La Trobe has been recognised as the most improved university in the Oceania region in the past five years in the QS World University Rankings, as it posted its best-ever result in the 2025 ranking.
La Trobe continued to improve its global standing in the prestigious 2025 ranking released today, securing 217th place out of more than 1,500 universities published.
The University rose 25 places in the ranking of the world’s top universities from 2024, representing an increase of 183 places in five years and its best result since QS became a standalone ranking in 2010.
In recognition of its improvement over a five-year period, La Trobe received the Most Improved – Oceania Award at a ceremony in the United States.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the increase reflects excellence and innovation across the University, particularly around academic reputation, international collaboration on research, and sustainability.
“This outstanding result is a huge achievement that reflects the incredible work of the University community, especially in building academic excellence, high impact global research and our significant focus on sustainability,” Professor Farrell said.
“It is equally impressive to be recognised by QS for our achievement, honouring us with the Most Improved - Oceania Award for our considerable growth in this prestigious global ranking over the last five years.
“Congratulations to the entire La Trobe University community for this fantastic result.”
The results reflect La Trobe’s research strengths in health and humanities, its commitment to addressing global challenges impacting the health of societies through its teaching and research, and its focus on sustainability.
La Trobe’s strong academic reputation was recognised in last year’s QS world subject rankings, with Nursing and Archaeology ranking 56 and 57 respectively, and another nine subjects in the 101 to 200 band.
The University also has a significant goal to be net zero by 2029, with its four regional campuses having already achieved net zero. A range of other key initiatives are underway, including the development of Victoria’s largest urban solar farm at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus in Melbourne.
The WUR outcome is based on nine indicators, including Academic Reputation, Citation per staff, Employer Reputation, Faculty Student Ratio, Employment Outcomes, International Staff, International Students, International Research Network, and Sustainability.
La Trobe’s best results were in International Students (ranked 97), Citations per Faculty (ranked 123), Sustainability (ranked =166, up an impressive 294 places) and International Faculty (ranked 172).
This year’s QS WUR ranked more than 1,500 universities from 106 locations.
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