50 Best Education Schools Worldwide

Education is a cornerstone of human experience and civilization. In every society, quality teachers have shaped generations both new and old into the best learners they can be. Some of history’s greatest teachers have taught us that education is our most valuable tool. Nelson Mandela, for example, taught that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” George Washington Carver considered education “the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” Teaching philosophies from such important world leaders as these illustrate that education is one of the most powerful, global institutions on our planet. And today’s colleges and universities are still working tirelessly to perfect its ancient art.

Thanks in large part to modern educational psychology, we know now more than ever about various ways to teach children and adults with a variety of learning disorders. Simultaneously, education technology has made leaps and bounds in the realm of online learning, just as discussions about inequality and public health are starting to center around educational issues. This ranking explores schools with education departments that stand out as leaders in these arenas, that have dedicated their resources to mastering the art and science of education, and that are likely to influence national and international policies while shaping the next generation of great teachers and pedagogical innovators. It compiles the 50 best schools of education in the world by using a four-dimensional methodology that measures academic prestige, research impact and productivity, student-to-faculty ratios, and international student participation. In the graphic below, you can find a more thorough explanation of our methodology, or contact us with questions.
Check out the methodology for our ranking here.

1. The UCL Institute of Education

The University College of London (UCL) is a public research university located in London, England and is a constituent college of the Federal University of London. Established in 1826 by the freethinker, Jeremy Bentham, UCL was the first university institution in London. It was also the first university in England to admit both men and women on equal grounds and to admit students from all belief backgrounds, making it the very first secular university in London as well. Today, it is the largest higher institution in London and the largest postgraduate institution in the UK. UCL is regarded as one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world by internationally renowned education ranking entities, and has amassed a wide array of prestigious superlatives over the past 20 years.

UCL’s Institute of Education (IOE) was founded in 1902 and today is the world’s leading centre for education and related social science. In the 2016 QS Rankings, IOE placed first in the world for education for the third consecutive year, ahead of Harvard, Stanford, and Melbourne. The Institute of Education has a global impact on the industry of education, contributing to international academics and policy-related networks. IOE is also spearheading cutting-edge research in education and the social sciences that influences governments and global perspectives. The UCL Institute of Education is undoubtedly at the forefront of education, and is the only choice for the number 1 spot on this ranking.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 100
• H-Index Score: 96.3
• Student-faculty ratio: 10:1
• Percentage of International Students: 46%

2. Harvard Graduate School of Education

Harvard University is an internationally renowned private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, and its long and rich history of academic prestige is intertwined with the development higher education in 18th century America. Maintaining its place at the forefront of higher education for nearly 400 years has led to it owning the largest financial endowment of any academic institution in the world, totalling $37.6 billion. Harvard appears proficient at grooming students who can obtain massive wealth as well with over 62 living alumni billionaires. Harvard also maintains the largest private academic library in the world, comprised of 79 individual libraries containing over 18 million volumes.

Considering the monumental superlatives listed above, it is no surprise that Harvard’s Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is consistently ranked one of top education programs in the world. The School’s proclaimed priorities are One–cultivate leaders and innovators, Two–collaborate on questions that matter, and Three–communicate with the field. What stands out as unique in these priorities is HGSE’s commitment to working with others to combine resources and communicate findings in order to create actionable results in the world. HGSE is pioneering new approaches to research and education to tackle the field’s most pressing issues, which is why it holds one of the highest H-Index scores on this list.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 86.5
• H-Index Score: 97.9
• Student-faculty ratio: 7:1
• Percentage of International Students: 25%

3. Stanford Graduate School of Education

Stanford University, or officially known as Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university located in Stanford, California. Established in 1885 by Leland Stanford, a former Governor and U.S. Senator, as well as a railroad industry leader. Today, Stanford University is an internationally recognized institution of academic prestige. The Encyclopedia Britannica states, “Stanford University is one of the most prestigious in the country.” Stanford’s faculty and alumni have founded companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Google, Nike, Instagram, Snapchat, and Yahoo! According to Jamie Beckett, director of alumni relations, companies founded by Stanford alumni generate more than $2.7 trillion in annual revenue, equivalent to the 10th largest economy in the world.

Stanford Graduate School of Education (SGSE) is one of seven schools of Stanford University, and is ranked as one of the top education schools in the United States. US News and & World Report has ranked SGSE in the top 5 every year since it began ranking schools of education (current ranked # 3). It has also received the top peer assessment score of any school each year. The School describes its purpose as shaping the practice and understanding education, and “through state-of the art research and innovative partnerships with educators worldwide, develop knowledge, wisdom and imagination in its diverse and talented students so they can lead efforts to improve education around the globe.” SGSE also has the highest H-Index Score on this list, meaning experts rate their research as some of the most productive and impactful in the world.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 83.1
• H-Index Score: 100
• Student-faculty ratio: 4:1
• Percentage of International Students: 22%

4. Teachers College, Columbia University

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in Upper Manhattan, New York City. Originally founded in 1754 as King’s College, and then as Columbia College in 1784, Columbia became a university in 1896. According to Columbia University’s “The Course of History” it is the oldest college in New York and was the fifth chartered institution of higher learning in the country, making it one of nine colonial colleges founded before the Declaration of Independence. Columbia’s rich history is even more notable in that five of the Founding Fathers of the United States were Columbia (or King’s College) alumni. Today Columbia is recognized as a top university in the world and has produced 100 Nobel Laureates, second in the world only to Harvard.

The Teachers College of Columbia University mirrors the prestige of the larger university, as it was founded in 1887 and was the first graduate school of education in the United States, and is also currently the largest. U.S. News & World Report ranked Teachers College 7th among all graduate schools of education. Despite its larger size the College boasts 1 full-time faculty member for every 6 students, meaning students work very closely with their instructors. Teachers College describes that its leadership roles are twofold: “One is as a major player in policy-making to ensure that schools are reformed and restructured to welcome all students regardless of their socio-economic circumstances. The second is in preparing educators to not only serve students but also coordinate educational, psychological, behavioral, technological, and health initiatives to remove barriers to learning at all ages.”

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• Academic Reputation: 79
• H-Index Score: 90
• Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
• Percentage of International Students: 28%

5. National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University is one of the three largest public and independent universities in Singapore. As a relatively young university, compared to many on this list, its founding dates back to just 1981. Despite being a younger university it has flourished, and has grown into a comprehensive and research intensive university, serving over 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University is also consistently ranks as one of the best in the world. In the 2015 QS World University Rankings, it ranked 13th globally and 2nd in Asia. It was also ranked #1 in the “QS Top 50 under 50” ranking.

The National Institute of Education (NIE) is an autonomous institute of its parent University, though it delivers the same high-quality programs as other institutes of the University. It was ranked 10th in the world and 2nd in Asia in the “QS World University Rankings” in the subject of Education in 2015. NIE is the sole teacher education institute for teachers in Singapore, and as such it provides education at all levels–from introductory certifications to doctoral degrees. In recent years, NIE established the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, the largest education research centre in the Asia Pacific, which brings together researchers and educators from all over the world to collaborate in research and development. In 2005, NIE created a Learning Sciences Lab as part of the Office of Educational Research to further enhance the Institute’s capabilities for cutting-edge research and development, solidifying its place as a central hub for international education research.

