16 Best Universities in the World in 2023

The QS World University Ranking is a list of the top universities in the world that is published each year by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a business that specializes in analyzing global institutions. Nearly 1500 institutions from across the world are rated in this publication using a number of significant factors, including academic standing, employer standing, faculty-to-student ratio, number of citations per faculty, and proportion of international students and professors. The rankings of each university on a global scale are determined using these factors.

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The ranking of the top universities in the world for 2023 was published by QS in June 2022 and was determined based on the same standards as earlier lists. The article now responds to the query that is commonly posed by researchers and students across the globe:

Looking to continue your studies abroad? Here are some scholarship programs you can try.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the top colleges in the United States, gained first place in the QS World University Ranking 2023. The institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts offers top-notch study programs in several disciplines, including engineering, linguistics, philosophy, economics, political science, and the physical sciences.

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the top colleges in the United States, gained first place in the QS World University Ranking 2023. The institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts offers top-notch study programs in several disciplines, including engineering, linguistics, philosophy, economics, political science, and the physical sciences.

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There are several fully funded scholarship programs available for international students from Indonesia who are interested in attending MIT, including the LPDP Scholarship from the Indonesian Government for graduate students and the Fulbright Scholarship from the US Government for graduate students.

2. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge, which is situated in the English town of Cambridge and is roughly 90 kilometers from London, has the second place in the 2023 QS World University Ranking. The institution offers a wide range of academic programs at all educational levels, including 131 graduate programs and 35 undergraduate programs.

It’s interesting to note that all academic programs at the University of Cambridge are overseen by 31 autonomous colleges. Although each college has its own internal guidelines and selection procedures, they all adhere to the University’s rules. Additionally, undergraduate students will participate in small-group learning sessions led by their individual colleges, which is frequently regarded as one of the top teaching strategies in the world.

In addition to the LPDP Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships from the British Government (for graduate students), The Gates Cambridge Scholarship (for graduate students), and Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust for all levels of education are available to international students from Indonesia who wish to continue their studies at the University of Cambridge.

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3. Stanford University

Stanford University, a university in California specifically in Silicon Valley, the world’s technology hub and home to major technology giants like Yahoo, Google, Hewlett Packard, and others, is ranked third in the QS World University Ranking 2023. The institution, which was established in 1885, provides a range of degrees in subjects like sustainability, law, medicine, engineering, business, and teaching.

Stanford University not only provides students with a top-notch education but also a range of amenities like sports clubs. At Stanford University, there are at least 32 different sports clubs that students can join, including baseball, soccer, basketball, squash, and more.

Alternative scholarship opportunities include the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, the LPDP Scholarship from the Indonesian government, and the Fulbright Scholarship from the US government for graduate students from Indonesia who wish to continue their education at Stanford University. Undergraduates can apply for financial aid from the university in the meanwhile.

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4. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford, one of the oldest universities in the world, is the next institution on the QS World University Ranking 2023 list. It was established in 1096 and is situated in Oxford. The University of Oxford contains four academic divisions: the humanities division, the mathematical, physical and biological sciences division, the medical sciences division, and the social sciences division. Each of these divisions offers a variety of study programs.

The University of Oxford features stunning, well-kept historic structures due to its age. The fantasy movie Harry Potter is one of several movies and stories with Oxford University as a setting.

The Reach Oxford Scholarship, the Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship, the Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship, the Clarendon Fund, the Jardine-Oxford Graduate Scholarships, the LPDP Scholarship, and the Chevening Scholarship are among the scholarships available to Indonesian students who want to continue their education at the University of Oxford. The Clarendon Fund and the Jardine-Oxford Graduate Scholarship are both available to postgraduate students.

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5. Harvard University

Harvard University, the oldest institution in the United States, will be ranked as the fifth greatest university in the world in 2023 by QS rankings. The Harvard University campus, which is situated in Massachusetts like MIT, has three main buildings, 15 museums, 28 libraries, and a number of sports clubs that students can join.

Perhaps the most recognizable campus in the world is that of Harvard University. At least eight US presidents, 23 governors of individual states, 161 Nobel laureates, and 132 Pulitzer Prize winners have all attended Harvard University.

