Cover Singapore and Hong Kong each have two universities among the top 10 Asian universities in the 2025 THE World University Rankings (Photo: HKU Heritage Fund)
Singapore and Hong Kong each have two universities among the top 10 Asian universities in the 2025 THE World University Rankings (Photo: HKU Heritage Fund)
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Discover the top 10 best universities in Asia in 2025, as ranked by Times Higher Education. From China and Singapore to Hong Kong and Japan, explore standout institutions and their notable alumni
Times Higher Education (THE), the UK-based institution known for its global university rankings, has released the results of its Asia University Rankings 2025. This year’s rankings showcase the academic powerhouses of the region, with five Chinese universities securing spots in the top 10, including the top two positions. Singapore and Hong Kong each have two universities in the top 10, while Japan claims one.
THE uses a composite scoring system based on five indicators:
- Research Quality (30%) – Citation impact, excellence, and influence of research
- Research Environment (28%) – Reputation, income, and volume of research
- Teaching (24.5%) – Reputation, student-faculty ratios, PhD output, and resources
- Industry Income (10%) – Partnerships and patents
- International Outlook (7.5%) – Global collaboration, foreign faculty and students
Above University ranking indicators in all 5 areas
University ranking indicators in all 5 areas
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The 2025 list evaluated 853 universities across 35 Asian countries, marking a record level of participation and competition. Here are the top 10 universities in Asia this year:
- Tsinghua University, China
- Peking University, China
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
- The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong
- Fudan University, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong
- Zhejiang University, China
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China
1. Tsinghua University, China
Above Tsinghua University, China (Photo: N509FZ/Wikimedia Commons)
Tsinghua University, China (Photo: N509FZ/Wikimedia Commons)
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Ranked 12th in the world, Tsinghua University is the top Asian university in the World University Rankings. Located in Beijing, Tsinghua University is considered one of China’s most prestigious institutions, especially in engineering, technology, and science. Often dubbed “China’s MIT”, it is known for academic excellence, impactful research, and deep industry ties.
Notable alumni: Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Premier Zhu Rongji, former President Hu Jintao, businesswoman Zhang Zetian. Apple CEO Tim Cook is the chairman of Tsinghua’s School of Economics and Management Advisory Board.
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2. Peking University, China
Above Peking University (Photo: Beijing University/Kent Wang via Wikimedia Commons)
Peking University (Photo: Beijing University/Kent Wang via Wikimedia Commons)
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Also based in Beijing, Peking University (Beida) rivals Tsinghua in prestige, and is ranked just behind it, at 13th in the world. Renowned for its strength in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, it is also a cultural icon in China.
Notable alumni: Former Premier Li Keqiang; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo; Nobel Prize for Medicine laureate Tu Youyou; Robin Li, founder of Chinese search engine Baidu; and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
3. National University of Singapore, Singapore
Above University Hall, National University of Singapore (Photo: Alex.ch/Wikimedia Commons)
University Hall, National University of Singapore (Photo: Alex.ch/Wikimedia Commons)
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Singapore’s flagship institution, NUS is a leading force in research and innovation across disciplines such as computer science, law, engineering, and business, with partnerships with industry and government driving cutting-edge developments in many areas. It is currently ranked 17th in the world.
Notable alumni: Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Singapore’s first female President Halimah Yacob, and former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong
4. The University of Tokyo, Japan
Above The Clock Tower at the University of Tokyo (Photo: Guilhelm Vellut/ Wikimedia Commons)
The Clock Tower at the University of Tokyo (Photo: Guilhelm Vellut/ Wikimedia Commons)
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Japan’s top university, The University of Tokyo, is ranked 28th in the World University Rankings. Known as UTokyo, it was founded in 1877 and has had a long history as Japan’s leading institution of higher learning. It offers a broad spectrum of disciplines and is acclaimed for its rigorous academic standards, with multiple Nobel laureates among faculty and alumni.
