The QS Stars university rating system provides a detailed framework within which to assess and compare universities’ performance across a wide spectrum of criteria. As well as assessing core components such as teaching, research, graduate employability and internationalization, QS Stars also allows universities to opt to be evaluated on several “advanced” criteria. These include innovation, engagement with local communities and global issues, commitment to extending access to higher education, and involvement with arts and culture. Universities choose two out of these four categories, based on the areas that best reflect their institutional strengths.
Universities opting for advanced assessment in the arts and culture category receive a score out of 50, based on the following:
Concerts and exhibitions (20 points)
Up to 20 points are awarded for universities’ involvement in concerts and exhibitions. Points are awarded on a sliding scale, with the full 20 points going to universities claiming at least 500 concerts and exhibitions featuring the work of students and faculty members, while a minimum of 300 arts and culture events must be logged in order to score in this category.
Credits and cultural awards (20 points)
Next, QS Stars considers any public credits or cultural awards presented to students, faculty members or the institution as a whole. Again, points are awarded on a sliding scale, from 60 up to 100 credits or awards.
Cultural investment (10 points)
The final 10 points in the arts and culture category are based on universities’ wider financial investment in this area. To score maximum points here, universities must invest at least 1% of annual turnover or US$2 million in arts projects outside the university, or in cultural preservation.