Hong Kong universities have achieved their best-ever performance in the latest QS World University Rankings, with five institutions placed among the world's top 100 and, for the first time, two breaking into the top 20. The rankings, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on June 18, underscore the city's growing reputation as a premier education hub in Asia.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintained its position at 11th globally, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) surged 14 places to 18th. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology rose 11 spots to 33rd, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University climbed four places to 50th, entering the top 50 for the first time. City University of Hong Kong also improved, moving up 11 places to 52nd.
According to QS, 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." A spokesman for Hong Kong's Education Bureau (EDB) attributed the success to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's full commitment to developing the city into an education hub, supported by a series of policy measures.
The strong showing follows recent results from the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings, where multiple Hong Kong universities demonstrated exceptional 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 globally for "Education and Educational Research."
The EDB spokesman emphasized that these achievements validate the Government's steadfast investment in education through the University Grants Committee (UGC) and its support for institutions to innovate, optimize, expand capacity, and enhance quality. "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," he said.
The Government has implemented several measures to bolster the sector, including raising the admission ceiling for non-local students in taught programmes at funded post-secondary institutions to 50% and increasing the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing places in funded research postgraduate programmes to 120%. Additionally, the "Study in Hong Kong" brand is being promoted globally through the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, which collaborates with major institutions to attract top talent from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, including through the expansion of the Belt and Road Scholarship.
The strength of Hong Kong's higher education system aligns with the strategic goals of the National 15th Five-Year Plan to build a leading nation in education, technology, and talent. The EDB spokesman concluded that the Government will continue to promote the internationalization and diversification of post-secondary education, enhancing Hong Kong's development momentum and contributing to the nation's development.
