Click here to view the latest version of this article, based on the QS EECA University Rankings 2019.

The third edition of the QS University Rankings: Emerging Europe and Central Asia results are in, showcasing 200 (extended from 150 in the previous ranking) of the region’s top universities. The ranking draws on a methodology which assesses universities on nine performance indicators, including research publications and employer reputation.

Read on for a more detailed look at this year’s top 10 in the EECA ranking, or view the full rankings results table here.

1. Lomonosov Moscow State University 

Location: Russia

Ranked 1^st in Emerging Europe and Central Asia for the third time in a row, Lomonosov Moscow State University is a public research university which is consistently considered one of the top universities in Russia. Established in 1755, Lomonosov Moscow State University is currently ranked 108^th in the overall QS World University Rankings® 2015/16. It teaches around 47,000 students, of which about 4,000 are from outside of Russia. Lomonosov’s library system is one of the largest in Russia, and the university claims to house the tallest educational building in the world. Lomonosov appears in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016 a total of 24 out of a possible 42 times, achieving high positions (in the top 50) for subjects such as linguistics, mathematics and physics, and several more top-100 positions.

2. Novosibirsk State University 

Location: Russia

Novosibirsk State University is a public research institution which retains second position in the EECA ranking this year, and is ranked 317^th in the latest world rankings. Established in 1959, it’s located close to Novosibirsk (the largest city in the Asian part of Russia), in the well-known educational and scientific research center of Akademgorodok (Academic Town). In addition, 80% of teachers at Novosibirsk State University are scientists from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Around 6,000 students are enrolled in 13 faculties, including 826 international students. Overall, Novosibirsk State University is considered one of the top universities in Russia for science-related subjects, and is featured in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject for physics and astronomy, as well as the top 150 for mathematics. It’s also ranked as one of the best universities in the world for modern languages, chemistry and computer science.   

3. Saint-Petersburg State University 

Location: Russia

The final of this trio of top universities in Russia, Saint-Petersburg State University has climbed from 5^th place in the previous edition of the EECA rankings. The oldest university in Russia, it was founded in 1724 by Peter the Great. Ranked joint 256^th in the latest world university rankings, it’s also one of the largest Russian universities, with around 30,000 students enrolled, including over 3,000 international students. Saint-Petersburg State University boasts a number of Nobel Prize winners and political elite amongst its alumni, including current President Vladimir Putin. The university is a member of the Coimbra Group, an association of ‘long-established European comprehensive, multidisciplinary universities of high international standard’. Saint-Petersburg State University is ranked among the world’s best for 11 subjects, with a top-50 placing for mineral and mining engineering, a top-100 position for linguistics, and positions in the worldwide top 150 for mathematics, philosophy, modern languages and history.

4. Charles University  

Location: Czech Republic

Heading to the Czech Republic for the next of the top 10 universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, Charles University is ranked 4^th in the EECA region (down one place from last year) and 279^th in the overall world rankings. Located in the Czech capital of Prague, it’s the oldest and largest of the universities in the Czech Republic, dating back to 1348 and currently teaching about 51,400 students. Charles University is popular with international students taking part in student exchanges such as Erasmus +, and the university’s international cooperation program includes partnerships with almost 200 universities around the world. Charles University is ranked as one of the top universities in the world for 15 subjects, including places within the top 100 for geography and the top 200 for philosophy, modern languages, English language and literature, history, linguistics, medicine, pharmacy and pharmacology and mathematics.

5. University of Tartu 

Location: Estonia

The University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia and the country’s highest-ranked institution in both the EECA and world rankings, placing 400^th in the latter. It’s also the highest-ranked university in the Baltic region and the oldest university in Estonia, having been established back in 1632. The University of Tartu currently has around 13,400 students enrolled, including over 800 from outside of Estonia. It’s a member of both the Coimbra Group and the Utrecht Network, which aim to promote international collaboration in higher education. Although it teaches mainly in Estonian, there are 17 English-taught programs available. The University of Tartu features in the QS World University Rankings by Subject six times, placing among the world’s best for communication and media studies and linguistics (both in the top 150), English language and literature, modern languages, medicine and computer science and information systems.