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  • Academic Reputation: 82.4
  • H-Index Score: 89.2
  • Student-faculty ratio: 8:1
  • Percentage of International Students: 33%

6. Melbourne Graduate School of Education

The University of Melbourne is an Australian public research university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Established in 1853, Melbourne is the second oldest university in the country, and throughout its long and vibrant history it has repeatedly earned international recognition for its academic prestige. Times Higher Education ranked Melbourne as the 33rd best university in the world. And according to the “2015 QS World University Ranking of World Universities” Melbourne ranked 5th in the world for education, 8th in law, 13th in computer science and IT, 14th for dentistry, and 18th for medicine. Melbourne is a Sandstone University and a member of The Group of Eight, a coalition comprised of the oldest and most prestigious research-intensive Australian Universities, who collaborate to increase their relative resources and professional networks.

As mentioned above, Melbourne University’s Graduate School of Education is one of its most prestigious and well-ranked departments. The School is literally paving the way for the evolution of education in Australia, playing a heavy-hand in policy development and research initiatives. In July of 2013 the School released a green paper outlining its vision for education in Australia entitled, “Focusing on the Learner: Charting a Forward for Australian Education.” This document has been a foundation for recent changes in Australia’s education industry. The School’s vision is to create a society “in which education enables full and equitable participation.”

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 85.6
• H-Index Score: 84.6
• Student-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Percentage of International Students: 35%

7. The Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge

Cambridge University is a collegiate public university located in Cambridge, England. According to the book “Oxford and Cambridge: An Uncommon History” by Peter Sager, Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is thus the second-oldest English-speaking university and is the fourth oldest university in the world. Sager explains that Cambridge’s inception came about through an association of scholars who left Oxford after a dispute with the townspeople. Today Cambridge is composed of 31 constituent colleges, 100 academics departments, and six schools. Guinessworldrecords.com found Cambridge University Press to be the world’s oldest publishing house and the second-largest university press in the world. With these immense resources Cambridge has amassed the largest endowment in the world outside the US, totalling over £5.8 billion ($8.5 billion). Cambridge has been one of the hallowed halls of higher education since the beginning or modern education.

The Faculty of Education is Cambridge’s School of Education. Established in just 2001 it is a relatively new school, however, it has quickly become a leader in providing bachelor’s, master’s, PhDs, EdDs, and postgraduate certificates in education. According to the “2014 QS World University Rankings in Education” the Faculty of Education ranked 5th in the world. With 5 academic research groups and 5 research and teaching centers, the School oversees tremendous collaboration and research development. The Faculty of Education is dedicated to converting such efforts into actionable plans and policy initiatives to be executed both in the UK and at the global level.

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• Academic Reputation: 84.5
• H-Index Score: 85.4
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 34%

8. University of Oxford Department of Education

The University of Oxford is a research university located in Oxford, England in the United Kingdom. According to the University’s records, there is no known date of its original foundation, however, there are records of teaching dating back to 1096, making it the oldest English-speaking university in the world, and the second-oldest university internationally. With such an ancient inception, the University’s history is incredibly rich and intertwined with the Kings and Queens of England, especially King Henry II. The University is made up of 38 constituent colleges and wide-range of academic departments that are organized into into four divisions. All of the colleges are autonomous institutions of the University and control their own internal structure and development. The University also operates the largest university press in the world, just ahead of Cambridge, and also maintains the largest academic library system in Britain. With such a prestigious history and impressive resources, it is no surprise that is considered on the greatest universities in the world with “Times Good University Guide” ranking it number one for eleven consecutive years.

Despite its independence the University of Oxford’s Department of Education (OUDE) is one of the most high-functioning and prestigious in the world. The Department was ranked first in the UK for its cutting-edge research and academic innovation in the field. OUDE reports great pride in its prioritization of combining both international research initiatives with the highest quality of teaching for its students. In the 2014 The Research Excellence Framework placed the Department as the prominent leader for educational research in the UK. The Department, however, strives to be humbled by such superlatives, and uses them to raise the bar for their own standards of quality in their graduate and postgraduate courses offered, in their imbedded expectations of faculty, and in their commitment to collaboration with fellow practitioners–in order to achieve real change in education policy and the larger industries involved.

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• Academic Reputation: 83.8
• H-Index Score: 81
• Student-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Percentage of International Students: 34%

9. Monash University’s Faculty of Education

Founded in just 1958, Monash University is a younger public research university based out of Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. Monash University alongside Melbourne University is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, a coalition of prestigious Australian universities dedicated to a level of collaboration rarely seen between “competing” universities. According to “2016 World University Rankings” of TimesHigherEducation.com, Monash University is in the top 20% of teaching, top 10% of international outlook, in the top 20% in industry income, and in the top 10% in research in the world. Its high performance in research in likely to do its immense resources in research facilities, comprised of 3 major international research centers, nearly 100 other contributing research centers, and an external research income of around $282 million (according to statistics posted to the University’s website).

Monash University’s Faculty of Education is an exceptional education program located across three separate campuses and various research centers described above. According to the 2016 QS Rankings, Monash’s Faculty of Education was ranked 6th in the world. The Faculty is proud of its international collaborations with many of the schools listed in this ranking, and recently has worked closely with the country of Chile to reinvent and reprioritize the country’s education infrastructures to help stimulate its growth as a nation. The Faculty is experiencing growth year after year, and will likely be at the forefront of innovation in education for years to come.

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• Academic Reputation: 77
• H-Index Score: 87.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Percentage of International Students: 36%

10. Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development

Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1873 the University’s namesake Cornelius Vanderbilt, a railroad and shipping tycoon, founded the University with a $1 million endowment. Despite never having visited the southern United States he made this gift in hopes that it might help to heal the divisiveness of the post Civil War culture. According to the University, today it enrolls over 12,000 students from all 50 states and over 90 foreign countries in four undergraduate and six graduate and professional schools. As a research intensive university, Vanderbilt maintains a strong network of research centers and institutes. The University has a long history of impressive rankings and most recently in the 2016 edition “U.S. News & World Report” ranked Vanderbilt 15th in the nation.

Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development is one of the University’s one prestigious departments. “U.S. News & World Report” ranked it third in the national among other school of education in its 2016 report of graduate programs. Peabody is well-known of its highly selective admissions department, low student-to-faculty ratio, and large volumes of funded research. Peabody’s highest nationally ranked programs are as follows: Administration/Supervision ranked 1st, Special Education ranked 2nd, Education Policy ranked 4th, Elementary Education ranked 5th, Curriculum/Instruction ranked 6th, Educational Psychology ranked 8th, and Secondary Education ranked 9th. With such a wealth of highly impressive programs, any student of education will likely find their ideal education at Peabody.

