National University of Singapore Ranking: Important Information

Updated on 20 September, 2024

Sachin Pundir

Sachin Pundir

University Admission Expert

The National University of Singapore (NUS) continues to affirm its status as a top global institution in 2025, securing impressive rankings across prestigious international lists. In the QS World University Rankings, the National University of Singapore ranking rose to 8th globally, propelled by its outstanding academic reputation (99.5), strong employer recognition (91.1), and high citations per faculty (93.1). The university's perfect score in international faculty ratio (100) highlights its diverse and inclusive academic environment. 

Similarly, in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, the National University Singapore ranking reflected the university’s prominence. It achieved the 19th rank globally, underscored by excellent scores in teaching (78.8), research environment (94), and research quality (95.4). These rankings reflect NUS's commitment to delivering high-quality education, impactful research, and strong global partnerships. This further solidifies its reputation as a regional and global higher education leader.

Latest About National University of Singapore Ranking 

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has achieved significant global recognition in 2025, ranking 8th within the QS World University Rankings. These rankings highlight NUS's outstanding research capabilities, global impact, and academic strength that help it maintain its standing as one of the world's top universities.

National University of Singapore World Rankings 2025

Going into 2025, the National University of Singapore (NUS) continues solidifying its global standing with impressive rankings across prestigious international lists. Here's an overview of the National University of Singapore world rankings for 2025:

Ranked By

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

QS Ranking

11

11

11

11

8

8

Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking

25

25

21

19

19

-

U.S. News & World Report - Global University Ranking

-

-

-

-

22

22

National University of Singapore QS Ranking 2025 

For 2025, the National University of Singapore (NUS) achieved a notable 8th position in the QS World University Rankings, affirming its status as a leading global institution. This ranking is attributed to several key factors:

Key Factors Contributing to the National University of Singapore QS Ranking

Academic Reputation (99.5)

NUS scores highly in academic reputation, reflecting its strong influence and recognition among academics and researchers worldwide. This indicator shows the quality and impact of NUS's research and educational programs.

Employer Reputation (91.1)

The university enjoys a strong reputation among employers globally, indicating that NUS graduates are highly regarded and sought after in the job market. 

Citations per Faculty (93.1)

NUS achieves a high citation score per faculty, demonstrating the impact and visibility of its research outputs in the academic community. 

International Faculty Ratio (100)

NUS maintains a perfect score in the international faculty ratio, highlighting its ability to attract and retain diverse faculty worldwide. 

Other Metrics

NUS also performs strongly in metrics such as international research network (91.6) and sustainability (97.7), further enhancing its global profile and commitment to sustainable practices and international collaboration.

National University of Singapore Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking 2024

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Global University Rankings 2024, the National University of Singapore world ranking was at the impressive 19th position with an overall score of 90. This ranking reflects NUS's strengths across several key criteria pivotal to its global reputation and academic standing.

Factors Contributing to NUS's THE Ranking

Teaching (78.8)

NUS scored 78.8 in teaching, indicating its commitment to delivering high-quality education and fostering an engaging learning environment for students. 

Research Environment (94)

NUS excels in the research environment with a score of 94, highlighting the conducive atmosphere for research activities and innovation on campus.

Research Quality (95.4)

With a high score of 95.4 in research quality, NUS demonstrates excellence in producing impactful research outputs that contribute to advancements in various fields of study. 

Industry Income (100)

NUS scores a perfect 100 in industry income, reflecting strong partnerships with industry and successful commercialization of research outcomes. This metric evaluates the university's ability to translate research into practical applications that benefit society and the economy.

International Outlook (91.1)

NUS maintains a strong international outlook with a score of 91.1, indicating its global reach and engagement through international collaborations, student diversity, and global reputation.

National University of Singapore U.S. News & World Report Ranking 2024

The National University of Singapore (NUS) maintains a strong presence in global rankings, including a notable position in the U.S. News & World Report Rankings. In 2024, NUS will be recognized for its academic excellence and research prowess, reflecting its standing both globally and within specific regional contexts.

Global Rankings Overview

Best Global Universities Ranking (22nd)

NUS ranks 22nd globally in the Best Global Universities rankings thanks to its overall academic reputation and research impact on a global scale.

Best Global Universities in Asia (2nd)

NUS secures the second position within Asia. Its leadership in higher education and research excellence within the region is unmatched.

