Hong Kong's higher education sector has reached new milestones with five institutions securing positions among the world's top 100 and two entering the top 20 in the 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, released on June 18. The results underscore Hong Kong's growing reputation as a premier education hub, driven by sustained government investment and policy support.
The QS ranking, a widely recognized global benchmark, placed the University of Hong Kong (HKU) at 11th, maintaining its strong standing. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) surged 14 places to 18th, while the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology rose 11 spots to 33rd. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University climbed four places to 50th, entering the top 50 for the first time, and City University of Hong Kong improved 11 places to 52nd. QS highlighted Hong Kong as "Asia's most improved higher education system for the second consecutive year" among systems with three or more ranked universities.
A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) attributed the achievements to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's unwavering commitment to education and strategic policy measures. "The significant year-on-year rise in the overall rankings validates Hong Kong's strong appeal as a premier hub for international high-end talent," the spokesman said. The government has increased the admission ceiling for non-local students in taught programmes to 50% and raised the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing places in research postgraduate programmes to 120%, among other initiatives.
The rankings align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan's goals of building a leading nation in education, technology, and talent. The EDB spokesman emphasized the importance of stable resource allocation, clear policy guidance, and rigorous quality assurance through University Accountability Agreements in fostering institutional excellence.
Recent U.S. News & World Report rankings also spotlighted Hong Kong's strength, 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," showcasing the city's prowess in talent cultivation and academic research.
The government continues to promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand through the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, expanding the Belt and Road Scholarship and collaborating with institutions to attract global talent. These efforts aim to enhance Hong Kong's development momentum and contribute proactively to the nation's growth, the spokesman added.