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• Academic Reputation: 76.5
• H-Index Score: 90
• Student-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Percentage of International Students: 10%

11. University of Twente

As a relatively young university, The University of Twente was founded in 1961. Today it is a public research university located in Enschede, Netherlands known for its research and degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences, business, and engineering. The University is uniquely committed to giving back to its country and makes considerable contributions both in the social and economic realms. It also collaborates with Delft University of Technology and Eindhoven University of Technology in a coalition known as the 3TU and is also a partner in the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The University of Twente also holds the title of Most Entrepreneurial University in the Netherlands.

The University of Twente’s Education program is highly innovative, and involves enterprising study through multidisciplinary project-based learning, student-driven coursework (where the focus is on the students’ goals and interests), and peer-based learning where curriculum is designed to facilitate student interaction and learning from one another. This learning model has been termed the “Twente Educational Model” (TEM) and is becoming popular around the world. For students of education looking to experience the newest and most innovative models for learning, Twente University is a top choice.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 73
• H-Index Score: 79
• Student-faculty ratio: 3:1
• Percentage of International Students: 26%

12. The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Education

The University of Hong Kong is a public research university located in Pokfulam, Hong Kong in China. Founded in 1911, it the oldest institution of higher education in Hong Kong and boasts a rich history of close relations with Hong Kong’s development as a city at the micro and macro levels. English is the main language of instruction at the University due to an emphasis on global perspectives, and universally applicable learning principles. An example of such global initiatives being executed to perfection is when the University gained the world’s attention for successfully isolating the Corona Virus, the causative agent of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), thus contributing to the resolution of a potentially global epidemic. This research-centric philosophy of the University is also what drives its Faculty of Education.

The Faculty of Education challenges all of its academic staff and its students to engage in the educational research nexus between China, Asia, and the rest of the world–where cutting-edge research and regional policies clash. As one of the largest departments of the University, the Faculty of Education draws from impressive resources to delve deeply into interdisciplinary research with a centralized focus on general education systems, pedagogy, professional development, and speech/hearing sciences. With 8 powerful research centers, the University offers students enormous research opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. The Faculty of Education aims to engage local, regional, and international policies through facilitating global research collaborations. Thus students of the program should be confident that they are participating in in truly impactful and meaningful work.

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• Academic Reputation: 84.9
• H-Index Score: 85.4
• Student-faculty ratio: 23:1
• Percentage of International Students: 38%

13. University of Edinburgh: Moray House School of Education

The University of Edinburgh reportedly opened its doors in 1583, making it the sixth oldest English-speaking university and is one of Scotland’s “Ancient Universities,” a group of seven Medieval British and Irish universities, four of which are located in Scotland. The University of Edinburgh boasts an impressive reputation of academic prestige. According the 2015 and 2016 “QS World University Rankings” Edinburgh ranked 17th and 21st in the world. The Research Excellence Framework–a ranking institution of the UK government used for determining research funding–ranked Edinburgh 4th in the UK in terms of research capacities. It also ranked as the 23rd most employable university in the world by the “2015 Global Employability University Ranking.”

Much of Edinburgh’s international renowned is centered around its Moray House School of Education. The School offers programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels and is comprised of three institutes: The Institute for Education, Teaching, and Leadership; The Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences; and The Institute for Education, Community, and Society. Within these institutes are four internationally respected education research centers, whose combined efforts are largely responsible for Edinburgh’s high rankings in international research. The school also offers one of the most robust and well-known sports science and physical education programs in the world (ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK).

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• Academic Reputation: 72
• H-Index Score: 80
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 36%

14. The University of Michigan School of Education

Originally founded in 1817 in Detroit before the Michigan Territory became a state, the University of Michigan is a now not only the state’s oldest university but also one of its most successful in terms of research productivity, NCAA Division I sports, and endowments. Michigan University is public research, land-grant university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and offers hundreds of degree options at every level of higher education. With over 500,000 living Alumni, the University is proud of its extensive network and prioritizes alumni relations to expand internship, research, and professional opportunities for its students. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the University is “one of the foremost research universities in the United States.”

Much of this research activity can be attributed to the University’s School of Education and its 32 research centers and academic research groups. The School is proud of its multi-dimensional approach to education, and aims to empower its students no matter the direction of their goals and interests. With the immense resources of the school this is no idle claim–the areas and subject matter of the school’s current research projects number far more than can be listed in this article. You can, however, find a complete list of them here.

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• Academic Reputation: 73.7
• H-Index Score: 100
• Student-faculty ratio: 15:1
• Percentage of International Students: 16%

15. The Education University of Hong Kong

Founded in 1994 as the Hong Kong Institute of Education, the Education University of Hong Kong has a long and rich history of evolving education in both Hong Kong and in China as a whole. The University is one of eight subsidised universities, but is the only one completely dedicated to teacher education, and thus it serves as a leader in China’s world of education academics. According to the QS World University Rankings, the University ranked 12th in the world and 2nd in Asia in ‘education,’ making it one of the highest ranking universities on this list, and as a relatively new institution–all the more impressive. Though the University itself is young, its founding in 1994 signified the merging of 5 world-renowned education colleges, which collectively held hundreds of years of teacher training and education research, so despite its formal youth the University draws from immense experience.

The Education University of Hong Kong received its unique name from the government in May of 2016 in recognition of its “efforts and contributions [to the world of education] over the years.” Today, the University is on the forefront of education research with four well-known research centers, and collaborations with numerous regional research initiatives. In the University’s own words it “aims to be a leading university on education, creating an impact and defining the education landscape not only for Hong Kong, but also the Asia Pacific region.” If its past achievements are any indication of what is to come, the University is well on its way to accomplishing its goal if it hasn’t already.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 82.1
• H-Index Score: 81.9
• Student-faculty ratio: 18:1
• Percentage of International Students: 38%

16. The University of Sydney: Faculty of Education and Social Work

The University of Sydney was founded in 1850 and is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. As the first institution of higher education in Australia, it is the country’s oldest university and is also regarded the country’s premier research university today. In the “2016 QS World University Rankings” it ranked 9th in education, 11th in law, and 17th in medicine internationally. The University is composed of 16 schools that offer degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels (with certification options as well). Beyond academic achievements, the University is known for its beautiful campus, ranked as the 10th most beautiful university in the world by the “British Daily Telegraph” and “The Huffington Post.”

