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Do you wish to attend one of the greatest institutions in the world? The world's top 100 institutions offer the best academic experiences, career advancement, and personal development chances. These universities offer courses in a variety of subjects of study.
If you wish to pursue further education at one of the world's top colleges, read on to see how the finest universities are ranked and what employment opportunities await graduates. This blog has a list of top universities in the world. Now let’s start with top rated universities in the world, its ranking and many more things that you should know:
Studying at one of the top 100 universities in the world provides access to a new world of opportunity for students. These institutions are well-known for their world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and cutting-edge infrastructure. Before we look at the top 100 universities in the world, let's discuss the significance and benefits of attending one of the best universities in the world.
Studying at one of the best universities in the world offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact your personal, academic, and professional life. Here are some key reasons why:
High-Quality Education: Top universities provide world-class education with cutting-edge research facilities, expert faculty, and a rigorous curriculum that equips students with deep knowledge and skills in their chosen fields.
Global Recognition and Prestige: Degrees from prestigious universities are highly regarded by employers and academic institutions worldwide. This recognition can open doors to better job opportunities, internships, and further education prospects.
Networking Opportunities: Attending a top university gives you access to a diverse and talented network of peers, professors, and alumni. These connections can provide valuable mentorship, collaborations, and career opportunities.
Access to Research and Innovation: Leading universities are often at the forefront of research and innovation. As a student, you'll have the chance to participate in groundbreaking projects, contributing to advancements in your field.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Resources: Best universities invest in the latest technology, libraries, laboratories, and learning resources, providing an enriching environment for academic and personal growth.
Career Support and Job Placement: Top universities have strong ties with industry leaders and provide excellent career services, including job placement, internships, and networking events that enhance your employability.
Personal Growth and Development: Studying in a diverse and stimulating environment fosters independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and grow as an individual.
Cultural and Global Exposure: Attending a renowned university often means being part of an international community. This exposure broadens your perspective, enhances your cultural sensitivity, and prepares you for a global career.
Scholarships and Funding Opportunities: Many top universities offer generous scholarships and financial aid, making world-class education more accessible to talented students from various backgrounds.
Long-Term ROI: While studying at a top university may be a significant investment, the long-term return on investment (ROI) is often substantial, with graduates earning higher salaries and having better career trajectories.
Choosing to study at one of the best universities in the world is not just about prestige; it’s an investment in your future, providing you with the tools, experiences, and opportunities to achieve your fullest potential.
Universities are ranked according to academic reputation, faculty quality, research, international diversity, student-to-faculty ratio, and a variety of other criteria. Organizations such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education use these criteria to rank the world's top universities.
This article will feature the top 100 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings 2025.
Commonly chosen courses and subjects in the top 100 universities in the world
Top universities provide a comprehensive selection of courses and programs to students worldwide. Some of the most popular courses at top universities in the world include:
Course/Subject | Popular Degrees | Average Fees (per year) | Top Universities Offering |
Business & Management | MBA, BBA, Management, Finance | $40,000 - $120,000 | Harvard, Stanford, INSEAD, London Business School |
Engineering | Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Computer | $30,000 - $60,000 | MIT, Stanford, Caltech, ETH Zurich |
Computer Science & IT | CS, Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity | $30,000 - $70,000 | MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, University of Oxford |
Medicine | MBBS, MD, Medical Sciences | $50,000 - $80,000 | Harvard, Johns Hopkins, University of Cambridge |
Law | LLB, LLM, JD | $30,000 - $70,000 | Harvard, Yale, University of Cambridge, Oxford |
Economics | BA, MA, PhD in Economics | $30,000 - $70,000 | MIT, Harvard, LSE, University of Chicago |
Architecture | BArch, MArch | $25,000 - $60,000 | MIT, Harvard, ETH Zurich, University College London |
Social Sciences | Psychology, Sociology, Political Science | $20,000 - $60,000 | Harvard, Stanford, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge |
