Hong Kong's universities have achieved record-breaking results in the latest global rankings, with five institutions placed among the world's top 100 and two entering the top 20 for the first time. The 2027 World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on June 18 show The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintaining its 11th position, 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 11 places to 52nd.
QS described Hong Kong 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 commitment to developing the city into an education hub, supported by policy measures and investment through the University Grants Committee (UGC).
The rankings follow the latest Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report, where multiple Hong Kong universities placed 20 subjects 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 said these achievements affirm the effectiveness of government investment and support for institutions to innovate and enhance quality. "The significant year-on-year rise in the overall rankings further validates Hong Kong's strong appeal as a premier hub for international high-end talent," he added.
The government's efforts align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan's strategic goals to build a leading nation in education, technology, and talent. Measures to strengthen the post-secondary sector 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 research postgraduate programmes to 120%. The government is also promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand through the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, which collaborates with institutions to attract talent from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, including expanding the Belt and Road Scholarship.
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