As stated above the University’s highest ranking area is education. The University’s Faculty of Education and Social Work is at the forefront of developing the education industry and where it overlaps with social work. The Faculty’s facilities alone inspire admiration, including state-of-the-art lecture and tutorial rooms, specialist teaching precincts such as a biomechanics laboratory, computer laboratories, dance studios, two drama studios, visual-arts workshops, science and tech labs, as well as a television studio. Evidenced by these diverse learning facilities, the Faculty is dedicated to approaching the development of education from all directions, and through which seeks to instil a similar interdisciplinary mastery in its students.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 79.1
• H-Index Score: 79
• Student-faculty ratio: 10:1
• Percentage of International Students: 22%

17. The Chinese University of Hong Kong Faculty of Education

The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a public research university located in Shatin, Hong Kong in China. Formally established in 1963, it is the region’s second oldest university and was founded as a merging of three preexisting and formidable colleges: Chung Chi College, New Asia College, and United College, which date back to as early as 1949. Today, the University is organized into eight academic faculties, which have graduated some of the world’s most influential thinkers, several of which have received prestigious awards such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, or the Fields Medal. Aside impressive alumni, the University’s Faculty of Education consistently ranks as one of the top programs of education in both the region and in the world, according to both QS Global and Regional Rankings, and the Times Higher Education World Rankings.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Education is leading the charge into new discoveries and developments in the field of childhood linguistics. The University hosts the Childhood Bilingualism Research Center (CBRC), which is a center-point for the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages research initiatives and a international research hub. This research serves to enhance systems for assessing bilingual competence gained in childhood in order to raise public awareness of Hong Kong children’s development in biliteracy and even trilingualism. The Faculty’s researchers also study and support the revitalisation of minority languages, so that it might improve children’s bilingual or multilingual education potential later in life. While this research is highly specialized, the Faculty delivers a well-rounded interdisciplinary education with researchers covering many other specialized areas of education, and allows students to pursue their own personal interests–at the undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate level.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 79.1
• H-Index Score: 79
• Student-faculty ratio: 10:1
• Percentage of International Students: 22%

18. University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1740, the University is one of the oldest in the United States and is one the nine original colonial colleges that were created before America became a sovereign nation after the American Revolution. Further enriching the University’s history is the fact that it was founded by Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States. According to the University it was one of the first institutions in the U.S. to incorporate an interdisciplinary curriculum into its education programs, a trend that was then nearly exclusive to European institutions. Today the University continues to blaze new trails, an according to the CNNMoney.com article, “Top 20 Colleges with the Most Billionaire Alumni” the University of Pennsylvania has produced the most billionaires of any university at the undergraduate level.

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education is one of the top educational research schools in the U.S. according to “U.S. News & World Report.” The School reports that its strongest and highest ranked programs include: teaching and learning research, cultural contexts of education, language direction, quantitative research methods, and practitioner inquiry. The school’s primary research interest, however, is urban education, and through research on this topic the School has launched two world-famous programs: KIDS (Kids Integrated Data System), a data collection system to improve educational services of children; and EPIC (Evidence-based Program for the Integration of Curricula), a comprehensive early childhood program for children from underserved, minority urban populations.

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• Academic Reputation: 62
• H-Index Score: 90
• Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
• Percentage of International Students: 20%

19. King’s College of London: Department of Education & Professional Studies

King’s College was reportedly established in 1829, though according to its earliest records of teaching in medical school, it dates to as far back as 1561. Today the University is a public research institution located in London, United Kingdom, and is a constituent college of the Federal University of London. According to the 2016 “QS World University Rankings” King’s College was ranked 19th in the world. The College is also viewed as one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and is part of the “Golden Triangle,” a coalition of universities including King’s College, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

For over forty years, King’s Department of Education & and Professional Studies has been at the forefront of teacher education and educational research. Today the Department is most renowned for its teaching and research expertise in science and mathematics education; language, culture, and communication; and public policy. The Department boasts contributions to policy reform and education development both nationally and internationally for decades, but its agenda is even more diverse: “our research is focused on transforming policy and professional practice, with users and beneficiaries spanning international governments and organisations, UK national and local government, policy bodies, professional associations and learned societies, NGOs and commercial organisations, and individual practitioners.”

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• Academic Reputation: 67.3
• H-Index Score: 81
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 37%

20. University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Education

The University of California, Berkeley, often referred to as UC Berkeley was founded in 1868 as a result of a merger between the College of California and the Agricultural, Mining, and Mechanical Arts College in Oakland, California. Today UC Berkeley is the oldest and largest institution in the UC system, offering over 350 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It has received impressive accolades, ranking as one of six ‘university brands that lead the world’ in the World Reputation Rankings of 2016 by “Times Higher Education,” and is ranked third in the “U.S. News & World Report” Best Global Universities of 2015.

The UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education maintains the prestige and academic rigor of its parent University, and has received numerous top ten world rankings in the past decade. The Graduate School specializes in teacher training and education research, and in 2011 the School opened The Development Teacher Education Program (DTE), which is quickly gaining international attention. The Graduate School has access to a large number of research centers, academic networks, and grant research projects, and as such ranks extremely high in the H-Index Score, meaning scholars in the field view the School as being both productive and impactful with its research.

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  • Academic Reputation: 80.1
  • H-Index Score: 89.2
  • Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
  • Percentage of International Students: 15%

21. Michigan State University College of Education

Michigan State University (MSU) is a public research university located in East Lansing, Michigan. According to MSU’s “Facts Page” it was founded in 1855 as the Nation’s first land-grant institution, and today it is the eighth-largest university in the United States with over 540,000 living alumni worldwide. MSU excels at research and according to “U.S. News & World Report” consistently ranks as one of the top research universities in the world. MSU is also a member of the Association of American Universities, which is a coalition of 62 leading research universities in North America.

Michigan State University’s College of Education is comprised of four departments: The Department of Counseling, Educational, Psychology and Special Education; The Department of Educational Administration; The Department of Kinesiology; and The Department of Teacher Education. The 2015 “U.S. News & World Report” ranking of graduate schools of education found the College’s ‘Elementary Education,’ ‘Secondary Education’ and ‘Rehabilitation Counseling’ programs to rank as the best in the United States, while the College itself ranked 15th overall. MSU’s College of Education has been preparing educators for over 100 years, and judging by past and present achievements, it intends to continue showcasing its capacity for innovation, collaboration, and research of international rapport.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 74.8
• H-Index Score: 92
• Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Percentage of International Students: 15%

22. The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Education

The University of British Columbia (UBC) was founded in 1908 and today is a public research university primarily located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The University’s admission standards are among the most strict and intensive in the country, which is likely due to the University’s undeniable tradition of tremendous academic rigor. In the 2015 ranking by “U.S. News & World Report” UBC was ranked among the world’s top 20 universities. According to UBC’s website, its annual research budget is nearly $564 million, and funded over 8,442 projects in 2014 alone. If the quality of alumni are any measure of the quality of university, then UBC is among the best, having produced Nobel Prize winners, 69 Rhodes Scholarships, 65 Olympic Medals, and 208 fellowships to the Royal Society of Canada (according to UBC’s ‘facts and overview’ page).

UBC’s Faculty of Education’s mission statement is, “To advance education’s role in the well-being of people and communities.” To the Faculty this mission statement denotes their commitment to a higher-order cause that demands collaboration at both the micro and macro levels. This collaboration can be seen throughout the Faculty’s numerous research centers and academic groups, which while studying distinct topics, constantly apply their findings to one another to create multidisciplinary research projects and initiatives. The Faculty also works with groups in India, China, and Japan to further their common goals of education development at the global level.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 73.6
• H-Index Score: 87.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 13:1
• Percentage of International Students: 14%

23. Australian National University’s Fenner School of Environment and Society

Founded in 1946, the Australian National University (ANU) is a national research institution located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The main campus in Acton is composed of seven teaching and research colleges, as well as several national academies and institutes. It is the only university in the country to have been created by the Parliament of Australia, and it consistently brings the country pride through impressive global rankings. In the 2016 “QS World University Rankings” ANU tied 19th place with King’s College London. With 35% of its students being international, it has also received acclaim for being one of the most “international” universities in the world.

