Overview
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world.
Harvard faculty are engaged with teaching and research to push the boundaries of human knowledge. For students who are excited to investigate the biggest issues of the 21st century, Harvard offers an unparalleled student experience and a generous financial aid program, with over $160 million awarded to more than 60% of our undergraduate students. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education.
Harvard’s campus creates a stunning backdrop for all that happens within the University.
Harvard offers unparalleled resources to the University community, including libraries, laboratories, museums, and research centers to support scholarly work in nearly any field or discipline.
The Harvard student experience is characterized by unlimited possibilities. Opportunities abound inside the classroom and out, with over 8,000 courses from over 100 departments and countless research programs. Here, undergraduate students have access to almost every extracurricular program imaginable and the largest Division 1 Athletics Program in the country. And after graduation, students join the Harvard Alumni Association, which includes nearly 360,000 alumni worldwide.
Harvard's House system extends teaching, learning and advising into the residential environment. Harvard College includes twelve residential houses.
Harvard's Common Spaces Program is designed to foster a greater sense of community across the University by providing students, faculty and staff with opportunities to share spaces and experiences.
The Harvard Innovation Lab is an initiative to cultivate team-based and entrepreneurial activities and deepening interactions among Harvard students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and members of the Allston and Greater Boston community.