University of Macau Achieves Historic Top 150 Ranking in Times Higher Education 2026 World University Rankings

University of Macau Breaks into Global Top 150

The University of Macau (UM) has achieved a significant milestone, entering the global top 150 universities for the first time in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 World University Rankings. The institution secured the 145th position, marking a substantial rise of 35 places from its 180th ranking in the 2025 assessment. This achievement positions UM as the highest-ranked university in Macao.

The latest edition of the THE World University Rankings evaluated 2,191 higher education institutions from 115 countries and regions worldwide. UM's consistent upward trajectory in these global assessments reflects its enhanced performance across various key indicators.

A Decade of Consistent Ascent

The University of Macau has demonstrated remarkable progress in global university rankings over the past decade. Its journey into the top echelons of higher education has been steady and deliberate:

• 2026: 145th
• 2025: 180th
• 2024: 193rd (first time in top 200)
• 2023: 201-250
• 2022: 201-250
• 2021: 301-350
• 2020: 301-350
• 2019: 351-400
• 2018: 351-400
• 2017: 351-400
• 2016: 401-500
• 2014-2015: 276-300 (first appearance on the list)

Beyond the THE rankings, UM also holds notable positions in other international assessments, including 285th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 230th in the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings. It is also ranked 36th among universities in Asia in the THE Asia University Rankings.

Understanding the Ranking Methodology

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are renowned for their comprehensive methodology, which assesses research-intensive universities across all their core missions. The 2026 rankings introduced several key performance indicators designed to enhance the evaluation of institutions. These indicators are grouped into five main areas:

• Teaching Environment: The learning environment.
• Research Environment: Volume, income, and reputation of research.
• Research Quality: Citation impact, research strength, and academic contribution.
• International Outlook: International staff, students, and research collaboration.
• Industry Impact: Knowledge transfer and innovation, including income from industry.

This detailed approach provides a balanced comparison of university performance globally.

Impact on Macao's Higher Education Landscape

UM's ascent into the global top 150 underscores the growing strength of Macao's higher education sector. The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has consistently supported efforts to optimize the quality of its higher education institutions.

Other universities in Macao also featured in the THE 2026 rankings: the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) was placed in the 251–300 range, while the City University of Macau (CityU) made its debut in the global rankings within the 601–800 range. This collective performance highlights Macao's commitment to fostering a competitive and internationally recognized academic environment. UM has stated its intention to continue enhancing its research excellence and global competitiveness, further integrating Macao's higher education into the international academic system.