Kyung Hee Ranks 252nd Globally and 5th Among Top Universities in South Korea
Kyung Hee University ranks 252nd globally and 5th in Korea in the 2026 THE World University Rankings. Driven by outstanding research quality and global engagement, the University cements its status among top universities in South Korea.
Kyung Hee University Rankings
Seoul, South Korea, 6th Jan 2026 – Kyung Hee University ranks 252nd worldwide and 5th among comprehensive universities in South Korea in the 2026 THE World University Rankings by Times Higher Education (THE). This achievement represents a global rise of 33 places and a one-spot domestic improvement from last year. Consequently, the University strengthens its position as one of South Korea’s top universities, committed to becoming a “true university of the future” and contributing to society through academic excellence.
This year’s ranking improvement resulted from notable advances in research quality and quantity. Specifically, the University’s Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI), a global metric of research influence, increased from 1.37 in 2019 to 1.42 in 2024, showing that Kyung Hee’s papers are cited 42% more often than the global average. Furthermore, top-tier research gained momentum; the citation impact of papers in the top 25% rose to 1.54, ranking third in Korea. Alongside qualitative growth, research output expanded steadily. By 2024, 20,934 academic articles were evaluated by THE. Moreover, papers in the top 10% for citation impact now account for 14.2%, highlighting the University’s rising global influence.
Kyung Hee Research Excellence
Kyung Hee’s research success spans Medicine, Engineering, Applied Sciences, and Basic Sciences. In medicine, the University achieved world-class results in global disease epidemiology, digital health, oncology, and geriatrics. In parallel, engineering and applied sciences advanced in next-generation semiconductors, optoelectronic devices, robotics, and environmental monitoring. At the same time, strong basic science research in biology and ecology supports a robust innovation ecosystem, bridging fundamental principles to real-world applications.
A key factor in this growth is Kyung Hee’s philosophy of internationalization. Ranked second in Korea for global engagement, the University now conducts 38.1% of its research through international collaborations, achieving an impressive average FWCI of 2.63. The new International Center for Quantum Matter demonstrates this commitment. Selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Limit Challenge R&D Project, the Center collaborates with renowned scholars, including Nobel Laureate Konstantin Novoselov and Harvard Professor Philip Kim. Additionally, the Center for Digital Health produces outstanding results through partnerships with the University of Washington’s IHME and the Gates Foundation.
Kyung Hee Future Initiatives
Looking ahead, Kyung Hee University plans a “quantum leap” to close the gap with global elite institutions. It has designated the coming years as a “golden time” for transformation. To lead in the AI Transition (AX) era, the University established the Kyung Hee AI Committee to oversee AI governance. Moreover, the Institute of Institutional Research (IR) now delivers data-driven strategic insights.
Furthermore, the University was selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s “2025 Medical AI Specialized Convergence Talent Development Project,” securing significant funding to develop globally competitive talent. Through these focused efforts in research innovation and future-ready infrastructure, Kyung Hee continues to create public value. As a result, it reinforces its position among South Korea’s top universities.
Company Details
Organization: KyungHee University
Contact Person: BOB KIM
Website: https://www.khu.ac.kr/eng/user/contents/view.do?menuNo=300071
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +8229610127
Address: 7-13, Kyungheedae-ro 6-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
City: 7-13, Kyungheedae-ro 6-gil, Dongdaemun-gu
State: seoul
Country: South Korea
Release Id: 06012639774