QS World University Rankings 2027: 4 Taiwanese Universities Enter Top 200, Setting New Record

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, June 18) The UK-based higher education analytics firm QS has released the 2027 World University Rankings. A total of four universities from Taiwan have entered the global top 200, the highest number in history. National Taiwan University (NTU) achieved its best-ever ranking, placing 54th worldwide and 17th in Asia.

NTU’s previous best in the QS rankings was 63rd globally and 19th in Asia in the prior year. While three Taiwanese universities were in the top 200 last year, this year’s inclusion of four institutions marks a new record.

In the latest (2027) QS World University Rankings, the Taiwanese universities in the top 200 are: National Taiwan University (54th), National Tsing Hua University (142nd), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (177th), and National Cheng Kung University (191st). NTU remains the only Taiwanese university in the global top 100.

According to data provided by QS, all four universities achieved their highest-ever global rankings. Notably, National Cheng Kung University entered the top 200 for the first time. Among these four, National Tsing Hua University showed the most significant improvement, rising 34 places.

Other Taiwanese universities in the global top 500 include: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (379th), National Taiwan Normal University (423rd), National Sun Yat-sen University (438th), and National Taipei University of Technology (494th).

Despite this progress, QS notes that more Taiwanese universities experienced ranking declines than improvements, particularly in the mid-to-lower tiers of the global rankings.

A total of 27 Taiwanese universities were ranked this year: 9 improved, 13 declined, and 5 remained unchanged.

Analyzing performance across individual indicators, QS highlights 'Employment Outcomes' as a major strength for Taiwan. Two Taiwanese universities ranked in the global top 100 for this metric, with NTU achieving 10th place and National Chengchi University 65th.

QS analysis suggests this reflects that Taiwanese university graduates possess strong professional skills and are ready to contribute immediately in the workforce. Industry-academia collaboration also supports high-quality career development opportunities.

However, QS notes that strong performance in 'Employment Outcomes' has not yet translated into strong 'Employer Reputation' (industry reputation) on the global stage.

In this indicator, only NTU ranks in the global top 100, at 64th. Most other Taiwanese universities saw declines in their 'Employer Reputation' rankings.

Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President at QS, stated that Taiwan’s performance in the latest rankings reflects sustained investment in research and an increasing policy focus on strategic talent development. Recent policy initiatives have further strengthened collaboration with universities to expand support for talent cultivation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing.

Sowter added that the record-breaking results demonstrate how policy emphasis on 'innovation' and 'skills development' is increasingly influencing university performance.

According to QS, this year’s rankings include 1,500 universities from 106 countries and regions.

In the global top 10, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US ranked first, while the UK’s Imperial College London and Stanford University in the US tied for second.

Oxford University (UK), Harvard University (US), Cambridge University (UK), and Caltech (US) ranked 4th to 7th, respectively.

University College London (UCL, UK) and ETH Zürich (Switzerland) tied for 8th, with the National University of Singapore at 10th.

MIT has now ranked first for 15 consecutive years, and Imperial College London has held second place for three consecutive years. (Edited by Tien Jui-hua) 1150618

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