Six university subjects in HK make world's top 10

More than half of subjects offered at Hong Kong’s universities rose in their rankings, with six programs making into the world’s top 10, according to Britain-based education rating firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

In the newly published 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, 231 programs from nine Hong Kong universities were rated, of which 68 percent, or 181, climbed in their rankings, making the SAR the most improved location.

Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) ranked second in the world. HKU also boasted three more subjects in the top 10 globally, including education at the third place, linguistics at 9th and geography at 10th. 

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has two subjects in the world’s top 10, nursing at the 5th position and linguistics at 10th.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) saw seven subjects in the global top 30, and the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) four subjects in the global top 50.

Out of the 50 HKU subjects ranked, 39 were among the global top 50. HKU president Zhang Xiang attributed the achievement to a collective endeavour of the faculty and students.

“The commendable global standing of our subjects is a reflection of HKU's commitment to academic rigour and the pursuit of innovation and knowledge,” Zhang said, vowing dedication to setting a high benchmark in education and research.

PolyU and CityU presidents, Teng Jinguang and Freddy Boey, welcomed the results and pledged to contribute to higher education in Hong Kong and globally.

The 2025 edition of the QS subject ranking is the biggest yet of the rating firm, comparing over 21,000 academic offerings at more than 1,700 universities across 100 countries and territories in 55 subjects and five faculty areas.

(Jamie Liu)