National University of Singapore Rankings 2026

Singapore, Singapore

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#11

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The National University of Singapore (NUS) ranks 8th in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and retains its title as the top university in Asia. Recognized for academic excellence, global outlook, and impactful research, NUS is consistently featured in the top 25 across various global rankings.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, NUS holds the 20th position globally, while the U.S. News & World Report places it at 20th worldwide. NUS also ranks 68th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2024 and 80th in the CWUR 2025 rankings.

These consistent results across different agencies reflect NUS’s strength in multidisciplinary education, innovation, and global engagement. Backed by strong faculty, strategic international collaborations, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, NUS continues to lead not just in Asia but globally. This guide covers the 2025–2026 NUS rankings across institutions, subjects, methodologies, and more.

National University of Singapore World Rankings 2025-26

The National University of Singapore (NUS) continues to maintain its reputation as Asia’s top university and a leading global institution. With strong showings in QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News rankings, NUS reflects excellence in academic research, global reputation, and graduate employability.

Its performance across global ranking agencies reinforces its position as a strategic choice for international students and professionals pursuing high-quality education in Asia.

Here’s how NUS has performed in recent global rankings:

Ranking Body	2023	2024	2025
QS World University Rankings	#11	#8	#8
Times Higher Education (THE)	#19	#19	#17
U.S. News & World Report	#26	#26	#20

Performance Overview:

NUS has either maintained or improved its position across most major global ranking bodies:

QS World University Rankings: NUS held its position at #8, after rising from #11 in 2023, maintaining its reputation as one of the top global universities and the leading institution in Asia.
Times Higher Education (THE): The university moved up from #19 in both 2023 and 2024 to #17 in 2025, reflecting measurable gains in teaching, research, and international outlook.
U.S. News & World Report: NUS improved its standing from #26 in 2024 to #20 in 2025, indicating stronger global perception in areas like academic research, reputation, and regional influence.

Rankings are one part of the decision. Connect with upGrad’s experts for a free 1:1 counseling session to explore course options, career pathways, and more.

Subject-Wise Rankings of the National University of Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS) ranks among the world’s best across several academic disciplines. Leading global agencies like QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report have consistently placed NUS in top positions, especially in fields like engineering, computer science, and business.

Below is a breakdown of how NUS performs across various subjects as per different rankings.

QS Subject Rankings 2025

QS evaluates universities based on academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper, and H-index. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the National University of Singapore is ranked #8 globally. NUS consistently places among the top 10 in technology and management-related disciplines, underscoring its research output, global reputation, and graduate employability.

Subject	College Name	Ranking 2025
Computer Science	School of Computing	8
Engineering	College of Design and Engineering	6
Business	NUS Business School	15
Life Sciences	Faculty of Science	23
Social Sciences	Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences	10

THE Subject Rankings 2025

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 places the National University of Singapore in the 19th position globally. THE ranks subjects based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. NUS demonstrates strong performance in Clinical & Health, Business, and Engineering disciplines, highlighting its focus on innovation, research impact, and global relevance.

Subject	College Name	Ranking 2025
Clinical & Health Sciences	Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine	19
Engineering & Technology	College of Design and Engineering	12
Business & Economics	NUS Business School	17
Computer Science	School of Computing	15
Physical Sciences	Faculty of Science	28

U.S. News Subject Rankings 2025

U.S. News ranks institutions based on global research reputation, regional research reputation, publications, and international collaboration. NUS performs particularly well in STEM fields like Computer Science and Materials Science.

Subject	College Name	Ranking 2025
Engineering	College of Design and Engineering	11
Computer Science	School of Computing	10
Clinical Medicine	Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine	34
Materials Science	Faculty of Science	6
Chemistry	Faculty of Science	13

Miscellaneous Rankings 2025

In addition to major rankings like QS and THE, other evaluative platforms such as Forbes and ARWU provide further insight into institutional strengths. These rankings highlight areas such as research excellence, employability, and return on investment.

