Macquarie University recorded its first top 20 ranking with philosophy (18).

Quacquarelli Symonds chief executive Jessica Turner said the rankings highlight Australian universities’ “enduring global relevance and intellectual strength” although they arrived at “at a moment of intense international competition and domestic policy change”.

“Australia’s higher education sector must maintain clarity and stability in policy settings to safeguard its global standing and appeal … At a time when global student mobility patterns are shifting and regional competitors are rapidly advancing,a coherent,forward-looking policy framework will be essential to ensuring Australia remains a destination of choice for students and researchers from around the world.”

In June,overall QS rankings put the University of Melbourne at the top at 19th,followed by UNSW (20) and the University of Sydney (25).

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights.Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.