World Rankings 2006

World University Rankings 
Published in The Times Higher on 6 October 2006

The world's best guide to the standing of top universities Editorial: Global vision ensures healthy competition  
The elite institutions have mostly held their places, but below them is a host of challengers from around the world. John O’Leary tracks changes in fortunes and refinements in survey methods

Vital statistics

View the full table

Methodology: Insiders and outsiders lend a balanced view
Peer review is once again a key criterion in this year’s rankings. But research quality is now gauged on five rather than ten years of citations, making it more topical

Best of British close in on Uncle Sam’s finest
Focused research funding and broad international appeal are helping Europe’s centres of excellence to gain on their US rivals

How the land of the free charged right to the top
Well-resourced private universities continue to be world-beaters in technology and science, despite concern that the clash between knowledge and belief is undermining scholarship

Tiger’s growl builds up slowly to a roar
Asian, Australian and Latin American institutions are strong regional bastions of quality that are keen to join the global high-flyers

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Statistics section
View the full set of World University Rankings tables here

Acknowledgements
The World University Rankings were coordinated by Martin Ince (martin@martinince.com), contributing editor of The Times Higher. He wishes to thank Nunzio Quacquarelli of QS (www.qsnetwork.com), Jonathan Adams of Evidence Ltd (www.evidence.co.uk) and their colleagues for their participation in this project.