The impact of university ranking

Interestingly, while respondents considered the aspects of ranking based on student and labour market opinion to be especially important among possible factors, they emphasize factual information in relation to the orientation of applications. The common opinion of the educational experts consulted is that the decision of applicants is primarily controlled by entrance exam requirements, admission scores and the opportunities of obtaining extra points. Accordingly the vast majority of respondents consider rankings important, but as it is seen from their responses not necessarily in selecting higher education institutions and developing their application strategy.

Even if according to expert opinion and different domestic and foreign survey results, higher education rankings do not contribute significantly and directly to the choice of institution of potential students, we must take their indirect effect into consideration. As we have mentioned: since the articles and reports in the media mention the leaders of rankings, and the institutions topping the rankings; in addition to increasing the publicity of rankings the leading institutions and the ones that achieve good positions are elevated into the discourse about rankings. The increasing media interest towards the institutions mentioned in connection with the rankings may lift their general prestige in addition to improving their reputation. The prestige-enhancing effect of media appearances is significant even for great, traditional universities, while it may be determining for smaller, or newly-founded institutions.

Leaders of Studies and PR managers (N=142)

Applicants (N=12223)

University and college rankings help in choosing institution

34.5%

29.4%

I think, higher education rankings are unnecessary

2.1%

5.1%

University and college rankings are interesting, but they do not affect decisions upon application strongly.

63.4%

65.6%

Source: Survey of the Publicity of Publications, 2008. Educatio Kht./NHEIC

 

Media impacts

Since the articles and reports in the media mention the leaders of rankings, and the institutions topping the rankings; in addition to increasing the publicity of rankings the leading institutions and the ones that achieve good positions are elevated into the discourse about rankings. The increasing media interest towards the institutions mentioned in connection with the rankings may lift their general prestige in addition to improving their reputation. The prestige-enhancing effect of media appearances is significant even for great, traditional universities, while it may be determining for smaller, or newly-founded institutions.