If you’re getting tired of buying over-priced coffee in over-rated high-street chains, why not check out these independent coffee shops which boast ample space for studying? Not only will your money be going to small businesses, chances are your coffee and cake will be cheaper, and probably a lot tastier. 

Pollen Bakery

Located just outside of Manchester’s central high-street, in New Islington, is Pollen Bakery. Firmly establishing itself as a sourdough bakery in 2016, this canal-side cafe offers its customers an excellent choice of all-day brunch dishes, handmade cakes and barista-style coffee, complete with all the swans and tulips you could need. Not only is the food and drink delicious, but the communal bench-style seating and large airy windows make the perfect environment for an afternoon of productive studying. 

North Tea Power

Having won an abundance of awards since it opened, North Tea Power has become a popular spot for the coffee enthusiasts of Manchester. As well as perfectly decorated coffee to keep you motivated, North Tea Power sells an impressive selection of loose-leaf tea, and a bread-heavy menu full of cheese melts and warming soups. Due to its popularity as a brunch spot at the weekends, it’s best to use this as a study spot during the week, when the crowds are substantially fewer.

Fig and Sparrow

A coffee shop located in Manchester’s hipster northern quarter and contender for the city’s best latte art is Fig and Sparrow. What makes this charming coffee shop stand out is its local produce, sourcing everything from coffee beans to salad leaves from local producers in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint. For this reason, the salad-based menu is rather small, but always delicious. You should come prepared to share a table during peak hours, but there is free Wi-Fi and plenty of plug sockets to keep you powered up for the day.

Ancoats Coffee Co.

Although a newcomer to Manchester’s coffee scene, Ancoats Coffee Co. has marked its place on Manchester’s hipster map. Housed in the courtyard of a former cotton mill and clad with open brickwork, this is the epitome of industrial chic. Roasting their own coffee onsite, you won’t be able to get enough of their barista-style flat whites. What’s more, the space is huge, so you shouldn’t struggle to find a seat, even during peak times.

Takk 

If you’re looking for a no-frills working space where you can buy a classic black coffee with milk on the side, or a perfectly steamed almond milk flat white, Takk is for you. Located in the northern quarter, this reasonably priced café is extremely popular with students and digital nomads looking for somewhere to knuckle down for a few hours. The bench-style seating means you’ll always have a space to work and you might even meet a few fellow students on the way.

Grindsmith

Having established itself firmly in Manchester’s coffee culture six years ago, Grindsmith has recently opened its third site, which just so happens to be the perfect place for a day of studying. As well as strong, freshly roasted coffee on offer, make sure to try one of the many cakes that sit so artistically on the front counter. True to today’s trends, there are plenty of gluten free and vegan options too. 

Black Sheep Coffee

Starting out as a small coffee shop in London, Black Sheep Coffee has now grown to over 35 stores in the UK, putting it somewhat outside of the independent category. However, it maintains the independent coffee shop ambience through cozy seating areas, helpful staff and affordable prices. Walking into one of these well-designed stores still retains the feeling of walking into a small independent tucked away off the high-street. Plus, once you’re finished studying, you can join one of the espresso martini nights!

We all know that London is an expensive city. It does, however, harbor a thriving food scene that makes finding a reasonably priced meal much easier than you might think. Here’s a few spots around the capital where you can treat yourself to a delicious lunch without breaking the bank.

The Athenian

Kebabs aren’t just for eating after a heavy night of drinking. There are plenty of joints around London that serve up an authentic souvlaki during the day that can even be considered healthy. At The Athenian, for just £6 you can get yourself a handmade pita bread filled with either pork, chicken, halloumi or falafel, stuffed to the brim with fresh salad. For an extra £3.50 you can opt for an additional filling, bringing your delicious lunch to a grand total of £9.50. 

There are several outlets around London including Shoreditch, White City and Belgravia.

The Vurger Co

As the vegan craze sweeps across London, more and more vegan-friendly, affordable eateries are popping up around the city. Serving everything from mac and cheese to milkshakes, The Vurger Co boasts a menu that uses 100% plant-based ingredients sourced from sustainable suppliers. Grab your self an Auburger or Big Mex for less than a tenner!

The Vurger Co can be found in Shoreditch.

Meat Liquor

Vegans look away, this is one for the meat lovers. Established in London in 2011, hungry customers have been queuing up to taste one of their much-revered burgers ever since. Although the original site has recently closed, there are plenty of new venues popping up around London. Not only are their burgers considered to be some of the best in town, but you can bag any burger, fries and unlimited soft drink for ten pounds during any weekday lunchtime!

There are several restaurants around London including Dulwich and Kings Cross.

Pizza Pilgrims

Pizza joints are aplenty in London, but nowhere serves pizza with an authentic Italian base and toppings quite like Pizza Pilgrims. Starting as a street food van, the two founding brothers opened up their original restaurant in 2013 and have now expanded to over seven sites across the city. Treat yourself to a fior de latte mozzarella pizza for £7.50 or add some additional toppings for just a couple of extra pounds.

Pizza Pilgrims can be found in the City, London Bridge, Shoreditch and Covent Garden amongst other locations.

Chick n Sours

Another favorite bred out of a street food stall is Chick n Sours, serving up crispy Korean Fried Chicken paired with sour cocktails. Assuming you’ll be skipping the cocktails at lunch time, you can get a very filling lunch here for just shy of a tenner. Choose the Kung Po Disco Wings or the K-POP chicken burger with a side of beef dripping fries without breaking your budget.

Chick n Sours can be found all over London including Covent Garden, Haggerston and Angel.

Maple & Co

For the health conscious, consider a trip to Maple & Co which serves up a selection of healthy salad boxes for as little as £5. Set out like a salad bar, you can make your box as full or expensive as you want it to be. Pick a few base salads which include sweet potato, quinoa and kale; a choice of protein, chicken, egg or halloumi; and a few extra toppings and you’ll have yourself a nutrient-rich lunch for less than a tenner.

