Preface

On October 9, 2025, Beijing time, the internationally renowned higher education ranking organization Times Higher Education (THE) officially released its 2026 World University Rankings, covering 2,191 institutions across 115 countries and regions. Just recently, QS also unveiled its 2026 World University Rankings. The back-to-back release of these two authoritative rankings highlights the profound shifts taking place in the global higher education landscape, while also offering valuable guidance for students and parents who are currently mapping out their international educational paths.

PART1 Ranking Trends

This year's Times Higher Education rankings reveal that the global landscape of research and higher education is shifting away from the long-standing dominance of Western institutions, moving instead toward the East. Phil Baty, Director of Global Affairs at Times Higher Education, notes that most U.S. and Western European institutions have experienced significant declines in the rankings, while Asian countries—led by China—are steadily climbing up the ladder. This trend, he emphasizes, is clearly set to continue.

Among the global top 10 in the Times Ranking, Oxford University has remained firmly at the No. 1 spot worldwide for the past decade, while MIT from the U.S. holds steady at No. 2, and Princeton University ranks third. Although prestigious institutions from the UK and the U.S. continue to dominate, the rising influence of Asian universities can no longer be ignored.

PART2 Hong Kong universities deliver impressive performances

Hong Kong's universities have excelled in both major ranking systems, becoming one of the most notable highlights of this year's rankings.

Times 2026 Ranking: Hong Kong Universities All Rise Together

In the Times 2026 rankings, all eight universities in Hong Kong not only made the list, but each also improved its ranking compared to last year—making Hong Kong the only region in Asia and globally where every single institution advanced from the previous year, with at least three of its universities featured in the rankings.

The University of Hong Kong ranks 33rd globally, climbing two places from last year.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong rose from 44th to 41st place.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology climbed from 66th to 58th place.

Hong Kong City University climbed from 78th to 75th place.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University rose from 84th to 83rd place last year.

QS 2026 Ranking: The University of Hong Kong Advances to No. 11 Globally

In the QS 2026 rankings, Hong Kong's universities also delivered outstanding performances: The University of Hong Kong climbed to No. 11 globally, marking a historic breakthrough. The Chinese University of Hong Kong ranked 32nd worldwide, while the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology secured the 44th spot. According to the QS website, among regions globally with five or more universities listed, Hong Kong’s higher education system has seen the second-largest improvement in ranking.

PART3 THE vs. QS Ranking

The Global Landscape of Higher Education from Different Perspectives

Although both the Times Higher Education Ranking and the QS Ranking are globally recognized as four of the most authoritative university rankings, their evaluation systems each emphasize different aspects.

THE rankings place greater emphasis on the balance between teaching and research, with evaluation criteria covering five core areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry impact—comprising a total of 18 specific indicators that comprehensively assess universities' academic and research achievements. Among these, teaching, research, and paper citations each carry approximately 30% weighting, ensuring that the assessment remains firmly rooted in academic excellence itself.

The QS ranking places greater emphasis on academic reputation and employer feedback, with academic reputation accounting for as much as 30% and employer reputation making up 15%.

Simply put, the THE ranking is more suitable for students who prioritize academic research, while the QS ranking offers greater guidance for those who value career prospects. Students planning to pursue research-oriented degrees or those focused on academic advancement should refer more to the THE ranking, whereas students who are more concerned about job market competitiveness and career development will find the QS ranking more relevant.

PART4 Zhuhai Yinghua International Curriculum

Precisely aligning with admission requirements of world-renowned universities

Facing the evolving global landscape of higher education, Zhuhai Yinghua International Education has always been committed to providing students with the most cutting-edge and effective international curriculum system, helping them precisely navigate their academic advancement paths.

As a full-time boarding international curriculum high school, Zhuhai Yinghua has received triple accreditation from the UK’s Edexcel, CAMBRIDGE, and Oxford AQA examination boards, and is also a member of the UK Universities Admissions Service. UCAS The member schools.

The A-LEVEL courses offered by the school are renowned as the "International Gold-Medal Program." With A-LEVEL results, students can apply to numerous prestigious universities worldwide—ranging from institutions in English-speaking countries such as the UK, the U.S., Canada, and Australia, to any university within the European Union, as well as universities in Hong Kong.

To meet students' growing demand for higher education opportunities in Hong Kong and Macao, the school officially launched the HKDSE program in 2020, becoming the only institution in Zhuhai offering this curriculum. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's universities have consistently excelled in two major global rankings, further bolstered by their strategic geographic location and strong cultural identity—factors that make them an increasingly popular choice for Chinese families.

In June 2025, Zhuhai Yinghua International Education achieved another milestone—officially becoming an authorized AP Teaching Center by the College Board, enabling students to access academic resources that align seamlessly with those offered at top U.S. high schools, right on campus.

PART5 Ranking Insights

Utilizing university rankings to map out international education pathways

For students and parents of international programs, when faced with different university rankings, they should adopt a rational perspective and make appropriate use of the information:

Understand the ranking characteristics and clarify your personal needs: THE rankings are more suitable for academically oriented students, while QS rankings offer greater reference value for students who prioritize career prospects.

Focus on program-specific rankings to avoid the "comprehensive ranking trap": Some institutions may have low overall rankings but excel in particular majors. Students who prioritize academics should prioritize looking at program-specific rankings instead.

When aligning with your career development plan, choose your target institutions accordingly: Students planning to return to China for career growth can refer to the QS rankings, while those aiming to work in the UK should consider the THE rankings, as they hold significant value for local employment opportunities.

Consider multiple factors, don’t rely solely on rankings: Rankings are just one of the tools to help you choose a school—other important considerations include the school’s location, campus culture, scholarship policies, and more.

The 2026 Times and QS World University Rankings jointly reveal a clear trend: global high-quality higher education resources are becoming increasingly diverse, with universities in Asia—particularly in China—continuously strengthening their competitiveness. This development offers students choosing international programs a broader and more varied range of options.

Zhuhai Yinghua International Education will continue to uphold its educational philosophy of "integrating the strengths of Eastern and Western education," guided by the school motto of "Confidence, Responsibility, and Honor," and strive to nurture elite talents with both a profound Chinese identity and a global perspective. In the context of globalized education, accurately grasping the latest trends in international higher education and helping children choose the most suitable educational path is a shared responsibility for every parent and educator.

Parents and students who are interested are welcome to schedule a school visit for more details on international programs and college planning.