Times Higher Education uses its best endeavors to make sure that the data contained in the THE World University Rankings and all related regional and specialist rankings is as accurate as possible.
Every university in the rankings formally signs off its institutional data as correct, we work only with highly trusted third party data provides where necessary, and we have extensive quality control processes in place.
However, from time to time errors may occur, and in these circumstances we follow a clear policy. All concerns raised with us about data accuracy or calculation errors will be investigated by our data team.
Where an error has occurred due to a mistake made by the university in submitting data:
- We will (at our own discretion) update the relevant online university ranking list and any related rankings, and publish a footnote to that effect
- This will occur at a suitable time point (typically at a three or six month interval after initial publication)
- Centrally held data will be changed immediately
Where an error has occurred due to a deliberate manipulation of data by the university:
- We reserve the right to exclude the institution from future rankings, remove them from historical rankings, and publish a note to that effect
- Centrally held data will be changed immediately
Where an error has occurred due to an error by THE or its suppliers:
- We will update the relevant online university ranking and any related rankings, and publish a footnote to that effect
- This will occur as soon as reasonably practical
- Centrally held data will be changed immediately
In the event that an error is identified and we have to update rankings data:
- If a university is ranked incorrectly, we will move it to its correct position, level with the university currently in that rank. All other universities will maintain their original rank, and the vacant position will be left vacant. For example, if an institution is ranked 30th and it should be ranked 25th, the rankings will be corrected to read: 24th, =25th, =25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 31st.
- Where many, most or all universities are affected, such as in the case where a set of input data from a third party supplier is found to contain systemic issues, we may recalculate the entire ranking and republish it with a footnote to that effect.
To raise a concern about data accuracy, please contact:
profilerankings@timeshighereducation.com