Rookies Global School Rankings®: A Comprehensive Guide

At The Rookies, we recognise that a school's reputation is a cornerstone for attracting top-tier talent and securing vital funding. That's why we've developed the Rookies Global School Rankings®, a well-regarded and reliable ranking system grounded in student performance.

A Ranking System Like No Other

Our rankings stand apart in their foundation – they are built upon the quality and excellence of student work produced within the school environment. Rather than relying on traditional metrics, we assess each institution based on the creative and technical prowess displayed by their students.

The Rookies World School Rankings® are not like other education based ranking systems. They are driven and judged by industry professionals without the interference of paid advertising dollars that cloud the judgement of other ranking sites • Scott Thompson, founder of Think Tank Training Centre.

The Data Collection Process

Our data collection process is robust and dynamic. We invite students to submit their finest work to the Rookie Awards, which undergoes rigorous evaluation by a distinguished industry panel. Each year, we receive submissions from over 500 schools worldwide, amounting to approximately 5,000 portfolios. This wealth of submissions provides us with an intricate and insightful dataset.

Beyond Conventional Rankings

We firmly believe that conventional ranking systems fall short in assessing the best creative schools and colleges. Industries like Visual Effects, Feature Animation, and Games demand a more nuanced approach due to their technical and creative nature.

To uphold this standard, each student portfolio is meticulously reviewed by a panel of over 150 esteemed industry veterans. The review process hinges on criteria such as creative skills, technical finesse, presentation, skill variety, complexity, raw talent, and employment potential.

The Rookies World School Rankings® are the most important student award and ranking globally as it has a credibility that others just don’t have. It uses industry to assess and judge student work and discounts for any school flooding the awards with entries. - Darryn Melrose, former Chief Executive of Media Design School

Celebrate Your Achievements with Official Badges, Certificates and Trophies

Stand out and gain recognition with the official Rookie Awards badges. Our badges serve as symbols of excellence within the creative industry and can augment lead generation by up to 4 times when integrated into your school's website or promotional materials.

From honorable mentions to top rankings, we offer badges tailored to various creative industries. These badges can be proudly displayed on your website, email signature, or social media profiles, underscoring your institution's commitment to nurturing and acknowledging emerging talent.

Elevating Reputation, Exposure and Engagement

Enhanced Visibility: A top-tier ranking amplifies your school's visibility on a global scale. A higher ranking signals to prospective students that your institution is a prime destination for quality education and industry connections. This heightened exposure can not only attract increased attention from potential students, but also from parents, and industry players, leading to a greater number of high quality applications and inquiries, contributing to a dynamic and competitive learning environment.

Recognition: A top-ranking establishes your school as a frontrunner in creative education. Industry stakeholders, including employers and professionals, take note of schools with outstanding rankings, leading to increased partnerships, collaborations, and networking opportunities. This can result in increased job and internship opportunities, as employers are keen to tap into the talent pool of schools that excel in the rankings.

Motivating Achievement: A higher ranking fosters a sense of pride among your current students and alumni. They become more engaged with school activities, contributing to a vibrant creative community that benefits both personal growth and professional networking. It also confirms your school's dedication to nurturing these successful creatives.

Tips and Best Practices for Success

For Students

Showcase Your Strengths: Focus on your most exceptional work, presenting it to highlight your skills and talents.

Attention to Detail: Ensure your submission is error-free and showcases meticulous attention to detail.

Seek Feedback: Prior to submission, seek feedback from peers, instructors, or industry professionals to refine your work.

Follow Guidelines: Understand and adhere closely to submission guidelines and requirements.

For Schools

Create Portfolios: Help your students create portfolios to get them familiar with our tools and processes.

Promote Collaboration: Encourage students to work together on projects and to collaborate with other students and professionals in the industry.

Schedule a Webinar Session: Encourage students to attend one of our webinar sessions where we provide helpful tips for creating a winning submission.

Promote the Awards: Spread the word about The Rookies Awards across your school by putting up our posters and sharing information on social media.

Join us in this remarkable journey to recognise and elevate creative education through Rookies Global School Rankings. Your contributions reshape the future of creative industries, one talented student at a time.