Chinese universities for international students overtake US in QS World University Rankings
Chinese universities for international students are steadily gaining ground against the US in the QS World University Rankings., Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- UK
- Region
- Europe
About this scholarship
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[August 2, 2021August 3, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/08/02/)
[Chinese universities for international students](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-with-the-highest-number-of-international-students/) are steadily gaining ground against the US in the QS World University Rankings.
Ninety-three percent of Chinese universities rose their rankings and another 10 entered the top 2,000.
While Harvard University has been named the world’s best university for the 10th year in a row and US still claims eight out of the top 10 spots, only 69 US universities have improved their ranking.
Furthermore, 22 US universities have maintained their position, 256 dipped in rankings, and 10 fell out of the top 2,000 altogether.
On the other hand, China currently has 277 universities in the top 2,000 ranks. Tsinghua University, scoring the relatively modest 58th spot, is China’s top ranked institution.
The country is expected to overhaul the US, which currently hosts 347 top universities, in five years’ time.
China’s highest university ranker is Tsinghua University, which landed on the 58th spot. \| Photo credits: [Tsinghua University](https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/index.htm)
## Observations of development within Chinese institutions
The overall improvement of Chinese universities for international students stem from its Double First-Class University Plan, stated Dr. Nadim Mahassen, the president of the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR).
Under this scheme, China’s universities have invested more in competitive US and UK-based researchers to aid in their education.
The United Arab Emirates-based CWUR’s findings follow the pattern of more [influential](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2020/09/02/oxford-keeps-top-spot-but-china-is-the-real-winner-as-us-declines/?sh=1c0f797942a7) versions in describing a long-term trend of China’s advance while the U.S. declines.
“The United States is still the dominant force in higher education,” observed Dr Mahassen. “However, the broader story for the U.S. is more concerning, with nearly three quarters of American universities falling down the standings.”
U.S. universities also faced increasing global competition for staff from well-funded institutions, especially from China.
Similar warnings are in place for the U.K., where the continued presence of Oxford and Cambridge in the world’s elite masks an overall picture of decline, with only 34 universities improving or maintaining their position, and 61 slipping back.
 Harvard University has been named the world’s best university for the 10th year in a row by the QS World University Rankings. \| Photo by **[Matthis Volquardsen](https://www.pexels.com/@einfoto?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)** from **[Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-harvard-campus-services-truck-2350924/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)**
## QS World University Rankings and CWUR on the US
The QS World Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds ( _**QS**_).
It receives approval from the International Ranking Expert Group (IREG), and is viewed as one of the three most-widely read university rankings in the world, along with [Academic Ranking of World Universities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_Ranking_of_World_Universities) and [Times Higher Education World University Rankings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Higher_Education_World_University_Rankings).
Meanwhile, the CWUR, a relative newcomer to higher education rankings, grades universities on four weighted factors: quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty and research performance, with Harvard topping all four categories this year for the first time since 2017.
Despite the disparity of name and prestige, both ranking systems agree that an educational and cultural shift is taking place, and the United States should watch out for it.
“For many years, US universities were able to attract the most talented academics from across the world, but the tide may be turning,” Dr. Mahassen said.
However, without substantial investment and the ability to attract and retain top academics, America’s decline is unlikely to be arrested, the CWUR president adds.
* * *
_brought to you by Scholarships for Africans_
[**Scholarships for Africans**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/) is a premier scholarship information blog committed to bringing more opportunities for Africans globally. They are part of the African Scholar Initiative, powered by Scholarship Hippo.
Be a part of our growing community!
**JOIN:** [Scholarships for Africans Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScholarshipsforAfricans)
**LIKE:** [African Scholar Initiative Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/AfricanScholarInitiative)
### Share this:
- [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=facebook&nb=1)
- [Share on X (Opens in new window)X](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=twitter&nb=1)
- [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)WhatsApp](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1)
- [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)LinkedIn](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=linkedin&nb=1)
- [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Telegram](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=telegram&nb=1)
- [More](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/#)
- [Print (Opens in new window)Print](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/#print?share=print&nb=1)
- [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Reddit](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=reddit&nb=1)
- [Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Tumblr](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=tumblr&nb=1)
- [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Pinterest](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/?share=pinterest&nb=1)
### Like this:
LikeLoading…
### _Related_
[Top Universities in The Netherlands – QS World University Rankings 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-universities-in-the-netherlands-qs-world-university-rankings-2021/ "Top Universities in The Netherlands – QS World University Rankings 2021")
[Top 10 German Universities According to the QS World University Rankings 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-german-universities-according-to-the-qs-world-university-rankings-2021/ "Top 10 German Universities According to the QS World University Rankings 2021")
[Top Universities in Ireland – QS World University Rankings 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-universities-in-ireland-qs-world-university-rankings-2021/ "Top Universities in Ireland – QS World University Rankings 2021")
In[Chinese universities](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/chinese-universities/), [Chinese University](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/chinese-university/), [international students](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/international-students/), [news](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/news/), [QS World University Rankings](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/qs-world-university-rankings/), [Study in China](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/study-in-china/), [Study in the USA](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/study-in-the-usa/), [USA universities](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/usa-universities/)
## One thought on “Chinese universities for international students overtake US in QS World University Rankings”
1. Pingback: [China to provide 100 TVET scholarships in East Africa – Scholarship Hippo](https://scholarshiphippo.com/china-to-provide-100-tvet-scholarships-in-east-africa/)
### Leave a Reply[Cancel reply](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/\#respond)
Post a Comment
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [Learn how your comment data is processed.](https://akismet.com/privacy/)
[Previous postUNICEF Youth Mediathon – Young Content Creators Program](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/unicef-youth-mediathon-young-content-creators-program/)
[Next postAfrica London Nagasaki Fund – Masters Scholarships for African Scientists](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/africa-london-nagasaki-fund-masters-scholarships-for-african-scientists/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[December 21, 2021December 19, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/21/)
[Caelus Murphy](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/veemanguilimotan/)
[December 19, 2021December 19, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/19/)
[Caelus Murphy](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/veemanguilimotan/)
[December 17, 2021December 19, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/17/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[November 9, 2021November 9, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/11/09/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[October 25, 2021October 25, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/10/25/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[October 25, 2021October 25, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/10/25/)
Search for:
Close
## Discover more from
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
Type your email…
Subscribe
[Continue reading](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/#)
[Toggle photo metadata visibility](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/#)[Toggle photo comments visibility](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/chinese-universities-for-international-students-overtake-us-in-qs-world-university-rankings/#)
Loading Comments...
Write a Comment...
Email (Required)Name (Required)Website
%d
Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Willing to study in UK
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Chinese universities for international students overtake US in QS World University Rankings?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the the stated level level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to UK for the duration of the programme.
Is the Chinese universities for international students overtake US in QS World University Rankings fully funded?+
Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.