Hong Kong universities have reached new heights in global rankings, with five institutions placing among the world's top 100 and two entering the top 20 for the first time in the 2027 World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on June 18. This achievement cements the city's status as a premier education hub, according to a spokesman for Hong Kong's Education Bureau (EDB).
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintained its position at 11th globally, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) jumped 14 places to 18th. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology rose 11 places 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." The EDB spokesman attributed this success to the HKSAR government's steadfast investment in education and support through the University Grants Committee (UGC).
In the recent Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report, multiple Hong Kong universities showed exceptional international competitiveness, with 20 subjects 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."
The spokesman emphasized that the stellar performance is "by no means accidental," relying on institutions' efforts to recruit world-class scholars and invest in infrastructure, as well as the government's stable resource investment and policy guidance. The government continues to promote internationalization and diversification of post-secondary education, aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan's goals to build a leading nation in education, technology, and talent.
To support the sector's growth, the government has raised the admission ceiling for non-local students in taught programmes to 50% and increased the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing places in research postgraduate programmes to 120%. It is also promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand through the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, expanding the Belt and Road Scholarship and collaborating with major institutions to attract talent from the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
For more information, visit the Brand Hong Kong website.
