Singapore’s NTU ranked 12th on QS World University Rankings

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) rose to the 12th spot in the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings, up one place from last year. The rankings were announced yesterday by global higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

NTU’s accomplishment in the QS World University Rankings follows recent successes in other international league tables.
NTU’s accomplishment in the QS World University Rankings follows recent successes in other international league tables. Phtoo courtesy: NTU

With a total score of 90.8, NTU significantly improved its performance in citations per faculty and academic reputation. The university also achieved full marks for its international faculty index. Overall, NTU has moved up 29 places since 2013.

“NTU’s focus on academic and research excellence has contributed to our rise in local and global stature. Even as we face unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, our faculty and staff have continued to produce globally impactful research and worked hard to improve our students’ learning experience whilst keeping everyone safe," said Professor Subra Suresh, NTU president.

He added that as part of the NTU 2025 strategic plan, the university will further strengthen interdisciplinary interactions in education, research and innovation, as well as address some of humanity’s grand challenges such as in sustainability, healthcare and the impact of technologies on humanity and society.

"On the NTU Smart Campus, we are developing and testing advanced technologies and sustainable solutions, working in partnership with industry, government and academic partners,” Prof Suresh said.

Last year, NTU piloted a new common core undergraduate curriculum that will enable students to make connections across disciplines and develop interdisciplinary knowledge, and hone important life skills, such as communication proficiency, digital literacy and enterprise and innovation. The core curriculum courses are designed around the world’s greatest challenges and issues, such as climate change and global health.

The interdisciplinary core curriculum will be rolled out to all freshmen from the new Academic Year starting in August 2021. Students can also gain greater exposure to research internships through corporate laboratories and other joint laboratories established on NTU’s Smart Campus in partnership with industry.

NTU’s accomplishment in the QS World University Rankings follows recent successes in other international league tables.

NTU rose to fifth place in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings unveiled last week, up one spot from last year.

In the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects last month, NTU maintained its leading position in the global academic landscape with 10 subjects among the world’s Top 10 for the second year running. NTU’s Nanoscience & Nanotechnology department led the list, maintaining its No 1 position for the fifth consecutive year.

Earlier in March, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, NTU ranked first worldwide for the study of Materials Science, overtaking the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Eight of NTU’s subject areas were ranked in the global top 10, and 25 entered the top 50, marking the University’s best performance in the QS subject rankings.

The QS rankings compare the performance of the world’s top 1,300 universities across 97 countries and locations worldwide.