Overview
This article explains how to access, navigate, and interpret the Graduate Management Education (GME) Rankings within the HolonIQ by QS platform.
You’ll learn how to:
Locate the GME Rankings dataset
Switch between ranking types (MBA, Executive MBA, etc.)
Adjust benchmark periods and perspectives
Filter results by country or peer groups
Compare institutions and visualize changes
1. Accessing the GME Rankings
To access the GME Rankings dataset:
Log in to your HolonIQ platform.
From the home screen, scroll down to locate the GME Rankings tile (if you are subscribed to this dataset).
Click the tile, or navigate using the left-hand menu and select GME Rankings.
You’ll now see the rankings interface, with the selected dataset name displayed in the top-left corner.
2. Selecting Ranking Type
In the ranking type dropdown menu (top-right area), you can choose which ranking to view.
Available ranking types include:
Category | Description |
MBA | Full-time MBA Rankings |
Executive MBA | Rankings for Executive MBA programs |
Specialized MBA | Rankings by subject or specialization |
You can switch freely between ranking categories to compare datasets.
3. Understanding the Rankings Table
Once a ranking is selected, you’ll see a table displaying the ranked institutions.
Columns typically include:
Column | Description |
Rank | Institution’s position in the current year |
Institution | Name of the university or business school |
Change | Rank change compared with the selected benchmark period |
Example:
Rank 1: University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Rank 2: Harvard University
Change: Indicates movement compared to the previous year or selected timeframe
4. Adjusting the Benchmark Period
You can change the comparison period using the Benchmark dropdown (top-right).
Options include:
Last year – compares the current ranking to the previous year
Last 5 years – shows long-term trends
The “Change” column updates automatically based on the selected benchmark period.
5. Changing the Data View
You can switch between three main data views:
View | Description | Example |
Rank | Displays institutions ordered by position | Rank 1: UPenn |
Score | Displays QS score (0–100) for each institution | UPenn: 100 |
Percentile | Shows the percentile position of each institution | 99th percentile |
Percentile change is especially useful for understanding relative improvement over time.
6. Applying Context Filters
You can focus the data on specific groups of universities.
Examples:
By Country: View only institutions in France or the United States.
By Peer Group: View only Ivy League, Russell Group, U15 Canada, or IRU Australia universities.
To filter:
Open the Context dropdown.
Select a country or peer group.
Toggle off the context to remove the filter and show all institutions again.
7. Viewing Change by Performance
You can sort or group institutions by change instead of rank, to identify which universities have improved the most.
Example:
École des Ponts Business School moved up 158 places over two years — the largest improvement in that period.
8. Viewing Detailed Reports
Each ranking view provides access to detailed analysis reports.
For example, selecting Highlight shows:
Section | Description |
Overall Rank | Current position and movement |
Key Indicators | Performance in career outcomes, executive profile, and academic reputation |
Benchmark Peers | Comparison with domestic or international peer groups |
You can change the focus institution (e.g., University of Chicago) or peer region (e.g., AAU universities in the U.S.) to customize comparisons.
9. Data Visualizations
The GME dataset includes multiple visualization options:
Visualization Type | Description |
Indicator Map | Displays metrics such as Career Outcomes and Executive Profile |
Institutional Comparison Table | Side-by-side comparison of metrics for selected universities |
Scatter Chart | Plots universities by overall score (x-axis) and reputation (y-axis) |
Heat Map | Compares rankings or percentile changes across years |
List View (LISP) | Shows rank and individual metric values in a tabular format |
You can zoom, filter by region, or remove contextual data for clearer analysis.
10. Exporting and Custom Dashboards
At any point, you can:
Download or export datasets and charts.
Add tiles to a custom dashboard for quick access.
Hover over the arrow icon (top-right of any widget) to add it to a personalized dashboard.
11. Changing Focus Institution
You can change the Focus Institution at the top of the screen to view all data from another university’s perspective.
This updates rankings, benchmarks, and comparisons accordingly.
12. Getting Additional Help
If you still have questions:
Click the Chat or AI Help button at the bottom-right of the platform.
Select Message.
Type your question — the AI assistant or Customer Success Team will respond shortly.
Summary Table
Feature | Location | Purpose |
GME Rankings Tile | Home screen | Access dataset |
Benchmark Dropdown | Top-right | Change comparison period |
Context Filters | Left menu | Filter by country or peer group |
Focus Institution | Header | Switch institutional perspective |
Export/Share | Widget menu | Download or add to dashboard |
Need further help?
Use the in-platform chat to contact the Customer Success Team or access additional resources.