Harvard University today retains the top spot in the 2016 edition of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) – widely known as the Shanghai Ranking – a position it has now occupied for 14 years. Stanford University holds onto second place, while the University of California, Berkeley climbs one position to third. While there is some re-shuffling within the top 10, no universities break into or drop out of this group, in which the United States’ clean sweep is interrupted only by the UK’s Oxbridge institutions.

The top tier of the ARWU ranking is strongly dominated by US universities – even more so than the QS World University Rankings® or the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. While only two UK universities feature in the Shanghai Ranking’s top 10, the latest edition of the QS ranking features four UK entries at this level, and THE three.

Both the QS and THE rankings also feature Switzerland’s ETH Zurich within their top 10s. While the prestigious Swiss institution remains continental Europe’s leading entry in the Shanghai Ranking, it does not appear until 19^th.

The only other non-US and -UK institution to feature in the Shanghai Ranking’s top 20 is Japan’s University of Tokyo (Todai), which climbs one position this year to rank 20^th. This time the result is much higher than in the other rankings; Todai comes 39^th in the latest QS ranking, and 43^rd in THE.

Canada’s leading representative in the ARWU, the University of Toronto, falls two places this year to rank 27^th – higher than its position in the QS table, but lower than its place in the THE list. France’s leader in the Shanghai Ranking, Pierre and Marie Curie University - Paris 6, drops three positions to 39^th, but remains much higher here than in either of the other tables.

Nearby in the table, Denmark’s University of Copenhagen strengthens its position, climbing five places to 30^th. Australia’s leading entrant, the University of Melbourne, will also be celebrating, having climbed four positions to 40^th - similar to its QS position, though lower than it ranks in THE. Meanwhile Sweden’s Karolinska Institute likewise gains four positions, finishing at 44^th. 

About the Shanghai Ranking

Published annually since 2003, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), or Shanghai Ranking, publishes the world’s top 500 universities based on six indicators. These include the number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, number of highly cited researchers, number of articles published in Nature and Science, number of articles indexed in the Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index, and per capita academic performance of an institution. While there are some similarities with the methodologies used to create the QS World University Rankings® and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, all three apply a different set of indicators and weightings – resulting in lists that while largely correlated, often differ in both individual ranking positions and broader national trends.

We’re pleased to introduce a great new feature of the QS university ranking tables, allowing users to directly compare universities worldwide on a range of criteria – including tuition fees, ranking history, size and international diversity on campus.

The new university comparison function can be accessed directly from any of the QS ranking tables, and is available for all logged-in users (to register for free, click here). To create a comparison, simply select up to four universities in the ranking table, and then click on ‘Compare’.

The university comparison displays data on each institution side by side, including ranking results and history, as well as additional information. Students can quickly compare several universities they’re interested in – and then click through to a university profile page for more details.

Alongside information about each institution’s type, focus, size and diversity, the university comparison also provides details of the range of tuition fees charged. This is broken down by study level (undergraduate and postgraduate), with specific fee ranges provided for domestic and international students.

More information will be added to the university comparison in future, making it even easier for prospective students to quickly create a shortlist of institutions matching their own priorities, preferences and budget.

Got a suggestion for the next phase of the university comparison? What information would you like to see added? Let us know in the comments below, or send us a message on Twitter or Facebook.

If you’re looking to study at one of the top universities in China, it’s almost certain that you’re considering Tsinghua University and Peking University. Both based in capital city Beijing, these two institutions are consistently ranked as the top two in China.

In the QS World University Rankings® 2019, Tsinghua University is ranked 17^th in the world, ahead of Peking University which is in 30^th place. Elsewhere, in the latest edition of the QS BRICS University Rankings – which highlights leading universities in the five BRICS countries – they are the top two universities, largely thanks to their strong global reputations.

Read on for more details of how these two top universities in China compare in the BRICS ranking, and what the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject reveals about their relative subject strengths.

Tsinghua University Vs Peking University in the BRICS rankings

As the table above shows, these two leading Chinese universities claim the strongest reputations among any of the leading BRICS institutions, heading the list among both academics and employers. While Peking University comes out slightly ahead in these two reputation surveys, Tsinghua is the leader on three of the other indicators used.