ANU’s Fenner School of Environment & Society is dedicated to creating internationally applicable research. The School’s main strategy for reaching this outcome is delivering award-winning courses from award-winning faculty to talented young minds, who will usher in a new age of education. At Fenner, the focus is on the student, and turning the student into the next great teacher, researcher, or policy-maker. According to the school, “Our focus is on solving today’s complex issues in the environment-society interactions; our classroom is the world.” At Fenner students can expect a unique perspective on education, one that is inseparable from the environment around us.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 66.6
• H-Index Score: 74.6
• Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
• Percentage of International Students: 35%

24. The University of Nottingham’s School of Education

The University of Nottingham likely has the longest history of teacher education on this list. It was originally founded in 1798 as a teacher training college. Today its main campus is located in Nottingham, England and the University offers degrees at every level of higher education in a wide variety of disciplines. According to the University website, when considering all metrics Nottingham is a university in the top 1% of all universities in the world. It is also highly dedicated to research and earned £119.4 million in research grants and contracts in 2015. With campuses all over the world, the University has a uniquely vast network of academic groups and research centers that help to contribute to its research goals.

The University of Nottingham’s School of Education is one of the largest education departments of an UK university. It also has received international recognition, ranking 28th in the world in the 2016 “QS World University Rankings.” The Research Excellence Framework also ranked the School third out of all Education departments in the UK, meaning their research is both productive and impactful at the global scale. This likely due in part to the School’s international network of campuses, which each maintain local partnerships and professional networks, making it one of the largest and well-connected teacher training programs in the world.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 67
• H-Index Score: 82.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 13:1
• Percentage of International Students: 27%

25. John Hopkins University School of Education

John Hopkins University (JHU) is a private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1876 and named after its benefactor, the American entrepreneur and philanthropist, John Hopkins. According to the School’s history page, John Hopkins donated $7 million, which half-financed the whole of The John Hopkins Hospital, and was the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the U.S. at that time. JHU was also the first research university in the United States, spearheading the then European trend of incorporating research into education. JHU consistently ranks as one of the top universities in the nation, and is competitive at the international level as well.

The John Hopkins School of Education is one of nine academic divisions of the university. The School is committed to attracting the most talented and diverse individuals into the field of education, counseling, and public safety. In the spirit of its benefactor, the school employs the mindset that the development and evolution of education is not only a goal, but a moral responsibility. The School is comprised of three centers: The Center for Research and Reform in Education, The Center for Social Organization of School, and The Center for Technology and Education. These three centers employ some of the world’s most recognized academics in education and are among top recipients in the U.S. of the Department of Education grants–most of which are designed to further research around improving educational outcomes for students. The School’s mission is, “To support and advance the quality of education and human services for the continuous development of children, youth and adults.”

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 68.6
• H-Index Score: 81.9
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 23%

26. University of California, Los Angeles Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university in the Westwood district of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1919, it is the second oldest campus of the University of California ten-campus system, just behind Berkeley University. “The Times Higher Education World University Rankings” for 2016 ranked UCLA for 16th in the world for academics and 13th in the world for academic reputation. In 2015 the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranked the university 15th internationally based on quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty, publications, influence, citations, broad impact, and patents.

The Graduate School of Education and Information Studies is a professional graduate school of UCLA, and is the oldest unit at UCLA, having been originally established in 1881. The School demonstrates its leadership in the field through consistently ranking in the top ten graduate schools of education by “U.S. News & World Report.” In the Shool’s words, “We are home to sixteen nationally renowned research centers, two groundbreaking partnership schools, and some of the world’s premiere education and information experts. This is where the most pressing issues in education and information are transformed by UCLA and strategic partners into opportunity and real-world solutions.”

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 76.6
• H-Index Score: 96.3
• Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Percentage of International Students: 10%

27. The University of Birmingham School of Education

The University of Birmingham is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham in the United Kingdom. As a successor to Queen’s College, the University was originally founded as the Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery in 1828. Today the University has grown immensely and now serves over 20,000 undergraduate and over 14,000 postgraduate students, making it the fourth largest student population in the UK. According to the 2016 “QS World University Rankings” the University ranked 15th in the UK and 76th in the world. The University prioritizes research grants and contractors, and earned £126.4 million from such programs during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

The University of Birmingham’s School of Education has a rich history as a leader of educational research, practice, and policy in the UK. The 2016 “QS World Rankings” ranked the school 28th in the world and 7th in europe. The School employs four nationally renowned University research centers: The Center for Higher Education Equity and Access; The Center for Research in Race and Education; The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues; and The MOSAIC Center for Research on Multilingualism. The School’s most notable research, however, is conducted through The Autism Center for Education and Research, and The Visual Impairment Center for Teaching and Research. The School of Education is at the forefront of educational research in the area of learning disabilities, particularly in students of the autism spectrum.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 72.3
• H-Index Score: 81.9
• Student-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Percentage of International Students: 23%

28. Boston College’s Lynch School of Education

Boston College is a private Jesuit Catholic research university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, just several miles west of downtown Boston. Founded in 1863, Boston College has maintained a commendable history of academic excellence, and today services nearly 20,000 students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, offering a multitude of degrees across various disciplines. “U.S. News & World Report ranked Boston College as the 30th best university in the country. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has also categorized the College as an R1 institution, which denotes the highest level of research activity.

Boston College’s Lynch School of Education is a primary conductor of the abovementioned research, and maintains a unique approach to educational research with an emphasis on applied psychology. The School’s research centers that most exemplify mission are the Institute for Education Sciences, and the William T. Grant Foundation, both of which strive to address the challenges of education and psychology. The School also pays homage to its Jesuit Catholic heritage through a commitment to outreach and community engagement. The School has developed numerous programs that are helping to connect people with the resources they need to achieve educations and healthy, satisfying lives.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 71.8
• H-Index Score: 82.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 17%

29. The University of Washington College of Education

The University of Washington (UW) was founded in 1861, making it one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. Today the University is a public, flagship university with a robust student body of over 70,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University’s main campus is located in Seattle, Washington, however, it also has campuses in other areas of the state, Tacoma and Bothell. The University competes in the NCAA Division I sports, and is most well-known for its football team, the Washington Huskies. The University is also committed to rigorous academic research and purportedly maintains one of the highest research budgets in the U.S. In the “Academic Ranking of World Universities” the University of Washington was ranked 15th.

