Some people have a “dream school” that they’ve always wanted to attend. However, most international students aren’t set on a particular institution. Regardless of your situation, choosing the right university can be both an exciting and difficult decision. Among the many factors to consider, you might come across several different lists of university rankings. Then, you might ask yourself “Are university rankings important when choosing where to study abroad?”
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of university rankings. We’ve also included a bonus section that explores other important factors to consider when choosing your academic institution.
Regardless of where you choose to study, there’s a quality institution that fits you. Take our quiz to find out which country best suits you!
Understanding University Rankings
University rankings are a set of criteria that organizations use to measure how universities perform. Factors might include:
- Academic performance
- Research (impact and breadth)
- Faculty
- Student satisfaction
- International recognition
Rankings can be a useful resource for students that want to gain insights into universities’ standings and make informed decisions. Some popular university ranking systems include Times Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report, the QS World University Rankings, and Forbes.
The Pros and Cons of University Rankings
Pros
University rankings can be especially helpful for students looking for a general quality assessment. They can also help students better understand an institution’s reputation and prestige, as well as its networking connections. Below, we’ll take a look at each of these points in greater detail.
General Quality Assessment
University rankings can be a useful starting point to assess the institution’s general quality. They provide a snapshot of a university’s standing in the academic world, giving you an idea of its strengths and weaknesses in the factors they measure.
Reputation and Prestige
High-ranked universities usually have global name recognition. This means that, whether it’s true or not, some future employers and graduate schools may believe graduates from these institutions received a superior education.
Networking and Alumni Connections
Attending a highly-ranked university can provide students with valuable networking opportunities with other students, alumni, and industry professionals who are leaders in their fields. This can be beneficial throughout your future career, but most immediately when looking for internships, job placements, or even entrepreneurial ventures. Networking is very important, so try to choose a university setting where you’ll feel comfortable meeting and talking to new people!
Want to see where different universities rank across the world? Check out our blogs that look at different Times Higher Education rankings.
Cons
While university rankings can be helpful in a more general sense, they’re based on a set of criteria that may or may not serve your individual needs. This means you should consider other personally relevant factors, like the subject you’ll be studying, your personal preferences, and the institution’s cultural fit. Let’s dive deeper into these factors below:
Subject-Specific Rankings
Most university rankings focus on overall institutional performance, which may not accurately reflect the quality of your specific program or field of study. That’s why it’s always a good idea to look at subject-specific rankings that are better aligned with your academic interests.
For example, if you’re interested in becoming an engineer, focus on finding universities which have well-respected and well-ranked engineering programs.
Something to consider is that a university with a high overall ranking might be ranked lower in the area you wish to study. In that case, another university with a higher program ranking might be the smarter choice, even if its overall institution ranking is lower.
Personal Preferences
Rankings don’t account for your preferences and priorities. The “best” university for one person might not necessarily be the best fit for another. Things like location, extracurricular activities, and available support services can significantly impact your university experience and well-being.
Cultural Fit
The overall experience of studying abroad involves more than just academic factors. It also includes campus culture, the university’s social environment, and opportunities for personal growth. Rankings don’t always capture these aspects, and they can make a difference in your student experience!
Bonus: Other Factors to Gauge When Choosing Your Academic Institution
So, university rankings can matter, but they aren’t the only consideration (or even the most important one) when choosing which university to study abroad at. You’ve made it to our bonus section, where we’ll explore more important factors to consider when choosing your academic institution.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Think about how you’ll support yourself financially while studying abroad. This could mean looking into scholarships and grants, as well as part-time job opportunities. While some highly-ranked institutions may offer financial aid, it’s important to consider the overall affordability of the institution (and your expected cost of living beyond your studies).
Location and Lifestyle
Reflect on the university’s geographical location and the lifestyle that you’d realistically lead. Think about factors like climate, cost of living, safety, and proximity to cultural offerings or industry hubs relevant to your field of study. For example, if your faith is important to you, you may wish to choose a community with access to a suitable church, mosque, synagogue, or temple. Or, if you plan to study marine biology, opportunities for fieldwork or job placements will likely be more diverse at universities near large bodies of water.
Consider Multiple Rankings
If you choose to consider rankings, refer to multiple reputable ranking systems. Comparing different rankings can give you a broader perspective on an institution’s overall standing and reputation.
Check out our blog to find out six of the most common challenges faced by international students while studying abroad, and how to overcome them!
While university rankings provide a great starting point for evaluating different academic institutions, they shouldn’t be the only determining factor when choosing where you should study abroad. It’s crucial to think about factors that align with your academic and personal goals. Doing so can make a difference in your study abroad experience.
It’s also important to remember that it’s not just about where you study—it’s about making the most of the opportunities and resources available to you, regardless of the ranking of your chosen institution.
ApplyBoard can match you with a university program that’s the right fit for you. See for yourself!
