Hong Kong is the only city in the world which has five universities in the top 100 of the World University Rankings 2026, published by Times Higher Education (THE).

The Education Bureau said today that universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) all maintained high rankings, with all of the city’s ranked institutions gaining higher positions.

It said the results give due recognition to the achievements of Hong Kong’s post-secondary education sector in its pursuit of excellence, and testify to significant progress in the Government’s efforts to develop the city into an international post-secondary education hub.

In the latest rankings, the University of Hong Kong rose two places to 33rd globally; the Chinese University moved up three places to 41st; the University of Science & Technology jumped eight places to 58th; City University advanced three places to 75th; and the Polytechnic University climbed one place to 83rd.

Hong Kong Baptist University also recorded an improved ranking, while the Education University of Hong Kong and Lingnan University both entered the rankings for the first time.

Hong Kong institutions demonstrated outstanding performance on several key indicators, including sustained progress in areas such as teaching reputation and staff-to-student ratios.

In the World Talent Ranking 2025, released last month by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong leapt to fourth, ranking first in Asia. The bureau iterated that the latest World University Rankings reaffirm the remarkable results achieved under the Government’s education policy.

It emphasised that Hong Kong is in alignment with key national strategies in prioritising education as the foundation for building a strong nation, and in developing itself as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent.

The bureau also highlighted that in recent years the Government has raised the admission quota and increased scholarships for non-local students at publicly funded post-secondary institutions, established the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and enhanced the quality of Hong Kong institutions. It predicted the city’s education sector will undergo a golden era in the coming decade.