December 22, 2025 Edition
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Based in Seattle, the "UW" is a public research university founded in 1861. It is a global leader in computer science and medicine, benefitting from its proximity to tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. Its medical school is frequently ranked #1 in the U.S. for primary care.
CMU is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded by Andrew Carnegie, it is world-renowned for its programs in computer science, robotics, and drama. Its "School of Computer Science" is a global pioneer in the development of artificial intelligence.
LSE is a public research university specializing in social sciences. Located in central London, it is one of the most international universities in the world and has produced more than 50 world leaders and 18 Nobel laureates in economics, peace, and literature.
NYU is a private research university with its main campus in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Founded in 1831, it is famous for its "campus without walls," integrating its buildings directly into the city streets. Its Tisch School of the Arts and Stern School of Business are world-leaders in their fields.
Founded in 1582, the University of Edinburgh is the sixth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and a member of Scotland's ancient universities. It played a central role during the Scottish Enlightenment, with alumni including Charles Darwin, David Hume, and Alexander Graham Bell.
UC San Diego is a public research university established in 1960. It is a major center for oceanography and biological sciences, home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Its campus is famous for its "Geisel Library" and its unique residential college system.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is a public research university and is the second-largest university in Germany. Founded in 1472, it has been at the forefront of German academic excellence, particularly in physics and medicine, and has been associated with 43 Nobel laureates.
Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is Australia's second-oldest university. It is known for the "Melbourne Model," a curriculum structure similar to North American universities that focuses on broad undergraduate degrees followed by specialized professional graduate study.
HKU is the oldest institution of higher education in Hong Kong, founded in 1911. It uses English as the medium of instruction and is a global leader in medicine and law. It serves as a major bridge between Western and Chinese academic traditions.
Established in 1829 by King George IV, King's is a founding college of the University of London. It is particularly distinguished in the fields of law, medicine, and social sciences. It was the site of the discovery of the structure of DNA (by Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins).
Commonly known as "Todai," it is the most prestigious university in Japan. Founded in 1877 as the first Imperial University, it has produced the vast majority of Japan's prime ministers and Nobel laureates. It is a leading center for research in physics and engineering.
Located in Atlanta, Georgia Tech is a public research university known for its elite engineering and computing programs. It maintains a strong focus on industrial application and research, with a massive presence in the aerospace and technology sectors.
UT Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. It is a public research university known for its massive endowment, its "Longhorn" athletic programs, and its high-ranking schools of business, engineering, and geosciences.
EPFL is a public research university in Lausanne specializing in physical sciences and engineering. It is one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology and is known for its highly innovative campus and its world-class research in robotics and neurotechnology.
Based in Solna, Stockholm, the Karolinska Institute is one of the world's most prestigious medical universities. It is most famous for its Nobel Assembly, which selects the laureates for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Located in Montreal, McGill is a public research university founded in 1821. It is often referred to as the "Harvard of Canada" due to its high admission standards and reputation in medicine, law, and engineering. It has the highest percentage of international students among Canada's research universities.
TUM is a leading German public research university specializing in engineering, technology, and medicine. It is a member of the TU9 alliance and has been named a "University of Excellence" under the German Universities Excellence Initiative.
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university and one of the world's oldest surviving universities. It is a major center for German romanticism and contemporary research in life sciences, particularly molecular biology and oncology.
KU Leuven is a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven. Founded in 1425, it is the oldest university in the Low Countries. It is consistently ranked as Europe's most innovative university due to its high volume of patents and spin-off companies.
KU Leuven is a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven. Founded in 1425, it is the oldest university in the Low Countries. It is consistently ranked as Europe's most innovative university due to its high volume of patents and spin-off companies.
NTU is one of Singapore's two largest public universities. It is world-renowned for its engineering and technology programs and is frequently ranked as the top "young university" (under 50 years old) in the world.
UIUC is a public land-grant university founded in 1867. It is a powerhouse in engineering and computer science; its alumni and faculty are responsible for the development of the first graphical web browser (Mosaic) and the creation of companies like YouTube and PayPal.
Located in Canberra, ANU was created by the Parliament of Australia in 1946 with a specific mandate to lead the nation's research. It is known for its strong focus on international relations, social sciences, and physical sciences.
A public land-grant university founded in 1848, UW-Madison is known for the "Wisconsin Idea"—the principle that education should influence people's lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom. It is a major center for research in biochemistry and social sciences.