Most Popular Schools Around the World
Some universities can be notoriously difficult to gain admission to. Huge popularity combined with a low number of available places can make some universities extremely competitive. QS World University Rankings 2023 have disclosed the acceptance rates for some of the best universities around the world, and we’ve compiled a list for you to check out!
Harvard University in Cambridge, USA – 3.3%
Dating back to 1636, Harvard University was ranked No. 2 in the QS World University Rankings in 2023. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It’s no surprise it’s so popular with one of the lowest acceptance rates in the world! Harvard had 61,000 applicants last year, with only 2,020 admitted!
Forbes
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, USA – 3.9%
Established in 1861, MIT is a research-based university in the USA, it has an impressive alumnus with 85 Nobel Laureates alone. It’s many applicants can aim high here whilst studying in the shadow of inspirational leaders in their field. MIT had a total of 33,767 applicants in 2022, with just 1,337 admitted. .
science.org
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland – 21%
Also known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, this is a public research university. It is highly regarded for its research in engineering and life sciences. The acceptance rate for this Swiss university is higher than others on this list, as admission is actually dependent on your test scores.
uni24k.com
Tsinghua University in Beijing China – 2%
Ranked 16th in the world by QS, and one of the most popular and competitive universities on Earth, Tsinghua University is no doubt the number 1 school of choice for all Chinese students. So, it’s no surprise that the acceptance rate for Tsinghua’s bachelors programs is just a tiny 2%!
smithsonianmag.com
The University of Edinburgh – 8.1%
The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583, long before some of the most well-known U.S universities and is the 6th oldest university in the English-speaking world. With a mammoth number of applicants in 2022, at 75,438, there were only 6,111 acceptances, and with a beautiful campus like this, there’s no need to wonder why it’s a popular choice among students.
National University of Singapore (NUS) – 5-7%
A national research university, NUS is the oldest university in Singapore and considered one of Asia’s best. With a total of 14,500 new students enrolled in 2021, it’s easy to see how popular NUS really is.
apru.com
University of Oxford – 13.5%
Taking the top spot from Harvard in the QS World Rankings this year, Oxford is officially the world’s best university! Almost 24,000 people applied for undergraduate study in 2021, and a whopping 40,000 graduate applicants applied for just 3,300 undergrad and 5,500 graduate places.
thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
University of Campinas in Brazil – 4.7%
Campinas has established itself in the medical and scientific research fields and is therefore popular amongst students interested in science. This university has one of the most competitive admissions processes in all of Brazil, requiring entrance exams before admittance. From almost 75,000 applicants, just 3,300 are accepted each year!
Indiana University