Quality Assurance

International University Rankings

Dec. 30, 2025, 1 a.m.

Welcome to the University of Duhok's International Rankings page. This section provides comprehensive information about our participation in global university ranking systems, our data submission processes, and our achievements in establishing the University of Duhok as a recognised institution in the international academic community.

The University of Duhok actively participates in major international ranking systems to:

  1. Benchmark our performance against regional and global universities.
  2. Identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
  3. Enhance our international visibility and reputation.
  4. Attract talented students, faculty, and research collaborations.
  5. Drive continuous quality improvement across all academic areas.
  6. Support the Kurdistan Region's higher education development goals.

The University of Duhok currently participates in and submits data to several prestigious international ranking organisations, including Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings, among others.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

The

Times Higher Education World University Rankings is one of the most influential and widely observed university rankings globally. Published annually since 2004, THE rankings evaluate research-intensive universities across all their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.

The University of Duhok has been participating in THE World University Rankings since 2022. Our Quality Assurance Directorate coordinates the annual data collection and submission process, working closely with all faculties, departments, and administrative units.

Data Submission Timeline:

  • November - December: Data collection phase
  • January - February: Data verification and quality assurance
  • March - April: Official submission to THE
  • May - September: THE process and validate submitted data
  • September - October: Rankings announcement

What Data is required:

  1. Institutional data (student numbers, staff numbers, financial information).
  2. Research output data (publications, citations from Scopus).
  3. Reputation survey participation.
  4. International collaboration metrics.
  5. Industry partnership information.

QS World University Rankings

The QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings is one of the most widely consulted international university rankings. Established in 2004, QS rankings provide comparative data on university performance globally and are recognised by students, academics, and employers worldwide.

The University of Duhok has been submitting data to QS World University Rankings since 2021. Our strategic focus includes improving our research output, international collaborations, and academic reputation.

QS Rankings Data Cycle Timeline

  • Early Preparation (Before September)
  • Submission Phase (September – Feb/Mar)
  • Validation & Analysis (Mar – May)
  • Rankings Release (June)

What Data is required:

  1. Institutional profile and basic information.
  2. Student and staff statistics (total numbers, international ratios).
  3. Faculty qualifications and academic staff data.
  4. Research publications and citations (via Scopus).
  5. Academic and employer reputation survey participation.
  6. International partnerships and exchange programs.

Other Ranking Systems and Databases

In addition to THE and QS, the University of Duhok is registered and monitored by several other international ranking and recognition systems, such as Webometrics Ranking (Ranking Web of Universities), Scimago Institutions Rankings (SIR), and many others.

How the University of Duhok Ensures Data Quality for Rankings

The Quality Assurance Directorate leads a comprehensive, university-wide process to collect, verify, and submit accurate data to international ranking organisations. Our systematic approach ensures:

  1. Data accuracy and integrity.
  2. Compliance with the ranking organisation requirements.
  3. Timely submissions.
  4. Continuous improvement of data systems.
  5. Transparency and accountability

How Faculty and Staff Can Help

  1. Participate in the QS Academic Reputation Survey when invited.
  2. Ensure all publications list "University of Duhok" in affiliations.
  3. Maintain updated profiles on Google Scholar, Scopus, and ORCID.
  4. Engage in international research collaborations.
  5. Publish in high-quality, indexed journals.