CityUHK named “Most International University in the World” by THE for 2nd year running, building the “Study in Hong Kong” brand
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has distinguished itself from more than 2,000 selected institutions worldwide to retain its title as the “Most International University in the World 2025”, according to Times Higher Education (THE) data.
This latest accolade highlights CityUHK's outstanding achievements in promoting internationalisation, its contributions to positioning Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education, and its commitment to building the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
THE evaluated 2,092 universities based on World University Rankings 2025 data, with 217 institutions from 40 countries/ regions, including prestigious institutions like ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford, meeting the criteria.
CityUHK topped the list due to its excellent performance across several criteria, including “proportion of international students and faculty”, “international co-authorship”, and “international reputation”.
“Being named the ‘Most International University in the World’ for the second consecutive year is encouraging for the university community,” said Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor at CityUHK.
“This honour reflects CityUHK's sustained advantage in promoting international education and research collaboration, achieving international recognition. CityUHK will continue to lead in higher education development and internationalisation, solidifying Hong Kong's position as an international post-secondary education hub,” he said.
CityUHK’s leadership is seen in the recent establishment of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation, the Institute of Digital Medicine, the College of Computing, the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science, and the College of Biomedicine, collaborating with internationally renowned universities and industry partners to drive interdisciplinary research.
Committed to fostering an international learning environment and expanding global connections, CityUHK has formed partnerships with elite universities worldwide. For instance, CityUHK has signed MoUs and agreements with colleges and departments at the University of Cambridge, becoming the first international partner for the Future Global Leaders Programme set up by Lucy Cavendish College in the 2025/26 academic year.
CityUHK’s international partners also include those from Mainland China and the "Belt and Road" initiative. Please visit the thematic webpage for more information.
Moreover, to attract top scholars, the “Distinguished Visiting Professor Scheme” set up in 2023 invites over 50 internationally renowned scholars to conduct interdisciplinary scientific and academic research with CityUHK faculty and students. Enhancing CityUHK's international ambience, the student body is drawn from nearly 100 countries/ regions and its faculty hail from more than 40 countries or regions.
Professor Ákos Kenéz, Associate Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health who is from Hungary, congratulated CityUHK on being named the “Most International University in the World” for the second consecutive year.
“As a faculty member at CityUHK, I deeply appreciate the multicultural environment fostered here. The presence of colleagues from around the world cultivates a stimulating atmosphere that promotes global perspectives, collaboration, lateral thinking, and inclusiveness. CityUHK’s profound international impact enables me to engage with a global network of prominent veterinary education and research institutions, facilitating collaborations with leading veterinary scientists worldwide,” Professor Kenéz said.
Wibisono Verena Andrea, a Year 4 student in the BBA Global Business programme from Indonesia, is thrilled that CityUHK has received this prestigious accolade again.
“As an international student, I have benefited from CityUHK’s global education mission. I have participated in exchange programmes in San Francisco and Amsterdam and represented CityUHK in two international case competitions. These experiences have enriched my global perspective and equipped me with invaluable cross-cultural competencies, all made possible by CityUHK's commitment to providing platforms and opportunities for students to become global citizens,” Verena said.
As a young university, CityUHK has seen robust development in recent years, with its global influence continually gaining recognition from international scholars. CityUHK has been ranked in the top 30 in Asia for four consecutive years in THE's World Reputation Rankings 2025 and has been invited to join the THE World 100 Reputation Network Management Committee, serving as the only Asian representative.
CityUHK continues to excel in global rankings, including being ranked 78th in THE's World University Rankings 2025. Additionally, the University is 25th globally, 8th in Asia, and 2nd in Hong Kong in the THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025. In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) 2025 Asia University Rankings, CityUHK is ranked 10th in Asia and 3rd in Hong Kong.
Please visit the website to view the rankings of THE “Most International Universities in the World 2025”.
