TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Consisting of numerous developed countries, Europe provides impressive conveniences to its people including accessible education. With many nations such as the UK, Switzerland, and Germany consistently achieving higher ranks on the global academic acknowledgments, there are currently multiple best universities in Europe presenting impactful curricula.
These institutions are renowned for their low acceptance rates, star-studded alumni, and research excellence. As pioneers in the education ecosystem, here are the top European universities taking pride in producing eminent graduates.
10 Best Universities in Europe
Taken from the Times Higher Education and the US News, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the Imperial College of London have once again prized themselves as the best universities in Europe, with other competitive contenders including:
1. University of Oxford - United Kingdom
A research-driven institution, the University of Oxford is not a novice in being called the best university in Europe. With 44 colleges and halls and more than 100 libraries, Oxford University is the largest library system in its home country, the United Kingdom.
Its excellence might be traced back to 1096, making it one of the oldest surviving universities in modern times. Its alumni network of 250,000 includes 26 Nobel laureates, more than 120 Olympic medalists, and more than 30 world leaders who attended Oxford.
2. University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
The University of Cambridge is an astounding addition to the list, bringing over more than 100 libraries to open up wider opportunities for its students. Serving for more than 800 years, the school's facilities include art, science, and cultural museums. In an effort to present a better academic landscape, Cambridge has a staggering research budget of US$1.98 billion.
3. Imperial College London - United Kingdom
Focusing on science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business, the third-best university in Europe, Imperial College London boasts 14 Nobel Prize winners including Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish physician who discovered penicillin.
Within its academic calendar of three terms, autumn, spring, and summer, scholars are encouraged to gain hands-on research experience through the university’s International Research Opportunities Program, where Imperial undergraduates attend classes of a minimum of eight weeks at partner universities in different countries.
4. ETH Zurich - Switzerland
ETH Zurich is a prominent name among the science and technology-based public universities, consistently conducting solid academic interdisciplinary research across its 16 departments. For more than 150 years, ETH Zurich has been a national center of education, welcoming students to explore their research curiosity in the school's research units and programs.
5. UCL - United Kingdom
Located in the heart of London, UCL remains an academic leader among the best universities in Europe. Its global significance is evident through the astonishing alumni communities, which include Alexander Graham Bell and Mahatma Gandhi. Throughout its history, UCL continues to serve a powerful educational curriculum in its 11 faculties of Arts and Humanities, Brain Sciences Engineering, Built Environment, Law, the Institute of Education, Medical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Social and Historical Sciences, and Population Health Sciences.
6. Technical University of Munich - Germany
Aiming to enable advanced education, entrepreneurial ventures, and diverse future labor markets, Technische Universität München mobilizes its open-minded students through its reformed concept of engineering. The school’s recent transdisciplinary innovations include the addition of natural and life sciences, medicine, humanities, business management, and social sciences.
7. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom
Ranked among the top universities in Europe, the University of Edinburgh (UoE) has been the birthplace of Nobel laureates including winners of Chemistry, Peace, Literature, and Memorial Prizes in Economics. Attracting more than 35,000 students across the globe, the university currently has three major colleges: humanities, arts, and social sciences, with around 20 academic schools.
8. Utrecht University - Netherlands
Within the vibrant landscape of Amsterdam, Utrecht University has established seven main academic divisions including medicine, natural sciences, earth sciences, law, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, business and governance, and veterinary medicine.
In leveraging the research mindset, Utrecht University is built around the four strategic themes of dynamism mentioning youth, open societies, life sciences, and sustainability. Although Dutch is considered the institution’s primary language, a handful of bachelor’s programs and over 80 master’s programs are presented in English.
9. King’s College London - United Kingdom
Excelling particularly in the fields of humanities, law, sciences, and social sciences, King’s College London has been instrumental in numerous major global breakthroughs, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and contributing to the invention of radar.
For nearly two centuries, King’s College London has been renowned for its strong commitment to balancing innovation, excellence, and sustainability. An impressive 84% of its research is recognized as “world-leading”, showcasing the university’s unwavering dedication to groundbreaking advancements.
10. LMU Munich - Germany
LMU Munich, a research-based institution in Germany, rounds out the list of best universities in Europe. The school embraces a variety of fields, offering interdisciplinary products from the humanities and cultural studies, law, economics, social sciences, medicine, and natural sciences.
Europe remains a global leader in higher education, with the best universities consistently pushing the boundaries of research, innovation, and academic excellence. For many aspiring students, check out the top global universities in the world here.
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