When thinking about university, there are a variety of things that contribute to your decision, such as the programs on offer, rankings, and campus activities. Everyone has different priorities so the decision of which university to attend in unique to you. Studying abroad is a perfect way to incorporate travel into your university experience. If you have ever considered applying to universities in Asia – and even if you haven’t! – find below some highly recognized universities along with the reasons for their popularity.
1. Bogazici University, Turkey
Located in the beautiful city of Istanbul in Turkey, this university has so much to offer. Granted, Turkey is in between Europe and Asia, so it could belong to the European universities category as well. The campuses are also spread on both the Asian and European sides, which is one of the coolest thing it has to offer. Not everyone can say they shuffle between continents to get to classes. Aside from the campus, it also has a wide variety of courses offered and a distinguished faculty, including renowned Turkish writers, politicians, CEOs, film directors, and musicians. It is ranked as the number one American university outside of the Unites States of America.
2. University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Known primarily for its engineering programs, University of Sharjah lies in Sharjah, one of the largest cities in the United Arab Emirates. Although it may not be the oldest university, it has 80 different programs and almost 11,000 students from all over the world, creating a melting pot of different cultures that make the university experience there unique.
3. American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Coming in second to Bogazici, American University of Beirut, or affectionately known to its students as AUB, is the second ranked American university outside of the United States. Located in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, this university has over 60 buildings and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It collaborates with many universities in the US, including Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University. It’s well-known for it’s accredited Health, Nursing, Business, Engineering and Architecture programs.
4. American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you’re looking for a vibrant university experience where you’ll constantly be surrounded by energy and livelihood, AUD is the place for you. It sits in Dubai, one of the most populated cities in the United Arab Emirates. Campus life is very busy and full of activities, from the Week of Welcome to the Winter Ball to Thanksgiving Day to the Ramadan Tent. The different cultural celebrations help bring a sense of community to the diverse campus and keep students on their toes. It also has a range of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from.
5. Shanghai University, China
Shanghai University sits in the heart of Shanghai, which is known for its high energy. The university offers a range of programs for graduate and undergraduate studies. Currently, there are almost 3,000 faculty members and more than 35,000 students at the university. It’s well-known as a large research university.
6. University of Malaya, Malaysia
Breaking the top 200 list of the QS World Ranking, University of Malaya lies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With over 10,000 publications, University of Malaya stands as one of the best research centers. Along with its great academic standing, the University of Malaya has a Museum of Asian Art, Museum of Zoology, Botanical Gardens, and a Symphony Orchestra located on its campus.
7. Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Standing at number 15 on the QS Asian University rankings and number 68 on the QS World University rankings, this university has well-established alumni. With a wide range of research labs and facilities, it stands as one of the greatest science and technology universities in the world.
8. Carnegie Mellon in Qatar, Qatar
What makes this university unique is that it sits in Education City within Doha, the capital of Qatar. This allows students to be around people attending many other universities as well as to take classes in these universities providing them a rare experience. It doesn’t hurt that the architecture of the campus is beautiful.
9. Northwestern University in Qatar, Qatar
Situated next to Carnegie Mellon in Qatar, within Education City in Doha, Northwestern University in Qatar has a number of features that attract students from across the world. It’s primarily known for its Media program, considered one of the world’s best. Campus life is bustling with different clubs and activities that range from photography to sports games and teams. The student body isn’t large and this allows a more intimate relationship between students and faculty, which helps with networking and post-graduate opportunities.
10. University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong is the oldest such establishment in Hong Kong, dating back to 911. The medical researchers in the University of Hong Kong were the first to identify coronavirus during the SARS outbreak. They have well-established research and teaching centers and have a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses on offer. The buildings’ architecture is beautiful and the university structures are spread out across the city.
11. Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University, Saudi Arabia
Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University holds the reputation for being the largest women’s university in the world and it lies in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. It offers up a wide range of undergraduate programs, from Medicine to Fashion Design. Saying the campus is large would be an understatement as it holds not only the regular campus buildings but also preschools and a library with over 2 million books. It is so large that it has its very own metro system within the campus!
12. Seoul National University, South Korea
Seoul National University is the first national university in Korea and was founded in 1946. The campus is vast, with its very own Museum of Art, unique pieces of architecture and historically significant locations such as the Acropolis, which were grounds for several Korean Democratic movements. It’s welcoming to international students, having a center known as FANCO where all international students can mingle and learn the Korean language.
13. Peking University, China
Located in Mainland China, Peking University holds the 57th position in the QS World Ranking and 8th position on the QS Asian University Ranking. It is prominently known for its high employment rate after graduation, which is definitely a strength. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs but primarily dominates in the scientific and mathematical fields. It also has a wide range of research labs and centers which allows students to immerse themselves in their field.