Indonesian students have access to a number of scholarship opportunities, including the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, the LPDP Scholarship, the Fulbright Scholarship, and the Aga Khan Scholarship.  Undergraduates can apply for financial aid from the university in the meanwhile.

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6. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which is located in Pasadena, USA, is the next institution on the list of the top colleges in 2023. Numerous internationally recognized scientists and engineers who conduct research and develop cutting-edge technology can be found at this college, which focuses on the sciences and engineering.

Caltech offers a wide range of study programs that are separated into 6 different academic divisions: physics, mathematics, astronomy, engineering and applied science, geology and planetary science, humanities and social sciences, and biology and biological engineering. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (owned by NASA), the Caltech Seismological Laboratory, and the International Observatory Network are just a few of the top research facilities that Caltech is home to.

Various scholarship options, including the LPDP Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, Roberto Rocca Education Fellowship, and others for graduate-level students, are available to Indonesian students who are interested in continuing their education at this university. Undergraduate students are still eligible to apply for financial help from the university in the meantime.

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7. Imperial College of London

The Imperial College of London, which is located in London, is listed as number two on this list. The university, which focuses on science, engineering, medicine, and business, provides 168 additional postgraduate programs in addition to at least 169 undergraduate ones. The institution, which is also where the renowned band Queen gave their first public performance, is one of those that welcomes the most international students. The percentage of international students at ICL who were not from the UK in the academic year 2020–2021 was 61%.

The President’s Undergraduate Scholarship, the LPDP Scholarship, the Chevening Scholarship, the Deepmind Scholarship, and the GREAT Imperial College London Scholarship are just a few of the alternative scholarship opportunities available to Indonesian students who wish to continue their education at this university.

8. University College London

University College London (UCL), which is also based in London, is ranked eighth on the list of the top universities of 2023. The first college founded in London, this university provides a wide range of undergraduate programs (over 408 degree programs) and postgraduate programs (over 643 degree programs). UCL excels in a number of academic disciplines, including anthropology, education, architecture, and the built environment.

The Royal Free Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital are only two of the main hospitals in London with which UCL collaborates. UCL is also recognized as a research-focused university.

The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, the LPDP Scholarship, the Chevening Scholarship, the UCL Global Master Scholarship, and the Research Excellence Scholarship are some scholarship options for Indonesian students who wish to continue their education at UCL.

9. ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is ranked among the top universities in 2023. It is in Switzerland’s Zurich. Offering a range of degree programs in architecture and civil engineering, engineering sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, system-oriented natural sciences, management and social sciences, ETH is regarded as the top university in the world for science and technology.

In addition to academic pursuits, ETH Zurich students can participate in a variety of organized sports and social events. The Polyball, a dance party event that typically takes place in November each year, is one of the most well-known occasions. Nearly 10,000 music lovers attend the festival, which has been going on since 1880 and involves a variety of musical and dance ensembles.

There are a number of scholarship programs available for Indonesian students who desire to continue their education at ETH Zurich, including the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, the Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Program, and the LPDP grants for graduate students. For study funds, undergraduate students may apply.

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10. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is supposedly located in Chicago, USA, according to QS. The institution provides a wide range of study programs in disciplines like astronomy, molecular engineering, liberal arts, social sciences, anthropology, music, and languages. The University of Chicago offers a wide variety of study programs in addition to several chances for students to participate in university-sponsored research projects.

It’s interesting to note that the majority of undergraduate students will reside on campus. The residence halls on campus are further separated into a structure known as the house system, which is somewhat reminiscent of the dorm system in the Harry Potter movies. The houses will then compete against one another in a variety of sports and campus events, ultimately leading to the development of close friendships and a sense of community among dorm residents.

Students from Indonesia who are interested in attending the University of Chicago can apply for a number of scholarship programs, including the Merit Scholarship, the LPDP, and the Fulbright Scholarship for graduate students.

11. The National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS), founded in 1905, is ranked 11th on QS’s ranking of the top institutions in the world for 2023. NUS has 17 faculties across its three campuses, offering a variety of degrees in subjects like the arts and social sciences, business, computing, dentistry, design and environment, medical, law, and many other subjects.

