For the first time, four Hong Kong universities have been placed among the top 50 in the latest global rankings , with two in the top 20. Students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The 2027 World University Rankings , released by UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on Thursday, also showed that five Hong Kong institutions remained among the world’s top 100. In the 2026 rankings , released last year, three local universities were in the top 50, with only one in the top 20.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the city’s oldest university, maintained its 11th position in the QS rankings for the second year. In a statement , HKU said the latest announcement “firmly cements its standing as a premier institution both globally and locally.”
CUHK made it into the top 20 for the first time, moving up from 32nd in the previous year to 18th this year. Its “entry into the global top 20 marks a significant milestone in the University’s development,” Dennis Lo, CUHK vice-chancellor and president, said in a statement.
“The notable rise in employer reputation underscores the effectiveness of CUHK’s collegiate system and liberal arts education, combined with the strengths of a research university,” Lo added.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) also made significant progress, rising 11 places to 33rd this year. The HKUST president, Nancy Ip, said in a statement that the latest standing was “truly heartening.” The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) rose four places to rank 50th this year, entering the world’s top 50 for the first time. PolyU also became the fourth Hong Kong university to be among the world’s top 50 in the QS rankings.
Shortly behind PolyU is the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), which ranks 52nd in the latest standings, up from 63rd in the previous year.
The Hong Kong government lauded the impressive results of the city’s higher education institutions in this year’s QS rankings.
“The significant year-on-year rise in the overall rankings of our institutions further validates Hong Kong’s strong appeal as a premier hub for international high-end talent,” a spokesperson for the Education Bureau said on Thursday. Education Bureau. Photo: GovHK. The government noted that other publicly funded universities in the city also saw their spots higher in the QS rankings this year. The Hong Kong Baptist University ranked 216th, the Education University of Hong Kong 406th, and Lingnan University 581st, according to the latest results.
The government said it would invest more to make the city an international education hub while continuing to align with China’s national development in the higher education sector.
“While integrating into the overall development of the country, we will continue to shine on the global stage,” the government spokesperson said.
QS compiled its rankings this year based on its assessments of 1,504 universities worldwide, evaluating the institutions’ performance in areas such as research, employment outcome, global engagement, and sustainability.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US continued to top the chart this year, while the National University of Singapore (NUS) maintained its spot as the highest-ranking Asian institution, standing at 10th.