When you consider the top universities for studying an MS abroad, names like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Oxford, and Cambridge often come up. While these are exceptional institutions, they represent only a tiny fraction of the total number of universities, even if we focus only on popular countries for studying abroad like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany. The total number of universities is vast, so comparing them can be challenging.
Still, students need a lot of assurance when applying to universities because they are making significant investments of time, money, and effort. A good university can transform their lives for the better. So in this guide, we will first explore the most popular destinations in the world for international students. Then, we will delve into the top universities globally according to the most trusted ranking systems. Furthermore, we will discuss how students should approach choosing a top university for their higher education. We will also cover ways to reduce the financial burden through scholarships and low-interest student loans.
Top destinations to study abroad for pursuing an MS
The following are some of the top destinations to pursue an MS abroad, as per QS Best Student Cities 2024:
London, United Kingdon
London is ranked as the #1 place to study abroad by QS. The city is home to several prestigious universities. These include University College London, Imperial College London, and King’s College London.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan, is ranked number two globally as a destination to pursue an MS. This is because Tokyo’s universities have a significantly high job placement rate for students after they complete their master’s. The city also has some of the best universities in the world for master’s programs. These include the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Keio University, Waseda University, Kyoto University, and the University of Tokyo.
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is home to many of the top 100 universities in the world, such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and POSTECH. Moreover, Seoul is also considered the most affordable of the top 10 cities for students. The noteworthy fact about Seoul is that QS Rankings granted the city a perfect score of 100 for student voice and student mix. So, for students who want the best multicultural study-abroad experience, this is a great city.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne in Australia is consistently ranked #4 worldwide amongst the best destinations to study abroad. The city offers excellent career opportunities on top of a student-friendly environment. Moreover, the city has many of the top 50 universities of Australia, including the RMIT and the University of Melbourne, each of which provides world-class education facilities for international students.
Munich, Germany
Munich in Germany houses several top universities in the world. These include the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximillian University, the University of Augsburg, and many others. The city is particularly well-known for its excellent life facilities and student support services. Additionally, the cost of education in Germany is quite low, as compared to other countries in the world. All these factors make Germany a very popular destination for international students.
Now that we’ve discussed some of the best cities for students, let’s find out more about some of the world-class universities in these as well as other cities.
List of top universities in the world for a Master’s program
Let’s learn about the top 25 universities worldwide, as rated by the QS World University 2024 and 2025 Rankings.
| QS World University Ranking 2025 | QS World University Ranking 2024 | Name of the University | Location | Overall Score |
| 1 | 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | United States | 100 |
| 2 | 6 | Imperial College London | United Kingdom | 98.5 |
| 3 | 3 | University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 96.9 |
| 4 | 4 | Harvard University | United States | 96.8 |
| 5 | 2 | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 96.7 |
| 6 | 5 | Stanford University | United States | 96.1 |
| 7 | 7 | ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology | Switzerland | 93.9 |
| 8 | 8 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore | 93.7 |
| 9 | 9 | University College London | United Kingdom | 91.6 |
| 10 | 15 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | United States | 90.9 |
| 11 | 12 | University of Pennsylvania | United States | 90.3 |
| 12 | 10 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | United States | 90.1 |
| 13 | 14 | The University of Melbourne | Australia | 88.9 |
| 14 | 17 | Peking University | China (Mainland) | 88.5 |
| 15 | 26 | Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) | Singapore | 88.4 |
| 16 | 13 | Cornell University | United States | 87.9 |
| 17 | 26 | The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong SAR | 87.6 |
| 18 | 19 | The University of Sydney | Australia | 87.3 |
| 19 | 19 | The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | Australia | 87.1 |
| 20 | 25 | Tsinghua University | China (Mainland) | 86.5 |
| 21 | 11 | University of Chicago | United States | 86.2 |
| 22 | 17 | Princeton University | United States | 85.5 |
| 23 | 16 | Yale University | United States | 85.2 |
| 24 | 24 | Université PSL | France | 84.7 |
| 25 | 21 | University of Toronto | Canada | 84.1 |
Now let us understand more about the top 5 universities in the world for an MS program:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is consistently ranked in the top 10 universities worldwide for many of its master’s programs. For instance, the MIT Sloan School of Management is ranked #5 among the best business schools in the USA and #1 for its Master of Business Analytics program. The average tuition fee for MS programs is $61,990 annually for 2024-2025. The application fee for most of the master’s programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is $75.