Maple & Co can currently be found in Kings Cross and Fitzrovia, but there are plans to expand further in the near future.  

Phat Phuc Noodle Bar

Despite its location in expensive Chelsea, Phat Phuc Noodle Bar is a great place to grab a cheap lunch. Serving up a selection of Vietnamese and Malaysian inspired dishes, you can try something new for lunch for a bargain price. Their laksa, a coconut noodle curry with chicken, beef or prawns, is one of the most popular items on the menu and costs a bargain £7.50 to dine in or take away. 

Phat Phuc Noodle Bar currently has one outlet in Chelsea.

Le Rif

A perfect example of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, you could easily walk past Le Rif’s plain exterior and miss out on the delightful treats inside. Specializing in Moroccan cuisine (tagines to be exact) you can grab yourself a hearty lunch for £6 or less. Pair your lunch with a fresh mint tea and a sweet pastry to finish and it might just take you past the £10 mark, but it’ll be worth it.

Le Rif can be found on Seven Sisters Road, not far from Finsbury Park.

Avoid Oxford Street at all costs

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It’s no secret that in the lead up to Christmas, Oxford Street becomes unbearable. Crazed last minute shoppers from all over the country flock to London’s main shopping street, hoping to finish their last-minute present buying. My advice is to avoid the road at all costs especially if you’re not a fan of crowds!

Experience Christmas at Kew

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Head over to Kew Gardens for their seventh year of Christmas light installations. The iconic Temperate House is illuminated making the Victorian structure even more impressive than usual. There are discounted student tickets and you can visit all the way through December into January.

Go ice skating at the Natural History Museum…

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There is no denying the magic of the festive atmosphere at the Natural History Museum ice rink. Even as a fairly useless ice skater myself, I look forward to visiting the museum at Christmas specifically to see the ice rink full of people. You can get hot chocolate and embrace the coziness created by the dark December afternoons and beautiful Christmas tree lights.

…Or ice skate at Somerset House

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If you haven’t had enough of the ice skating at the Natural History Museum, you can head to Somerset House for another of London’s most iconic ice-skating locations. You can also check out the Skate Late DJ sets for skating and nightlife combined. They have an impressive line-up already confirmed for this November when the rink opens.

Find a cozy pub to hunker down in

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London has no shortage of cozy pubs, perfect for spending rainy (maybe even snowy?!) evenings in with friends or study groups. There is also nothing better than a good Sunday roast at your local pub and no better time of year to enjoy one.

Brave Winter Wonderland…

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Much like Oxford Street, many Londoners choose to avoid Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park at Christmas. However, it is one of those places you must visit once, especially if you are happily coupled up for the holidays, with the cute (slightly over the top) Bavarian theme and festive feel. Just prepare yourself for the expensive prices which aren’t particularly student friendly! Entrance is free.

…Or check out one of London’s smaller Christmas markets

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Once you’ve ticked off Winter Wonderland or made the decision to avoid it, you can visit another of London’s Christmas markets. My favorites include Winterville in Clapham Common which tends to attract a younger crowd, and Winter at Southbank Centre which is very central and open all day long.

Explore the city on Christmas Day

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If you’re spending Christmas Day in London, take the opportunity to explore some of London’s most visited locations while they are completely empty. It’s the only chance you’ll have, all year round, to find central London resembling a beautiful ghost town! You can take in the architecture at Trafalgar Square and appreciate Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey in ways that aren’t possible on a normal day.

Walk off your roast in Hampstead Heath

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Following Christmas dinner, extra helpings of everything, and too much pudding and wine, one of the nicest things you can do is get out of your halls or house and go for a walk in one of London’s beautiful parks. Visit your local green space or venture out to Hampstead Heath for beautiful views of the city.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen

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If you want to make a difference this Christmas, there are plenty of soup kitchens and other volunteer opportunities across London to help with. Get a group of mates together and you’ll end up having a lot of fun and no doubt meet some interesting people too.

The US is home to some of the best universities in the world and the QS World University Rankings® 2020, published earlier this year, feature 159 US universities. We can appreciate that this is a lot to choose from, so to make life easier we have devised a state by state rundown of the best universities in the US.

Alabama: University of Alabama

The University of Alabama remains the highest ranked university in the state of Alabama, coming in at 701-750^th in the world rankings and joint 125^th in the US. The university scores well in both the employer reputation and the citations per faculty indicators.

Runner up: Auburn University ranks 801-1000 in the world, remaining unchanged since last year.

Arizona: Arizona State University

In joint 215^th place this year, and the best university in the state of Arizona, is Arizona State University, dropping three places since last year. Arizona State University places 50^th in the US and scores within the top 20 in the world for its archaeology course.

Runner up:  The University of Arizona ranks joint 262^nd this year and unfortunately misses out on the top 250 in the world after dropping 16 places. 

Arkansas: University of Arkansas

The only ranked university in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas places 801-1000 in the world rankings, unmoving this year. This may sound low, but it depends on which subject you wish to study – for example, the university scores within the top 150 in the world for agriculture and forestry. The university also ranks amongst the nation’s top public research universities, with an extremely high research output.

Runner up: No runner up

California: Stanford University

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The top ranked university in the state of California is Stanford University. Stanford remains in second place in the world and second in the US, only beaten by MIT in Massachusetts. The university earns perfect scores in the academic reputation, employer reputation and faculty/student ratio indicators.

Runner up: California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is down one place this year but still remains in the top five, taking fifth place in the world rankings.

