World university league-tables

QS World University Rankings *

In-depth worldwide league-table.  Features 1,500 institutions across 104 locations.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings *

Comprehensive ranking of world universities.

Shanghai Ranking - Academic Ranking of World Universities *

A comprehensive ranking of world universities, from the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, China.

US News & World Report Best Global Universities *

Another comprehensive ranking of universities from across the world, listing a 'top 2000'.

European university league-tables (geographical Europe, including UK & Turkey)

QS World University Rankings: Europe 2025 *

UK university league-tables

The Guardian University Guide 2025 *

Good guide to UK universities from a leading UK news website.

The Complete University Guide University League Tables 2025 *

Features UK universities.

The Sunday Times league table - Best Universities in the UK *

Influential guide; paywall.

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ratings (UK universities) *

Ratings based on the quality of teaching, for UK universities.  Issued every four years, so the latest data currently available dates from 2023. 

Wikipedia (English) article on UK university league-tables *

Useful and discerning overview of the UK league-tables, with information about how the league-tables are compiled.

UCAS review of UK league tables *

Another useful review of how the main UK league-tables are put together.

USA college league-tables

Forbes - America's Top Colleges list *

In-depth information on the top 100 colleges as ranked by Forbes.  An annual rating, and a benchmark provision since 2008.

US News Best Colleges *

Another good source to compare universities in the USA, complete with photo-profiles of all featured colleges and universities.

UCAS *

Information on, and the main mechanism for, applying to UK universities and music conservatoires.

The British Council *

Information on studying at university in the UK.

Unifrog *

A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.  

Subscription only - British School students are provided with accounts.

The Uni Guide *

Online resource, part of The Student Room group.

The Scholarship Hub *

Information about financial support for studying at university in the UK.

Education USA *

US government website with comprehensive information for international enquirers about all aspects of education in the United States, including college and university entrance.  Here's a link to the excellent section on how to choose a university.

College Board *

Administers admissions tests for universities in the USA, including SAT, PSAT, etc.

The Common App *

Website supporting applications to many (but not all) US universities.

Unifrog *

A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.

BigFuture *

Website from the USA which features comprehensive information about college and university courses as well as careers.  See the 'plan for college' section.

National Center for Education Statistics *

Searchable statistics and other information and tools to help you make up a shortlist of universities in the USA.

University Study.ca *

A useful official website detailing how to apply to university in Canada.

CUAC *

The longest-established recruitment organisation supporting applications to universities in Canada.

Government of Canada *

Official information for foreign students applying to study in Canada.

The Central Applications Office *

This website is where applications to universities in Ireland can be made.

Included on this website is a Handbook * detailing everything you need to know about applying to university in Ireland.

Unifrog *

A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.

Study in NL *

Official information about university study in The Netherlands.

Studielink *

Site for applications to universities in The Netherlands (equivalent to the UK's UCAS)

DRU consortium *

Dutch Research University Consortium (top seven research universities in the country).

NUCAS *|

website for applying to universities and colleges in Norway.

Study in Norway  *

website for general information.

Lånekassen *

information on student finances.

EUNiCAS *

An independent application support service with information on applying to English-speaking courses at European universities.  Based in Ireland.

Study EU *

Information on university study in English in European Union countries.  Useful, up-to-date and comprehensive.

Unifrog *

A 'one-stop shop’ website supporting UK university applications, as well as apprenticeships and further education colleges in the UK; also US and Canadian universities, and degrees taught in English in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.

The University Guys *

Comprehensive range of services facilitating access to universities around the world.  Plenty of support to students via careers departments of independent schools.

Keystone Tutors *

Comprehensive services to support applications to top UK universities.

Oxbridge Applications *

Specialist, high-end support with applications to Oxford and Cambridge.  Claim to have the largest number of specialist Oxbridge tutors on their books of any agency.

A-List Applications *

Specialist, high-end support with applications to Ivy League and other top US universities.  

College Advisor *

US university advice and bespoke support with applications.  US-based, with international services available.  Founded 2019.

USA Study *

Competitively-priced guidance and mentoring for UK-based students who want to apply to universities in the USA, from an English former school head.

Medical Schools Council *

Excellent, comprehensive, free resources from this organisation which coordinates information about applying to medical school in the United Kingdom.  Particularly useful is their guide to entrance requirements and courses *, updated each year.

The Medic Portal *

For applications to university medical courses around the world, in official partnership with the Royal Society of Medicine (UK).  UCAT and BMAT preparation.  Services include online, in-person and group courses.  One-on-one support (with fee) also available. 

Medic Mentor *

Non-profit organisation (UK) led by medical doctors to mentor and inspire students to apply to medicine.

The Lawyer Portal *

Supporting applications to law degrees and legal careers.

Resources include free online quizzes via the website.

Globalbridge *

‘is a pioneering EdTech platform built by teachers, providing a single digital platform through which young people can showcase themselves beyond exam grades alone and connect with future career and education opportunities’.

Bright Network *

Online career networking.  Superb resources aimed at teenagers and university students.

Prospects *

‘the UK's biggest graduate careers website with more than two million monthly browsers.’

BigFuture *

Website from the USA which features comprehensive information about careers as well as college and university courses.  See the 'explore careers' * section.