Instrument of Improvement or Degradation: Contemporary University Rankings and Their Problems

The paper is devoted to the analyses of current situation in the area of theory and methodology of university rankings. The author identifies three main problems in this area. First of all, it is the problem of relation of measurable and non-measurable dimensions of university activities and the relevant limitation of possibility to use ranking as the universal technology of evaluation. Secondly, it is the relations between objective and subjective data in elaboration of relevant indicators. Thirdly, is the problem of necessity of exclusive and authentic methodology for university ranking or possibility to apply universal methodology. The results of main international and Ukrainian university rankings in 2017 are also presented.