Colorado: University of Colorado, Boulder

Taking the top spot in Colorado, we have the University of Colorado at Boulder, dropping 16 places this year to rank 206^th in the world. The university earns its highest score in the citations per faculty indicator, reflecting the quality of the research produced.  The University of Colorado at Boulder ranks 25^th in the world for earth and marine science.

Runner up: University of Colorado, Denver is Colorado’s second highest ranked university, in joint 392^nd place. It’s also worth noting that the university scores within the top 100 in the world for its nursing course.

Connecticut: Yale University

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It probably won’t come as a surprise that Yale University is the top ranked university in Connecticut. Yale is part of the prestigious Ivy League group and ranks within the top 20 in the world, dropping two places to take 17^th place this year and eighth in the US. It earns high scores in many of the indicators, including employer reputation, academic reputation and faculty student ratio.

Runner up: University of Connecticut is second in Connecticut in joint 377^th place.

Delaware: University of Delaware

Delaware’s sole representative in the world rankings, the University of Delaware, comes in at joint 491^st place, down a whole 52 places this year. Although this is a large drop, the University of Delaware ranks well for several subjects, most notably chemical engineering where it places joint 29^th. 

Runner up: No runner up

Florida: University of Florida

Florida’s top university is the University of Florida which ranks 41^st in the US and joint 167^th in the world, up 13 places since last year.  The University of Florida earns its best score for the faculty student ratio, reflecting the access students have to lecturers and tutors at any given time.

Runner up: University of Miami ranks joint 271^st in the world and 57^th in the US.

Georgia: Georgia Institute of Technology

Ranked 25^th in the US and joint 72^nd in the world is Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). The university earns a perfect score in the citations per faculty indicator, ranking 6^th in the world – an indication of the value of the research completed at the university. 

Runner up: Emory University ranks in joint 156^th in the world and joint 39^th in the US.

Hawaii: University of Hawai'i at Mañoa

The University of Hawai'i at Mañoa ranks 326^th in the world, down 24 places since last year. It is the only ranked university in the state, and scores well in the faculty student ratio indicator and the international faculty ratio indicator. In the subject rankings, the university scores highest for linguistics, in 50^th place in the world.

Runner up: No runner up

Illinois: University of Chicago

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In 10^th place in the world rankings is the University of Chicago – the top ranked university in Illinois and fifth best in the US. The University of Chicago scores well in all the indicators, particularly the academic reputation indicator, earning a near perfect score. If you’re interested in studying economics or econometrics, you’ll be pleased to learn that the University of Chicago ranks fifth in the world for the subject.

Runner up: Northwestern University is Illinois’ second best university, in 31^st place in the world, up three places from last year. The university earns a near perfect score in the international faculty indicator.

Indiana: Purdue University

After dropping 11 places this year, Purdue University is officially out of the top 100 in the world, coming in at 111^th in the world rankings and 33^rd in the US. Purdue University is also an excellent place to look at if your wish to study agriculture and forestry, as the university ranks joint 12^th in the world.

Runner up: University of Notre Dame is the second highest ranked university in Indiana, in 210^th place in the world.

Iowa: University of Iowa

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The University of Iowa is Iowa’s top university, in joint 421^st place in the world, up an impressive 14 places this year. Although this sounds low in the rankings, the university does rank highly for several subjects, including nursing, where it places in the top 100 worldwide.

Runner up: Iowa State University ranks in 511-520^th place, dropping 22 places this year.

Kansas: University of Kansas

The University of Kansas features in the world rankings in joint 372^nd place and 70^th in the US. It is the best in the state this year, despite dropping five places in the world rankings. The University of Kansas earns its highest score in the faculty student ratio indicator.

Runner up: Kansas State University is Kansas’ second best university, placing 701-750^th in the world rankings, and joint 127^th in the US.

Kentucky: University of Kentucky

Kentucky’s sole entrant this year is the University of Kentucky in 601-650^th place. Founded in 1865, the university’s highest rank is in the citations per faculty indicator and the university ranks well in the subject rankings for pharmacy and pharmacology.

Runner up: No runner up

Louisiana: Tulane University

In joint 419^th place we have Tulane University, down seven places this year. Tulane University is the 77^th best university in the US and earns its highest score in the faculty student ratio, ranking 103^rd in the world.

Runner up: Louisiana State University ranks 651-700^th in the world rankings this year. The university has a very high research output, as reflected in its high score in the citations per faculty indicator and it also ranks within the top 150 in the world for agriculture and forestry.

Maryland: Johns Hopkins University

Despite dropping three places this year, John Hopkins University ranks an impressive 24^th in the world. The university is widely credited with being the first US institution to integrate training and research. Johns Hopkins University scores well across each of the six indicators, particularly the academic reputation indicator. The university scores well across the subject rankings, for example, the university ranks fourth in the world for anatomy and physiology.

Runner up: University of Maryland, College Park is second in the state of Maryland, placing 136^th in the world.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

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In first place, both in Massachusetts and the world, is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It is also consistently ranked in top place in the world for a multitude of different subjects, and earns perfect scores in most of the indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty student ratio and international faculty ratio.

Runner up: Harvard University is far from a shoddy second best, ranking third in the world, and part of the prestigious Ivy League group. Harvard University also comes in at first place worldwide for the academic reputation and employer reputation indicators, with perfect scores in each, meaning that the university’s graduates are highly sought after by graduate employers all over the world.

Michigan: University of Michigan

Michigan’s top university is the University of Michigan, in 21^st place, down one place this year. The University of Michigan scores extremely well in the academic reputation indicator, in 18^th place this year, reflecting the high quality of teaching within the university. The university ranks highly for a multitude of subjects in the subject rankings, including dentistry, where it places fifth in the world.

Runner up: Michigan State University comes in at second in Michigan state, placing 144^th in the world rankings and 38^th in the US.