Notable alumni: Nobel-winning authors Yasunari Kawabata and Kenzaburo Oe, Empress Masako of Japan, Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, and Kiichiro Toyoda, founder of Toyota
5. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Above Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (Photo: Nanyang Technological University)
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (Photo: Nanyang Technological University)
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Nanyang Technological University is renowned as one of the top two universities in Singapore. Currently ranked 30th in the world, NTU is notable for its rapid ascent in global rankings, with particular strengths in engineering, interdisciplinary research and sustainability.
Notable alumni: Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, entrepreneur Merry Riana, and Indonesian billionaire Dato' Sri Tahir, founder of Mayapada Group
6. The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Above The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Photo: HKU Heritage Fund)
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Photo: HKU Heritage Fund)
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Ranked 35th in the world, Hong Kong’s oldest university, HKU, boasts global recognition for its medical, legal, and humanities programmes. Its international faculty and student body reflect its cosmopolitan base.
Notable alumni: Republic of China founder Sun Yat-sen, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and SARS researcher Dr. Guan Yi
7. Fudan University, China
Above The Lee Shau Kee Library in Fudan University, China (Photo: Fudan University)
The Lee Shau Kee Library in Fudan University, China (Photo: Fudan University)
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Located in Shanghai, Fudan University is a member of China’s elite C9 League, also known as the Chinese Ivy League. At number 36, it is respected for its strengths across a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, science and medicine, as well as its substantial research output and continued international engagement.
Notable alumni: Wang Huning, a distinguished politician and member of China’s Politburo Standing Committee; People's Republic of China Vice President Han Zheng; Zhang Weiwei, and Guo Guangchang, director of the China Institute of Studies at Fudan University; and Guo Guangchang, chairman and co-founder of Fosun International
8. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Above The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Photo: CUHK)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Photo: CUHK)
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong is the second oldest university after HKU, and is ranked at number 44 globally. It is renowned for its bilingual approach to education in English and Chinese. CUHK is recognised for its strong research output, particularly in medicine, business and the social sciences, as well as its multiculturalism, which embraces both Chinese and Western cultures, and its strong links with local and regional communities.
Notable alumni: Physics Nobel laureate Sir Charles Kao, HKMA chief Norman Chan, HKTV founder Ricky Wong and former HKEx Chairman Sir Chung-kong Chow
9. Zhejiang University, China
Above Zhejiang University, China
Zhejiang University, China
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Ranked 47th in the world, ZJU, in Hangzhou, is one of China’s largest and most comprehensive universities in China. With an outstanding reputation in the fields of engineering and science and technology, it enjoys substantial research support and strong cooperation with the industry. Currently, more than 50 faculty members of ZJU are members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), which are leading consultative institutions in science and technology in the People's Republic of China.
Notable alumni: Chinese Premier Li Qiang, DeepSeek AI founder Liang Wenfeng, BBK Electronics founder Duan Yongping and Pinduoduo founder Colin Huang
10. Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Above Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China (Photo: Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China (Photo: Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
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Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is another leading university in Shanghai, with a long history and a reputation for engineering, science, technology, medicine, and business. Ranked at number 52 in the world, SJTU is committed to continuously supporting important research, promoting internationalisation and global cooperation.
Notable alumni: Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, basketball star Yao Ming, table tennis legend Ma Long, and Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing
This story was originally written in Thai by Chachanondh Limthong and published as เผย 10 อันดับมหาวิทยาลัยที่ดีที่สุดในเอเชียของ Times Higher Education พร้อมศิษย์เก่าที่มีชื่อเสียง.
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Kristine Fonacier is a widely published journalist and author, covering lifestyle, business, politics and travel, having been the editor in chief at the Philippine editions of Esquire and Entrepreneur, and the founding editor of Grid magazine. At Tatler, she was previously the regional editor for T-Labs, Power & Purpose and Asia’s Most Influential.