Natural Sciences | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | $30,000 - $60,000 | Caltech, MIT, University of Cambridge, Princeton |
Arts & Humanities | History, Literature, Philosophy | $20,000 - $50,000 | University of Oxford, Harvard, Stanford, University of Cambridge |
Environmental Science | Environmental Engineering, Sustainability | $25,000 - $50,000 | Stanford, University of California (Berkeley), ETH Zurich |
Data Science & Analytics | Data Science, Big Data, Analytics | $30,000 - $70,000 | MIT, Harvard, Stanford, University of Oxford |
Biotechnology | Biotech, Biomedical Engineering | $30,000 - $60,000 | MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins |
Media & Communication | Journalism, Digital Media, PR | $20,000 - $50,000 | University of Southern California, LSE, University of Amsterdam |
Mathematics | Pure Math, Applied Math, Statistics | $30,000 - $60,000 | MIT, Harvard, Stanford, University of Oxford |
Education | Teaching, Educational Psychology | $20,000 - $50,000 | Stanford, Harvard, University of Oxford, University of Melbourne |
Here's a table listing the top 100 universities in the world along with their locations. This list is based on global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. And now you know best university of the world is Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which rank on 1st in the ranking of top 10 universities in the world. Now let’s check which the other universities are are there in the list of top 100 universities in the world:
Rank | University | Location |
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, USA |
2 | Stanford University | Stanford, USA |
3 | Harvard University | Cambridge, USA |
4 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena, USA |
5 | University of Oxford | Oxford, UK |
6 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK |
7 | University of Chicago | Chicago, USA |
8 | Imperial College London | London, UK |
9 | UCL (University College London) | London, UK |
10 | ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) | Zurich, Switzerland |
11 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, USA |
12 | Columbia University | New York City, USA |
13 | Princeton University | Princeton, USA |
14 | Yale University | New Haven, USA |
15 | University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | Berkeley, USA |
16 | University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh, UK |
17 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore |
18 | University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada |
19 | Peking University | Beijing, China |
20 | Tsinghua University | Beijing, China |
21 | University of Melbourne | Melbourne, Australia |
22 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, USA |
23 | University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan |
24 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, USA |
25 | EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) | Lausanne, Switzerland |
26 | University of Hong Kong (HKU) | Hong Kong |
27 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, USA |
28 | King’s College London | London, UK |
29 | University of Sydney | Sydney, Australia |
30 | Seoul National University | Seoul, South Korea |
31 | Australian National University (ANU) | Canberra, Australia |
32 | University of British Columbia | Vancouver, Canada |
33 | University of Manchester | Manchester, UK |
34 | Kyoto University | Kyoto, Japan |
35 | New York University (NYU) | New York City, USA |
36 | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | San Diego, USA |
37 | Fudan University | Shanghai, China |
38 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Urbana-Champaign, USA |
39 | London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | London, UK |
40 | University of Queensland | Brisbane, Australia |
41 | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Singapore |
42 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, USA |
43 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, USA |
44 | Sorbonne University | Paris, France |
45 | McGill University | Montreal, Canada |
46 | Osaka University | Osaka, Japan |
47 | University of Washington | Seattle, USA |
48 | Monash University | Melbourne, Australia |
49 | University of Warwick | Coventry, UK |
50 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin, USA |
51 | Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) | Atlanta, USA |
52 | University of Copenhagen | Copenhagen, Denmark |
53 | University of Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
54 | University of Bristol | Bristol, UK |
55 | Delft University of Technology | Delft, Netherlands |
56 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) | Munich, Germany |
57 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, USA |
58 | University of Glasgow | Glasgow, UK |
59 | University of Helsinki | Helsinki, Finland |
60 | University of Zurich | Zurich, Switzerland |
61 | Boston University | Boston, USA |
62 | University of Southern California (USC) | Los Angeles, USA |
63 | Tokyo Institute of Technology | Tokyo, Japan |
64 | University of Leeds | Leeds, UK |
65 | University of Sheffield | Sheffield, UK |
66 | University of St Andrews | St Andrews, UK |
67 | Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Munich, Germany |
68 | University of Oslo | Oslo, Norway |