Minnesota: University of Minnesota

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In joint 156^th place is the University of Minnesota, Minnesota’s sole entrant in the rankings this year. The university has a very high research output and is one of the most comprehensive public universities in the US, with a strong tradition of education and public service. The university ranks particularly well for veterinary science, placing joint 15^th in the world.

Runner up: No runner up

Missouri: Washington University in St. Louis

Missouri’s top entrant in the rankings this year is Washington University in St. Louis. The university falls eight places in the world rankings this year to take joint 108^th place and 32^nd place in the US. Founded in 1853, the university was named after George Washington and has three campuses. Those looking to study anatomy and physiology in Missouri will be pleased to discover that the university ranks 12^th in the world for this subject.

Runner up: University of Missouri, Columbia ranks 551-560^th in the world and joint 94^th in the US.

Montana: University of Montana Missoula

Montana’s only entry in the world rankings this year is the University of Montana Missoula, ranking joint 801-1000^th in the world and joint 139^th in the US. The university achieves its highest score in the citations per faculty indicator.

Runner up: No runner up

Nebraska: University of Nebraska Lincoln

In 561-570^th place this year, and Nebraska’s sole entrant, is the University of Nebraska Lincoln. The university ranks joint 95^th in the country and scores highly in the international faculty indicator, reflecting its ability to attract faculty members from across the world; an indication of its strong international brand.

Runner up: No runner up 

New Hampshire: Dartmouth College

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The nation’s ninth oldest college, founded in 1796^th, Dartmouth College is New Hampshire’s best university for another year running. The institution places joint 207^th in the world ranking this year and takes pride in their outstanding faculty members, with the university’s faculty student ratio scoring particularly highly in the indicators.

Runner up: University of New Hampshire scores 801-1000^th in the world rankings this year.

New Jersey: Princeton University

In 13^th place in the world rankings, and top in New Jersey, is Ivy League group member Princeton University. Founded in 1746, Princeton is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Princeton earns near perfect scores for the majority of the indicators, and a perfect score for the citations per faculty indicator – an indication of the high quality of the academic output. The university also scores well for individual subjects; for example mathematics, where it places fourth in the US.

Runner up: Rutgers University- New Brunswick, ranks 651-700 in the world rankings.

New Mexico: University of New Mexico

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The University of New Mexico is New Mexico’s only ranked university and comes in at 601-650^th place. The university’s unique campus environment echoes the buildings of the nearby Pueblo Indian villages and offers outstanding botanical surroundings. The university scores particularly highly for architecture, ranking within the top 200 in the world.

Runner up: No runner up

New York: Cornell University

Part of the world-renowned Ivy League group, Cornell University places 14^th in the world rankings this year. Founded in 1865, Cornell University was the first university to offer degrees in journalism and to teach modern Far-Eastern languages. The university places 12^th in the graduate employability rankings, with strong partnerships with employers and employer student connections, resulting in strong graduate employability prospects.

Runner up: Columbia University is a close second, ranking joint 18^th in the world and also part of the Ivy League group. Columbia University achieves its highest scores in the academic reputation and employer reputation indicators.  

North Carolina: Duke University

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Rising one place this year, Duke University is North Carolina’s top university, in joint 25^th place. Duke has three campuses overall, with its largest campus decorated with Gothic architecture, including the Duke Chapel, which houses a 5,200-pipe organ. The university’s top score is in the faculty student ratio and the academic reputation indicators, reflecting the importance that Duke places on strong academic performance.

Runner up: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill places second in North Carolina, ranking 90^th in the world and 27^th in the US.

Ohio: The Ohio State University

In first place in Ohio, despite dropping 12 places this year, is Ohio State University. With campuses in Columbus, Newark, Lima, Marion, Mansfield and Wooster, the Ohio State University is one of the largest universities in the US. The institution scores its highest score in the international faculty indicator and is also a member of the Association of American Universities– an insight into its strong international outlook. 

Runner up: Case Western Reserve University ranks in 167^th in the world rankings, up seven places this year. 

Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma

Dropping a whole 76 places this year is the University of Oklahoma, in first place in Oklahoma this year and in 571-580^th place in the world rankings. The university scores highest in the faculty student ratio indicator and comes 151-200^th in the subject rankings for communications and media studies.  

Runner up: University of Tulsa ranks in 701-750^th place this year.

Oregon: Oregon State University

In 461^st place in the world we have Oregon State University, in first place in Oregon and 85^th in the US. The university has been named a top research institution by the Carnegie Foundation and earns high scores in the international faculty and citations per faculty indicators; indicating that the institution’s faculty members produce high quality research.

Runner up: University of Oregon ranks in 601-650^th place in the world rankings this year.

Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania

As you might expect, the University of Pennsylvania is, once again, Pennsylvania’s highest ranked university. The university ranks 15^th in the world rankings and eighth in the US, with notable alumni including Donald Trump, Elon Musk and John Legend.

Runner up: Carnegie Mellon University is in second place, ranking 48^th in the world rankings.

Rhode Island: Brown University

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In Rhode Island, the top ranked university (and Rhode Island’s sole entrant) is Ivy League group member, Brown University, in 57^th place in the world rankings and 21^st in the US. The university, whose alumni include Emma Watson, John F. Kennedy and John D. Rockefeller Jr. scores well across all indicators, particularly the citations per faculty indicator, reflecting the quality of the institution’s academic output.

Runner up: No runner up

South Carolina: University of South Carolina

The top university in South Carolina this year is the University of Carolina which ranks in 561-570^th place in the world and 95^th in the US. The university is home to over 200 years of tradition and history, having been established in 1805.

Runner up: Clemson University ranks in 701-750^th place this year, or 125^th in the US.

