When researching universities, you’ve probably come across some of the world’s most renowned and prestigious institutions that have a long-standing history, such as the University of Oxford, Harvard University or Stanford University. While these universities dominate the rankings for good reason, many younger universities deserve recognition despite not having such a prolific history. We’ve taken a look at the Times Higher Education Young Universities Rankings 2024 to focus on the top institutions under 50 years old. These rankings assess the research, teaching, international outlook, and knowledge transfer using the same methodology as the standard THE rankings. Let’s take a look at who came out on top.
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)
Opened in 1991, NTU ranks 17th in the world on the THE World University Rankings 2025, placing alongside long-established institutions and demonstrating its rapid development. The university has risen by almost 140 ranking spots in 12 years. It is considered the number one young university in the world (THE) and one of the top five universities in Asia.
The university has just over 35,000 students, and in 2024 saw 5,096 postgraduate students and 6,245 undergraduate students graduate. Many NTU graduates secure roles during their final year of university at leading multinational companies such as GlobalFoundries, Hewlett Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, Ciba Vision and more. The university consists of eight schools and colleges, including:
- Nanyang Business School
- College of Engineering
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
- Graduate College
- National Institute of Education
- S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
NTU is known for its expertise in digital technology and innovation. An example is an autonomous electric bus created using artificial intelligence, science, and technology. The NTU campus is also frequently ranked in the top 15 most beautiful campuses in the world. NTU ranks in the top 20 globally for engineering and technology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024) and the top 30 for social sciences, natural sciences and management.
Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris, France
PSL impressively places as the second best young university globally despite only being established in 2010 and gaining university status in 2019. It also ranks in the top 50 globally on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. PSL is a collegiate university with 11 constituent schools. This institution has several partners, including École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, Les Beaux-Arts de Paris and Institut Louis Bachelier. This enables PSL to provide expertise across a wide range of disciplines.
PSL specialises in a wide array of subjects, including engineering, law, biological sciences, social sciences, business and art. 22 per cent of the student community consists of international students, and the institution has a favourable student-to-staff ratio of 15:1. The university has also produced or hosts 28 Nobel Prize winners and 10 Fields Medal winners, plus accounts for almost 10 per cent of all research undertaken in France. Two-thirds of the 17,000 students at PSL go on to study a master's or PhD programme at the university. PSL also has an employability ranking of 72nd globally (QS), as decided by companies worldwide.
Find out what skills employers value in graduates.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong (HKUST)
Established in 1991, HKUST already ranks in the world’s top 50 universities according to the QS World University Rankings 2025 and is consistently considered one of the best institutions in Hong Kong. The university ranks as the number three young university according to THE. As the name suggests, HKUST specialises in science and technology, producing cutting-edge research and high-quality teaching. The university is highly rated for providing excellent teaching in engineering, business, management, and humanities.
HKUST is home to over 17,000 students, with 10,500 at the undergraduate level and 7,000 at the postgraduate level. The university is also known for its extensive research and development, with 52 research centres based at or worked with by HKUST. The university consists of seven schools and institutes, namely:
- School of Science
- School of Business and Management
- School of Engineering
- School of Humanities and Social Science
- Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies
- HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study (IAS)
- HKUST Institute for Public Policy
Discover more about studying in Asia.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is considered a top five young university, a top 100 university globally (THE) and 14th in Asia. The university focuses extensively on emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, with research forming an important foundation for the institution. Over 20,000 students call PolyU home, of which 30 per cent come from overseas. The student-to-staff ratio is approximately 30:1, making for smaller class sizes.
Some subject areas available to study at PolyU include engineering, life sciences, physical sciences, economics, computer science, and humanities. Teaching at PolyU also incorporates mandatory Work-Integrated Education and Service Learning into the curriculum. The aim is to get students to practically apply knowledge and skills in the real world while studying. In addition, there are opportunities to participate in the International Learning Experience programme, which further broadens the horizons for students.
Discover the top 10 reasons to study abroad.
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Established in 1986, POSTECH ranks in the top ten young universities globally and enjoys a top 200 world university ranking (THE). It ranks as one of the top five universities in South Korea. The university focuses on research and development in science and engineering, including materials science. POSTECH is home to a small but dynamic student community of 3,500, with eight per cent of students being international. The class sizes are on average only ten students each.
There are 12 undergraduate departments at POSTECH, four for science and eight for engineering. These include:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Electrical engineering
The university is also home to a graduate school with 16 departments covering different disciplines and specialisations. The university enjoys a top 100 ranking for engineering, and a top 150 ranking for life sciences and physical sciences.
Now that you know more about some of the best young universities, you may want to explore further. We can help with our guide to university prospectuses, universities with top facilities, and how to compare universities.
Chat with Couru