The University of Washington’s College of Education emphasizes real world experiences and supplements both degree curriculums and research initiatives with community engagement and actionable fieldwork. The College’s teacher preparation program is one of the best in country, and involves prospective teachers undergoing various residency processes much like a student might in medical school. At UW’s College of Education, there is no more prestigious path than the path of education, and thus the program’s admission requirements are very steep, however, once enrolled students can expect to learn from some of the greatest minds in education.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 68.1
• H-Index Score: 90.7
• Student-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Percentage of International Students: 9%

30. The University of Leeds School of Education

The University of Leeds is a public university located in Leeds, West Yorkshire in England. The University was created by a royal charter in 1904 by King Edward VII. Today the University has 31,000 students, making it the eighth largest university in the UK. For the past decade, the University has been among the top five in the UK in terms of applications received. The University prioritizes research and academic development, brought in over £152.1 million from research grants and contracts in the fiscal year of 2014. The University’s commitment to research is emboldened by its extensive network of collaborative universities, affiliated research groups, and national research initiatives. According to the “Research Excellence Framework” the University was ranked 10th in research capacities in the UK.

The University of Leeds School of Education is a cornerstone of the University’s larger research goals. According to the “Research Excellence Framework of 2014” 90% of the School’s research and impact case studies were deemed ‘very considerable’ or ‘outstanding’ in terms of the research’s real world implications and applicabilities. The School provides over 30 specialist teaching programs for undergraduate study, teaching training, postgraduate study, and PhD research. These programs all make use of the extensive network mentioned above, so that students will have opportunities for a wide variety of research, fieldwork, and academic collaboration. Some of the School’s onsite specialties are childhood and youth education, language education, digital learning, and policy studies in education.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 68.7
• H-Index Score: 84.6
• Student-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Percentage of International Students: 21%

31. The University of Manchester Institute of Education

The University of Manchester (UoM) is a public research university located in Manchester, England that was formed in just 2004 through a merger of The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. This merger solidified the University’s research-oriented goals and in 2015, £262.4 million was amassed through research grants and contracts. That same year “The Research Excellence Framework” ranked the University 5th in terms of research power and seventeenth for GPA quality in specialist institutions. The University also has the third largest endowment of any university in England, after Cambridge and Oxford. In the 2016 “QS World University Rankings” the University was ranked 33rd in the world. Several rankings factoring employability also found the University to generate highly attractive job candidates.

The Manchester Institute of Education is the University’s most productive department in terms of research. This is largely due to the Institute’s innovative research centers: The Center for Development Informatics, The Center for Equity in Education, The Center for Urban Resilience and Energy, The Center for Urban Policies Studies, and more. Though often separated by distinct areas of study, all of these centers collaborate to pool resources in order to bring about real world changes in local communities, policy agendas, and global perspectives. The Institute is also able to demonstrate the success of such efforts, and has an impressive list of accomplishments in education reform and government policy development in the Manchester area.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 63.8
• H-Index Score: 81
• Student-faculty ratio: 13:1
• Percentage of International Students: 34%

32. University of Bristol Graduate School of Education

Established in 1909 through the granting of a royal charter, the University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. The University currently serves a student population of over 20,000 through multiple schools and departments that offer degrees across many disciplines at the graduate and postgraduate level. According to the “Research Excellence Framework” of 2014, the university was ranked 11th in the UK for its research productivity and impact. It has received numerous other international rankings and is the youngest of all British universities to be ranked in the top 40 institutions in the world in the “QS World University Rankings.” The University is also a member of the Russell Group, a collaboration of top research-intensive British universities.

The University of Bristol’s Graduate School of Education conducts innovative education research in accordance with the school’s mission: “to develop learning and leadership for a changing world through research and teaching that promotes achievement, opportunity, and social justice.” The School’s research concentrations and goals are exemplified in its core research centers dedicated to qualitative and quantitative research from multiple perspectives: The Center for Comparative and International Research in Education, The Center for Assessment and Evaluation Research in Education, The Center for Researching Education Across Boundaries, and The Center for Multilevel Modelling.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 72
• H-Index Score: 79
• Student-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Percentage of International Students: 25%

33. The University of Chicago Urban Education Institute

Established in 1890, the University of Chicago is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois. The University’s motto is, “Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched.” In line with this motto, the University maintains very strict admission standards, however, it demonstrates a unique commitment to its students, and fosters one of the most tight-knit alumni networks in the country. The University’s goal is to create the next generation of innovators for various academic disciplines, a goal which has been met many times to date. Many of the University’s students and alumni have been great pioneers of our society. One small example is that the University’s physics department helped develop the world’s first man-made, self-sustaining nuclear reaction.

The University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute is comprised of award-winning faculty, who have earned their title as innovators. As such the Institute aims to combine five core areas, which are purportedly separated all too often: students and learning, teachers and instruction, leadership and accountability, school structure and organization, and high school and college success. According to the institute, “No other institution in the country joins these domains of work and depth of expertise under a single roof.” The Institute posits that integrating these domains in new and innovative ways will enhance the quality of American education, and provide the foundation for global change.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 62.3
• H-Index Score: 81
• Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
• Percentage of International Students: 21%

34. The University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work

The University of Auckland is a public research university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is both the largest and highest-ranked university in the country, ranking 82nd internationally according to the “QS World University Rankings.” The University was established in 1883 and has grown immensely over the years to accommodate over 40,000 students today through eight faculties and six campuses. Up until 2009, the University was open-entry, allowing all applicants to enroll. While requirements are still very lax compared to other universities on this list, spots in specialty programs are highly competitive and thus require relatively high performance records. Auckland’s specialty programs and higher education degrees are also unique in that they are all underpinned by real world requirements, somewhat comparable to internships, but without the long-term, formal structure.

The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Education and Social Work is officially recognized as the most research-productive and internationally reputable education faculty in the country with a high number of internationally renowned active researchers in the Faculty. While many of the education schools on this list are relatively young or are one of several in a certain area, Auckland’s Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of New Zealand’s education development for more than 140 years. The Faculty’s core research focuses are: educational effectiveness, language, culture and identity, development and learning, and education, welfare, and social policy. Recently, the Faculty has received attention for its research exploring how educational interventions can improve teaching and learning, especially for disadvantaged student groups.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 74.6
• H-Index Score: 78
• Student-faculty ratio: 7:1
• Percentage of International Students: 13%

35. The University of Alberta Faculty of Education

The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and is composed of four campuses in the region. According to the “Academic Ranking of World Universities” and the “QS World University Rankings” the University has been recognized as one of the top 5 universities in Canada and one of the top 100 universities worldwide. Also, according to the University, it is a major stimulus of Alberta’s economic growth, generating an estimated $12.3 billion annually. Furthermore, the University employs over 15,000 employees, making it Alberta’s fourth-largest employer.