Tennessee: Vanderbilt University

In joint 200^th place in the world this year is Vanderbilt University; Tennessee’s highest ranked in the world rankings, dropping five places since last year.  Vanderbilt University earns a perfect score for the faculty student ratio indicator, and also ranks particularly well in the subject rankings for Education and Training, where it places 23^rd worldwide.

Runner up: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville ranks in joint 407^th place this year, up 12 places since last year.

Texas: University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin ranks 65^th in the world rankings this year and is amongst the top 60 universities in the world for graduate employability (in 54^th place). The university scores highly across all the indicators this year, particularly academic reputation, where it ranks 34^th in the world.

Runner up: Texas A&M University ranks joint 189^th in the world rankings, rising 14 places this year.

Utah: University of Utah

The University of Utah falls eight places this year to rank in joint 353^rd place but is still the top university in the state of Utah. The institution recognizes the interdependence of teaching and research as components of academic success, and as a result the University of Utah scores well on the citations per faculty and the faculty student ratio indicators.  It is also worth noting that the university scores well in the subject rankings for mineral and mining engineering, ranking 35^th in the world.

Runner up: Brigham Young University ranks 751-800^th in the world rankings, joint 134^th in the US.

Vermont: University of Vermont

Vermont’s sole entrant in the university rankings this year is the University of Vermont in 571-580^th place, having dropped 40 places since last year. Founded in 1791, the University of Vermont is one of the oldest universities in the US. The university earns its highest score in the citations per paper indicator.

Runner up: No runner up

Virginia: University of Virginia

In joint 198^th in the world, down six places this year, is Virginia’s top ranked university; the University of Virginia. The university ranks 45^th in the US and places joint 40^th in the world for theology, divinity and religious studies. 

Runner up: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University places in 327^th in the world this year and 62^nd in the US.

Washington: University of Washington

In the state of Washington (not to be confused with Washington D.C.) the top ranked university is the University of Washington in 68^th place this year and 23^rd in the US.  The University of Washington scores highest in the citations per faculty and academic reputation and the university ranks seventh in the subject rankings for library and information management.

Runner up: Washington State University ranks in joint 336^th in the world rankings this year.

Washington D.C: Georgetown University

In the federal district (not a state) of Washington D.C, Georgetown University is the highest placing university in the world rankings this year, in 226^th place. Georgetown is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university, established in 1789, and is now a major international research university.

Runner up: George Washington University ranks joint 336^th in the world and 63^rd in the US

Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison

The best university in Wisconsin is the University of Wisconsin-Madison at 56^th place in the world rankings, and 20^th in the US. The university enjoys a high score for academic reputation and is the 55^th best university in the world for graduate employability, with strong partnerships with employers and good alumni outcomes.

Runner up: Marquette University ranks in 801-1000^th place in the world and joint 139^th in the US.

Wyoming: University of Wyoming

In the least populous state in the US, we have the University of Wyoming in 701-750^th in this year’s world ranking and joint 139^th in the US. Wyoming’s natural beauty and location in the mountain region of the west of the US make it an enviable place to be a student.

Runner up: No runner up

Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and West Virginia have no universities included in this year’s rankings.

A thousand years of world history can be found within the streets of the United Kingdom’s capital if you know where to look. Whether it’s the life’s work of naturalists such as Charles Darwin immortalized in the Natural History Museum, or the impact of war on Britain and the world explored in the Imperial War Museum, there’s something for everyone. This rich tapestry of museums cannot be enjoyed in only one day, so we’ve comprised a list of the ‘must-see’ museums in one of Europe’s biggest cities.

Imperial War Museum

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Located in Southwark, the Imperial War Museum first opened its doors in 1920. Over the decades it has widened its remit to provide the public with an understanding of modern warfare and the wartime experience. Housed on the site of the old Bethlem Royal Hospital, the awe-inspiring building is a sight to see. Alongside its stunning architecture, two 15-inch naval guns from HMS Resolution and HMS Ramillies greet visitors. On entry, the atrium alone is a feast for the eyes of any military history enthusiast, including a Mark V Tank, a V-2 and Polaris missile, Spitfire aircraft, and many other military artefacts. Specialized exhibitions include the First World War trench exhibit and Holocaust exhibition.

Natural History Museum

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The Natural History Museum is one of the most iconic museums in London. Located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, it’s one of three major museums on this street. The building houses over 80 million individual items covering five categories: botany, mineralogy, zoology, paleontology, and entomology. The museum’s most famous area, Hintze Hall, once housed a plaster cast of a complete Diplodocus dinosaur skeleton and is now home to a complete blue whale skeleton. Visitors can take a walk through the history of the animal kingdom and human evolution, and with extensive exhibitions and specimens, visitors can spend a full and exciting day here.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

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By far the largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design in the country, the Victoria and Albert Museum (known as the V&A) is a must-see for those with an interest in all things art and fashion. The vast collection of artefacts covers a series of categories including ‘Asia’, ‘Furniture, Textiles and Fashion’, ‘Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics & Glass’, and ‘Word & Image’. The museum is the proud host of the world’s largest collection of post-classical sculpture, with the most Italian Renaissance pieces outside Italy. With such a vast collection of artefacts, you can spend countless hours exploring the museum. Alongside the permanent exhibitions, the V&A also houses a range of ever-changing unique exhibits.

The British Museum

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Located in Bloomsbury, the British Museum was the first public national museum in the world and is arguably the largest of its kind. Opened to the public in 1759 it quickly gathered a large and comprehensive collection of artefacts from around the world. The museum has up to eight million artefacts with only 80,000 ever on show at one time. The British Museum’s many departments include: ‘Ancient Egypt and Sudan’, ‘Greece and Rome’, ‘Middle East’, ‘Britain, Europe, and Prehistory’, ‘Coins and Medals’, and ‘Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas’. This museum is a history buffs dream and spending the day here will leave visitors with a wider understanding of humanity’s cultural history.