International students interested in receiving financial aid to attend NUS can apply for a number of scholarship programs, including the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship and the Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship. The NUS Research Scholarship, President’s Graduate Fellowship, AStar Graduate Scholarship, AStar Computing and Information Science (ACIS) Scholarship, and many others are among the numerous scholarship programs available for graduate studies. For graduate study, Indonesian students can also try the LPDP scholarship program from the Indonesian government.

Last but not least, NUS also provides students with a range of extracurricular activities, including sports, the arts, and social events. The university frequently collaborates on research projects with other universities throughout the world.

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12. Peking University

Peking University, which is located in Beijing, China, is listed as the second-best university in the world for 2023 by QS. The oldest university in China was established in 1898 and provides a variety of majors for undergraduate and graduate studies in the humanities, social sciences, engineering, and economics and management.

Peking University offers appealing learning spaces that complement its high-quality instruction, including a library with 7,330 collections, museums like the Museum of University History and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, as well as a number of sporting events and cultural events like the International Cultural Festival and the Singing Competition for Foreign Students.

For undergraduate and graduate studies, international students interested in attending Peking University can apply for scholarships through the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS), and Peking University Scholarship (PKUS) programs. Indonesian graduate students may also apply for the LPDP scholarship program.

13. The University of Pennsylvania

In the QS World University Rankings 2023, the University of Pennsylvania is rated 13th. This private university is a member of the Ivy League of American universities and is situated in Philadelphia, USA. The university, which Benjamin Franklin founded in 1740, offers a broad selection of degree programs at all levels of education, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in subjects like the arts and humanities, engineering and technology, life sciences and medicine, the natural sciences, and social sciences and management.

According to their financial needs, prospective undergraduate students who are interested in attending the university can apply for undergraduate help provided by the institution as well as other scholarship programs like the Federal Pell Grant or The Maguire Scholarship. Prospective graduate students can apply for scholarships through programs like the LPDP Scholarship for Indonesian students and the Fulbright Scholarship.

14. Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University, a prestigious institution of higher learning in China that was founded in 1911, is the next institution on the list of the top universities in the world in 2023. The university, which is in Beijing, has a long list of well-known graduates, including Xi Jinping, the current leader of China, who earned his degree in chemical engineering in 1979. Tsinghua University currently provides a wide range of study programs for all educational levels, including undergraduate and graduate, in a number of subject areas, including architecture, economics and management, civil engineering, environment, public policy and management, mechanical engineering, humanities, and more.

The Chinese Government Scholarship for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, the Beijing Government Scholarship for undergraduate and master’s degree programs, the Tsinghua University Tuition Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the LPDP scholarship for master’s and doctoral degree programs, and the Siemens China Scholarship are just a few of the scholarship programs available to international students interested in attending Tsinghua University.

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15. The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh ranks 15th in the 2023 list of the best universities in the world by QS. Located in Edinburgh, Scotland, this university was founded in 1583 and is one of the four oldest universities in Scotland and the oldest university still in operation in the Western world. The University of Edinburgh offers various study programs in different fields, including biology, chemistry, economics, arts, medicine, engineering, law, and many more. The university also received a 90% 3 and 4 star rating in research activities according to the Research Excellence Framework report released in 2021.

International students who wish to apply for scholarships at The University of Edinburgh can try several scholarship programs such as Claes Isacson Scholarship and Margaret Campbell Scott Scholarship for undergraduate level. For postgraduate level, there are several scholarship programs such as Chevening Scholarship, Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships, Google European Doctoral Fellowships, and many more. Students from Indonesia can also try LPDP scholarships for S2 and S3 levels.

16. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a research-focused university based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the university ranked 16th in the world’s best universities 2023. With more than 500 laboratories and research groups on its campus, EPFL is renowned as one of the most creative and successful institutions in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. On its site, EPFL also has cutting-edge equipment like a nuclear reactor, a fusion reactor, a Gene/Q supercomputer, and a P3 biohazard facility.

In addition to its specialized fields of study, EPFL offers degree programs in all levels of education for various fields of study such as business and management and social sciences and management. EPFL also provides various sports facilities and cultural activities such as an annual music festival called the Balelec Festival, attended by 15,000 visitors each year.

For international students interested in pursuing studies at EPFL, they can apply for scholarships from EPFL that will provide financial assistance based on their needs (needs-based scholarship). Additionally, prospective graduate students can try for the LPDP scholarship and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for doctoral and non-degree programs.