Specific Areas of Excellence

Research Impact and Reputation

NUS excels in global and regional research reputation, ranking 19th and 12th, respectively. 

Research Output

NUS performs strongly in metrics related to research output, including publications (#38), normalized citation impact (#125), and total citations (#31). 

Innovation and Collaboration

NUS is committed to international collaboration (#136 globally), encouraging partnerships that enhance research capabilities and global influence. The university's innovation is further underscored by its ranking in highly cited papers (#23). 

National University of Singapore Subject-Wise Ranking 2024

Strong subject-wise rankings at the National University of Singapore (NUS) indicate the university's academic strength across various subjects. The following provides a thorough analysis of NUS's subject-wise rankings for 2024:

Subject

Ranking

Agricultural Sciences

17

Artificial Intelligence

5

Arts and Humanities 

45

Biology and Biochemistry 

27

Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology

24

Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems

33

Cell Biology 

56

Chemical Engineering 

17

Chemistry

5

Civil Engineering

26

Clinical Medicine

41

Computer Science

3

Condensed Matter Physics 

12

Ecology

114

Economics and Business

10

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

5

Endocrinology and Metabolism 

75

Energy and Fuels 

14

Engineering 

5

Environmental Engineering

39

Environment/Ecology

31

Food Science and Technology

18

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

33

Geosciences 

99

Green and Sustainable Science and Technology

18

Immunology

26

Infectious Diseases

36

Marine and Freshwater Biology

82

Materials Science

6

Mathematics

43

Mechanical Engineering

44

Microbiology 

35

Molecular Biology and Genetics 

51

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

8

Neuroscience and Behavior

32

Oncology

66

Optics

5

Pharmacology and Toxicology

9

Physical Chemistry

11

Physics

32

Plant and Animal Science 

109

Polymer Science

19

Psychiatry/Psychology

40

Public, Environmental and Occupational Health

48

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

143

Social Sciences and Public Health

28

Surgery

115

Water Resources

25

Source: U.S. News & World Report

National University of Singapore Employability Ranking

The National University of Singapore (NUS) ranked 17th globally for employability, scoring an impressive 90. This demonstrates how effectively NUS graduates are prepared for employment globally. NUS provides excellent academic programs that foster critical thinking and practical abilities. They emphasize practical experiences such as industry partnerships and internships. These assist students in being flexible and increase their appeal for hiring companies.

Because of its strong academic and research reputation, NUS is a top option for employers worldwide. The university helps students find suitable employment after graduation by offering career services, including networking and counseling. Graduates may also access contacts and assistance via its alumni network.

What are the Factors Influencing the National University of Singapore Rankings? 

The National University of Singapore (NUS) achieves its prominent position in global rankings through a comprehensive evaluation of various criteria and metrics that highlight its academic excellence and research impact. The percentage weightage denotes the share in the U.S. News & World Report ranking formula. 

Academic and Research Metrics

Global and Regional Research Reputation

NUS ranks #19 globally for global research reputation and #12 for regional research reputation. These rankings reflect its esteemed standing among institutions worldwide and within its geographical context, contributing significantly to its overall score. (Weight: 12.5% each)

Publications, Books, and Conferences

NUS ranks #38 for publications, #41 for books, and #33 for conferences. While publications are a core metric, NUS focuses on enhancing its contributions in books and conferences to strengthen its overall profile. (Publications: 10%, Books: 2.5%, Conferences: 2.5%)

Citation Impact and Total Citations

The university ranks #125 in normalized citation impact but performs strongly at #31 for total citations. This indicates NUS's research outputs' wide influence and reach in the academic community. (Normalized citation impact: 10%, Total citations: 7.5%)

Highly Cited Papers

NUS ranks #23 globally due to its number of publications being among the top 1% most cited, underscoring the significant impact of its research on the global scientific community. (Number of highly cited papers: 5%, Percentage of highly cited papers: 5%)

International Collaboration

NUS ranks #874 for international collaboration relative to its country and #136 in absolute international collaboration. This reflects its efforts to foster global partnerships and indicates potential for further enhancement. (International collaboration – relative to country: 5%, International collaboration: 5%).