Here’s how the National University of Singapore has performed in different global rankings:

Ranking Name	Ranking Description	Ranking 2025
U.S. News & World Report	Recognized for overall academic performance and global research reputation.	#20
Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking)	Ranks institutions based on research output, faculty quality, and global academic achievements. Emphasis is on highly cited researchers and award winners.	#71–80 (2024)
Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)	Evaluates universities on the quality of education, alumni employment, and research performance.	#28 (2024)
QS Graduate Employability Rankings	Measures employer reputation, alumni outcomes, and industry partnerships.	#80

NUS continues to earn top positions across various platforms that evaluate institutional impact beyond academics. Its high ranking in QS Graduate Employability confirms the strong industry ties and global recognition of NUS graduates.

Meanwhile, its consistent performance in ARWU and CWUR highlights the university's research depth and academic excellence.

National University of Singapore: Excellence and Achievements

Apart from being one of Asia’s top research universities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) also supports holistic student development through innovation, community engagement, and cultural inclusivity.

Below is the breakdown of NUS’s recent achievements:

Academic Excellence and Global Recognition

NUS is globally acclaimed for its interdisciplinary learning, cutting-edge research, and high-impact academic awards. From AI and biomedical science to law and entrepreneurship, its students and faculty consistently earn international recognition.

Here’s a look at NUS's academic achievements:

Category	Recognition
QS Global Academic Ranking	Ranked #8 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, NUS achieved its highest-ever position, reflecting world-class teaching and research.
Asia’s Top University	NUS continues to hold its spot as the #1 university in Asia according to multiple international rankings.
Research Output & Funding	Received multimillion-dollar funding for AI and biomedical research in 2024–25 from global institutions like A*STAR and WHO.
Innovation & Startups	Ranked among the top 25 most innovative universities in the world for tech commercialization and startup incubation (Reuters, 2024).

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

NUS has a strong commitment to social responsibility and student wellness, investing in sustainability, mental health, and local community programs.

Here are NUS's contributions to community development:

Community Engagement: Over 30,000 student hours contributed to social outreach through programs like NUS Community Service Club and Habitat for Humanity Singapore.
Green Campus: NUS was awarded the ASEAN Energy Award for campus-wide sustainability practices and green infrastructure (2024).
Health & Wellness Support: NUS provides free counseling and peer wellness programs through its University Health Centre and NUS Mind Science Centre.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

NUS celebrates diversity through its vibrant student life. With over 200 student societies, NUS fosters creativity, multicultural exchange, and global citizenship.

Here are cultural recognitions from NUS:

Category	Recognition
Arts Festival	The annual NUS Arts Festival attracts global performers and showcases student talent in music, dance, and theatre.
International Week	Students participate in cultural showcases representing 50+ nationalities, promoting cross-cultural understanding and unity.
Design & Innovation	NUS students regularly win awards at international hackathons, design summits, and invention contests including Shell Eco-marathon Asia.

Ranking Methodologies

Top university rankings like those from QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report serve as benchmarks for students and institutions alike. Each ranking body uses its own set of criteria to evaluate universities based on factors like academic reputation, research output, student satisfaction, and global engagement.

Here is a detailed look at how each ranking system works.

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings emphasize a balance between academic and employer reputation, faculty research impact, and international student engagement. QS introduced new indicators like Employment Outcomes and Sustainability to better reflect real-world success.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research & Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability	Employer Reputation	15%
	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty/Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability Score	5%

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The THE World University Rankings 2025 uses an updated methodology that evaluates universities across five key pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry. The 2025 model places a stronger emphasis on research quality, now accounting for 30% of the total score, highlighting research excellence, influence, and impact more holistically.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching (29.5%)	Teaching Reputation	15.0%
	Student-Staff Ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-Bachelor’s Ratio	2.0%
	Doctorates Awarded to Academic Staff	5.5%
	Institutional Income	2.5%
Research Environment (29%)	Research Reputation	18.0%
	Research Income	5.5%
	Research Productivity	5.5%
Research Quality (30%)	Citation Impact	15.0%
	Research Strength	5.0%
	Research Excellence	5.0%
	Research Influence	5.0%
International Outlook (7.5%)	International Students	2.5%
	International Staff	2.5%
	International Collaboration	2.5%
Industry (4%)	Industry Income	2.0%
	Patents	2.0%

