Two Moroccan universities, Ibn Tofail University and Mohammed V University, have secured places among the top 100 institutions in the Arab region in the 2027 QS Arab University Rankings. Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra climbed to joint 91st place, while Mohammed V University in Rabat ranked joint 96th. This marks a notable improvement in their regional standings, with Ibn Tofail University gaining 47 places and Mohammed V University advancing from joint 118th position.
The 2027 QS Arab University Rankings were published by QS Quacquarelli Symonds on October 15. The rankings evaluate universities using 10 indicators that cover academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratios, research output, international collaboration, international faculty, and international students. Academic reputation accounts for 30% of the overall score, while employer reputation contributes 20%. The faculty-to-student ratio represents 15%, and international research networks account for 10%.
Morocco now has 12 universities in the regional rankings, including three institutions that entered the list for the first time. Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech also improved its standing, moving from the 151–160 ranking band to 126th place. The improvement in Moroccan universities' rankings reflects their growing presence in the regional higher education assessment.
The QS Arab University Rankings cover 325 universities across 20 locations in the Arab region. Gulf universities lead the rankings, with Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals retaining first place, achieving an overall score of 100. Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates climbed from third to second with a score of 97.2.
King Saud University in Saudi Arabia ranked fourth, followed by the United Arab Emirates University in fifth. The American University of Beirut in Lebanon took sixth place, while Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University rose from eighth to seventh. King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia ranked eighth, Abu Dhabi University climbed to ninth, and the University of Jordan retained tenth place.
The rankings demonstrate the competitive landscape of higher education in the Arab region. Moroccan universities have shown significant improvement, with two institutions entering the top 100. This achievement highlights the country's efforts to enhance its higher education sector and increase its regional presence.
The results of the 2027 QS Arab University Rankings provide valuable insights into the performance of universities in the Arab region. The rankings are a useful tool for students, researchers, and policymakers seeking to understand the strengths and weaknesses of universities in the region.
Key points
- Ibn Tofail University and Mohammed V University have entered the top 100 of the 2027 QS Arab University Rankings.
- Morocco now has 12 universities in the regional rankings.
- Gulf universities lead the rankings, with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals retaining first place.
