University ranking as an attraction factor for international students

The research analyzes university rankings as an indicator of attractiveness when an international student chooses an educational path. The position of a university in world rankings (Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), QS World University Rankings (QS), The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE)) is a marker of its competitiveness, reputation, and recognition on the modern global education market. Based on the results of the empirical and sociological study conducted in Ural Federal University, the author concludes that Chinese students (n = 20) do not consider the rank of a university as a pivotal reason for its choice. However, university marketing experts (n = 4) believe that the role of this factor will increase. Universities use both formal and informal practices for approval of their position in world rankings