The Emergence and Functioning of the Modern Global University Ranking System

This paper examines the prerequisites for the emergence and the stages of formation of the modern global ranking system for higher education institutions (HEIs). The study analyzes the key drivers behind the need for objective evaluation of university education quality at a global level, including internationalization processes, intensified competition among universities, and the expectations of employers and prospective students. Particular attention is paid to major international rankings, their methodologies, evaluation criteria, and their impact on university development. Both positive and problematic aspects of ranking systems are considered, including their influence on university strategy, academic mobility, funding, and research activities. Globalization has intensified competition among universities, increasing the significance of international rankings. These rankings affect institutional prestige, student choice, development strategies, and the global education market. Global rankings reinforce competition, influence academic reputation, attract investment, and shape international image. They serve as tools for attracting students, research talent, and strengthening educational exports. The diversity of ranking methodologies reflects differences in universities’ evaluation priorities. Indicators such as student-to-staff ratios do not always objectively reflect education quality. Evaluation of research activities relies on publication and citation metrics but suffers from methodological limitations, ranking adaptation, and commercialization. The integration of new indicators and big data analytics is required. Rankings remain significant in global education, influencing university strategies. University selection is a multi-level process in which reputation and academic positioning play a key role. Global rankings are applied in economic analyses to aggregate data, assess regional potential, evaluate the quality-to-cost ratio, and study public perception of rankings and their importance. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the role of rankings as a tool for global university positioning and highlights the need for their further refinement, considering regional context and specificities of national education systems.