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QS Top 50 Under 50 2015 – Out Now
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QS Top 50 Under 50 2015 – Out Now
By Laura Bridgestock
Updated September 30, 2016 Updated September 30, 2016**Click here to read an overview of the QS Top 50 Under 50 2016-2017.**
The latest edition of the QS Top 50 Under 50 – an annual ranking of the world’s top universities under 50 years old – is released today, confirming the continued dynamism of Asia’s leading young institutions.
The top spot is retained by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), followed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) – both established in 1991.
South Korea’s KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology holds onto third place, but while the top three remains stable, there are greater disparities in the pace of progress further down the list, as the world’s leading young universities jostle for global recognition.
The UK’s University of Bath climbs five places to re-enter the top 10 in 7th position, and ground is also gained this year by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, and Spain’s Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
Overall, the top 10 remains dominated by institutions from the dynamic Asian Tiger economies, which occupy all six of the initial places.
Top 10 Universities Under 50 Years Old
Based on the QS Top 50 Under 50 2015
Country
Position in the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16
Year established
Singapore
13
1991
Hong Kong
28
1991
South Korea
43
1971
Hong Kong
57
1984
South Korea
87=
1986
Hong Kong
116
1994
UK
159
1966
The Netherlands
169
1976
Spain
186
1968
Spain
190=
1968
See the full QS Top 50 Under 50 2015 >
Based on the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings®, the QS Top 50 Under 50 aims to highlight fast-developing young institutions making a rapid impact on the global ranking tables. For the first time, this year also sees the publication of the ‘Next 50 Under 50’ – casting additional light on the higher education sector’s fastest-rising stars.
A total of 23 countries have at least one university featured in the Top 50 Under 50 this year, with most entries claimed by Australia (8), the UK (5) and Spain (5). While Asian institutions dominate the very top of the ranking, Europe also has a strong presence, accounting for just under half (24) of the top 50.
Ranked in bands of 10, the ‘Next 50 Under 50’ sees an additional 19 countries featured. Institutions hovering just outside the top 50 include Turkey’s Bilkent University, Kazakhstan’s L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and China’s Shanghai University.
First published in 2012, the ranking was developed with the aim of celebrating and tracking the progress of these ‘ones to watch’ – the dynamic young institutions which are increasingly challenging the long-established players in the higher education space.
The leader of the Top 50 Under 50, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), now ranks 13th in the world overall, having made significant gains in recent years. HKUST and KAIST are also ranked among the global top 50 overall, and the remainder of the present decade seems likely to bring further examples of young universities proving the speed with which an international reputation can now be forged.
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This article was originally published in November 2015 . It was last updated in September 2016
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The former editor of TopUniversities.com, Laura oversaw the site's editorial content and student forums. She also edited the QS Top Grad School Guide and contributed to market research reports, including 'How Do Students Use Rankings?'
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