London Transport Museum

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There are few more iconic symbols of London than the red double-decker bus or the black Hackney Carriage taxicab. A visit to the London Transport Museum will delight visitors with examples of steam engines from the early days of rail power, early red buses, and the famous black cab. The museum, which is in the Covent Garden piazza, has been open for decades and welcomes thousands through its front doors. This museum is especially for those with an interest in transportation, but also for those ‘out-of-towners’ who wish to sample something that is quintessentially London and British.  

Sponsored by Sophia University

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the year 2030 as an urgent call to action to ensure prosperity for all and protect the planet.

In a world that’s deeply impacted by war, financial disparity, and environment crises, the need for graduates who have the knowledge and skills to come up with solutions is pressing.

We spoke to Professor Hideki Maruyama at Sophia University about their new Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF) launching in September 2020, and how it aims to develop students’ knowledge and skills to deal with the sustainable challenges in today’s truly globalized world.

Sustainability is an issue across all industries and sectors

In what is becoming an increasingly pressing issue for humanity, “no-one can ignore sustainability today as we face rapid changes in society and nature,” warns Professor Maruyama.

But how can studying a degree for sustainable futures help? In the English-taught Program for Sustainable Futures at Sophia University, prospective students will specify their desired field of study when applying in one of the six departments of journalism, education, sociology, economics, management or global studies (international relations and area studies) with an additional focus on sustainability and sustainable development.

When asked what students can expect from the program, Professor Maruyama told us: “Students can major in one of the disciplines provided by the department as well as interdisciplinary contents in the program.

“This means they can choose to study their own major and also take classes in other disciplines.”

Study in the heart of Tokyo

Tokyo is a metropolis full of culture, innovation and promise. It’s also an attractive study destination for thousands of students all over the world, thanks to its welcoming society and exciting lifestyle.

The opportunity to learn about the global issues facing us all in a classroom full of peers from across the globe is an unrivalled learning experience.

Gain a better understanding of the role you play in a globally-interdependent world

It’s no secret that the next generation of educators, engineers, scientists, doctors and business professionals will have to face the consequences of what the older generation’s actions and decisions.

Such awareness leads to action, so it’s important to consider the role that yourself, and others such as corporations, governments and non-profit organizations play within society, and the potential consequences actions could have on the planet.

It’s also important to understand how everyone can work together across sectors and industries, to ensure such pressing issues can be resolved. The Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures at Sophia University allows students to enroll in the same classes regardless of their specialization in order to get a richer understanding of matters related to sustainable futures.

Become familiar with the concepts of sustainability, globalization and development

In order to come up with answers and solutions for a better future, you need to have the ability to think sustainably at local and global levels.  

SPSF takes an interdisciplinary and practical approach, where students learn about many varying topics that encompass a wide range of subjects.

“The concept of sustainability is everywhere. From global to local, we can tackle climate change in the private sector and reflect on our lifestyle to keep ourselves more sustainable.

“The Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures will emphasize all ranges of sustainability, depending on the learner's interest,” says Professor Maruyama.

Enhance not just your knowledge but your skillset too

A degree will not only equip you with the knowledge to come up with solutions for global challenges, but it will also help you develop specialist skills that are both strategic and adaptive when it comes to solving such complex issues.

Your ability to think critically, be a creative problem solver, work within a diverse team, and communicate effectively are exactly what future global leaders will need in order to help solve the challenges facing modern society.

The opportunity to undertake internships and gain real-world working experience

Students who study the Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures have the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world problems by undertaking internships, field research and other initiatives where they can develop their professional and academic skills and enhance their comprehension of their chosen discipline.

“Students can learn in a global environment in central Tokyo, where there are many headquarters and offices of large companies for internships and services,” says Professor Maruyama.

Find solutions and offer positive contributions for global challenges in modern society

In the final stage of their degree, students can work towards offering practical solutions to real-world problems which can also be integrated into their final-year thesis.

The program itself aims to ensure students develop a variety of visions of what a sustainable future should look like – whether it’s within education, the economy, sociology, management, journalism or global studies – and to further help prepare those students who have the ambition and capabilities to deal with the pressing global issues within those sectors and industries on both a local and global scale.

Sponsored by Universidad Tecmilenio

It may not be something you’ve considered, or even realized – but many universities around the world are waking up to the benefits of having industry professionals involved in the world of academia and teaching students.

Bridging the gap between ‘traditional’ teaching methodologies and the application of industry knowledge in the classroom not only enhances the curriculum, but can help students understand the link between theory and practice, as well as better prepare them for the future.

We spoke to industry professionals Jorge Monsivais, Miguel Gomez Gonzalez, and José Sergio Ávila Flores – who all teach at the Universidad Tecmilenio in Mexico – to find out more about this.

They bring real-world experience into the classroom

Academic professors and industry professionals both have an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the principles and theories within their field, but distinctive collaborations between industry and academia combine the best of both worlds and are highly appreciated by students.

Professor Miguel Gomez Gonzalez is a computer science engineer with 12 years IT industry experience, a degree from the University of Guadalajara, as well as a Master in Information Technology Administration from ITESM.

He started working at IBM in 2007 and worked in HPC, Cloud and Linux technologies before joining Universidad Tecmilenio this year as a professional and master's degree teacher in computing, networking, IT systems and security.

We asked him to tell us a bit about his experience working as an industry professional at the university.

“When standing up in front of young, eager students, it’s easy to see how interested they are in knowing how everything works in your company, and how you do this or that in order to solve a problem.”

Industry professionals bring a unique value to the classroom, as well as provide fresh insights – something which can otherwise be difficult to come across anywhere else.

“Beyond the subject that’s being taught, the experiences I’ve been through allow me to adapt the content of the course and give it a personal touch, aiming for a more “real-life” scenario,” explained Professor Gonzalez.