Notably, Peking University offers a slightly more international campus community, with a higher proportion of international faculty members and students, although Tsinghua is still scored reasonably well for these factors. 

In terms of research impact, the two universities are fairly well matched. Aside from Peking’s faculty/student ration, both universities’ lowest scores come in the ‘staff with PhD’ indicator, which assesses the proportion of academic staff with a PhD-level qualification. However, they are both ranked extremely well for the number of academic papers being produced by their faculty and the number of citations they receive per academic paper.

So, while performing at similar levels overall, how do the two top universities in China compare on individual subjects?

Tsinghua University Vs Peking University in the subject rankings

Between them, China’s top two universities claim a very impressive presence in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Tsinghua University is ranked among the world’s best for 33 out of a possible 46 subjects, while Peking University makes 37 appearances.

Tsinghua’s strongest subjects are for civil and structural engineering (ranked ninth in the world), architecture/built environment and engineering & technology (both 10^th) and chemical engineering (11^th). Peking’s top three positions are for modern languages (10^th), natural sciences (14^th) and geography (16^th).

Overall, Peking University appears to be stronger in a wider range of subject areas, as it typically outperforms Tsinghua in all subject areas apart from engineering and technology. A complete breakdown of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019, as well as each university’s ranking for each broad subject area, can be seen below.

Which of these two top universities in China would you choose, and why? Let us know in the comments below.

This article was originally published in August 2015. It was updated in February 2019.

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Whether you’re a US national or an international student, the US grad school admissions process can be difficult to get to grips with. But of course, all the effort you put in will pay off once you get your place at the grad school of your dreams! Follow our step by step guide to navigating the US grad school admissions cycle…

1. Start early and check deadlines.                                            

Obviously applications to graduate schools can take up a lot of time. From achieving high scores in your standardized tests to submitting your transcripts and obtaining letters of recommendation from your professors, there’ll be quite a few hoops to jump through. So start early, and outline a list of all the documentation that you will need to provide, noting down any important deadlines – including those for scholarship applications. It might be worth annotating a calendar or setting up reminders on your phone to help you remember the host of deadlines that you will have to respect.

2. Figure out funding.

What are the tuition fees for each course you are applying to? What budget does the university recommend for living expenses? Which scholarships would you be eligible to apply for? Will you (realistically) have time for a part-time job alongside your studies? Are there opportunities to apply for a graduate assistantship? Are you prepared to take out a loan?

You’ll also need to take account of individual application fees, which can average between US$50 and US$100, as well as fees for standardized exams such as the GRE. Prepare a budget noting down all the costs involved in your application, the amount you would need in order to attend, and the funds available to you from various sources. Keep this updated regularly throughout the process.

3. Book your standardized tests.   

Find out what standardized tests you need to take. Most US universities ask graduate applicants to submit GRE® General Test scores, while some departments might ask for your scores in the GRE Subject Test. When booking your test date, make sure you allow enough time for your papers to be marked and scores sent to each grad school within the deadline. You may also want to allow time to re-sit the test if unhappy with your score.

If you’re an international applicant, you may also be asked to submit scores in a test of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.

4. Prepare for the GRE.

The amount of time you should allocate to preparing for your GRE test will largely depend on your test-taking confidence and familiarity with the exam, but keep in mind that the GRE is, as most standardized tests tend to be, an acquired skill. Examiners will look for specific things in your answers, and other test-takers will be familiar with strategies to save time during the exam and score extra points. Set aside time to review past papers and marking rubrics, and invest in some preparatory resources. If you’re keen to keep costs down, there are many cheaper second-hand editions of GRE prep textbooks available through online stores like Amazon and eBay, as well as free online resources such as QS Leap.

5. Perfect your personal statement.

Without a strong personal statement outlining your motivations, qualifications and research proposal, you will stand little chance of getting into graduate school in the US. Write and re-write your essay, enlisting the help of your classmates, professors, friends and family. Your essay should sum up your academic achievements, intentions and suitability for the course – and it should be 100% error-free. Don’t underestimate the negative impact of even just few small typos!