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

The U.S. News Rankings use metrics that focus on student success and institutional resources. This includes graduation and retention rates, financial aid availability, and how well colleges serve low-income students. It's particularly valuable for students considering U.S.-based universities.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Student Outcomes	Graduation Rates	16%
	First-Year Retention	5%
	Graduation Rate Performance	10%
	Pell Grant Graduation Rate	5.5%
	Pell Grant Graduation Performance	5.5%
Post-Graduation Success	College Grads Earning More Than HS Grads	5%
	Borrower Debt	5%
Academic Reputation	Peer Assessment	20%
Financial Resources	Faculty Salaries	8%
	Financial Resources per Student	8%
Faculty Excellence	Full-Time Faculty Ratio	3%
	Student-Faculty Ratio	4%
Standardized Tests	SAT/ACT (optional but still considered)	5%

How does the National University of Singapore compare to other top universities in Asia?

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is widely regarded as one of Asia’s leading universities, known for its strong research output, global reputation, and diverse student community. While NUS excels in engineering, science, and business programs, other top Asian universities also offer competitive academics and unique campus experiences. Comparing rankings, research impact, and student satisfaction helps prospective students gauge which institution best fits their goals.

University	QS Asia Ranking 2025	Strengths
National University of Singapore	1	Research, Engineering, Business
Nanyang Technological University	2	Engineering, Technology, Innovation
University of Hong Kong	3	Law, Medicine, Business
Tsinghua University, China	4	Engineering, Technology, Research
University of Tokyo, Japan	5	Research, Science, Technology

FAQs

Why is the National University of Singapore ranked so highly every year?

People often wonder what makes NUS consistently rank among the top global universities. It's largely due to its strong emphasis on research, innovation, and a diverse academic environment. The university also has deep industry links and global collaborations that boost its global standing.

How does NUS compare to Ivy League universities?

While Ivy League schools are famous, NUS is often considered on par with them in terms of academic quality, research, and global outlook, especially in Asia. Many students and employers view NUS as a top alternative for international education.

What makes NUS stand out in Asia-specific rankings?

In Asia, NUS consistently dominates rankings due to its forward-thinking curriculum, modern infrastructure, and focus on innovation. Its leadership in STEM fields and strategic location in Singapore also add to its regional influence.

What is the placement rate for NUS Singapore according to its ranking?

The National University of Singapore (NUS) consistently reports strong graduate employability, aligning with its high global rankings. According to the latest Graduate Employment Survey, over 93% of NUS graduates secure employment within six months of completing their studies. NUS’s reputation, strong industry links, and emphasis on real-world skills contribute to its high placement rate.

Do rankings influence NUS admissions decisions?

Not directly. While high rankings draw global attention, NUS admissions are based more on academic merit, personal statements, and standardized test scores. Rankings may impact applicant volume, but the selection process remains competitive and holistic.

Has NUS ever dropped significantly in any global ranking?

So far, NUS has maintained a strong reputation globally. While there might be small shifts year-to-year depending on methodology changes, the university has not seen any drastic drop that raises concern.

Are NUS rankings reliable for choosing a course?

Rankings can give a general idea of the university’s reputation, but course-specific factors matter more. Look at faculty expertise, research output in your field, and student reviews alongside rankings before deciding.

Do employers care about NUS rankings when hiring?

Absolutely. In many global markets, NUS graduates are valued for coming from a top-tier institution. Employers often associate high-ranked universities with quality education and well-rounded graduates.

How do subject-specific rankings work at NUS?

NUS performs exceptionally well in subjects like engineering, computer science, and social sciences. These rankings are usually based on academic citations, employer reputation, and faculty expertise within that specific field.

Is NUS ranking influenced by international student intake?

Yes, to an extent. Global rankings like QS and THE consider international diversity as a ranking factor. NUS attracts a large number of international students and faculty, which positively influences its global outlook score.

What is the impact of NUS’s co-research with global institutions on its ranking?

Collaborations with top global universities and research bodies boost NUS’s research quality and citation impact, two key metrics in international rankings. These partnerships also help NUS remain globally competitive and innovative.

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