Using University Rankings to Find the Best School For You!

University rankings are being mentioned all the time, with comments coming from governments, journalists, universities, independent companies and higher education experts.

While some schools dismiss university rankings, others are keen to use them to show off their strengths – and also to improve aspects where they do not compare so well with others.

Students are the forgotten majority in this whirlwind – and yet university rankings are a useful tool for students, often primarily designed with them in mind. Read on for some tips on using university rankings to choose a university:

Tip 1

Deciding on a university is a challenging decision. You’ve probably had words of wisdom on this subject from your parents/ their friends, famous people, Nobel prize winners, your friends’ sisters’ uncle (the list goes on), all of them raving about the university they went to.

Listen, but remember it’s you and what you want out of university that is the important factor. Think about what’s most important for you: the course content, future career opportunities, tuition fees, weather, university brand or social atmosphere...

Get started with the World University Rankings >

Tip 2

Another aspect to consider is location – which should help to narrow down your university choices. Some countries, such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Germany, have lower tuition fees and are also increasing the number of degrees taught in English.

As well as language, you may also want to consider living costs, local climate and culture, and quality of life.

Find out more with QS Best Student Cities >

Tip 3

Choosing a subject is, for many students, the most easy part – most students will have already selected subjects to specialize in while at school.

For some it’s harder, and it may be worth taking a gap year to really discover your passion.

Once you’ve decided, research which universities are best for your subject. A university may have an overall high ranking, but might not have a strong background in the particular subject you want to study.

Narrow your search QS Rankings by Subject >

Tip 4

Having used rankings and done your research, it’s time to get back to talking to people. Speak to alumni of universities you’re interested in, and if you can, attend their open days.

If this is not possible, you could attend an event such as the QS World Grad School Tour, where you can meet representatives of universities from around the world, to help you reach that final decision.

Final advice: Use the rankings wisely and if you prefer a warmer a warmer climate then search for a university in a hot country, but don’t let sunshine hours alone be your deciding factor!

• Finding a study destination with ‘educational synergy' >
• Choosing a university when you can’t visit beforehand >
• See all the QS rankings >