Top 20 Universities for R&D in Asia

1. National University of Singapore (NUS)

The NUS, founded in 1905, is the oldest institute for higher education in Singapore. Spread over an area of 1.5 sq. km and with a strength of over 5000 academic staff and 37,000 students, it is the largest university of its kind in the country.

It is currently ranked 15^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at NUS: Civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, materials sciences, architecture, pharmacy and pharmacology, geography, computer science, statistics and operational research and environmental science.

2. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)

The largest university campus in Singapore at 2 sq. km, NTU is a research intensive university with over 35,000 students and 1700 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 11^th in the world and 1^st in Asia according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at NTU: Engineering and technology, Electrical and electronic engineering, Materials science, Communication and media studies

3. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

This is the newest university in Hong Kong, having been established in 1991. Spread over an area of 0.6 sq. km, the HKUST is home to over 14,000 students and 500 academic staff.

 It is currently ranked 30^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at HKUST: Accounting & finance, computer science, economics & econometrics, electrical & electronic engineering business & management, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil & structural engineering, materials sciences, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and statistics.

4. University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Founded in 1911, it is the oldest university in Hong Kong. It has over 28000 students and 3500 academic faculties in its 0.5 sq. km campus.

It is currently ranked 26^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at UOH: Dentistry, civil and structural engineering, linguistics.

5. Tsinghua University (THU)

China’s premier university, the THU, has seen a rapid rise in global ranking over the decades. Founded in 1911, and spread over 3.95 sq. km, it has over 4000 academic staff and 36,000 students.

It is currently ranked 25^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at THU: Engineering, architecture, material sciences, environmental studies, physics, astronomy, and chemistry.

6. Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST)

Established in 1971 by the South Korean government with US assistance, the KAIST is among the top Korean universities in Asia. Spread over 0.41 sq. km, it boasts a student strength of over 10,200 and faculty strength of over 1200.

It is currently ranked 41^st in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at KAIST: Chemical engineering, chemistry, civil & structural engineering, computer science, electrical & electronic engineering, materials sciences and mechanical engineering.

7. City University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Founded in 1984, the CUHK has come a long way since its inception. Spread over 0.15 sq. km, this university is home to over 16,000 students and nearly 1000 academic faculty.

It is currently ranked 49^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at CUHK: Accounting & finance, education & training, electrical & electronic engineering, geography, history & archaeology, law & legal studies, business & management, communication & media studies, computer science, economics & econometrics, linguistics, mathematics, psychology, and sociology.

8. Peking University (PU)

One of the oldest in China, the Peking University was established in 1898 and has since then garnered a name for itself as one of the top universities in the world. It has over 30,000 students and over 4200 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 38^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at PU: Accounting & finance, chemistry, dentistry, English language & literature, environmental studies, modern languages, law & legal studies and pharmacy & pharmacology.

9. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Established in 1963, the CUHK is the second oldest university in Hong Kong. Spread over an area of 1.37 sq. km, this university is home to over 30,000 students and 5000 faculty members.

It is currently ranked 46^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at CUHK : Law & legal studies, linguistics, mathematics, modern languages, pharmacy & pharmacology, accounting & finance, business & management, communication & media studies, computer science, economics & econometrics, education & training, electrical & electronic engineering, geography, history & archaeology politics, psychology and sociology.

10. Seoul National University (SNU)

The SNU, established in 1946, is one of the top universities in Korea. Spread over 4.2 sq. km, it has over 28,000 students and 5500 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 36^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at SNU: Architecture, chemical engineering, modern languages and pharmacy & pharmacology.

11. The University of Tokyo (UOT)

Formerly known as the Imperial University of Tokyo, the UOT was established way back in 1877 and is one of the top universities in Japan. Spread over 5 campuses, the UOT is home to over 30,000 students and 2700 academic faculty.

It is currently ranked 28^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at UOT: Mechanical engineering, modern languages, anatomy and physiology, natural sciences, physics and astronomy, social policy and administration, chemistry, agriculture and forestry, and material sciences.

12. Tokyo Institute of Technology (TItech)

Established in 1881, TItech is the largest higher education institution in Japan, dedicated to science and technology. It has 3 campuses with over 6000 students and 1200 faculty members.

It is currently ranked 56^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at TItech: Electrical engineering, chemical engineering, natural sciences, material sciences, physics and astronomy, mechanical engineering.

13. Fudan University (FU)

The Fudan University, established in 1905, is one of the most prestigious universities in China. Spread over 4 campuses, it houses over 32,000 students and 2800 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 40^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at FU: Material sciences, modern languages, politics, natural sciences, chemistry, engineering and technology, social sciences and management.

14. Kyoto University (KU)

Kyoto University, the second oldest in Japan, was established way back in 1897. It is spread over 1.35 sq. km and has more than 23,000 students and 2900 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 36^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at KU: Chemical engineering, modern languages, biological sciences, chemistry, natural sciences, physics and astronomy, civil and structural engineering, agriculture and forestry.

15. Pohang University of Science and Technology (PUST)

Established in 1986, POSTECH is a private research university in South Korea. It has over 3500 students and 400 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 71^st in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at PUST: Chemical engineering, Material sciences, physics and astronomy, chemistry, natural sciences and mathematics.

16. Tohoku University (TU)

The Tohoku University is the third oldest university in Japan having been established in 1907. Its campus is spread over an area of 2.5 sq. km and is home to over 19,000 students and 4000 faculty members.

It is currently ranked 76^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at TU: Material sciences, mechanical engineering, physics and astronomy, chemistry, pharmacy and pharmacology.

17. Osaka University (OU)

One of the oldest and highest ranking universities in Japan, the Osaka University was established in 1931 in its present form. Its campus is spread over an area of 1.6 sq. km and houses over 25,000 students and 3000 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 63^rd in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at OU: Chemistry, dentistry, chemical engineering, physics and astronomy, natural sciences, biological sciences.

18. Korea University (KU)

This South Korean University established in 1905, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. It has more than 28,000 students and 5200 academic staff, with nearly 1400 faculty members holding PhDs.

It is currently ranked 90^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at KU: Modern languages, social policy and administration, social sciences and management, hospitality and leisure management and chemical engineering.

19. Yonsei University

Having its beginnings as a hospital in 1885, the Yonsei University was officially established in 1957 by merging 2 existing universities. The main Seoul campus houses over 39000 students and 4500 faculty members.

It is currently ranked 106^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at KU: Dentistry, sports, modern languages, social policy and administration, social sciences and management, hospitality and leisure management and chemical engineering.

20. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)

The SKKU has its beginnings in 1398, when it was established as an educational institute by the Joseon dynasty. It was expanded into a modern-day university in 1953, and as of today it has over 28,000 students and 5100 academic staff.

It is currently ranked 108^th in the world according to the QS top university list.

Top courses at SKKU: Modern languages, material sciences, chemical engineering, communication and media studies, mechanical engineering and natural sciences.