Imperial College London
Imperial College London was ranked #4 in the world for its Master’s in Marketing program in 2024. The tuition fee for most master’s programs at this college ranges between $31,000 and $40,000 per year for international students. The application fee for all MSc programs at Imperial College London is $80, whereas the application fee for Imperial Business School is $100.
University of Oxford
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the University of Oxford is ranked #2 worldwide. Various master’s programs at Oxford across business and engineering disciplines also rank within the top 10 globally. The tuition fees for graduate programs at this university vary between $10,000 and $52,500 per year. Note that the application fee for Master’s programs at the University of Oxford is $75 for international students.
Harvard University
Harvard University ranks #4 among the best law schools in the world. Additionally, the Harvard Business School is ranked #3 for its full-time MBA program. The average tuition fee to pursue a master’s degree at Harvard University ranges between $54,000 and $90,000 annually. The application fee for all master’s programs at Harvard University is $105 for international students.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge ranks number #5 in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The average tuition fee to pursue an MS at this university varies between £24,507 and £63,990 per year. Additionally, the application fee here is $50.
All of these universities offer exciting career outcomes for students. Of course, this also means that pursuing an MS in one of these universities requires exceptional qualifications and a strong academic record from students. Moreover, it is important to consider the specific program’s requirements, admission criteria, and financial implications as they apply to you, because what’s best in the world might not be the best for you.
With these factors in mind, let’s further explore how to select the ideal master’s program abroad.
How to choose the best master’s program to study abroad?
To choose the best program to study abroad, you need to consider several aspects. Here is how you can make this decision:
- Consider your academic goals: Understand your career aspirations and interests before applying to study at a foreign university. Make sure to select a program that aligns with your educational background, career choice, and passion.
- Explore the finer details of universities and programs: Before applying for an MS degree at one of the top universities in the world, study the duration, location, and overall structure of the program in detail. It is important to make sure you know what you are getting into.
- Consider the total cost of education: Cost is one of the biggest factors for international students applying to study at one of the top universities in the world. So, it is important to choose a program that fits your budget. Estimate the total cost of pursuing the degree by adding the tuition fee with all the additional costs such as boarding, food, travel, emergency funds, insurance, etc.
- Explore the alumni network of the univesity: Invariably, universities rely on their alumni to recruit recent grduates from their campuses. So, find out more about the extent of the alumni network of the universities you are considering. A strong network will help you get better job opportunities after completing your master’s.
- Look for the quality of student support: As an international student, it is important to understand the support services provided by different universities. These services help you adjust to life abroad better and enhance your overall experience. So, explore details like the number and nature of student support clubs and centers at the universities you are interested in.
Naturally, there is a lot to think about. In fact, choosing the best MS program in one of the top universities in the world can become overwhelming. Many students end up applying to universities whose marketing campaigns are strong, or universities where their friends are headed to.
A much better way is to use SelectRight to choose the best university given your academic background, personal profile, and career plans. SelectRight uses an AI-powered algorithm to match your profile with 40,000+ programs across the world, to create the ideal shortlist of universities you can apply to.
Here’s how SelectRight works:
- Create a free account and sign up on SelectRight.
- Access unbiased and personalized recommendations based solely on your preferences and our advanced AI algorithm.
- Compare the pros and cons and shortlist the programs you like.
- Get actionable advice from our experts, who guide you to find the best program based on your requirements.
