To compile the UniversityRanking, the CHE conducts a number of different data collection phases. This data is collected through questionnaires administered to member of departments/faculties, professors, students as well as on an analysis of the publication activity of the academics of the respective department.

In addition, institutional level data is collected from the HEIs involved as well as from alumni and/or graduates. An analysis of invention disclosures in certain engineering and natural sciences subjects is also conducted.

An advisory board, consisting of representatives of the subjects analysed, provides expert support for the investigations. The questionnaires used for the data collection are customized to reflect special aspects of each subject being examined.

Different programms are evaluated in different years. These programms are currently re-evaluated in 2009: Mathematics, natural sciences, and medicine . Sports studies will also be included for the first time.