Every year, in addition to the QS World University Rankings® 2018, QS releases the Top 50 Under 50 to celebrate the top young universities in the world. As well as being some of the fastest-developing universities in the world, these young guns are also among the most attractive, consisting of futuristic and innovative building designs and modern, spacious campuses with plenty of green space. Here’s a closer look at this year’s top 10.
1. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Ranked first in the Top 50 Under 50 for the fourth time in a row, and 11th in the world overall this year, NTU was established in 1991. Pictured above is The Hive, or the Dim Sum Building, a learning hub designed by renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick.
2. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
HKUST is placed second in this year’s Top 50 Under 50 and 30th in the world. Also founded in 1991, its campus, located around a 30-minute drive from central Hong Kong, offers stunning views of the surrounding Clear Water Bay area, as seen above.
3. KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Next of our top 10 young universities is KAIST, ranked third in the Top 50 Under 50 and joint 41st in the world. KAIST was established in 1971 and is based in Daejeon, South Korea. Pictured above is the university’s duck pond, one of the most famous sites on campus.
4. City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong is ranked fourth in the Top 50 under 50 and 49th in the world, and was founded in 1984. Above is the Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, an award-winning building, named after entertainment mogul and philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw.
5. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
The next of our top 10 young universities is another South Korean entrant – POSTECH, ranked fifth in the Top 50 Under 50 and 49th in the world. As its name suggests, POSTECH is known for its focus on science and technology, and boasts a vast 378-acre smart campus.
6. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, also known as PolyU, was established in 1994 and is ranked sixth in the Top 50 Under 50 and joint 95th in the world. PolyU can trace its origins back to 1937 and today it has around 28,400 students enrolled.
7. Aalto University
As well as placing seventh in the Top 50 Under 50, the Finnish Aalto University is ranked joint 137th in the world. Located in the Greater Helsinki area, Aalto University was founded in 2010 by a merger of three universities.
8. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Founded in 1988, Australian entrant UTS is ranked eighth in this year’s Top 50 Under 50 and 176th in the world, up 17 places from last year. Pictured above is the university’s unique Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, designed by Frank Gehry and often compared to a squashed brown paper bag.
9. CentraleSupélec
The most recently founded of these top 10 young universities, the French CentraleSupélec is ranked 177th in the world and ninth in the Top 50 Under 50. It was established in 2015 by the merger of the prestigious grandes écoles Ecole Centrale Paris and Supélec.
10. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
One of Spain’s six top young universities, UAM is also ranked 187th in the World University Rankings, having climbed 23 places from last year. UAM was founded in 1968 and is located on a rural campus in Cantoblanco on the northern outskirts of Madrid.
