Best young universities in the world
Explore the best universities under 50 years old using Times Higher Education’s university rankings data
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When choosing which university to attend, it can be easy to get distracted by the old guard: those institutions that have been around for centuries, and that dominate the upper echelons of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Names such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Princeton spring to mind.
But many more institutions also deserve your attention. THE’s 2021 Young University Rankings reveal the best universities under 50 years old, assessing them across teaching, research, international outlook and their work with industry. In fact, the ranking was created using the same methodology as the THE World University Rankings, but the weightings were recalibrated to reflect the missions of younger universities. The full methodology can be found here, and you can explore the top 100 universities by scrolling down.
Top five universities in the Young University Rankings 2021
Scroll down for the top 100 and a link to the full ranking
1. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Not only has Nanyang Technological University, Singapore been ranked the best university under 50 years old, it is one of the highest ranked Asian universities in the THE World University Rankings.
The university’s main garden campus is in Jurong and it also has a site in Novena, Singapore’s medical district.
The university has 25,000 students from more than 100 nations. NTU also has strong ties with many institutions across the globe, including Imperial College London, Stanford University and Peking University.
2. Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris, France
Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris is a collegiate university formed in 2010. It was originally made up of five institutions but has since grown to incorporate 25 self-governing academic and research institutions. It was established with the aim of becoming one of the world’s leading research universities.
PSL’s main sites are in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The university aims to boost research output from France and it is actively working to become a stronger player in the global higher education sector.
The university has developed strategic partnerships with New York University, the University of Cambridge, Tsinghua University, and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, among others.
3. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology consistently ranks as one of the best universities in Hong Kong.
As its name suggests, HKUST focuses on providing students with a high-quality education within the realms of science and technology.
The university was established in 1991. In 2011, it received five State Science and Technology Awards – prestigious prizes conferred by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Student experience at young universities
Life at a millennial university
Studying at POSTECH, South Korea
4. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) was established in 1971 and has become a leading institution in South Korea.
KAIST consists of two major campuses situated in Daejeon and South Korea’s capital, Seoul. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses are delivered across six colleges and two schools, with more than 33 divisions.
The university has developed partnerships with institutions in the US, UK, Denmark and Germany, among others.
5. City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong was established in 1994.
The university has nine main schools offering courses in business, science, engineering, liberal arts, social sciences, law and veterinary medicine.
CUHK is located on an urban campus in Kowloon. There are more than 80 student clubs and societies as well as a number of sports teams.