69 | University of Birmingham | Birmingham, UK |
70 | University of Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
71 | Emory University | Atlanta, USA |
72 | University of Alberta | Edmonton, Canada |
73 | University of Auckland | Auckland, New Zealand |
74 | University of Geneva | Geneva, Switzerland |
75 | University of Nottingham | Nottingham, UK |
76 | KU Leuven | Leuven, Belgium |
77 | University of Cape Town | Cape Town, South Africa |
78 | Durham University | Durham, UK |
79 | University of Southampton | Southampton, UK |
80 | Rice University | Houston, USA |
81 | Lomonosov Moscow State University | Moscow, Russia |
82 | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, USA |
83 | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | Daejeon, South Korea |
84 | University of Liverpool | Liverpool, UK |
85 | University of Reading | Reading, UK |
86 | Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | Pohang, South Korea |
87 | University of Adelaide | Adelaide, Australia |
88 | University of Basel | Basel, Switzerland |
89 | University of Western Australia | Perth, Australia |
90 | Stockholm University | Stockholm, Sweden |
91 | University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, USA |
92 | University of Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain |
93 | Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Jerusalem, Israel |
94 | University of Bern | Bern, Switzerland |
95 | University of Aberdeen | Aberdeen, UK |
96 | Aarhus University | Aarhus, Denmark |
97 | University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | Sydney, Australia |
98 | Indian Institute of Science (IISc) | Bangalore, India |
99 | Queen Mary University of London | London, UK |
100 | University of Miami | Miami, USA |
Admission requirements for the top 100 universities in the world can vary significantly based on the institution, course, and country. However, the following are the general admission requirements commonly seen across these prestigious institutions:
High School Diploma (Undergraduate Admission): Completion of secondary education or equivalent with high grades, particularly in relevant subjects.
Bachelor’s Degree (Postgraduate Admission): A completed undergraduate degree from a recognized institution, often with a minimum GPA (usually 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent).
Undergraduate Programs:
SAT/ACT: Many top U.S. universities require SAT or ACT scores, with high scores often expected.
IB/A-Levels: International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-Level scores are preferred in the UK and some other countries.
AP Courses: Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams are often highly regarded.
Graduate Programs:
GRE/GMAT: Required for many graduate programs, particularly for fields like business, engineering, and science.
LSAT/MCAT: Specific to law and medical schools respectively.
TOEFL/IELTS: Non-native English speakers are generally required to provide proof of English language proficiency. Typical scores are:
TOEFL: 90-110 (internet-based)
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 overall
A written statement explaining why you are interested in the program, your academic interests, career goals, and why you chose the university. This is a critical part of the application and is often used to assess the applicant’s motivation, communication skills, and suitability for the course.
Typically, 2-3 letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or professionals who can attest to the applicant's academic abilities, character, and potential for success.
Required especially for graduate programs, detailing academic achievements, work experience, research, extracurricular activities, and any other relevant accomplishments.
Arts, Design, Architecture, and Performing Arts: Programs like Fine Arts, Architecture, and Music often require portfolios or auditions to demonstrate talent and creativity.
Some universities, particularly those in the UK (like Oxford and Cambridge) and top business schools, conduct interviews as part of the selection process.
Involvement in leadership roles, community service, sports, arts, or other extracurricular activities can strengthen an application, especially for highly competitive programs.
Ph.D. and other research-intensive programs typically require a detailed research proposal outlining the intended area of study, objectives, and methodology.
MBA and Executive Programs: Many require relevant work experience, often a minimum of 2-5 years.
UK: Personal statements, UCAS applications, and interviews (especially for Oxbridge).
USA: Emphasis on holistic admissions considering grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and personal essays.
Australia/Canada: Academic transcripts, English proficiency, and program-specific requirements like portfolios or auditions.
Deadlines: Application deadlines are crucial and vary by university and program (typically fall around December-January for many top U.S. and UK universities).
Application Fees: Fees are generally required for application submission and vary by institution.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission, especially in highly competitive universities. Students are encouraged to carefully research individual university websites for specific program requirements and seek guidance from academic advisors when needed.
