Students considering an Asian exchange or degree now have two different tables to consult. The 2027 QS Asia ranking released on November 3 compares institutions across research, reputation and international engagement. Universities’ own admissions calendars determine whether an application reaches the first round. Both carry the 2027 label, but publication and applications are already taking place this autumn.
The table covers 1,722 institutions in 26 systems. The University of Hong Kong kept first place, City University of Hong Kong ranked fourth and the Chinese University of Hong Kong fifth. RTHK counted five Hong Kong institutions in the top ten. Keep the region, edition and subject scope with every rank when comparing it with a world or subject ranking.
National Taiwan University held 23rd place and National Cheng Kung University rose ten positions to 33rd. National Tsing Hua University ranked 35th and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University 36th. Taiwan Tech, National Taiwan Normal University and National Sun Yat-sen University also reached the top 100. CNA reported 59 Taiwanese institutions in the table. Students considering an exchange can start with home departments as well as host institutions.
Individual indicators tell different stories. CNA placed NTU ninth in academic reputation and 19th in employer reputation in Asia, both distinct from its overall position. Reputation is not a longitudinal record of Taiwanese graduates in one discipline. Students interested in placements need department-level information about access, credits and how placements are arranged.
Counts, shares and ranks can move differently. CNA reported QS’s observation that many Taiwanese institutions fell on the international student ratio indicator even as international enrolment in Taiwan grew. A total headcount is different from the share at a given university or the position of that share among peers. Movement on one table cannot quantify the change in exchange places available to a particular student.
HKU’s own calendar gives international-qualification applicants a practical milestone: the first-round submission point is noon Hong Kong time on November 25. Taiwan uses the same time zone. Put noon, rather than the end of the day, on the calendar. Confirm the required results and documents for the qualification and programme, and distinguish a saved form from a submitted application.
HKU expects to start releasing offers in December, normally allowing three to four weeks to accept and pay a non-refundable deposit. Applying in the first round does not promise a December result. HKU says first-round applicants without a decision by the end of March may regard themselves as waitlisted for subsequent rolling consideration. Keep that uncertainty in the calendar for deposits elsewhere.
Use the ranking to discover a few institutions, then compare required modules, teaching language, credit recognition and international fees at the same degree level and in the same year. Exchange candidates should confirm that their home agreement covers the relevant department and intake. A shortlist that still makes sense without rank numbers gives a family a clearer basis for spending time and application fees.
Sources and reporting method
Ranking figures come from QS and coverage of its release. We separately checked HKU’s own first-round admissions calendar.