14. Bilkent University, Turkey
Bilkent University is located in the city of Ankara and is the first private university in Turkey. It falls into the top 200 in the QS World Ranking and is known for its strengths in engineering and technology. The campus is the center of the activity in Ankara, holding several shopping areas, parks, and museums. Its location in Ankara is reason enough to join as Ankara has gorgeous natural as well as historical attractions. It’s a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Turkish culture while getting an education.
15. The University of Tokyo, Japan
Several buildings of the University of Tokyo campus are surrounded by scenic landmarks that enable students to tour the city while in school. The University of Tokyo stands at number 31 in the QS World Ranking and has a wide variety of research opportunities. Not only is the education well rounded, but the university also encourages students to learn the Japanese language, which provides for a great cultural experience as well as a useful way of communicating around town.
16. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
Primarily a school for science and technology, IITD is located in South Delhi and is surrounded by natural beauty as well as prominent monuments. It is a leading research university and is undergoing several engineering research projects that are particularly interesting for science students. They promote interaction between students and faculty members, which is great for networking. Along with its rich academic structure it also holds many events that help students relieve stress.
17. National University of Singapore, Singapore
Another research-oriented university is the National University of Singapore. It has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses to choose from but is well known for its Yale-NUS College which provides a liberal arts program that has connections to Yale University in the United States of America. The National University of Singapore is an opportunity for students to attend a QS World Ranked university and enjoy the city of Singapore for all it has to offer.
18. Osaka University, Japan
Osaka, being one of Japan’s largest cities, provides a perfect location for this university. Coming in at number 55 on the QS World Ranking, it stands out from other universities by providing support to students who are graduating by helping them find employment and internship opportunities. It also has a long list of well-known alumni.
19. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Qatar
A branch of Cornell University in the United States of America, Weill Cornell Medical College is situated within Education City in Doha amongst other well-known universities. It allows students to have a unique medical school experience as it offers the MD program that can only be obtained in universities in the North American continent as well as some other areas in the Western Hemisphere. The program condenses the pre-medical program needed in North America in order to enter medical school. This allows for a six-year intensive program for students to get their MD. Studying medicine is a vigorous task and there’s no better place to do it than Doha, with its pleasant weather and energetic lifestyle.
20. New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
NYUAD is a Liberal Arts and Science university located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Having connections with New York University in the USA, this university provides a diverse learning experience, which enables students to have an American education in an Arabian environment. It has campuses in Abu Dhabi as well as one in New York. This cultural fusion is only part of NYUAD’s charm. It also boasts absolutely stunning architecture. Located on Sadiyat Island of Abu Dhabi, the aesthetic design of the buildings will leave you breathless.
21. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Another university in Hong Kong is the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Its location makes it fitting for students seeking to experience life in Hong Kong and submerge themselves in its culture. CUHK’s campus provides a safe environment for students to explore the city and get a feel of the culturally rich life in Hong Kong. It also encourages students to play a role in energy conservation and take control of caring for the environment.
22. Koç University, Turkey
Located in Istanbul, Turkey, this university has a campus that overlooks the Black Sea. The picturesque campus isn’t the only thing that attracts students to this university. It is also known for its interaction with international universities. There are also a variety of festivals and events that keep students engaged and allow them to blend into the culture.
23. Panjab Univeristy, India
Panjab University holds a position in the top 200 of the QS World Ranking and is one of the oldest universities in India. The campus is residential and is located in the city of Chandigarh. It has a uniquely shaped students center surrounded by lush greenery. The university offers a variety of programs ranging from Women’s Studies and Development to Medical Physics. It’s perfect for students who want to experience nature while in university.
24. University of Jordan, Jordan
The University of Jordan is located in Amman, Jordan’s capital. Amman is a prominent tourist location and makes for a good place to have a university. This is the right place for students who are looking for a university experience that has a good balance of entertainment and education. Amman has a wide variety of activities for students to keep themselves busy, ranging from nightclubs to malls. The University of Jordan is known for its strength in sciences, humanities, and medicine. There are several concerts and activities on campus that provide students with an entertaining as well as academic experience.
25. Kyoto University, Japan
Kyoto University has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is one of the oldest universities in Japan. It is located in a city called Kyoto, which is on the island of Honshu in Japan. It has a wide range of graduate as well as undergraduate programs and holds a list of successful alumni including Nobel Prize winners. What makes Kyoto University special is how they dedicate programs to helping international students feel at home and ease them into integrating with the culture through many activities offered on campus.