6.  Ask for references.

Ask for references from professors with whom you have a good rapport at least two months before the deadline. First, ask your potential referees whether they would feel comfortable recommending you. If they accept, thank them and give them a rundown of the process and the deadline. If possible, schedule an appointment with each professor to explain your motivations for attending graduate school, as well as your intended research project. Make sure your references comply with the guidelines set by your chosen grad school; your referees may need to submit a formal letter, or complete an online form.

7. Apply for a student visa.

If you’re an international student, start your student visa application as soon as you’ve been offered and accepted a place at a US grad school. To apply, complete the online application form and upload your photo, and schedule an interview with the US embassy or consulate in your country.

Be prepared to pay an application fee of about US$160 and provide a photocopy of your passport; a form I-20 supplied by your university; the confirmation page on your form DS-160; evidence of your intent to leave the US once your studies are completed; evidence of necessary funds in your bank account to pay for your studies; and evidence of your academic preparation for the course, such as your standardized test scores, transcript and diplomas.

Still choosing a grad school?

For more advice on this topic, you might be interested in reading our complete guide on How to Apply to Grad School, available to download for free. You can also meet leading grad schools from across the US and beyond at the QS World Grad School Tour – coming soon to a city near you. This is a chance to meet representatives of graduate schools in person, attend free seminars, get personal answers to your questions, and apply for exclusive graduate scholarships.

Think of your personal statement as the meat of your application to grad school: everything around it – from your GRE scores to your two letters of recommendation – is accompaniment. Without a strong personal statement, you simply will not stand a chance of getting through to the next stage.

Adopt the right tone

It’s important that you get the tone right – and you may find that different countries and graduate schools will expect varying degrees of familiarity from a personal statement, but it’s always a good idea to avoid either being negative, or being overly informal.

It can be very tempting to overshare, but remember, this is graduate school. Admissions officers will expect you to sound like a budding academic. Don’t risk trying to crack a joke, as the admissions officer may not share your sense of humor. Avoid personal anecdotes and leave out the cheesy celebrity quotes! The admissions committee won’t care that your interest in civil engineering began back in 199X when you were playing Lego Star Wars with your cousin.

Welcome to College Admission Pet Peeves 101: clichés. Admissions officers have to read through piles and piles of personal statements, and you need to make sure that you stand out from the rest, so don’t write that you have always been ‘passionate’ about your subject. Don’t waffle, but do back up each claim you make with specific examples.

Plan

You should aim to write a side of A4 or 500 words, but check content and style guidelines with your university first so that you are not unduly penalized.

Your statement needs to be tailored to the course and university you are applying to, and painfully precise and specific. Some universities will advise students on what information to include in their statements, but as a good rule of thumb you should aim to outline your career and research goals, your existing education and skillset, and explain your interest in the course, university and department.

Before you set pen to paper, make sure you have outlined an essay plan detailing everything you will include in your introduction, body and conclusion.

One way to structure your essay is:

• Outline your goals and dissertation idea in the first paragraph;
• Describe how your previous degree has prepared you for your research in the following paragraphs, giving a rundown of any relevant modules or internships you have completed;
• Conclude by explaining why you think the university in question would be the best place to undertake your research, listing any resources, staff members and facilities you would like to make use of.

Of course, one size does not fit all and you might find a different structure would work better for you. That’s fine – after all, you don’t want your statement to be indistinguishable from all the others.

Proofread several times

Remember: your personal statement needs to be absolutely perfect – especially at PhD level or if you are applying for a scholarship! Get your friends, family and professors to proofread it for you as many times as needed and watch out for those misplaced commas and typos! It might be worth leaving your statement to the side for several days, and then returning to it with a fresh pair of eyes.

Applying to grad school?

Meet universities and grad schools from around the world at the QS World Grad School Tour – your chance to get personal answers to all your questions, as well as attending free seminars and applying for exclusive scholarships. 

Demographic changes, the onset of digital transformation and rapid advances in technology have changed how consumers shop, businesses operate and people work.

From news reporters to flight attendants, jobs are evolving faster than ever before, while thousands of new professions get listed on LinkedIn every day. Whatever your occupation, your job description won’t be exactly the same in two, five, ten years. And that’s okay. But you need to be prepared, to make sure you don’t get left behind. Read on for five ways to future-proof your career.