6. University of Warsaw 

Location: Poland

The University of Warsaw is ranked 6^th in the EECA region and 344^th in the most recent world rankings, making it Poland’s highest-ranked institution. The university was established in 1816, so celebrates its 200^th anniversary this year, and its long history is full of fascinating events – for example, during World War II, the German occupation of Poland saw the campus turned into military barracks and education in Polish banned, though academics continued to teach through an organized “Secret University of Warsaw”.  Today the University of Warsaw is the largest university in Poland, with around 51,700 students enrolled in 20 faculties. The University of Warsaw is ranked among the world’s top universities for 10 different subjects, including modern languages and politics (in the top 150) as well as linguistics, philosophy, mathematics, physics and astronomy and sociology (ranked 151-200).

7= Jagiellonian University 

Location: Poland

Jagiellonian University is Poland’s oldest university (founded in 1364) and is this year ranked joint 7^th in the EECA region and 411-420 in the world.  It was known as the University of Kraków from its founding, until it was renamed Jagiellonian University in 1817 to commemorate the royal dynasty of the same name. Today the university teaches over 41,800 students in 87 fields of study and 15 faculties. Jagiellonian University has educated a number of famous historical figures and scholars, including John III Sobieski (King of Poland until 1696), Nicolaus Copernicus, Pope John Paul II and two Nobel Prize winners, Ivo Andrić and Wisława Szymborska. The university ranks as one of the best in the world in 11 subjects, including modern languages (in the top 100), as well as English language and literature, geography, linguistics and philosophy (in the global top 200).

7= Czech Technical University in Prague 

Location: Czech Republic

Sharing seventh place with Jagiellonian University this year, Czech Technical University in Prague is ranked 451-460 in the world university rankings, and is one of the oldest and largest technical institutions in Europe, founded in 1707. Around 24,000 students are enrolled in eight faculties, with more than 100 degree programs on offer, mostly in engineering and related subjects. Like Jagiellonian University, Czech Technical University boasts many reputed alumni, including Christian Doppler, namesake of the Doppler Effect. Czech Technical University in Prague has been ranked as one of the top 250 universities in the world for six subjects: civil and structural engineering (in the top 100), physics and astronomy, computer science and information systems, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and mathematics.

9. Bogaziçi Üniversitesi 

Location: Turkey

Bogaziçi Üniversitesi makes an impressive leap of eight places in this year’s EECA ranking to place 9^th, and is the third-highest-ranked Turkish university in the latest QS World University Rankings, at 441-450.  Also known by its English name, Bosphorus University, Bogaziçi Üniversitesi is a major research university located in Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul. It was founded in 1863 as Robert College and was the first American university to be founded outside of the US. The university maintains strong ties to the American higher education system, and English is the language of instruction. Bogaziçi is featured in the top 300 universities in the world for electrical engineering, education and training, mechanical engineering and computer science.

10. Masaryk University 

Location: Czech Republic

Ranked 551-600 in the world university rankings, Masaryk University was founded in 1919 is located in the city of Brno. It is recognized as one of the most important teaching and research institutions in the Czech Republic and is one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country. Named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of an independent Czechoslovakia, the university is the largest employer in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. 35,848 students are currently enrolled, including 7,110 international students, and in 2006 Masaryk was the first university in the world to have an Antarctic research station (and remains the only university to independently operate one). In the QS World University Rankings by Subject, Masaryk University is ranked 401-500 in the world for computer science and information systems. 

Click here to see the latest version of this article, based on the QS Latin America University Rankings 2019.

The results are in for the 2016 edition of the QS University Rankings: Latin America, featuring the region’s leading 300 universities across 20 countries. The ranking is based on a methodology which assesses universities’ performance in seven key indicators, including each institution’s reputation amongst both employers and academics.

Read on for an overview of the 10 top universities in Latin America in 2016, including each institution’s location, student numbers and subject strengths, or view the full rankings table.

To find out more about studying in Latin America, download our complete guide, covering admission requirements, visas, tuition fees and more.

1.  Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 

Location: Brazil

Holding onto the top spot in the Latin American rankings this year, the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) is Brazil’s largest public university, with over 90,000 students enrolled. USP is spread across 11 campuses, four of which are in Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo – featured among the best locations for students in the QS Best Student Cities 2016. USP’s excellent reputation is cemented by its status as one of the best universities in the world for 40 of the 42 subjects covered in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016. Of these, USP appears in the top 50 for dentistry, agriculture and forestry, anthropology, mineral and mining engineering, veterinary science and architecture.

2. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) 

Location: Brazil

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) also retains its position from the previous year, and is also located in São Paulo. Established in 1966, Unicamp is one of the world’s most prestigious younger universities, consistently ranked in the top 15 of the QS Top 50 Under 50. Unicamp is a research-intensive university, producing around 15% of the country’s research, and has a large number of postgraduate students (almost 16,000). It has a total of around 35,600 students at its three campuses, which are also home to 22 teaching and research centers. Unicamp is ranked among the world’s top 50 universities for dentistry and agriculture and forestry, and is among the top 200 for a further 27 subjects.

3. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 

Location: Chile

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile retains its position in 3^rd place in the Latin American rankings. It’s located in Chile’s capital city, Santiago, which ranked joint 49^th in the latest QS Best Student Cities index. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is one of the oldest universities in the country, having been founded in 1888 by the Archbishop of Santiago. It currently has around 28,000 students enrolled at its four campuses, and features as one of the world’s top universities for 30 subjects, achieving top-50 positions for architecture, education, social policy, art and design, law and agriculture.

4. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) 

Location: Mexico

Climbing two places this year from 6^th to 4^th place, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) is consistently recognized as one of the best universities in Latin America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria (University City) was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 for its impressive architecture and landscape design. UNAM is the largest university in Latin America, with a whopping 346,700 students currently enrolled. The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016 saw UNAM ranked in the top 50 for art and design, anthropology, development studies, law, education and training, philosophy, modern languages, archaeology, and mineral and mining engineering. It features among the world’s best in a further 25 subjects.

5. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Location: Brazil

The next highest ranked of the universities in Brazil is Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, which retains its position of 5^th in Latin America. It’s Brazil’s oldest higher education institution, dating back to 1792, when its polytechnic school was known as the Royal Academy of Artillery, Fortification and Design. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro has around 67,000 students and owns several museums, hospitals and research facilities around Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second-largest city – and host of the 2016 Olympic Games.  The university is in the global top 100 for eight subjects, including history and architecture, and is also ranked as one of the best universities for a further 22 subjects.

6.  Universidad de Chile 

Location: Chile

Heading back to Chile, the Universidad de Chile falls two places in this year’s Latin American rankings, though still remaining firmly within the top 10. Established in 1842, the Universidad de Chile is the oldest university in the country and frequently considered one of the most prestigious. It has more than 1,700,000 square meters of land across its five campuses, including research buildings, museums, theaters and healthcare centers. Just under 40,000 students are currently enrolled, and the Universidad de Chile’s alumni includes 20 Chilean presidents. The university features 24 times in the latest subject rankings, and is in the worldwide top 50 for mineral and mining engineering.

7. Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) 

Location: Mexico

The Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (also known as Tec de Monterrey or simply ITESM) climbs two places to rank 7^th this year. Its flagship campus is in Monterrey, which was a new entry in the Best Student Cities 2016, and Tec de Monterrey actually has a total of 31 campuses across 25 Mexican cities, teaching just under 91,000 students in total. The university is ranked among the world’s most prestigious for 11 subjects, including a place in the top 50 for art and design, and the top 100 for business and management and social policy and administration.

8. Universidad de Los Andes Colombia 

Location: Colombia

The Universidad de Los Andes Colombia (also called Uniandes) is Colombia’s highest-ranked institution in the Latin American rankings. Located in Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá, it was founded in 1948 as the country’s first non-sectarian university.  The Universidad de Los Andes Colombia teaches around 18,000 students, of which around 3,000 are postgraduates. It’s ranked as one of the top universities in the world for 15 subjects, including top 100 positions for modern languages, law, art and design, development studies and social policy.

9. Universidade de Brasília 

Location: Brazil

Climbing one place from last year, the Universidade de Brasília is located in the heart of Brazil’s capital city Brasília. Universidade de Brasília was founded in 1962 and has around 40,000 students, including 9,000 postgraduate students. It offers 105 undergraduate programs, including evening and distance education, as well as 22 specialist programs. Universidade de Brasília features among the world’s leaders in eight subjects this year, including a top 100 position for anthropology.

10. Universidad Nacional de Colombia 

Location: Colombia

Heading back to Colombia to conclude this year’s Latin American top 10, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia has climbed from 13^th place to 10^th this year. The largest university in Colombia with around 46,000 students, Universidad Nacional de Colombia has its main campus in Bogotá, as well as campuses in four other major cities and more remote areas of the country. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject, Universidad Nacional de Colombia is ranked in 16 subjects this year, including top 100 positions for modern languages and art and design. 

