HKUST Rankings 2025–2027 Comprehensive Analysis: QS/THE/ARWU/U.S. News Full Overview

Since its founding in 1991, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and globally in major international league tables, driven by its research strength in science, engineering, and business management. The following is a breakdown of its year-by-year performance by ranking system; all data is drawn from official annual reports or publicly released figures from each ranking body.

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# 1. QS World University Rankings

# 1.1 Global Ranking Year-by-Year Trend

HKUST's performance in the QS World University Rankings^※ tells a representative story: it broke into the global top 30 in 2015, climbed to its historic high of 27th in 2021, dropped to 60th in 2024 due to QS indicator adjustments, and then rebounded rapidly in successive years — leaping 11 places in the 2027 edition to return to 33rd globally.

# 1.2 QS Asia Rankings Year-by-Year Trend

HKUST once held the QS Asia No. 1 spot for three consecutive years (2011–2013)^※, cementing its position as the Asia-Pacific region's flagship research university.

# 1.3 QS Under 50 Rankings

Since 2015, HKUST has never fallen out of the top two globally in the QS Under 50 rankings^※, making it one of the youngest elite research universities in the world.

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# 2. Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

# 2.1 THE Global Rankings

# 2.2 THE Asia Rankings

# 2.3 THE Young University Rankings

HKUST was ranked No. 1 globally in the THE Young University Rankings for three consecutive years (2018–2020)^※ and has remained in the global top five ever since.

# 2.4 THE Impact Rankings (Sustainable Development Goals)

HKUST broke into the global top 20 and ranked 1st in Hong Kong in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings^※, reflecting the societal impact of its research and sustainable development efforts.

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# 3. ARWU (ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities)

ARWU publishes results in bands. HKUST has long been placed in the 201–400 band in the ARWU^※.

# ARWU Subject Rankings (2024–2025 data)

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# 4. U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings

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# 5. Subject / Specialist Rankings

# 5.1 Engineering & Technology (QS)

The HKUST School of Engineering has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for 14 consecutive years in the QS subject rankings^※, with many disciplines firmly in the global top 40.

# 5.2 Science (QS)

# 5.3 THE Subject Rankings (2026)

# 5.4 Business School

The HKUST Business School is the first business school in Hong Kong to hold triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA^※, and performs exceptionally in global and Asian rankings.

# 5.5 Kellogg-HKUST EMBA — Every No. 1 Finish (12 times)

The EMBA programme jointly run by HKUST and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management has been ranked No. 1 in the Financial Times Global EMBA Rankings 12 times^※. The specific years are: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023.

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# 6. Other Global Rankings

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