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The Chinese University of Hong Kong achieved its strongest performance to date in the QS World University Rankings 2027 by advancing to 18th place globally from 32nd a year earlier, according to a statement issued by the university on June 18. The institution recorded gains across multiple indicators used in the assessment of more than 1,500 universities worldwide, with particular progress in employer reputation, international research network, international student ratio and faculty student ratio. CUHK also secured a perfect score in international faculty ratio once again, underlining its success in recruiting scholars from around the world. The university placed second in Hong Kong for academic reputation, employer reputation, employment outcomes and sustainability, the statement noted.
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, vice-chancellor and president of CUHK, described the result as a significant milestone that reflects years of collective effort by faculty, students, alumni and partners. In the university statement, Lo said, “CUHK’s entry into the global top 20 marks a significant milestone in the University’s development and stands as a testament to the collective efforts of our faculty, students, alumni, and partners over the years.” He highlighted the role of Hong Kong as China’s most international city in supporting a dynamic environment that blends academic excellence, cultural diversity and innovation. Lo added that the rise in employer reputation validates the effectiveness of the collegiate system and liberal arts education paired with research strengths.
The QS World University Rankings 2027 placed two Hong Kong universities in the global top 20 for the first time, with the University of Hong Kong holding at 11th while CUHK surged into 18th, a South China Morning Post report stated. This outcome aligns with assessments that Hong Kong possesses Asia’s most improved higher education system for the second consecutive year. CUHK’s advance represented the largest jump among institutions inside the top 20 and top 50, the newspaper added. QS data further showed that five of the city’s publicly funded universities now sit inside the global top 100.
CUHK’s latest ranking constitutes its best showing since QS launched the survey in 2010, according to the university statement. The compiler weights academic reputation at 30 percent and employer reputation at 15 percent within its methodology, which also factors in citations, sustainability and other measures of teaching and research impact, a QS overview of the 2027 edition explained. Hong Kong institutions have benefited from rising international student ratios even as some traditional destination countries tightened policies, the overview indicated. CUHK has maintained strong performance in global engagement metrics over recent cycles.
Looking forward, the university statement outlined plans to launch a new strategic plan covering 2026 to 2030 that will emphasise deeper partnerships with leading universities, industry and government bodies. Lo said the institution aims to advance impactful research and knowledge transfer to tackle shared global challenges. The vice-chancellor expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong government, the nation and sector partners for ongoing support while extending an invitation to outstanding students and scholars worldwide. CUHK, founded in 1963, operates around 300 research institutes and centres alongside four state key laboratories that contribute to its standing in international assessments.
