Asia University Rankings 2026: out now

• China leads the Asia University Rankings 2026, retaining first and second place 

• Five of the top 10 spots held by mainland Chinese institutions 

• Singapore and Hong Kong have two universities each in top 10 

• Japan has one university in top 10 – Tokyo achieves highest position in a decade 

• Two newly ranked Hong Kong universities enter straight into top 100 

• Macao makes debut in top 30 

• Malaysia joins top 40 for first time, and doubles top 100 places 

• Record 929 universities ranked in 2026, compared with 853 in 2025 

• 36 countries/territories included, one more than last year 

• Yemen makes its debut in the ranking 

• The most comprehensive and balanced assessment of Asia’s research universities 

Top 10 universities overall in the Asia University Rankings 2026 

= joint   

If you reproduce any part of these ranking tables or charts, please attribute it to “Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026”, and link to the full list on our website (link live from 21.00 CST 23 April 2026).

China once again leads the latest Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings, with Tsinghua University in top position for the eighth year running, and Peking University retaining second place.  

Mainland China takes five of the top 10 spots in the 2026 table, with Fudan University and Zhejiang University retaining their positions at seventh and eighth respectively. Shanghai Jiao Tong University moves up one place to ninth. 

The rest of the top 10 comprises two institutions each from Singapore and Hong Kong, and one from Japan, with very little movement at the top from the 2025 ranking. 

Alongside mainland China’s success, it is also a strong year for the country’s two special administrative regions. All six of Hong Kong’s ranked universities from last year remain in the top 50 and its two newly ranked universities enter straight into top 100. Meanwhile, Macao makes the top 30 for the first time, with the University of Macau climbing six places to 28th.  

Malaysia is another stand-out performer this year; it now features in the top 40 for the first time, with Universiti Teknologi Petronas rising eight places to joint 35th this year. And a record six of its universities are in the top 100, double last year’s tally. 

In total, a record 929 universities are ranked from 36 countries/territories, up from 853 universities and 35 countries/territories last year.  

India is the most-represented nation, with 128 institutions ranked, followed by Japan with 115 and Turkey with 109. Yemen is newly ranked this year.  

Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, said: “China’s extraordinary performance and progress in higher education and research is laid bare in the results of this year’s Asia University Rankings – reflected not just by the mainland’s continued prominence at the top of the table, but also in the rising performance of its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.  

“It is also encouraging to see strong results from South-east Asia – one of the most dynamic regions in the world. Malaysia, in particular, has made great strides in the rankings this year and will be one to watch, as it increasingly becomes a major higher education player, not just in the continent but the world.” 

THE Asia University Rankings 2026 country summary 

= joint   

If you reproduce any part of these ranking tables or charts, please attribute it to “Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026”, and link to the full list on our website (link live from 21.00 CST 23 April 2026). The top 200 list is also at the bottom of this press release.   

Methodology  

The THE World University Rankings 2026 is the only global performance table that judges research-intensive universities across all their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.  

The methodology behind the Asia University Rankings is based on the same framework as the global rankings but the weightings are recalibrated to reflect the priorities of Asian institutions.   

We use 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons, trusted by students, academics, university leaders, industry and governments. One of the metrics (study abroad) currently has zero weight but will be counted in future. The performance indicators are grouped into five areas: Teaching (the learning environment); Research environment (volume, income and reputation); Research quality (citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence); International outlook (staff, students and research); and Industry (income and patents).  

For more information, see the full methodology. 

Notes to editors     

1. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please email media@timeshighereducation.com  
2. THE is the trusted global data partner for higher education. Drawing on five decades of expertise in the sector, millions of individual data points and with more unique institutions participating in our flagship university rankings than any other, we offer deeper and richer insight into university performance than anyone else. From powerful data-driven insights and strategic consultancy support to agenda-setting events, student recruitment and hiring solutions, our products and services enable everyone in higher education to make smarter, more informed decisions.