The QS World University Rankings is an annual ranking of the world's top universities, published by Quacquarelli Symonds. It evaluates institutions based on various criteria, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, and research impact. These rankings aim to help students and researchers identify leading universities globally. The methodology combines both quantitative and qualitative data, providing a comprehensive overview of each institution's performance in higher education. The rankings are widely referenced by students, educators, and policymakers when considering academic options and institutional quality.