Professor Flores added: “It’s very good to have teachers who have active job experience as it can help students know what real life challenges they’ll face in their professional careers.”

After 20 years of working in manufacturing, Flores enjoys his role as a professor at Universidad Tecmilenio where he trains up future engineers.

You’ll get a genuine insight into the industry itself

Industry professionals tend to have more comprehensive knowledge of the inner workings of the professional world, including the markets, systems and processes. Having experienced and distinguished specialists teach in an academic setting can therefore transform students into capable and up-to-date graduates.

Professor Jorge Monsivais is a business and manufacturing teacher at Universidad Tecmilenio. He told us:  “It’s my pleasure to share my experience with my students as I’ve worked in different companies and different industries, from electronics, steel, automotive, aerospace among others.”

While Gonzalez sees the benefit for both himself and students. He said: “I started teaching with the belief that sharing my knowledge and experience was an important part of my professional development as well as an integral part in giving back to the community and the country.”

“Another significant moment is when we can take our students to visit the company itself,” he added. 

“To see what you have talked about in class – those moments mark the students’ lives as they become inspired in knowing that soon they’ll also be part of the development and implementation of the new technologies they’ve heard about, studied and used in the last four or five years.”

It’s all about networking

Your university professors and teachers are the people who tend to know you better than anyone else in an academic setting. They know your learning style and understand who you are as a student, and an individual.

They’re very likely to have a lot of contacts within the industry, and depending on your aspirations and future plans, they may even be able to put you in contact with the right people and be the golden ticket to helping you get a foot on the career ladder.

Which leads us nicely onto the next reason…

They can help boost your career prospects

To have a real understanding of the industry before graduating can be a real deal-breaker for some employers, as Professor Monsivais explained:

“To combine experience with theory, means the lectures and academic programs given to students are very useful and equip them with the skills and solid knowledge they need in order to continue to grow and become more attractive to companies.” 

One of the key reasons why you might consider studying abroad is the simple reason that the universities within your own country can’t guarantee you the high-quality education you can get elsewhere.

1,000 universities may be included in the QS World University Rankings, but there’s a big gap between the institutions at the very top and the very bottom, and some countries aren’t even represented.

Growing up in Morocco, Hanna Itri knew she’d have to look abroad if she was going to fulfil her career ambitions. However, rather than the usual study abroad destinations in western Europe or North America, Hanaa set her sights on studying in Russia, applying to Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

It’s hard to imagine a bigger culture shock than leaving the warm climate of north Africa for the chilly winters in St Petersburg, but Hanaa thrived in her new environment. The university’s PolyUnion club – a student-run society for international students – helped her settle in and she’s since repaid the favor by supervising the club and becoming an active contributor.

We spoke to Hanaa to learn more about her experiences and how her time studying in Russia has set her up perfectly to achieve her career goals.

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What appealed to you about studying in Russia?

Russia is the largest country in the world and is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country. I always wanted to learn about its traditions.

From my first arrival in St. Petersburg, I fell in love with this city. Its museums, temples and churches are infinitely interesting. The architecture is breathtaking with its decoration and grandeur. Living in Russia every day helps me conceive new ideas and inspire my mind.

In what ways has the university supported you and helped you adjust to living in a new country?

It didn’t just help me; it saved my life! It wasn’t easy to move to a new country where you don’t know the culture or language and PolyUnion helped to break those barriers down. They were not just close friends to me but a family.

So, I decided to help other news students and worked for PolyUnion. As a result I was rewarded with a place on the academic council of Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU).

I will never forget the day when I was honored to open the PolyUnion with Rector Andrei Ivanovich Rudskoi. It was an unforgettable day.

What advice would you have for other students trying to adapt to living in Russia?

I’ve actually got my own vlog encouraging foreign students in Russia. It’s important to join the community. In PolyUnion you will find what you need to adapt to life in Russia.

What are some of the biggest challenges when studying abroad in Russia?

Language, language and language! Using gestures if I needed something was my only way to communicate initially, and I also asked my Russian friends to help me learn Russian.

What expectations did you have of the Russian people before coming to study here? What have you been surprised by?

I expected that Russians would be rude. When I arrived, I was so surprised by their behavior as I felt so welcomed in the society. It didn’t just stop there – they even welcomed me into their homes, serving me Russia’s famous soup borsht and pelmeni.

How has your experience of studying in Russia benefited your career?

I got my master’s degree on Tuesday and found my dream job on Friday! I’ll be working as the head of an international department at GC Tehnodar. I’m also continuing at the university as a PhD student.

You only need to look around a computer science lecture theatre to see the lack of diversity within the technology industry. Women, low income and underrepresented backgrounds are often dissuaded from a career in this area or side-lined when it comes to available opportunities.

In light of this, Dr Neil Hunt, Former Chief Product Officer at Netflix has worked with Durham University to create ‘The Hunt Program’ in Computer Science.

Hunt became the first ever Chief Product Officer of Netflix in 1999 and is largely credited for the development of this personalized user experience, which is now synonymous with the Netflix brand. Now, he’s donating US$3.5m to his alma mater.

Hunt’s donation will play a huge part in expanding the university’s Women in Technology program, tackling the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in the tech sector, and also establish new scholarships to support students from low income and underrepresented backgrounds.

This investment will hopefully ensure talented prospective students, regardless of background, can access Durham’s technology degree programs.

New programs

The donation will be of key importance in launching the department’s first Careers & Internships program for computer science students, leveraging the university’s global networks to give students access to transformative career opportunities in the tech sector.

Hunt is also a founding member of Durham’s Computer Science External Advisory Board. In his role – looking to shape the future of computer science at Durham – he will bring together other senior tech leaders to direct the department, as well as launch innovative programs like the AMI Women in Technology Scholarships, named for inspirational young tech leader Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE.

