The engineering – mining and mineral field has 51 entries and the top tier is dominated by US, Australian and Canadian universities

What sets QS apart from similar rankings of educational institutions is a fourth component of the ranking – employer reputation. A survey of over 40,000 employers ranks schools according to the quality of recruits.

The mineral and mining engineering ranking was introduced for the first time ever last year.

The QS engineering – mining and mineral field has 51 entries and the top tier is dominated by US, Australian and Canadian universities. Top rated Colorado School of Mines, established in 1859, is placed well above the competition with a score of above 90.

Established in 1986 Curtin University in Western Australia’s mining faculty shot up the rankings from 19th to second place ahead of Queensland University which also moved up 7 places in the rankings.

Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals fall just outside the top 20 while South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand is in joint 22nd after falling 4 places.

Indian School of Mines (ISM) University, Dhanbad ranks 24th while the top ranked Chinese school, the University of Mining and Technology based in Xuzhou is placed 27th.

Click here for detailed rankings.