The 2015 edition of the QS Top 50 Under 50 – a ranking of the world’s top universities established in the last half century – is released today. This year’s edition confirms the continued growth in progress of Asia’s leading young institutions, particularly in the fast-developing Tiger economies.
Based on the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings ®, the QS Top 50 Under 50 celebrates fast-developing young universities around the world. For the first time, this year sees the publication of the ‘Next 50 Under 50’ – casting additional light on the higher education sector’s fastest-rising stars.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in top spot
Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) claims the top spot as the highest-ranked university under 50. In the 24 years since its founding, NTU has gone from strength to strength as one of the biggest movers in the QS World University Rankings, climbing an impressive 26 places in the latest edition, from 39 to 13.
Asian universities dominate the Top 50 Under 50
The top six universities in this year’s Top 50 Under 50 are all based in Asian ‘Tiger economy’ countries, with three representatives from Hong Kong, two from South Korea and, of course, Singapore’s NTU at the top.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) – established in 1991 – ranks second, while South Korea’s KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology holds onto third place. While the top three remains stable, there are greater disparities in the pace of progress further down the list, as the world’s leading young universities jostle for global recognition.
University of Bath re-enters top 10
The University of Bath climbs five places to re-enter the top 10 in 7th position, making it the highest-ranked young university in both the UK and all of Europe. Spain’s Universidad Autónoma de Madrid is Europe’s second entry at 9, and fellow Spanish university Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona is right behind in 10th place.
Top 10 Universities Under 50 Years OldBased on the QS Top 50 Under 50 2015 |
|||
| Country | Position in the QS World University Rankings ® 2015/16 | Year established | |
| 1. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Singapore | 13 | 1991 |
| 2. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) | Hong Kong | 28 | 1991 |
| 3. KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology | South Korea | 43 | 1971 |
| 4. City University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 57 | 1984 |
| 5. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | South Korea | 87= | 1986 |
| 6. Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Hong Kong | 116 | 1994 |
| 7. University of Bath | UK | 159 | 1966 |
| 8. Maastricht University | The Netherlands | 169 | 1976 |
| 9. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid | Spain | 186 | 1968 |
| 10. Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona | Spain | 190= | 1968 |
First published in 2012, the Top 50 Under 50 was developed with the aim of celebrating and tracking the progress of the dynamic young institutions which are increasingly challenging the long-established players in the higher education space.
A total of 23 countries have at least one university featured in the Top 50 Under 50 this year, with most entries claimed by Australia (8), the UK (5) and Spain (5). While Asian institutions dominate the very top of the ranking, Europe also has a strong presence, accounting for just under half (24) of the top 50.
