Counseling Education

The Top 5 Universities In The World To Attend For 2013

A degree from a top school is in demand more than ever nowadays, but few people are lucky and talented enough to get into one of the world's best universities. Schools in the United States and United Kingdom regularly dominate lists of the best in the world. Here are five of the top ranked.

1. Harvard University (United States)
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is routinely named as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The school topped Times Higher Education's rankings for 2013 with a score of 100. Harvard is the oldest university in the U.S. and one of the best funded. A diploma with the school's name on it will impress a potential employer in any field, but its business and law programs are particularly well-regarded. The school has a student population of around 20,000, and famous alumni include presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States)
MIT, also located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was ranked number one in U.S. News's poll of the world's best universities. The school has a strong focus on the fields of science, math, economics, and engineering. Their graduate school for engineering is one of the best in world, and its research projects receive generous funding. To get in students must have extremely high test scores as they admit less than ten percent of applicants. 

3. The University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
Founded in the year 1290, Cambridge is one of the world's oldest universities still in existence. Cambridge came in second place on U.S. News's rankings of the best universities in the world. The school is made up of 31 colleges that offer specialization in every academic subject. The museums, libraries, and historical environment surrounding the school create and ideal atmosphere for learning. 

4. University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
Oxford has been in existence since the 11th century, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. The school consists of 38 separate colleges, and houses 100 libraries on different subjects. Classes are taught by some of the most brilliant academics in the world, and students take part in intensive tutorials every week where they receive feedback for their work. The tutorials are a unique aspect of an Oxford education, and they challenge students to think independently and critically. Oxford has an impressive list of alumni that includes Stephen Hawking and Prime Minister David Cameron. 

5. University College London (United Kingdom)
UCL was ranked fourth in U.S. News's poll of top universities in the world. Located in central London, UCL bills itself as a global university and tries to prepare students to take on global problems. It is the largest university on this list with around 25,000 students. The world class libraries and research facilities help give the students a high quality learning experience. Research and academics at the university strive to be inter-disciplinary and expand the definitions of a subject. UCL has impressively won a total of 21 Nobel Prizes. 

The best universities have high standards of quality. If you are a top student who excels at academics, these schools may be right for you. 

Sally writes for Richmond University. Richmond has started a new BA in fashion marketing degree program which you can learn more about at Richmond.ac.uk.

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