1725520822Top 100 Universities in the World.png

Best University Of the World, Top 100 Popular Universities Ranking

Get IELTS & PTE Exam Fee Refund

Start your Study Abroad Journey with WayUP Abroad for Free.

Best University Of the World

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:

Why Study at One of the Best Universities in the World?

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.

How are They Ranked?

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

List of Top 100 Universities in the World

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 Top 100 Universities of the World

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:

1. Academic Requirements

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).

2. Standardized Test Scores

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.

3. English Language Proficiency

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

4. Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose

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.

5. Letters of Recommendation

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.

6. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

Required especially for graduate programs, detailing academic achievements, work experience, research, extracurricular activities, and any other relevant accomplishments.

7. Portfolio or Audition (For Specific Courses)

Arts, Design, Architecture, and Performing Arts: Programs like Fine Arts, Architecture, and Music often require portfolios or auditions to demonstrate talent and creativity.

8. Interviews

Some universities, particularly those in the UK (like Oxford and Cambridge) and top business schools, conduct interviews as part of the selection process.

9. Extracurricular Activities

Involvement in leadership roles, community service, sports, arts, or other extracurricular activities can strengthen an application, especially for highly competitive programs.

10. Research Proposal (For Ph.D. Programs)

Ph.D. and other research-intensive programs typically require a detailed research proposal outlining the intended area of study, objectives, and methodology.

11. Work Experience (For Specific Graduate Programs)

MBA and Executive Programs: Many require relevant work experience, often a minimum of 2-5 years.

Country-Specific and Program-Specific Requirements

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.

Additional Notes

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.

Top Universities and Intakes in Various Countries

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

Cost Of Living in Top Study Destinations

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

Student Visa Cost For International Students

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

Job Prospects for International Students

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:

1. United States

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.

2. United Kingdom

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.

3. Canada

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.

4. Australia

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.

5. Germany

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.

6. France

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.

7. Switzerland

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.

8. Netherlands

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.

9. Singapore

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.

10. South Korea

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.

11. Japan

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.

12. India

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.

Conclusion

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

Related Articles

Get a Quote

Book your video counselling Session

Request a callback