- Select a program that’s best for you and connect with peers and alumni from the university, and start building your community.
So, if you are looking for the perfect university for your Spring ‘25 admissions, now is the right time to sign up on SelectRight.
Now, while SelectRight can streamline the process of finding your ideal MS program, another vital milestone of the study-abroad journey is getting scholarships to reduce your financial burden. So let’s explore some scholarship opportunities that can support your master’s abroad.
Scholarships to study an MS Abroad
There are various general and university-specific scholarships for international students to pursue an MS abroad. Some of these are listed below:
| Name of Scholarship | Type | Details |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | General | For outstanding students from developing countries. Covers living costs and tuition. |
| Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship | General | For women pursuing an MS in Computer Science or Engineering. |
| #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship | General | For international students studying in USA universities. Provides $15,000 per year for up to 4 years. |
| Princeton Financial Aid | University-specific | For international students from families with incomes below a certain threshold. Covers full living costs and tuition. |
| Columbia University Scholarships | University-specific | Need and merit-based scholarships for international students. |
| UChicago International Student Scholarships | University-specific | Need-based aid that can cover full tuition. |
The competition for scholarships is immense. For each scholarship, there are often hundreds or even thousands of applications. Moreover, most scholarships only cover tuition fees, either in part or in full. This means that students still need a lot of funding for other expenses, such as living costs, books, and travel. Therefore, securing an education loan becomes essential for most students.
To secure the best loan terms, it’s essential to compare offers from multiple lenders. With that said, let us understand more about the loan process.
Education loans for Master’s Abroad
Indian students looking to pursue a master’s degree abroad can secure education loans from various banks and NBFCs in India and abroad. Several banks and NBFCs offer education loans, and most of the top universities that offer master’s programs are included in their list of approved institutions. However, students often face a lot of challenges in ensuring they get an education loan in time.
Typically, students apply to up to three different lenders to increase their chances of approval. They usually rely on familiar brand names or recommendations from peers. However, each lender evaluates applications based on specific criteria, which means that students often miss out on the best possible loan terms, such as the lowest interest rates and the most flexible repayment plans.
This is where FundRight comes in to solve the problem. FundRight reverses the loan search process. Instead of approaching multiple lenders individually, you create a profile on FundRight. You then receive competitive loan offers from 15 of the best banks and NBFCs in India and abroad. On FundRight, lenders compete to offer you the best loan, because they know you have many other options to compare them against. This spirit of healthy competition ensures that you benefit from the most competitive offers.
Here’s how FundRight works:
- Create your profile on FundRight by providing your personal, academic, and financial details.
- Submit information about your chosen course and institution.
- Receive competitive loan offers from multiple lenders within a short period.
- Compare the offers and select the one that best meets your needs, with guidance from FundRight’s financial experts.
- Securely upload your documents and wait for loan approval, which typically takes about 10 days.
So, if you are targeting admissions for the Spring ‘25 intake, sign up on FundRight and see how much you can save on an education loan.
FAQs
Which university is best in the world for pursuing an MS in 2024-2025?
Ans: The University of Oxford is the best university in the world to pursue an MS in 2024. The university has topped the Times Higher Education World University Ranking for eight consecutive years.
Which master’s degree is expected to be the most in-demand worldwide in 2024-2025?
Ans: Today, businesses and organizations rely on data to make informed decisions. This drives the need for professionals who can analyze, interpret, and extract insights from huge datasets. So, Data Science and Business analytics are expected to be among the most in-demand Master’s degrees worldwide in 2024-2025.
Which country is best to study in 2024-2025?
Ans: The United States of America is the best country to study abroad in 2024-2025. This is because of the top-class educational facilities and student support services available in he universities here. A significant number of international students, nearly 1,057,000, enrolled in the USA universities in 2023. This is ample testimony to the popularity of the USA as the preferred destination for students looking to study abroad.
