Hong Kong Universities Excel in Global Rankings, Two Enter Top 20 for First Time

Hong Kong universities have achieved remarkable success in the 2027 World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on June 18, with five institutions ranked among the world’s top 100 and, for the first time, two in the top 20. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintained its position at 11th, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rose 14 places to 18th. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology climbed 11 places to 33rd, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University advanced four places to 50th, entering the top 50 for the first time. City University of Hong Kong also improved 11 places to 52nd.

According to a spokesman for Hong Kong’s Education Bureau (EDB), these results reflect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s full commitment to developing Hong Kong into an education hub, supported by a series of policy measures. QS noted in a press release that Hong Kong “emerges as Asia’s most improved higher education system for the second consecutive year, and the second most improved globally among systems with three or more ranked universities.”

The latest Best Global Universities Rankings by the U.S. News & World Report also highlighted Hong Kong’s international competitiveness, with 20 subjects placing in the global top 10. Notably, CUHK, HKU, and The Education University of Hong Kong swept the top three spots for “Education and Educational Research,” underscoring the city’s prowess in talent cultivation and academic research.

The EDB spokesman emphasized that these achievements “fully affirm the effectiveness of the HKSAR Government’s steadfast investment in education and its full support through the University Grants Committee (UGC) for institutions to continuously innovate, optimise, expand capacity, and enhance quality.” The government’s stable resource investment, clear policy guidance, and rigorous quality assurance under the University Accountability Agreements have been crucial.

The government continues to promote internationalisation and diversification of post-secondary education, aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s strategic goals to build a leading nation in education, technology, and talent. Measures include raising the admission ceiling for non-local students in taught programmes at funded institutions to 50% and increasing the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing places in funded research postgraduate programmes to 120%.

Additionally, the government is promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. The Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, in collaboration with major institutions, is enhancing promotion of Hong Kong’s academic and research resources on the Chinese Mainland and overseas, and attracting global talent through initiatives like the Belt and Road Scholarship. For more information, visit the Brand Hong Kong website.