Additional Considerations

Student Satisfaction and Graduation Rates

NUS strongly emphasizes student satisfaction and graduation rates, contributing to its reputation and attractiveness to prospective students. With an employment outcomes rating of 100 and a faculty-student ratio rating of 68.8, the University excels at providing excellent care for its students.

Faculty Qualifications

NUS faculty qualifications and research achievements are among the top global universities. The university has a total staff of 4,554, which consists of 35% domestic staff and 65% international staff. 

Impact of National University of Singapore's Rankings on Students and Faculty

The National University of Singapore (NUS) rankings significantly influence decisions and perceptions among prospective students, current students, and faculty.

Prospective Students

  • Attractiveness: NUS's high rankings across relevant bodies attract a diverse pool of applicants globally.
  • Enrollment Trends: The University’s rankings increase competitiveness, with a notable increase in applications from high-achieving students seeking prestigious educational credentials.
  • Applications: Applications to NUS have increased steadily, with a significant rise in international applications due to its high global standing. In 2023-24, 31,827 students enrolled in undergraduate studies alone.
  • Program Preferences: Specific programs benefit from rankings; for instance, NUS's computer science program's reputation largely influences program preferences, with a surge in enrollment of 5,058 students in 2023/2024.

Current Students

  • Motivation: Rankings boost student motivation. NUS scored 91.1 for International Outlook and 100 for Industry (THE Rankings), indicating that international recognition allows students to unlock exceptional career opportunities.
  • Internships: NUS's global reputation and extensive academic networks provide numerous internships and research collaboration opportunities.
  • Employer Perception: High rankings enhance NUS graduates' employability, significantly improving job placement rates and employer satisfaction. NUS has a global employability ranking of 17.

Faculty

  • Talent Acquisition: NUS attracts top-tier faculty, with a significant rise in international faculty members enticed by its academic reputation and research opportunities. Up to 65% of the faculty is international.
  • Research Grants: Rankings boost research funding, with substantial grants supporting faculty-led research projects across various disciplines.

FAQs

Is the National University of Singapore a top university?

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is globally regarded as a top-tier university. It consistently earns high scores for its exceptional academic programs, impactful research, and great international collaborations, solidifying its reputation as one of the foremost institutions in higher education.

What is the National University of Singapore ranked in the world in 2025?

For 2025, the National University of Singapore (NUS) ranks prominently on the global stage, securing the 8th position in the QS World University Rankings. These rankings reflect NUS's standing as a leading institution, famous for its academic excellence and research impact worldwide.

What is the National University of Singapore ranked in QS 2025?

The National University of Singapore ranked 8th in the QS 2025 rankings. This achievement demonstrates NUS's exceptional status in the academic community. It also reflects notable research successes and high employer recognition.

In which academic fields is the National University of Singapore ranked highest?

National University of Singapore (NUS) excels in various academic fields, with notable strengths in Computer Science (ranked 3rd globally), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (5th globally), and Optics (5th globally) in 2024-2025 (U.S. News & World Report). The rankings highlight NUS's leadership and influence in key disciplines, attracting top talent and driving cutting-edge research initiatives.

What is the ranking of the National University of Singapore's Computer Science program?

The National University of Singapore computer science ranking is 3rd (U.S. News & World Report) globally in 2024. Due to this recognition, the Computer Science program saw an enrollment of 5,058 students in 2023/2024.

What are the benefits of attending a highly-ranked university like the National University of Singapore?

Attending the National University of Singapore (NUS) —a highly-ranked institution— offers numerous advantages. Students benefit from having access to excellent teachers, a variety of global networks, plenty of research opportunities, and increased employment prospects. This ensures that NUS provides students with an educational experience that will change their lives. 

How do rankings affect the value of a degree from the National University of Singapore?

The value of a degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS) is greatly increased by global rankings. Employers and academic institutions worldwide value graduates from NUS. This is because of its educational excellence and international reputation. 

How does the National University of Singapore compare to other major universities in the USA in terms of ranking?

The National University of Singapore (NUS) holds competitive global rankings across key metrics such as academic reputation, research output, and employability, making it a viable option over various US universities. 

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Sachin Pundir

University Admission Expert

With over10 years of experience in the ed-tech sector, Sachin holds expertise in operations management, ensuring the smooth functioning of study abroad programs. He has deep understanding of the global university systems, acceptance rates, and selection process.

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