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education is the country’s largest education faculty, and as such “is committed to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge about teaching and learning. We promote the view that to be a professional educator is to continue to question, to reflect, to seek knowledge, and to be open to change.” The Faculty is also a member of the Association of Canadian Deans of Education Accords (ACDE), which is guided by the shared commitments of the coalition to conduct the highest quality research in these areas: initial teacher education, indigenous education, educational research, early learning and early childhood education, research in education, and the internalization of education.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 67.3
• H-Index Score: 82.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Percentage of International Students: 23%

36. New York University Steinhardt

New York University (NYU) was founded in 1831, and today has become one of the largest non-profit institutions of American higher education. NYU is located in New York City and is a nonsectarian university, serving more than 57,000 students currently. NYU is an internationally prestigious university and according to “U.S. News & World Report” it ranks 34th in the world. NYU is comprised of over 20 schools, colleges, and institutes, located in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and has generated some of the world’s most influential people, including 36 Nobel Prize Winners, 30 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 30 Academy Award winners. NYU’s alumni are also among the wealthiest in the world, including seventeen living billionaires. The alumni network is also among the most involved and close-knit in the country, meaning graduates of the university can expect a wealth of professional networks available.

NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development has deep roots in the history of American education. It was originally established in 1890 as the first school of pedagogy in an American university. Today Steinhardt is still pioneering the world of education. It received $30 million in research funding annually, and combines the resources of 16 research centers and institutes to create research with a global impact on policies and scholarly perspectives. The education faculty at Steinhardt ensure that learning occurs both inside and outside the classroom, requiring students to participate in the massive community and partnerships of local schools, families, arts organizations, cultural institutions, and healthcare facilities. Steinhardt’s core mission is to deliver a truly holistic education in teaching, so that students may come to understand it from as many perspectives as possible.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 59.1
• H-Index Score: 86.2
• Student-faculty ratio: 10:1
• Percentage of International Students: 19%

37. The University of Queensland School of Education

The University of Queensland is an Australian university located in Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane. Founded in 1909, the University is one Australia’s oldest, and today has become one of the country’s largest student bodies of over 50,000. The University is a member of Australia’s research-intensive “Group of EIght,” a coalition of universities dedicated to collaborating in research to further the development of Australia. It is also a member of the Universitas 21, a global network of universities fostering an environment of collaborative research. Recently at Queensland, a group pioneered the cervical cancer vaccine invention, while another developed high-performance superconducting MRI magnets for portable scanning of human limbs. Needless to say the University fosters an environment of innovation and creativity.

The University of Queensland School of Education is one of Australia’s foremost centers for educational research development. The School hosts a range of research projects of Australian Research Council Discovery Grants (ARC) and ARC Linkage grants, in addition to projects funded by organizations including Australian Learning and Teaching Council, AusAID, and the Queensland Government. The School has also made internationally renowned developments such as Latch-on, a literacy program based on Down Syndrome research, and Mindfields, a program which empowers young people to create positive changes to their present challenging situations. With a substantial flow of research funding, and with the incredible talent of faculty and students alike, it seems only natural that the School would be an international hub for the development of education.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 76.8
• H-Index Score: 83.7
• Student-faculty ratio: 33:1
• Percentage of International Students: 27%

38. The University of Wisconsin Madison School of Education

The University of Wisconsin–Madison was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood, and thus it is the official state university of Wisconsin. The University was the first public university established in Wisconsin, and today it is both the oldest and the largest in the state, servicing over 43,000 students. UW–Madison is comprised of 20 schools, colleges, and institutes, which together offer 136 undergraduate degrees, 148 master’s degrees, and 120 doctoral degree programs. The University is also one of America’s “Public Ivy Universities,” meaning it is one of the top public universities in the country that provides an education similar in quality to those of the Ivy League. Denoting this academic prestige, UW–Madison is a research-intensive university with more than $1.1 billion in research expenditures, the third highest among universities in the U.S.

The UW–Madison School of Education has roots in education dating back as far as 1848, however, the School was officially started in 1930. Today it the School is organized into nine academic departments, which all have contributed to the school’s internationally success. In its 2016 Best Grad School of Education ranking “U.S. News & World Report” ranked the School as number 1 among all public institutions and for fourth overall. The School offers a wide-array of education-related specialty programs, but the highest rated are as follows: #1: Curriculum/ Instruction; #1: Educational Psychology; #1: Printmaking; #2: Administration/ Supervision; #3: Education Policy; #4: Elementary Education; #6: Counseling/ Personnel Services; #9: Special Education; #14: Occupational Therapy; #15: Fine Arts. To achieve such a level of recognition in all departments and programs, UW-Madison’s School of Education is undoubtedly one of the best in the world.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 80.4
• H-Index Score: 87.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Percentage of International Students: 7%

39. Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies

As a relatively young university, founded in just 1971 Griffith University is a public research university in South East Queensland on the east coast of Australia. At the time of its founding, the university consisted of one campus and about 450 students, yet despite its youth the university has grown immensely since its inception. Today it serves over 44,000 students across multiple campuses, schools, and departments, offering programs at all levels of higher education. Griffith University is an “IRU,” one of the Innovative Research Universities of Australia. This network of universities advises the policy-makers and government officials on higher education systems, research, and innovative strategies.

Foremost among the research-driven departments of the University is the School of Education and Professional studies. The School is not only a leading research university of Australia, but also is at the forefront of international academics in these research groups: Research in Educational, Applied, and Contemporary Theatre; Autism and Education; Special Needs Education; Literacy, Learning, and New Media; Sociology of Education; Education Linguistics; Aboriginal Education and Research; and Leadership for Learning Theory and Practice.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 57.9
• H-Index Score: 86.2
• Student-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Percentage of International Students: 21%

40. Pennsylvania State University College of Education

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) was founded in 1855, and today is a public, flagship, land-grant, research-intensive university with multiple campuses and facilities located throughout Pennsylvania, numbering in total to 24. Penn State is considered on the “Public Ivies,” a publicly funded university considered to be an education equivalent to those of the Ivy League. With over 46,000 students, the University is also among the largest in the country. The University evidences its commitment to research and development through its highly impressive expenditures on research, which totaled $813 million in 2014 fiscal year.

Penn State’s College of Education likely received a large portion of those research funds, as it is one of the most research-active departments of the University. The College employs world renowned faculty members, who have earned 19 fullbrights in the past seven years alone. The faculty also have editorial responsibilities for more than 30 journals in education, including the following: “The American journal of Education;” “The Augmentative and Alternative Communication;” “The Career Development Quarterly;” “The Journal of Research in Rural Education;” and “The Journal of Teacher Education.” Beyond these responsibilities, faculty and students collaborate in 5 major international research projects, which are too dense for explanation here. You can, however, find a thourough explanation of the projects here.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 70.8
• H-Index Score: 89.2
• Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Percentage of International Students: 12%

41. The University of New South Wales School of Education

Established in 1949, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is an Australian public university located Kensington, Sydney. UNSW has the strictest admission requirements out of all Australian universities, and thus has the highest median admissions rank. The University is organized into eight faculties and several campuses, which service higher education degrees of all levels to its student body of over 53,000. The University is a founding member of the Group of Eight, 8 prestigious, research-driven Australian universities, who collaborate to further development of higher education in Australia. The University is highly connected indeed, facilitating international exchange and research partnerships with over 200 universities in the world.