1. Choose a growing sector

Keep your eyes fixed on the bigger picture, to ensure you will still have a part to play in your industry and the wider world in the years to come. Is your industry responding to modern issues? Is it driving meaningful change? What are some of the biggest challenges it faces, and is your organization headed in the right direction?

According to a survey conducted last year by Canadian jobs website Workopolis.com, the sectors with the biggest increase in hiring include high tech, healthcare and data analytics. Among the most in-demand CV boosters, Workopolis lists IT skills such as software and app development; customer relationship management (CRM); knowledge of HTML, Unix and JavaScript; and User Experience (UX) Design.

Meanwhile, according to US jobs website Monster.com, emerging professions set for continued growth include cyber security managers, data specialists in healthcare, video game designers, social media executives, and green-collar jobs in wind farm or solar thermal engineering.

2. Be a digital native

From GP consultations to ordering a coffee, more interactions and transactions are being completed online and on-demand, thanks to the onward march of digital technologies. To future-proof your career it’s important to stay up to date with the latest digital strategies and tools. The mobile web, social media, sponsored content, social monitoring – these are just some of the (fairly) new digital media trends you need to know back to front.

Many ongoing workplace and industry changes will be caused by the impact of high tech on companies’ operations and processes, as they seek to become leaner, more efficient and global. Mastery of Microsoft Office is old hat – you need to know how to build a social following, analyze big data, code and program. There are many courses, online and/or part-time, that can help you grow those in-demand tech skills. Ask your HR department or manager to sponsor you in a tech training course, or if this is something you’re really keen to invest in, consider a full postgraduate qualification. 

3. Consider going solo

As workplaces and industries continue to evolve towards more agile and flexible operations, being able and willing to go freelance is another way to future-proof your career. Freelance work has experienced a significant growth in popularity over the past few years, and self-employed professionals are expected to continue to grow in number. This pathway is especially appealing to many in the current generation, who are often used to working outside of the ‘9 to 5’ norm, and who like the idea of setting up for themselves, with greater control over their schedule and work-life balance.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in three workers in the US were already earning income from work outside of the ‘9 to 5’ model in 2014, with as many as 15 million workers self-employed. According to the same report, the professions with the highest levels of expected growth in freelance work included personal care aides, management analysts, accountants, auditors and childcare workers.

4. Embrace change

The new generation of workers is largely rejecting the idea of settling into a job, punching a time card and expecting to be rewarded for the years put in – instead embracing change and job-hopping their way into new challenges and more fulfilling roles.

A 2014 study published by the Harvard Business Review confirmed that today’s typical executive profile has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. Leaders in the top 10 roles of all the Fortune 100 companies in 1980 were for the most part ‘lifers’ – executives who had spent 20, 30 years working for the same company. The number of lifers in top executive roles today has steeply declined. The road to the top, as the Economist puts it, is ‘bumpy’, but the single biggest differentiator remains your higher education level. According to the same 2014 study, in fact, more than a third of the top 10 executives in Fortune 100 companies had an Ivy League MBA.

Outside of formal education, those with a readiness to continue learning and developing new skills are most likely to stay ahead in today’s change-driven workplaces. Never stop asking questions or seeking out new knowledge, and be wary of your comfort zone!

5. Level-up

A specialized master’s degree (in the right sector) could boost your career prospects for years to come, giving you access to roles at the companies you’d really love to work for. Depending on your field, investing in up-skilling in a growing field could help you gain job security, future-proof your career and increase your earning potential.  

According to the latest figures from the US’s National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), engineering graduates are forecast to be the highest earners at master’s degree level, followed by those specializing in computer science and business.  

Future-proof your career with a postgraduate degree

Ready to up-skill? Join fellow students and professionals at an upcoming QS World Grad School Tour event in a city near you. This is your opportunity to meet representatives of leading universities and graduate schools from around the world, discuss emerging specializations and career paths, and get answers to all your questions about further study. You’ll also have the chance to attend free seminars, get a complimentary copy of the QS Top Grad School Guide, and apply for exclusive scholarships.