HKU achieves record high ranking of 17th globally in 2025 QS World University Rankings

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has reached a historic milestone, securing the 17th position globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. This achievement was announced on June 4 by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the esteemed global higher education analytics organisation. HKU has leaped by nine positions and continues to uphold its distinguished status in local rankings.

Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, is delighted with the University’s achievement, stating, “HKU’s achievements today is the fruit of the collective effort by our scholars, staff, students, alumni and supporters.  I would like to express my sincere gratitude for their dedication to HKU.  As HKU continues to pursue academic and research excellence, the University remains focused on nurturing future leaders, driving societal progress, and contributing to global well-being through conducting cutting-edge research and providing quality education to future generations. 

“HKU is also dedicated to supporting Hong Kong’s transformation into a leading international education hub and upholding its responsibility to serve the national development strategies and global communities,” Professor Zhang added. 

HKU is committed to fostering breakthroughs and innovations, encouraging scholars to undertake frontier research and promoting an academic atmosphere of levelled cooperation. Over the past year, the University has excelled in various global academic performance aspects including scholars receiving international accolades, securing prestigious scholarships and fellowships. Meanwhile, HKU has hosted major international conferences to foster academic exchanges.

The University places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, aiming to achieve greater impact, expand research horizons and attract distinguished global researchers. In 2023, more than 100 top scholars from around the world joined HKU.

The 2025 QS World University Rankings 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.