The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has solidified its position in the highest echelons of global higher education, securing the 11th spot globally for the second year running in the QS World University Rankings 2027, announced by the global higher education analytics organisation Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on 18 June. By retaining this historic high, HKU firmly cements its standing as a premier institution both globally and locally, leading the city's higher education sector as a beacon of academic excellence and global impact.
Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, said, "HKU's vision is to be a world-leading university that transforms humanity's future, building on our 115-year legacy. The University's success is built upon a solid foundation: attracting premier global talent, fostering an environment where scholars can thrive, and driving original research with real-world impact. As we support national strategies to build a leading nation in education, we extend our deepest gratitude to our nation and the HKSAR Government, the University community, and all our dedicated supporters for making these achievements possible."
A wave of spectacular achievements and historic breakthroughs has recently swept across the HKU community. In a historic milestone that has inspired the entire city, HKU alumna Dr Lai Ka-ying has been selected as a crew member of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission. As the first-ever Hong Kong payload specialist to journey into orbit, her journey to the stars embodies HKU's power to nurture world-changing talent. Just as our graduates reach these new frontiers, HKU continues to draw the world's finest minds to Hong Kong. Our campus serves as a magnetic hub for global talent, welcoming Nobel laureates, Fields Medalist, and distinguished international scholars. This concentration of elite minds is reflected in our global standing, with HKU ranking 13th globally in 2025 and boasting 54 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers—the highest in Hong Kong. From the laboratory to the cosmos, HKU continues to redefine what is possible.
The QS World University Rankings 2027 evaluated universities worldwide based on nine indicators including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, international student ratio, international research network, employment outcomes and sustainability.
