Every year, in addition to the QS World University Rankings® 2018, QS releases the Top 50 Under 50 to celebrate the top young universities in the world. As well as being some of the fastest-developing universities in the world, these young guns are also among the most attractive, consisting of futuristic and innovative building designs and modern, spacious campuses with plenty of green space. Here’s a closer look at this year’s top 10.

1. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Ranked first in the Top 50 Under 50 for the fourth time in a row, and 11^th in the world overall this year, NTU was established in 1991. Pictured above is The Hive, or the Dim Sum Building, a learning hub designed by renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick.

2. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

HKUST is placed second in this year’s Top 50 Under 50 and 30^th in the world. Also founded in 1991, its campus, located around a 30-minute drive from central Hong Kong, offers stunning views of the surrounding Clear Water Bay area, as seen above.

3. KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Next of our top 10 young universities is KAIST, ranked third in the Top 50 Under 50 and joint 41^st in the world. KAIST was established in 1971 and is based in Daejeon, South Korea. Pictured above is the university’s duck pond, one of the most famous sites on campus. 

4. City University of Hong Kong

City University of Hong Kong is ranked fourth in the Top 50 under 50 and 49^th in the world, and was founded in 1984. Above is the Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, an award-winning building, named after entertainment mogul and philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw.

5. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)

The next of our top 10 young universities is another South Korean entrant – POSTECH, ranked fifth in the Top 50 Under 50 and 49^th in the world. As its name suggests, POSTECH is known for its focus on science and technology, and boasts a vast 378-acre smart campus.

6. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, also known as PolyU, was established in 1994 and is ranked sixth in the Top 50 Under 50 and joint 95^th in the world. PolyU can trace its origins back to 1937 and today it has around 28,400 students enrolled.

7. Aalto University

As well as placing seventh in the Top 50 Under 50, the Finnish Aalto University is ranked joint 137^th in the world. Located in the Greater Helsinki area, Aalto University was founded in 2010 by a merger of three universities.

8. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Founded in 1988, Australian entrant UTS is ranked eighth in this year’s Top 50 Under 50 and 176^th in the world, up 17 places from last year. Pictured above is the university’s unique Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, designed by Frank Gehry and often compared to a squashed brown paper bag.

9. CentraleSupélec

The most recently founded of these top 10 young universities, the French CentraleSupélec is ranked 177^th in the world and ninth in the Top 50 Under 50. It was established in 2015 by the merger of the prestigious grandes écoles Ecole Centrale Paris and Supélec.

10. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)

One of Spain’s six top young universities, UAM is also ranked 187^th in the World University Rankings, having climbed 23 places from last year. UAM was founded in 1968 and is located on a rural campus in Cantoblanco on the northern outskirts of Madrid. 

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经过漫长而充满分歧的竞选活动，英国于2016年6月24日宣布开始缓慢撤离欧洲联盟的成员国身份。投票前的准备阶段使得英国公众和政界在这个问题上产生了深刻的分歧，一年过去了，尘埃仍未落定。

长期以来，英国一直是国际学生极受欢迎的留学目的地，但由于“脱欧”引发的不确定性，一些人开始猜测这种情况是否会继续。我们走访了伦敦的街头，了解了英国境内的学生们的感受，以及他们对一年后的“脱欧”有何看法。请点击下面的幻灯片浏览以了解他们的观点。

This year, QS launched a new scholarship aimed at helping talented students secure funding for an undergraduate degree. The QS Undergraduate Scholarship is worth up to $10,000 and is for students starting their first year at undergraduate level at a QS-ranked university this year. 

The first ever recipient of this scholarship is Canadian student Matthew Clennon. Matthew is currently studying at St Patrick's Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, but plans to travel across the Atlantic to attend the University of Edinburgh later this year. Matthew will be studying English Literature at the Scottish university, a subject that will allow him to combine his love of reading and poetry with a high-quality education.

Matthew says: "When thinking of what universities I would to apply to, I knew that I wanted to go somewhere that was big enough that I could explore the area and find new opportunities, but at the same time maintain a relaxed environment. Edinburgh seemed the perfect match, it has the urban qualities that I enjoy. Yet, at the same time, Edinburgh has still held onto its natural landscape and historic buildings which makes it such a tranquil setting. 

