Asia's top universities revealed: Who's gaining ground?

The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027 have been released, featuring more than 1,700 universities across the region.

The University of Hong Kong retains first place, followed by Peking University. However, there has been considerable movement elsewhere in the top 10, with eight institutions changing positions.

Hong Kong SAR is a standout performer, with five universities in the top 10. City University of Hong Kong climbs three places to fourth, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong rises two places to fifth. More broadly, 73% of Hong Kong SAR's ranked universities have improved their positions – the highest proportion in the region.

Mainland China continues to be most represented location, with 448 ranked institutions, including 53 new entrants. Tsinghua University is the biggest climber in the top 10, rising six places to third. India follows with 325 ranked universities, although its highest-ranked institution, IIT Delhi, falls seven places to 66th.

Singapore's two leading universities have both slipped, with the National University of Singapore dropping three places to joint sixth and Nanyang Technological University falling five to eighth. However, Singapore continues to record the highest mean average scores across seven indicators among locations with at least five ranked institutions, including Employer Reputation and Citations per Paper.

There are also significant improvements beyond the top 100. South Korea's Inje University records the biggest rise in Asia, climbing 337 places to 366th, largely supported by stronger Employer Reputation.

While Hong Kong SAR and mainland China have strengthened their positions near the top, universities across the wider region are making substantial gains, particularly in reputation and international engagement.