Top 100 universities in the world

Do you want to study at one of the best universities in the world?

The top 100 universities in the world provide the best learning experience, career advancement, and personal growth opportunities. These universities offer courses in multiple fields of study.

If you want to pursue higher education at one of the top-ranked universities in the world, read more to know how the best universities in the world are ranked and the job prospects after graduating from the top universities.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Top 100 universities in the world
• Admission requirements and costs of studying
• Top countries to study abroad
• Career opportunities after graduation

Let's get started.

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity, so pursue your passions and immerse yourself in each moment.

Why study at one of the best universities in the world?

Studying at one of the top 100 universities in the world opens doors to a world of opportunities. These institutions are renowned for their world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Before we look at the list of the top 100 universities in the world, let’s understand the importance and benefits of studying at one of the best universities in the world.

• Quality education - Studying at one of the top 100 universities in the world provides access to top-notch faculty, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
• Global community - This allows students to be part of a global academic community that encourages research and entrepreneurship, providing international exposure.
• Career opportunities - Many top-ranked universities have close ties with industry leaders and offer internships and networking events. It enables students to gain practical experience, connect with industry professionals, and increase their chances of securing internships and full-time job roles.
• Post-graduation work opportunities - Graduating from top-ranked universities in the world enhances your credibility in the global job market and increases your career opportunities. After graduation, international students can get work opportunities through a post-study work visa, allowing them to gain practical experience in their field of study. They can also apply for permanent residency (PR) through their employer.

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How are they ranked?

Universities are ranked based on academic reputation, faculty quality, research, international diversity, student-to-faculty ratio, and many more factors. Organisations like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education evaluate these criteria and rank the top universities globally.

This article will list the top 100 universities in the world based on QS World University Rankings 2026.

Commonly chosen courses and subjects in the top 100 universities in the world

Top universities offer a diverse range of courses and programs for students around the globe. Some of the most commonly chosen courses in top universities include:

• Engineering and Technology
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Business and Management
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Arts and Design

QS World University Rankings 2026

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Admission requirements for top 100 universities in the world 

Usually, students must have passed their school exams with a certain percentage of marks to be eligible for admission into a top-ranked university. Some universities require specific scores in certain examinations, like the IELTS and TOEFL, and general entrance examinations like the GRE and GMAT for example. 

In addition to the eligibility criteria, universities need other documents to proceed with your application. Make sure you have the below-mentioned documents.

• Academic transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Passport
• Admissions test results
• English language proficiency test scores
• Proof of funds
• Visa

Top universities and intakes in various countries

UK

Intakes in the UK

The intakes in the UK are Fall intake (September), Winter intake (January), and Spring intake (May).

Top universities in UK

Here are some top universities in UK.

1. Bangor University
2. Brunel University
3. Coventry University
4. University of Portsmouth
5. Aston University
6. Birmingham City University
7. De Montfort University
8. University of East London
9. University of Greenwich
10. University of Wolverhampton

Top universities in London

The top universities in London include Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), City, University of London, Queen Mary University of London, Coventry University, Brunel University London, and University of Greenwich.

USA

Intakes in the USA

The intakes in the USA are Spring intake, Fall intake (January), and Summer intake (May).

Top universities in USA

Here are some top universities in USA.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2. Harvard University
3. Stanford University
4. Sacred Heart University
5. Texas State University
6. University of Colorado Denver
7. Kent State University

Top universities in New York

The top universities in New York include New York University (NYU), Cornell University, Columbia University, and Pace University.

Top universities in Chicago

The top universities in Chicago include University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), DePaul University, and Illinois Institute of Technology.

Canada

Intakes in Canada

The intakes in Canada are Fall intake (September), Winter intake (January), and Summer intake (May).

Top universities in Canada

Here are some top universities in Canada.

1. University of Toronto
2. McGill University
3. University of Montreal
4. University of Regina 
5. Trent University
6. Conestoga College
7. University Canada West
8. St. Francis Xavier University
9. University of Prince Edward Island
10. Kingston University
11. University of Victoria

Top universities in Ontario 

The top universities in Ontario include the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McMaster University, Queen’s University, University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and University of Windsor.

Top universities in Vancouver

The top universities in Vancouver include University Canada West, Columbia College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University.

Ireland

Intakes in Ireland

The intakes in Ireland are Autumn intake (September), and Winter intake (January).

Top universities in Ireland

Here are some top universities in Ireland.

1. Trinity College Dublin
2. The University of Dublin
3. University College Dublin
4. University College Cork
5. National University of Ireland, Galway
6. Dublin City University
7. University of Limerick
8. Technological University of Dublin

New Zealand

Intakes in New Zealand

The intakes in New Zealand are January intake, July intake, and Rolling intake.

Top universities in New Zealand

Here are some top universities in New Zealand.

1. Victoria University of Wellington
2. University of Waikato
3. University of Otago
4. Massey University
5. Ara Institute of Canterbury

Australia

Intakes in Australia

The intakes in Australia are February intake, July intake, and November intake.

Top universities in Australia

Here are some top universities in Australia.

