University of Bern in Rankings

University rankings evaluate and compare higher education institutions worldwide. In the most well-known international rankings, the University of Bern is consistently listed among the top 200 universities worldwide.

While the University of Bern takes note of these rankings and monitors their development, they are of secondary importance to our quality management because they do not provide a complete view of the quality and performance of the University.

Rankings vary greatly depending on the indicators and methods used and are controversial due to methodological limitations, limited transparency, and potential negative impacts. Typically, rankings are calculated using weighted data on students, staff, and finances, bibliometric figures, and reputation scores, while aspects such as teaching quality, student experience, and institutional culture are not considered.

Beyond traditional rankings

The “More Than Our Rank” initiative, launched in 2022 by the Research Evaluation Group of the International Network of Research Management Societies, promotes a broader and more diverse definition of institutional success through a fairer, more values-driven approach to assessment.