NUS ranks 8th globally as NTU climbs to 12th in QS World University Rankings 2026

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has maintained its global position, ranking 8th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The results were released on 19 June 2025 by Britain-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which evaluates over 1,500 universities worldwide. Close behind, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) improved its standing by three places, reaching 12th. This rise follows its leap of 11 places the previous year, signalling sustained momentum in Singapore’s higher education landscape.

NUS continues to lead in Asia

NUS remains the top-ranked Asian university and the first from the continent to enter the global top 10. According to QS, this year’s rankings cover institutions across 106 countries and territories. The global leaderboard remains dominated by American and British institutions. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology took the top spot for the 14th year running, with Imperial College London in second place. Stanford University advanced to third, while the University of Oxford and Harvard University followed in fourth and fifth. The QS rankings are based on nine indicators, with the highest weightage assigned to academic reputation (30 per cent), citations per faculty (20 per cent) and employer reputation (15 per cent). NUS placed 14th globally for academic reputation, up one position from the previous year. It also improved 16 places in employer reputation, landing at 32nd. However, it dropped three places to 64th in citations per faculty. NUS president Tan Eng Chye said the results affirm the university’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. He highlighted improvements in employer perception and international collaborations as signs of growing confidence in NUS graduates.

NTU strengthens global presence

NTU’s rise to 12th position was largely due to its improved employer reputation, where it climbed from 92nd to 67th. It also saw gains in its international student ratio. NTU president Ho Teck Hua said the results reflect the university’s adaptability and ambition. He pointed to recent academic initiatives, including the launch of the College of Computing and Data Science and the Honours College, as part of efforts to equip students with technology-driven skills. He added that NTU continues to attract global academic talent by recruiting early-career researchers and established scholars.

Shifts among other local institutions

Singapore Management University (SMU) recorded significant progress, climbing 74 places to reach 511th in the 2026 rankings. In contrast, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) dropped from 440th to 519th. Despite the overall strong performance, all four Singaporean universities – NUS, NTU, SMU and SUTD – experienced either stagnant or declining scores in four key indicators: faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, employment outcomes and sustainability. QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter praised Singapore’s higher education system, stating that its strong global rankings reflect exceptional research output and an internationally collaborative environment. He added that the country’s emphasis on skills development, innovation, and workforce adaptability continues to drive success. Singapore’s approach, he said, positions it as a global leader in future-ready, skills-first education.