The Role of University Rankings in Educational Quality Assessment and Human Capital Formation

Abstract

This article examines the role of university rankings as an indicator of educational quality and their influence on the formation of a nation’s human capital. In the context of global competition and the increasing internationalisation of higher education, university rankings have become an essential tool for assessing institutional performance and academic effectiveness. The study analyses the main approaches and criteria used in leading global ranking systems, including QS, Times Higher Education, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities, as well as national and regional ranking frameworks. The paper outlines the relevance of national ranking systems in Kazakhstan and identifies the need for further comprehensive comparative analysis of Kazakhstani universities based on standardised ranking indicators. Overall, the findings emphasise the significance of university rankings in improving educational quality and supporting sustainable human capital formation.

Keywords: rating systems, rankings, human capital, quality of education, university efficiency.