Click here to discover the top 10 universities in Asia in 2019.

The QS University Rankings: Asia results for 2016 are out now, featuring 350 of the top universities in Asia across 17 countries and territories. The rankings are based on a methodology which uses 10 performance indicators, including staff with PhD – a new indicator for 2016 – as well as research impact and employer reputation.

Read on for an overview of the Asian region’s top 10 universities in 2016, or view the full 2016 results table.

1.  National University of Singapore (NUS) 

Location: Singapore

Retaining the top position in Asia for the third time in a row, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s oldest university – though still relatively young in global terms – having celebrated its 110^th birthday last year. It also achieved the highest position of all Asian universities in the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16, ranking 12^th (up from 22^nd the previous year). A research-intensive university with a global approach, NUS has around 38,000 students. It achieves positions in the top 100 for 34 of a possible 42 subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016. Of these, NUS is in the global top 10 for civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, social policy, materials sciences, statistics and operational research, mechanical engineering, architecture, pharmacy and pharmacology, geography, computer science, and environmental science.

2. University of Hong Kong 

Location: Hong Kong

Heading to another city-state higher education heavyweight for the next of our top universities in Asia, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) retains second place this year. Founded in 1911, HKU is Hong Kong’s oldest university, and currently teaches around 28,000 students, of which 35% are international. Teaching at HKU is conducted in English, and the university ranks within the top 100 in the world for 37 subjects. Of these, it’s included in the world top 10 for dentistry, education and training, mineral and mining engineering, civil and structural engineering, architecture, linguistics, and social policy and administration. 

3.  Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) 

Location: Singapore

Climbing one place this year, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is never too far behind fellow Singaporean university National University of Singapore (NUS) in the rankings, appearing just one place behind NUS in the latest QS World University Rankings, at 13^th (a good leap from 39^th the previous year). Nanyang Technological University is much younger than NUS, having been founded in 1991, and currently tops the QS Top 50 Under 50 2015. NTU has around 24,300 undergraduates and 9,000 graduate students, from 95 different countries. Nanyang Technological University features as one of the top 200 universities for 29 different subjects, and is in the top 10 for materials sciences and electrical engineering.

4. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) 

 Location: Hong Kong

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, or HKUST, gains one place from last year in the Asian rankings. HKUST was founded in 1991 and is therefore another of the youngest among these top universities in Asia, ranked second in the latest QS Top 50 Under 50. HKUST teaches around 13,800 students and is well-known for its technical degree programs and international outlook. HKUST is ranked among the world’s leading universities for 19 different subjects this year, including top 50 positions in computer science, business and management, accounting and finance, civil and structural engineering, statistics and operational research, electrical engineering, economics and econometrics, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials sciences, mechanical engineering and mathematics.

5. Tsinghua University 

Location: China

Making an impressive leap from 11^th to 5^th rank this year (overtaking Peking University in the process), Tsinghua University also climbed from 47^th to 25^th in the last edition of the QS World University Rankings, and is certainly making its mark as one of the top universities as Asia. Founded in 1911, Tsinghua University is located in the Chinese capital of Beijing and is a member of the ‘C9 League’ of nine prestigious Chinese universities (similar to the US Ivy League). Tsinghua has around 46,200 students and is ranked among the top universities in the world for 33 subjects, making the top 50 in 21 of these disciplines, and the top 10 for architecture, civil engineering and materials sciences.

6. KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology 

Location: South Korea

Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, or KAIST, falls three places in this year’s ranking, though still remaining one of the region’s strongest performers. Established in 1971, KAIST was the first South Korea’s first research-led science and engineering institutions. It’s located in Daejeon, a city increasingly known for its innovation in science and research, and which is featured among the world’s top locations for international students in the QS Best Student Cities 2016. KAIST is fairly small in comparison to these other top universities in Asia, with around 10,000 students. It is currently ranked in the global top 100 for 15 subjects, with top 50 positions for materials sciences, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, civil and structural engineering and computer science.