1. The University of Melbourne
2. The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
3. The University of Western Australia
4. The University of Sydney
5. University of Southern Queensland
6. Navitas
7. Monash University
8. La Trobe University
9. Melbourne City Institute of Education
10. Australia Institute of Business and Technology

Also read: Cheapest countries to study abroad

Excited to begin your study abroad journey? Apply for the upcoming intake today!

Cost of living in top study destinations

The average annual costs of living for international students in various countries are as follows:

Student visa cost for international students

The student visa cost will vary depending on where you want to study. Here are the costs for popular countries:

Data updated as of Jun 2025

Job prospects for international students

Students can get post-study work visas that help them stay in the country after graduation for a specific time and look for job opportunities. The following table shows the duration of stay in various countries after graduation. 

Data updated as of Jun 2025

Get ready to study abroad

At Edvoy, we pride ourselves on simplifying the study abroad process for students. With comprehensive guidance and virtual counselling, we'll assist with

• Finding the ideal study abroad programs
• Selecting universities with connections to global industries
• Navigating the application process for studying abroad
• Overcoming challenges like visa requirements and language barriers
• Maximising the learning, cultural immersion, and long-term career benefits

Take the first step in your study abroad journey today with Edvoy!

Edvoy helps you turn your aspirations into a global education journey, making your decision process seamless. Discover the perfect institution to boost your educational experience.

Start your study abroad journey with Edvoy. Get in touch with a friendly Edvoy counsellor and download the app today.

Top 100 universities in the world: Your questions answered!

To assist you in your study abroad journey, we’ve collated answers to commonly asked questions. Find your answers below!

What are the top 10 universities in the world?

Here are the top 10 universities in the world, according to QS World Rankings.

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Imperial College London
• Stanford University
• University of Oxford
• Harvard University
• University of Cambridge
• ETH Zurich
• National University of Singapore
• UCL 
• California Institute of Technology

Why is it important to aim to study in any of the top 100 universities globally?

Here are the importance and benefits of studying at one of the top 100 universities in the world.

• Quality education - Studying at one of the top 100 universities in the world provides access to top-notch faculty, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
• Global community - This allows students to be part of a global academic community that encourages research and entrepreneurship, providing international exposure.
• Career opportunities - Many top-ranked universities in the world have close ties with industry leaders and offer internships and networking events. It enables students to gain practical experience, connect with industry professionals, and increase their chances of securing internships and full-time job roles. 
• Post-graduation work opportunities - Graduating from top-ranked universities in the world enhances your credibility in the global job market and increases your career opportunities. After graduation, international students can get work opportunities through a post-study work visa, allowing them to gain practical experience in their field of study. They can also apply for permanent residency (PR) through their employer. 

What is the ranking criteria used by the QS World University Rankings to measure the performance of the universities?

Universities are ranked based on academic reputation, faculty quality, research, international diversity, student-to-faculty ratio, and many more factors. Organisations like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education evaluate these criteria and rank the top universities globally. 

Is any Indian university in top 100?

There are no Indian universities ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. However, there are many Indian universities listed in the QS World Rankings. This is because of very little or no international student diversity in Indian universities.

What are some best universities in Australia?

Some of the best universities in Australia are

1. The University of Melbourne
2. The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
3. The University of Sydney
4. Monash University
5. Navitas
6. University of Southern Queensland
7. The University of Western Australia
8. La Trobe University
9. Melbourne City Institute of Education
10. Australia Institute of Business and Technology

What are the best universities in Canada?

Some of the best universities in Canada are

1. University of Toronto
2. McGill University
3. University of Montreal
4. University of Regina 
5. Trent University
6. Conestoga College
7. Thompson Rivers University
8. University Canada West
9. St. Francis Xavier University
10. University of Prince Edward Island
11. Kingston University
12. University of Victoria

Which is the No.1 university in the world?

According to QS World Rankings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, ranks as the no.1 university in the world.

What are the best MBA programs in the world?

Here are the best MBA programs in the world.

1. Stanford Graduate School of Business
2. Penn (Wharton)
3. Harvard Business School
4. London Business School
5. HEC Paris
6. MIT (Sloan)
7. Columbia Business School
8. IE Business School
9. Cambridge (Judge)
10. IESE Business School

What are the top universities in England?

Here are the top universities in England.

1. University of Cambridge
2. University of Oxford
3. University of Bristol
4. Bangor University
5. Brunel University
6. Coventry University
7. University of Portsmouth
8. Aston University
9. Birmingham City University
10. De Montfort University
11. University of East London
12. University of Greenwich
13. University of Wolverhampton 

What are the best architecture colleges in the world?

Here are the best architecture colleges in the world, according to QS World Rankings.

1. University College London (UCL)
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
3. Delft University of Technology
4. ETH Zurich
5. Manchester School of Architecture
6. Harvard University
7. National University of Singapore
8. Tsinghua University
9. University of California Berkeley
10. Politecnico di Milano

What are some best universities in Ireland?

Some of the best universities in Ireland are

1. Trinity College Dublin
2. The University of Dublin
3. University College Dublin
4. University College Cork
5. National University of Ireland, Galway
6. Dublin City University
7. University of Limerick
8. Technological University of Dublin