With the start of his first term now just months away, Matthew is looking forward to studying and expanding his perception of the world. He says: "As someone that’s interested in creative writing and journalism, I recognise that possessing a worldview that is open-minded and well-rounded is key. As much as I enjoy secondary school, I feel university will do a better job at challenging my perspectives and developing my critical thinking."

Matthew learned of the scholarship while visiting the Top Universities website and says the scholarship will have a big impact on his ability to cover his fees. Although he would have pursued a degree course at the University of Edinburgh regardless, it's definitely made it more feasible for him to enjoy the education he's always wanted.

After university, Matthew hopes to pursue a career in journalism, writing about culture and identity. He says: "I want to take my passion for writing and turn it into a career that not only entertains readers, but also helps people who have felt similarly to me and who struggle to find their place in society."

Advice for other applicants

"I would say the most valuable advice would be to make your entry original and unique. The competition for scholarships can be so competitive these days and it’s not uncommon for hundreds of people to apply for the same award. If your entry sounds superficial or uninspired then your chances of winning the award may be slim. The best thing to do is think critically of what the scholarship question is asking and create an answer that’s reflective of who you are as an individual."

Each year, QS and EDHEC Business School partner to offer exclusive business school scholarships to support students enrolling in an MSc or MiM program at EDHEC. Covering 50% of tuition fees, the QS-EDHEC Business School scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate high levels of academic excellence, alongside a clear vision of how studying at EDHEC will help them achieve their educational and professional goals.

This year, the scholarship, open to any attendees of the QS World Grad School Tour, was awarded to Italian student Violetta Grimani.

Having studied a bachelor’s in economics and finance at the University of Bologna, Violetta was attracted to EDHEC’s MSc in Corporate Finance & Banking and the way the course integrates theory with real business cases and applications.

Violetta hopes the course will provide the perfect foundation for a career in investment banking and, eventually, work at a venture capital firm. She says: “I have a short-term and long-term career objective. First, I’d like to work in mergers and acquisitions at an investment bank as I’m attracted to the role’s challenges. However, in the long run, I would like to return to Italy and work for a venture capital firm. I believe innovation and entrepreneurship are key factors in every developed economy and deserve greater attention.”

Until then, Violetta will live in France where EDHEC is based. She says she’s looking forward to studying and living in an international environment.

Advice for other applicants

“You don’t need to perform a cost-benefit analysis to understand you have nothing to lose when applying for a scholarship (apart from some sleep time). The most important thing when applying is to be genuine. Your story, your goals and also your failures make you who you are and it’s important to show all of these things. Talk about the obstacles you had to face, the path you decided to take and the motivations that make you unique. Don’t be arrogant, and instead recognize your limits and try to turn them into strengths.

This year's lucky recipient of the QS Connect Masters scholarship is Sambhav Golechha. 

The scholarship, worth US$2,000, is awarded every year exclusively to a student who has participated in the Connect Masters scheme. Connect Masters, part of the QS World Grad School Tour, is a free service which allows prospective postgraduates to meet face-to-face with university representatives from around the world, allowing them to professionally discuss next steps for their career and studies.

Having worked at one of the world’s biggest data analytics firms, Sambhav has decided to return to education to learn more about the financial side of business and will be studying a master’s in finance at IE Business School in Spain. The internationally renowned school attracts the brightest minds from all over the world and Sambhav is looking forward to being one of them.

He says: “The master’s course at IE is one of the most practical programs out there. Coming from a society where theoretical learning is over-emphasized, this will be a very different experience for me. It will be interesting to learn from the diversity of backgrounds of my peers and expand my boundaries.”

Advice for other applicants

“This scholarship is a humbling honor and has really encouraged me to work harder and smarter from this point onwards. If you’re thinking of applying, don’t be put off by the fact lots of students across the world will probably also be applying. You have to believe in yourself and give it your best shot. Trying is the only way to win.”