U.S. News Global University Rankings 2026 Released: 5 HK Universities Break Into Top 100

U.S. News & World Report released its latest annual Best Global Universities rankings on June 16th, with all five Hong Kong universities making the list ranking among the top 100 globally, and all achieving improvements in their rankings.

U.S. News & World Report released its latest annual Best Global Universities rankings on June 16th, with all five Hong Kong universities making the list ranking among the top 100 globally, and all achieving improvements in their rankings. Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Universities Shine Bright

Hong Kong universities delivered an outstanding performance, with all five schools on the list showing significant improvements in their rankings compared to last year. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) jumped 9 places to 28th globally, ranking 1st in Hong Kong; the University of Hong Kong (HKU) rose 4 places to 40th globally; City University of Hong Kong (CityU) jumped 7 places to 47th globally, ranking 9th in Asia and 3rd in Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) rose 6 places to 52nd globally; and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) surged 19 places to 82nd globally.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Photo source: reference image

CityU and CUHK Lead in Top Disciplines 

CityU boasts 10 disciplines ranked 1st in Hong Kong and 15 disciplines ranked among the top 50 globally, with Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Energy and Fuels, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Optics all ranking in the top ten globally.

CityU

Students of CityU

Prof Lee Chun Sing, Acting President of CityU, stated, "CityU's international rankings have consistently reached new heights, with disciplines ranking among the world's top, reflecting its continuously improving teaching and research strength as well as leading position in international development. In the future, CityU will continue to lead the development of higher education, cultivate leader talents with a global perspective, and contribute to promoting the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand and building an international hub for tertiary education."

CU Medicine has once again delivered an outstanding performance in the rankings.

CU Medicine has once again delivered an outstanding performance, with Gastroenterology and Hepatology retaining its 2nd-place ranking globally, maintaining its position among the top 3 for the fourth consecutive year. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, along with Endocrinology and Metabolism, have jointly secured their 5th consecutive title as "Top in Asia." Meanwhile, Clinical Medicine has been ranked "Asia's Top Discipline" for the second consecutive year.

This year, five CU Medicine disciplines were ranked among the "Top 3 in Asia," encompassing Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Medicine, Surgery, and Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging. In addition, seven disciplines were ranked "1st in Hong Kong," namely Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Medicine, Surgery, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging, Neuroscience and Behavior, and Oncology.

Five CU Medicine disciplines were ranked among the "Top 3 in Asia."

Professor Chiu Wai Yan, Dean of CU Medicine, stated that the Faculty's continued success in international rankings, as one of the world's youngest top medical schools, is no accident, but the result of years of dedicated work and meticulous refinement by all faculty, researchers, clinical staff, and alumni. He particularly mentioned that CU Medicine's Gastroenterology and Hepatology has consistently ranked among the top 3 globally for many years, and has even secured 2nd place globally for the past two years. Such an achievement not only reflects the international academic community's recognition of CUHK's research strength, but also embodies CU Medicine's core philosophy of "translating research into clinical change, and responding to patient needs through innovation."

Seven disciplines were ranked "1st in Hong Kong."

Looking to the future, Professor Chiu emphasized that CU Medicine will continue to deepen interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerate the transformation of laboratory breakthroughs into clinical applications, and actively cultivate 21st-century doctors with an international perspective and humanistic care. He reiterated that the Faculty's goal is not only to become a top school in Asia, but also a significant engine of global medical innovation, making a more substantial contribution to the health and well-being of Hong Kong, the nation, and all of humanity.

11 Mainland Universities Enter Top 100

Among Mainland universities, a total of 11 universities have entered the global top 100. Tsinghua University broke into the top 10 for the first time, ranking 6th globally; Peking University ranked 19th.

Tsinghua University, Photo source: reference image

The rankings cover more than 2,600 universities in over 100 countries and regions worldwide.

DH to launch Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children on September 1 to provide free oral health services to all kindergarten students on campus

The Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 24) that a new "Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children (OOHP)" will be launched on September 1. Professional dental teams from service providers designated by the Government will visit kindergartens to provide students with free oral screening and preventive dental care on campus. The DH called on kindergartens and parents across Hong Kong to actively participate in the OOHP, working together to help children nurture good oral hygiene habits from an early age.

Children aged 32 months or older who are studying in participating kindergartens are eligible to receive the service free of charge through the OOHP. Eligible students may receive the service once a year. It is estimated that tens of thousands of children and their parents will benefit from the OOHP.

Designated service providers will send professional dental teams to kindergartens to provide participating students with free outreach oral screenings, oral health risk assessments and fluoride application as appropriate to prevent or control tooth decay. The teams will also provide parents with a report on their child's oral health and individualised oral care advice. Additionally, the professional dental teams will conduct oral health talks for kindergarten teaching staff to help them convey oral care messages to the children more effectively, thereby helping them nurture good daily habits from an early age.

The OOHP is a school-based initiative. Service providers will proactively contact the kindergartens to introduce the programme and arrange dates for outreach services. Parents only need to apply for the OOHP through their child's kindergarten. Parents may inquire directly at their child's kindergarten if they have any questions.

A total of 23 service providers are participating in the OOHP, covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong. The service providers began contacting kindergartens in June to finalise the dates for outreach services in the new school year. As of mid-August, 680 (over 70 per cent) of 949 kindergartens in Hong Kong have participated in the OOHP. Kindergartens interested in participating in the OOHP may contact the DH (email: am3_cds@dh.gov.hk).

Since June 2023, the DH's Brighter Smiles Baby Programme (Baby Programme) has served young children aged 0 to 3. The Baby Programme provides primary oral healthcare services for the prevention of dental diseases in young children and offers education to parents. From April 2025, the Baby Programme has been expanded in phases to include young children aged 0 to 3 using the services of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres. The introduction of the OOHP helps bridge the Baby Programme and the School Dental Care Service that covers all local primary school students. Together, these three initiatives provide continuous and seamless oral healthcare support for children all the way from pre-school through the school-age stages, creating a comprehensive safety net for their oral health.

The Government's oral health policies aim to enable all Hong Kong citizens to improve their oral hygiene habits and lifestyles. By adopting the strategies of developing community-wide preventive primary oral healthcare while providing essential dental care services targeting underprivileged groups, the Government strives to help citizens achieve prevention, early identification and timely intervention in tackling dental diseases.

DH to launch Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children on September 1 to provide free oral health services to all kindergarten students on campus Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases