NUS edges out China's best universities to top Asian school rankings

It claimed the top spot for the first time.

The National University of Singapore distances itself even more from its local rival Nanyang Technological University in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This is even though the latter sits in its highest ranking yet at 55th in the world.

According to Times Higher Education, Singapore also continued to best its rival Hong Kong whose top three institutions rank in the world's upper 200.

Beijing’s Peking University trailed NUS at second place.

Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings said what Singapore lacks in depth, it makes up for in quality.

"Despite the fact only two of [Singapore's] institutions make the world top 800, both of these are in the upper echelons of the list, competing with traditionally dominant universities in the US and the UK. Thanks to consistent government investment and academic collaboration, Singapore stands as a case study of how to challenge elite Western institutions and become a rising university star," Baty said.

The universities in the ranking were subject to standards according to the key missions of a global research university, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

"Many leading institutions, particularly in East Asia, have been focusing heavily on attaining world class status, backed with funding and powerful political will. But this ranking demonstrates how difficult a task this is, as universities right across the world continue to improve," Baty added.