Checkout the list of top rated universities in the world and it’s Intakes in Various Countries:
Country | University | Intakes | Typical Academic Year |
United States | Harvard University | Fall, Spring | August - May |
Stanford University | Fall, Spring | September - June | |
MIT | Fall, Spring | September - June | |
United Kingdom | University of Oxford | October, January | October - June |
University of Cambridge | October, January | October - June | |
Imperial College London | October | October - July | |
Canada | University of Toronto | Fall, Winter, Summer | September - April |
University of British Columbia | Fall, Winter, Summer | September - April | |
McGill University | Fall, Winter, Summer | September - April | |
Australia | University of Melbourne | February, July | February - November |
Australian National University (ANU) | February, July | February - November | |
University of Sydney | March, July | March - November | |
Germany | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) | Winter, Summer | October - March, April - September |
Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Winter, Summer | October - March, April - September | |
University of Heidelberg | Winter, Summer | October - March, April - September | |
France | Sorbonne University | September, January | September - June |
University of Paris (Paris 1 - Panthéon-Sorbonne) | September, January | September - June | |
École Polytechnique | September, January | September - June | |
Switzerland | ETH Zurich | Fall, Spring | September - June |
University of Zurich | Fall, Spring | September - June | |
University of Geneva | Fall, Spring | September - June | |
Netherlands | University of Amsterdam | September, February | September - June |
Delft University of Technology | September, February | September - June | |
Leiden University | September, February | September - June | |
Singapore | National University of Singapore (NUS) | August, January | August - May |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | August, January | August - May | |
Hong Kong | University of Hong Kong (HKU) | September, January | September - June |
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | September, January | September - June | |
South Korea | Seoul National University | March, September | March - February |
KAIST | March, September | March - February | |
POSTECH | March, September | March - February | |
Japan | University of Tokyo | April, October | April - March |
Kyoto University | April, October | April - March | |
Osaka University | April, October | April - March | |
India | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay | July, January | July - May |
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) | August, January | August - May | |
University of Delhi | August, January | August - May |
After choosing the best university of the world for you education now is the time for calculating cost of living in top study destinations. Here's a table outlining the average annual cost of living in various top study destinations. Costs can vary significantly depending on the city and lifestyle, but this provides a general idea.
Country | City | Average Cost of Living (per year) |
United States | New York City | $30,000 - $40,000 |
Los Angeles | $25,000 - $35,000 | |
Chicago | $20,000 - $30,000 | |
United Kingdom | London | $20,000 - $30,000 |
Manchester | $15,000 - $25,000 | |
Edinburgh | $15,000 - $25,000 | |
Canada | Toronto | $18,000 - $28,000 |
Vancouver | $18,000 - $28,000 | |
Montreal | $15,000 - $25,000 | |
Australia | Sydney | $20,000 - $30,000 |
Melbourne | $18,000 - $28,000 | |
Brisbane | $15,000 - $25,000 | |
Germany | Berlin | $12,000 - $20,000 |
Munich | $15,000 - $25,000 | |
Heidelberg | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
France | Paris | $15,000 - $25,000 |
Lyon | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
Marseille | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
Switzerland | Zurich | $30,000 - $40,000 |
Geneva | $30,000 - $40,000 | |
Basel | $25,000 - $35,000 | |
Netherlands | Amsterdam | $15,000 - $25,000 |
Delft | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
Leiden | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
Singapore | Singapore | $20,000 - $30,000 |
Hong Kong | Hong Kong | $20,000 - $30,000 |
South Korea | Seoul | $12,000 - $20,000 |
Japan | Tokyo | $15,000 - $25,000 |
Kyoto | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
Osaka | $12,000 - $20,000 | |
India | Bangalore | $6,000 - $10,000 |
Delhi | $6,000 - $10,000 | |
Mumbai | $8,000 - $12,000 |
Know about Student Visa for International Students and Approximate Cost (USD):
Country | Visa Type | Approximate Cost (USD) |
United States | F-1 Student Visa | $160 |
United Kingdom | Tier 4 (General) Student Visa | $485 |
Canada | Study Permit | $150 |
Australia | Student Visa (Subclass 500) | $650 |
Germany | National Visa for Study Purposes | $100 - $120 |
France | Long-Stay Student Visa | $99 |
Switzerland | Student Visa | $100 - $150 |
Netherlands | Student Residence Permit | $300 - $400 |
Singapore | Student Pass | $100 - $150 |
Hong Kong | Student Visa | $150 |
South Korea | D-2 (Student) Visa | $60 - $100 |
Japan | Student Visa | $30 - $60 |
India | Student Visa | $10 - $100 |
Students can get post-study work visas, which allow them to stay in the nation for a set period of time after graduation in order to hunt for work. The table below displays the length of stay in various nations following graduation.
