The top Asian universities for international students

The best universities shine across research, teaching, and career opportunities — and increasingly many of the universities across Asia fit that very description, drawing bigger cohorts of talent from around the world with every passing year. A new report from Western Union Business Solutions suggests that almost 80% of growth in the international student market “should come” from Asian countries by the year 2025.

The high standards in these institutions have placed them among some of the most prestigious global rankings. Students value these rankings as they are a direct measure of a university’s global reputation. Everyone from future employers to their peers will recognise certain institutions, which can open doors to various employment opportunities. A top-ranked university often has established partnerships with well-regarded companies as well, giving students a chance to land that coveted internship or placement before they graduate.

All of this prepares students to become impactful graduates with the know-how to make a difference in their careers and the world. If you’re considering studying in Asia, here are four Asian universities that should be at the top of your list:

Taipei Medical University

Taipei Medical University (TMU) is a collegiate academic institution with an extensive history in Taiwan. Source: Taipei Medical University

Founded in 1960, Taipei Medical University is home to 11 colleges and one general education centre. Since its inception, TMU has focused on providing an education that combines teaching, research, industrial collaboration, and medical care to realise its goal to “take medical education as the foundation, develop biomedicine research for clinical use and become a university of innovation with social impact.”

Here, the community consists of diverse and experienced groups of educators, researchers, clinicians, and business professionals — catering to a wide range of academic interests in health sciences. It also allows TMU to curate niche offerings, such as postgraduate programmes in Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, Neuroscience, and Translation Science, with an extensive global network for collaborations.

With an eye on the future, TMU aims to nurture well-rounded biomedical talents by pursuing special research areas and turning them into business opportunities. What’s more, the launch of ” Shuangho Campus ” has further integrated the nation’s first university biomedical acceleration programme to build the base as a trinity biomedical park with a university, hospital and biomedical industry.

TMU’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Last year, the university ranked #231 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, second among other institutions in Taiwan. Within Asia, TMU sits in the top 30 spots of THE Asia University rankings. It also ranked third globally for the “SDG3-Good Health and Wellbeing” category in the 2022 THE Impact Rankings.

Hokkaido University

As a university open to the world, Hokkaido University engages with partners in the international community through diverse and vibrant networks founded on multicultural understanding. Source: Hokkaido University/Facebook

Dubbed Japan’s gorgeous northernmost island, Hokkaido is home to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Filled with new discoveries and endless inspiration, students here often come to love the vibrant backdrop of this city which is also known as one of the most livable cities in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Zoom into Hokkaido, and you’ll find Hokkaido University — an institution that has produced award-winning research, with many accolades in both past and present.

As a university open to the world, Hokkaido University engages with partners in the international community through diverse and vibrant networks founded on multicultural understanding. The university directs its progressive efforts into internationalisation — namely the Hokkaido University Global Vision 2040 initiative — that will bring to life its vision of a sustainable future for global society and for its students to also contribute to the global community.

Graduate schools here include Agriculture, Biomedical Science and Engineering, Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Medicine.

Universiti Putra Malaysia

Universiti Putra Malaysia ranked among the top 150 spots in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Source: Universiti Putra Malaysia/Facebook

Situated in the Malaysian state of Selangor, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) is an internationally acclaimed institution with decades of excellence in higher education and is recognised as one of Malaysia’s leading research universities. Founded in 1931 as the School of Agriculture, UPM combines impressive modern facilities with a dynamic approach to teaching and research to maintain its proud heritage of quality services and achievements.

UPM is home to 15 faculties, 11 institutes and two schools that deliver an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes committed to its mission to make meaningful contributions to the creation of prosperity and development of the nation and the well-being of all human beings through the exploration and dissemination of knowledge. On top of this, the university has partnered with nine foreign institutions to provide 12 collaborative programmes.

Campus is diverse, with its 29,060 student population consisting of both local and international students from over 72 countries across the globe. With conformity disrupted, young minds can foster understanding, collaboration, and global citizenship.

Chungnam National University

An education at Chungnam National University is a chance to nurture a student’s mind, spirit, creative spirit, and leadership skills. Source: Chungnam National University/Facebook

Founded in 1952, Chungnam National University has been cultivating the best minds in Korea driven by their educational motto of “Creativity, Development, and Service to the Community.” An education here is a chance to nurture a student’s mind, spirit, service, creativity and leadership.

Master’s and PhD programmes here explore Korean culture and world cultures, competence and sensibilities for insights into society, the world, and humankind in the 21st century, business, natural sciences, and more. At its Professional Graduate School, you can get advanced qualifications in law, analytical science and technology, energy science and technology, drug development and discovery, and more.

As one of the most prestigious universities in the central region of Korea, CMU is at the forefront of engaging with the international community through its progressive efforts into internationalisation. The university has 294 sister institutions from 50 countries and runs dual degree programmes with 18 universities in four countries. Over 600 students join study abroad programmes every year.

CNU is strategically located in the heart of a new administrative centre in Sejong Special Administration City. This means that students are near landmarks such as the Naepo New Town, Daedeok R&D Special Zone, the International Science Business Belt, the Daejeon Government Complex, and the Headquarters of the Korean Army, Navy, and Air Force.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International