Imafidon, a fellow advisory board member and CEO of Stemettes said: “The issue of diversity in tech is systemic, and universities can play a huge part in modelling inclusive cultures and practices for schools and industry to follow.

“Underrepresentation is about attraction and pipeline, but also retention. I’m pleased to see Durham taking a proactive approach and prioritising inclusivity and am proud to be part of the University’s AMI Women in Technology program, which we will be able to expand significantly with Neil’s generous support.”

We caught up with Hunt to find out a little more about the reasons for his donation:

Why did you decide you wanted to invest this money in Durham University?

Durham was a very special place for me. The connections I made while studying there were instrumental in my career, and I feel very proud to be able to pay it forward by trying to set the scene for others to experience their own version of success and fulfilment.

How important will the Hunt Program be to the university, tackling inequalities present in the technology industry?

Recruiting, especially for senior positions, is very competitive. If society shuts out half its talent from wanting or being able to study STEM subjects, it’s a tragedy, which compounds as the tech environment further rejects women and minorities. Women make up just 15 percent of computer science graduates - a figure that continues to fall - and this cries out for correction.  

I hope that encouraging women and minorities and other disadvantaged individuals to get a toehold in STEM, they help us begin to change the world for better.

What was your role at Netflix? How did your input benefit the company?

I was involved in Netflix from the very early days. My first task was to build the technology behind the first subscription programs, and to begin to explore and deploy personalization to help customers choose what to watch.

As Chief Product Officer, my team built and ran all the technology, including the website, apps, smart-TV and streaming device SDKs, video ingestion, compression, and delivery including the content delivery servers (CDNs), and all the internal tooling, including building our own studio management applications.

I was also proud of being a leader in accessibility (subtitles and descriptive audio) in streaming video, as well as helping to create a platform that could take the best of local culture from different world regions and make it accessible and available to the whole world. The opportunity to enjoy content from other cultures promotes understanding and makes the world a smaller place.

As a member of the leadership team, I also had important roles in strategy, and culture development - the Netflix culture is widely discussed, and variations are now adopted by many other companies.

What are your personal motivations behind donating to diversity in tech? Why does this need tackling? 

I have been fortunate to work at companies that have been more supportive than many of women and minorities, and I have had the opportunity to see the great benefits from women and minorities participating or leading teams, and sadly have seen negative and destructive outcomes from tolerating intolerance or bias.

In studying and discussing how to improve our own record and performance, it became clear to me that the problem begins early - at high school and university - which is why I have been motivated to try to make a difference there.

I hope my gift will inspire others – in industry and in education – to cultivate future generations of innovation and leadership from all walks of life. 

If you want to work in law in the UK but haven’t studied law at undergraduate level, you might want to consider doing a law conversion course. If you think this is the route for you, and you wish to study in the UK, you will need to study the GDL.

What is the GDL?

The Graduate Diploma in Law, known more widely as the GDL, is a one-year full time law conversion course (or two years part time) which brings students up to date with the knowledge they need to become a lawyer. The course may also be referred to as the Common Professional Exam (CPE). The course fits three years’ worth of law knowledge into a year and is intended for students who already have an undergraduate degree in a different subject and wish to change their career path towards law.

What will I study?  During the law conversion course, you will study the seven core foundational areas of law. These are:

• European Union law
• Equity and Trusts
• Public Law (including administrative law, human rights and constitutional law)
• Land Law
• Contract Law
• Tort
• Criminal Law

Students can then choose to choose to study one further aspect of law. This may be a further module in a topic of your choice, or a research project where you will write an essay related to the area of law you want to study.

What is the difference between a GDL and an LLM (master’s in law)?

An LLM is a master’s in law, designed for students who have already completed their LLB undergraduate law degree or their GDL course. It is, however, possible to earn a place on an LLM without having completed an LLB or a GDL, so long as you can demonstrate that you have significant legal knowledge. This knowledge may be gained during work experience in vacation schemes across different law firms, or in other forms of work experience.

The difference between a GDL and an LLM is essentially your career aspirations. If you want to be a lawyer (a solicitor or a barrister) then you need to either complete a bachelor’s degree in law or have studied another subject at undergraduate level and completed the GDP. If you want to specialize in the legal area of the subject you have studied at undergraduate level (such as medical law), then the LLM will enable you to do that.

Where can I study the GDL?

There are many universities around the country where you can study the GDL law conversion course. Many institutions offer both part-time and full-time courses and some even offer distance learning courses, so you can earn your qualification while working.

You should also find out as much about an institution as you can before applying; including career prospects, whether it’s reputable amongst law firms and the school’s links with law firms around the country.

Several institutions that offer the GDL include:

How much does the GDL cost?

The cost of the GDL varies across universities, so it is worth checking the price of the course when you decide which institution you might wish to study at.  According to The Lawyer Portal, the cost of the GDL course is around £5,000-£12,000, but this might be higher or lower depending on the institution. Unfortunately, you cannot use a student loan to fund the GDL, but many institutions offer GDL scholarships, which will help reduce the cost slightly.

What comes next after completing the GDL?

After completing a GDL course, if you still want to become a lawyer, you must decide whether you would rather be a barrister or a solicitor. Barristers specialize in courtroom litigation and advocacy. They are independent and so can work on different sides in legal disputes. Alternatively, solicitors can deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills and other legal matters. The path you decide is right for you will influence what you do next.  

To become a barrister, you will have to complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). This is a one-year, practical course which helps to provide the training specific to a junior barrister. You will then have to complete a pupilage – a work placement which lasts twelve months.

If you choose to become a solicitor, you will complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC), a one year, full-time course which is both skills based and knowledge based and will prepare you for doing the work of a trainee solicitor when you start your training contact.

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Have you done a law conversion course? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below.