Job prospects for international students can vary significantly based on the country of study, the field of study, and the individual’s skills and experience. Here’s a general overview of job prospects for international students in various top study destinations:
Work Opportunities: International students can work on-campus and, in some cases, off-campus through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Job Market: Diverse and competitive job market, with strong opportunities in STEM fields, business, and healthcare.
Post-Graduation Work: OPT allows up to 12 months of work (or up to 36 months for STEM graduates) after graduation. H-1B visas are required for long-term employment.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during studies and full-time during breaks. The Graduate Route allows graduates to work or look for work for up to 2 years (or 3 years for PhD graduates) post-graduation.
Job Market: Strong opportunities in finance, engineering, and technology sectors.
Post-Graduation Work: Graduate Route provides a temporary visa to gain work experience, with the possibility of transitioning to a work visa.
Work Opportunities: International students can work on-campus and off-campus during their studies. Post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) allow graduates to work for up to 3 years.
Job Market: Good opportunities in technology, healthcare, and engineering.
Post-Graduation Work: PGWP provides a pathway to gain Canadian work experience, which can help in obtaining permanent residency.
Work Opportunities: International students can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the academic term and full-time during breaks. Post-study work visas allow graduates to work for 2 to 4 years, depending on the qualification.
Job Market: Opportunities in healthcare, engineering, and IT sectors.
Post-Graduation Work: Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) provides a pathway to gain Australian work experience and possibly transition to permanent residency.
Work Opportunities: International students can work up to 120 full or 240 half days per year during their studies. Post-graduation, they can extend their residence permit for up to 18 months to look for a job.
Job Market: Strong in engineering, automotive, and IT sectors.
Post-Graduation Work: Residence permit extension allows time to find a job related to the field of study. A work visa can be obtained afterward.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during studies. After graduation, they can extend their residence permit for up to 12 months to look for work.
Job Market: Opportunities in business, engineering, and technology.
Post-Graduation Work: The 12-month extension allows graduates to find employment related to their degree.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during their studies. Post-graduation, they can extend their stay for up to 6 months to find a job.
Job Market: Opportunities in finance, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.
Post-Graduation Work: Extension allows time to secure a job and transition to a work permit.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during their studies. After graduation, they can apply for an orientation year permit to look for work for up to 1 year.
Job Market: Opportunities in technology, engineering, and business.
Post-Graduation Work: The orientation year permit facilitates the job search and transition to a work visa.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during their studies. Post-graduation, they can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass or Employment Pass if they secure a job.
Job Market: Strong in finance, technology, and biomedical sectors.
Post-Graduation Work: Employment Pass allows for longer-term work if a job offer is secured.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during their studies. After graduation, they can apply for an E-7 visa if they find employment in their field of study.
Job Market: Opportunities in technology, engineering, and business.
Post-Graduation Work: E-7 visa allows for work in specialized fields related to the student’s education.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during their studies. Post-graduation, they can apply for a work visa if they find employment in their field of study.
Job Market: Opportunities in technology, engineering, and international business.
Post-Graduation Work: Work visas can be obtained with a job offer, allowing for long-term employment.
Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time during their studies under certain conditions. After graduation, work opportunities may be more limited and typically require employer sponsorship for work visas.
Job Market: Opportunities in technology, business, and engineering sectors.
Post-Graduation Work: Work visa requirements can be stringent and usually require securing a job with an Indian employer.
I hope this blog on Best University of The World will help you to find the best one for you. The list of top rated universities in the world are compiled by our expert of WayUp Abroad, it is based on global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. For more information of query you can contact us on +91 78775 12818 or just drop a mail in inquiry@wayupabroad.com.