself, while this substantial improvement further confirms that we are moving in the right direction. This achievement reflects the high-quality work of our dedicated teaching staff, researchers and colleagues. Our aim is to further enhance our University’s international competitiveness, creating value for our students, partners and the region alike,” she emphasised.

Széchenyi István University’s progress was also confirmed by THE in an official statement, which noted that the University was placed in the 1501+ category last year and in the 1601–1800 band in this year’s ranking, a difference resulting solely from a methodological change. In the latest ranking, THE introduced a more detailed banding system, dividing the former 1501+ category into several narrower bands. As a result, despite its significant improvement, Széchenyi István University was placed in the newly introduced 1601–1800 band.

 “Hungary overall has made steady progress in the world rankings this year – and that is remarkable given the intense pressure on universities across Europe caused by the continuing upward surge of East Asian universities and the broad swing in the balance of power from West to East. Semmelweis’ return to a position in the highly competitive world top 250 symbolises the progress, as a national flagship, but there have been significant improvements elsewhere, albeit sometimes obscured by the move to a new, more granular banding system for the rankings. The THE World University Rankings measure what matters most to sector leaders, strategists and policymakers: research excellence and impact; the teaching environment; global academic standing; links with industry beyond the ivory towers; and international talent attraction, reach and influence. So the progress for Hungary is a real cause for celebration.” – said Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer.

In addition to the THE World University Rankings, Széchenyi István University is ranked 501–600 in the organisation’s Young University Rankings, 601–800 in the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, and 601–800 in the Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the Impact Ratings, the University ranks among the world’s top 300 institutions in the “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category. Furthermore, in the subject rankings, it is placed in the 601–800 band in Business and Economics and in the 1251+ band in Engineering.

Students at Széchenyi István University have the opportunity to study at an institution whose performance is also recognised in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. (Photo: Máté Dudás/Széchenyi István University)