Korean universities improve their position in QS ranking

Quacquarelli Symonds, in its 2027 report, noted that South Korea’s leading universities continue to strengthen their global standing. The Korea Herald reported that Seoul National University, the country’s highest-ranked institution, remained in 38th place globally, maintaining its position within the top 50. Yonsei University rose from 50th place last year to 42nd, while Korea University improved from 61st to 52nd.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) ranked fourth among Korean universities and 65th globally. It was followed by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) at 106th, Sungkyunkwan University at 108th, Hanyang University at 155th, and Kyung Hee University at 309th. The London-based ranking provider stated that South Korea recorded the third-strongest net performance among Asian countries in the 2027 rankings, with 53 percent of its universities improving their positions and 18 percent declining. Only Hong Kong and China demonstrated stronger overall progress.

Regional universities also showed significant improvement. Kyungpook National University climbed to 481st place, its highest position in a decade after previously ranking around 695th. Chonnam National University recorded the largest upward movement among Korean institutions this year.

The report described this trend as significant, as it aligns with President Lee Jae Myung’s initiative to strengthen regional higher education ecosystems and develop globally competitive universities outside Seoul through the “10 Seoul National Universities” strategy.