Getting Started with Rankings Analytics | HolonIQ Knowledge Center

Accessing Rankings Datasets

QS publishes a variety of rankings, each accessible through the Institutional Performance section on the platform.

The Rankings Datasets available on the platform are:

World University Rankings and Sustainability Rankings: Core interface, foundational structure
Regional Rankings: Additional controls for selecting specific Regions
Subject Rankings: Includes a Subject Dropdown and overview by ranked subjects
GME Rankings: Drop-down for all GME individual rankings

Dataset Selection
- Use the top-left dropdown to pick your desired dataset.
Focus Institution
- Select from institutions in your master peer list.
- Switch to "Overview Mode" to view the entire dataset (clear any selections).
- Some reports require you to select a focus institution and set of benchmark peers; otherwise, these may appear blank.

Peer Lists Options:
- Master peer list (default)
- Custom lists (user-created)
- Institution-shared lists
- QS pre-built lists
- Lists by regional/territorial groups
Benchmark Period:
- Select the period relevant for your analysis.

Score: Numbered from 0-100: 100=best score
Rank: Numbered from 1 upward. (1 = highest rank)
Percentile: Displays what percentage of peers are ranked below the chosen institution (e.g., 99.8th percentile = 99.8% peers ranked lower).

Type of analysis	Purpose	Reports name(s)
Top-down analysis	Big-picture overview	Index
Bottom-up analysis	Institution detail, context of Benchmark Peers	Highlights, Indicators
Benchmark	Comparison with Benchmark Peers	Benchmark, Analytics

Offers a top-down overview across all institutions ranked in your chosen subject.

Select Benchmark Peers from dropdown (custom list, master peer list, QS lists, regional/territorial lists).
Change the Benchmark Period as needed.
Use Values buttons to display data as ranks, percentiles, or scores.
Optionally group by rank or by change in ranking position.

Provides detailed performance insights for a single institution within its peer context.

Distribution across all Indicators
Statistical measures: mean, median, max, quartiles from the peer list.
Time series charts comparing the focus institution with:
- Benchmark Peers
- Domestic Peers
- Overall ranking changes over time
Focus Institution is highlighted with a bold, coloured line or marked with a dot.

Allows in-depth analysis of individual ranking indicators for the Focus Institution.

Indicator map gives an overview of all Indicators.
Selection of an individual Indicator displays a detailed report, similar to Highlights.
Indicators and their weights adapt based on the selected ranking’s methodology.
Zoom
- Zoom Off: chart shows the entire range of data points.
- Zoom On: chart automatically focuses on the narrower, selected dataset range for clearer, more detailed analysis of selected Benchmark Peers.

Enables side-by-side comparison of your institution with others.

For advanced, in-depth analysis and data visualization.

Multiple visualization options:
- Heat map
- Scatter plot
- Movement chart
- List view

Depending on the content of the report you will have access to some of the controls described below

Control	Options
Benchmark Peers	Custom lists, master peer list, QS lists, regions, sub-regions, territories
Benchmark Period	Select different timeframes
Values buttons	Ranks, percentiles, or scores
Group by buttons	By rank or ranking movement
Context	Show/ hide the other peers from the rankings/ Benchmark Peers list
Zoom	Full range or focus on range of values of relevant Benchmark Peer List/ institution
Shortcuts	Frequently used indicator pairs used in analysis