7. City University of Hong Kong 

Location: Hong Kong

Climbing two places this year, City University of Hong Kong made an impressive leap in the last edition of the overall world rankings – from 108^th to 57^th. Another young and fast-climbing university, the City University of Hong Kong only achieved full university status in 1994. It currently has just over 20,000 students enrolled, including 5,300 international students. It’s ranked as one of the top universities in the world for 25 subjects, which includes top 50 spots for linguistics, communication and media studies, mathematics, civil and structural engineering, business and management, accounting and finance and computer science and information systems.

8. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) 

Location: Hong Kong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) also climbs two places this year. Established in 1963, it is the second oldest of Hong Kong’s universities. The majority of programs are now taught in English at CUHK, and it is the sole institution in the city to be structured as a collegiate. It is also the only university in Hong Kong to claim a Nobel Prize-, Turing Award-, Fields Medal- and Veblen Prize- winning faculty. CUHK has almost 20,000 students enrolled and is ranked among the world’s leading universities for 32 subjects in 2016; 17 of these appearances are in the global top 50, including electrical engineering, social policy and administration, computer science and information systems, nursing and linguistics.

9. Peking University 

Location: China

Peking University is down two places in the Asia ranking this year, though of course remaining one of the best-known universities in China. A major research university, Peking is a member of the C9 League and was founded in 1898. As well as the high quality of education at Peking University, its campus grounds are appreciated for the beauty of their traditional Chinese architecture. Peking University features in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 35 subjects, claiming top 50 positions in 26 of these, including modern languages, linguistics, chemistry, dentistry, mineral and mining engineering and social policy and administration.

10. Seoul National University 

Location: South Korea

Well-known as one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea, Seoul National University falls two places in this year’s Asian rankings and is ranked 36^th in the overall World University Rankings. It was established in 1946 in South Korea’s capital, Seoul (ranked 10^th in the Best Student Cities 2016), as the first national university in the country, and today has around 28,000 students enrolled at its three campuses. Seoul National University is ranked among the world’s best for 38 out of a possible 42 subjects, more than any of the other top universities in Asia featured in this list. Of these, the university has top 50 spots in 29 subjects, including modern languages, social policy and administration, materials sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy and pharmacology.

Click here to see the latest version of this article, based on the QS University Rankings: Arab Region 2019.

A relatively new edition to the QS Regional Rankings, the QS University Rankings: Arab Region features 100 of the top universities in the Arab world, based on a methodology which aims to reflect the priorities and challenges affecting this region.

Read on for an overview of the top 10 universities in this year’s QS University Rankings: Arab Region, including information on how each institution performs in the overall QS World University Rankings® 2015/16 and its strengths in different disciplines, based on the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

1. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) 

Location: Saudi Arabia

Ranked 1^st in the Arab region for the second time in a row, the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is currently 199^th in the overall QS World University Rankings. Established in 1963, it is well regarded for its science and engineering programs, and is located in the city of Dhahran, a major administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. More than 8,000 students are enrolled at KFUPM, which is the most selective of the universities in Saudi Arabia. King Fahd University is ranked among the best in the world for nine subjects in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2016, including, perhaps unsurprisingly, a top 50 position for minerals and mining engineering. It’s also in the global top 150 for chemical and mechanical engineering. As is the case for some universities in Saudi Arabia, King Fahd accepts only male students.

2. American University of Beirut (AUB) 

Location: Lebanon

 American University of Beirut also retains its position this year as 2^nd in the Arab region and 1^st among Lebanese universities. Ranked 268^th in the overall world rankings, AUB is a private secular institution which conducts its teaching in English and has collaborated with many overseas universities, including the US’s Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Founded back in 1866 and therefore celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year, AUB now has around 8,400 students, including 1,700 international students. AUB offers more than 130 programs across seven faculties, and features in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for medicine (top 300 in the world) and computer science (top 500 globally).

3. King Saud University (KSU) 

Location: Saudi Arabia

Ranked 237^th in the overall world rankings for 2015/16, King Saud University (KSU) was established in 1957 in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (and was originally known as Riyadh University). It is the oldest among universities in Saudi Arabia, founded to meet the educational and professional needs of the country. King Saud University offers programs in both English and Arabic and, unlike KFUPM, accepts female students. King Saud is a large university with around 65,000 students, and the university offers a fairly broad range of programs. It ranks among the world’s best for 11 subjects, including a top 150 position for pharmacy and pharmacology, and top 200 positions for computer science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, agriculture and forestry, and education and training.

4. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) 

Location: Saudi Arabia

Another of the universities in Saudi Arabia to claim a top five position in the Arab ranking, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) ranks joint 303^rd in the main rankings, up from 334^th last year. Located in Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city, Jeddah, KAU was designed by the renowned English architect John Elliott and named after the founder of Saudi Arabia. Around 82,000 students are enrolled, with separate campuses for men and women. King Abdulaziz University is this year ranked among the world’s top 400 for five subjects – mathematics, mechanical engineering, computer science and information systems, medicine and chemistry. The university offers a range of both undergraduate and graduate programs in specialized fields such as seas sciences and meteorology, as well as distance learning programs.

5. American University in Cairo 

Location: Egypt

The American University in Cairo retains its position as 5^th in the Arab region this year and is currently joint 345^th in the overall world rankings, making it Egypt’s highest-ranked institution in both cases. Founded in 1919, it conducts teaching in English and has a community of students from 60 different countries, with 5,561 undergraduates and 1,178 postgraduate students in 2016. The American University in Cairo uses a liberal arts approach to education and boasts the largest English-language library collection in Egypt. Located downtown in capital city Cairo on a 7.8 acre campus, the university achieves a position in the world’s top 100 for development studies, as well as the top 200 for modern languages.

6. United Arab Emirates University 

Location: United Arab Emirates (UAE)

United Arab Emirates University  also stays stable this year in the Arab ranking, and is currently ranked 421-430 in the QS World University Rankings. United Arab Emirates University is the oldest university in the UAE, although still quite young, having been founded in 1976. The United Arab Emirates’ flagship university, it has more than 14,000 students enrolled, 80% of which are female, and is based in the city of Al Ain. United Arab Emirates University claims the largest number of electronic resources in the Arab world, with 170,000 e-books. Although not currently featured in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, the university boasts an impressive alumni community, including some of the country’s most prominent ministers, diplomats and business leaders.

7. American University of Sharjah 

Location: United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The highest ranked in the UAE representative in the last edition of the QS World University Rankings at 411-420, American University of Sharjah is less than 20 years old, having been established as recently as 1997. An independent and not-for-profit university, American University of Sharjah follows the US model of higher education. It also conducts all instruction and administration in English. A total of 6,178 students were enrolled as of autumn 2015, from a wide range of countries both in the Arab region and beyond – and this diversity is one reason the city of Sharjah is featured in the QS Best Student Cities 2016. American University of Sharjah does not feature in the subject rankings, but is nonetheless held in high regard for its English language and literature programs.

8. University of Jordan 

Location: Jordan

Ranked 601-650 in the QS World University Rankings and 8^th in the Arab region, the University of Jordan is Jordan’s largest and oldest university, having been established in 1962. The university has achieved an overall three-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings, including five-star ratings for employability and inclusiveness. Around 38,000 students are currently enrolled at the university’s main campus in capital city Amman, in which several other universities are based. The University of Jordan has a global outlook on education, with a wide range of programs – more than 3,500 across 18 faculties. The university also takes part in hundreds of bilateral student exchange programs with universities abroad, including 16 institutions in the United States.

9. Qatar University 

Location: Qatar

Climbing two places this year to feature in this year’s Arab region top 10, Qatar University also made an impressive leap in the overall world rankings in 2015/16, rising from 551-600 to 481-490. Qatar University offers courses in both Arabic and English and currently teaches over 14,000 students, of which around 35% come from Qatar’s large expatriate population. It was founded in 1973 in the northern outskirts of capital city of Doha, which is also home to the satellite campuses of several US universities. Qatar University’s facilities include research laboratories, technical equipment, a large library which houses a collection of rare manuscripts, and even an ocean vessel.

10. Cairo University 

Location: Egypt

Down one place from last year, Cairo University is ranked 10^th in the Arab region and 501-550 in the world in 2015/16, up from 551-600 the previous year. Cairo University is one of Egypt’s oldest universities, having been established in 1908, when it was known as the Egyptian University. Despite its current name, Cairo University’s main campus is actually in Giza – around 20km southwest of Cairo. It is a large university, with more than 155,000 students enrolled in 22 faculties. It currently features among the global top 400 in eight subjects, including the top 150 for pharmacy and pharmacology, as well as positions for medicine, modern languages, mechanical engineering, computer science, biological sciences, chemistry and mathematics.