UNSW School of Education makes good use of the resources listed above in accordance with its mission “to influence public policy and improve community life through extensive social engagement and knowledge transfer, and to nurture global and ethical citizens who are passionately committed to the continuous improvement of education worldwide.” Specifically, the School leads the world in education improvement through its pioneering work in the fields of gifted education, special education, and classroom management. With such accomplishments already, it is encouraging that the School has managed to double its research budget over the last three years. It is probably safe to say, the best has yet to come.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 68.2
• H-Index Score: 80
• Student-faculty ratio: 16:1
• Percentage of International Students: 26%

42. The University of Western Australia Faculty of Education

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a public research university located in Perth, Australia, established by the Western Australian Parliament in 1911. It is the oldest university in Western Australia, and is a member of the “Group of Eight,” who are 8 prestigious, research-intensive Australian universities dedicated to collaborating for the continued development of higher education in Australia. The University places as one of the top universities in the world according to “U.S. News & World Report” and “QS World University Rankings.” The University employs over 80 research institutes and centers, greatly bolstering its research and development capabilities.

UWA’s Faculty of Education is highly regarded for the quality of teaching and experiences it offers students. Its graduates are in high demand by both local and international employers. Despite broad research initiatives and goals, the Faculty’s main areas of specialty and renown are in Social Foundation of Education, Educational Measurement, and in Leadership of Education. Students of the program will gain hands-on teaching experience in a variety of environments, and may even have the opportunity to teach abroad in many cultures. Regardless of the direction taken, it appears there are only good directions to go in this school.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 72.8
• H-Index Score: 74.6
• Student-faculty ratio: 16:1
• Percentage of International Students: 27%

43. Curtin University School of Education

Curtin University is an Australian public research university based in Bentley, Perth, Western Australia. While it was officially founded in 1966, it didn’t gain university status until the Parliament of Western Australia passed the legislation. Ever since that day, the University has been growing and expanding its reach and network of partnerships. Today it enrolls over 50,000 students and has campuses in Sydney, Singapore, and Sarawak. The University is organized into five main faculties with more than 95 specialization degree options, and is increasing its research capabilities through partnerships with Chinese institutions and research centers.

Curtin University’s School of Education is ranked one of the top 100 in the world by 2015 “QS World University Rankings.” The School delivers cutting edge, high quality, high impact research across a range of specialist fields. And with the School’s strong national and international links with governments, education communities, and the non-government sector there is much to come in terms of research capabilities expansion. The School is also home to the internationally esteemed Science and Mathematics Education Center (SMEC). SMEC is internationally renowned for its excellence in research and development. It is also one of the largest postgraduate programs in the world in science and mathematics education, and thus draws students from all over the world.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 58.9
• H-Index Score: 79
• Student-faculty ratio: 13:1
• Percentage of International Students: 38%

44. The University of Glasgow School of Education

The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest English-speaking university and on Scotland’s four ancient universities. It was founded in 1451 by a charter or papal bull from Pope Nicholas V, at the suggestion of King James II. Since its ancient inception it has grown to become one of the world’s prominent research universities. As a member of Universitas 21 and the Russell Group, Glasgow University has an immense network and potential research collaboration. Glasgow’s 3,400 researchers alone bring in £130M of research income, and in terms of research power it ranks 14th in the UK and second in Scotland.

The University of Glasgow School of Education offers a wide-variety of interdisciplinary research projects and initiatives aimed at redefining the industry of education at the micro and macro levels. Staff in the School of Education belong to one of five major research groups, or the Robert Owen Center for Educational Change. The other research groups are: Creativity, Culture, and Faith; Curriculum, Assessment, and Pedagogy; Interdisciplinary Learning Education Technology and Society; Professional Learning and Leadership; and Social Justice, Place, and Lifelong Education. Through these five research groups, the School is aiming to lead the charge into new innovations and developments in education research.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 65.2
• H-Index Score: 79
• Student-faculty ratio: 15:1
• Percentage of International Students: 29%

45. The University of Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

The University of Toronto is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by a royal charter in 1827 as King’s College, the first institution of higher education in Canada. Today the University has grown to serve over 58,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in Canada. To date, the University has been noted for influential movements in literary criticism and communication theory, was the birthplace of insulin and stem cell research, and was the site of the first practical electron microscope. The University of Toronto receives the most scientific research funding of any Canadian university, the “University Ranking By Academic Performance” placed the University 2nd in the world in terms of research performance.

The University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education dates back to 1906, when a royal commission report outlined the need for teaching education theory. Since that date, the Institute has established itself as a forefront leader in the development of education theory and teaching. With 4 academic departments and 19 research centers and institutes, the Institute is one of the largest and most research-intensive schools in the world. With many of the Institute’s researchers appearing on Ted Talks or other famous publications, the faculty and academics in this school are truly pioneering the field. Students in the program will likely find themselves surrounded by mentors of a lifetime.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 76.6
• H-Index Score: 96.3
• Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
• Percentage of International Students: 10%

46. McGill University Faculty of Education

McGill University is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 1821 by means of a royal charter by King George IV, the University has grown since this historic past to host over 39,000 students. The University is one of two universities of the Association of American Universities located outside the U.S. and is also the only Canadian university member of the Global University Leaders Forum, a coalition made up of 26 of the world’s top universities. McGill offers programs in over 300 fields of study, and also maintains the highest admission grades of any Canadian university, making its student body one of the most qualified in the country.

McGill’s Faculty of Education boasts a history nearly as rich as the University’s, and at the very least, has been around for a very long time. The Faculty today comprises three academic units serving both undergraduate and graduate students, according to its mission to “further the advancement of knowledge and its applications to the development of human potential in a variety of learning environments and over one’s lifespan.” The core departments of the faculty are: The Department of Educational Counselling Psychology, The Department of Integrated Studies in Education, and the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. The numerous research centers and institutes generating research for each department are operating at the cutting-edge of their fields.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 69.9
• H-Index Score: 81
• Student-faculty ratio: 16:1
• Percentage of International Students: 20%

47. The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign: College of Education

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public research-intensive university in Illinois, and is the state’s second oldest university, founded in 1867. It is classified as a RU/VH Research University under the “Carnegie Classification System,” denoting very high research productivity and impact. Its campus library system possesses the second-largest university library in the United States after Harvard. With three nationally renowned research centers, the University is one the most research-productive in the state, and it is also listed as one of the Top 25 American Research Universities by The Center for Measuring University Performance.

The University’s College of Education was founded in 1905, and is a cornerstone of the University’s research productivity. The College covers a wide range of topics from Early Childhood Development, to Learning Disabilities, to Management and Leadership in a Teaching Environment. The College conducts most of its internationally renowned research at these six nationwide research centers: The Officer of Community College Research and Leadership; Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative; Illinois New Teacher Collaborative; Office of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education; and the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 73.8
• H-Index Score: 85.4
• Student-faculty ratio: 18:1
• Percentage of International Students: 13%

48. Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School

Peking University is one of the youngest institutions on this list. It is a public research university established in just 2001. It is located just inside the University Town of Shenzhen, next nearby graduate schools and an institute for technology. Peking University collaborates with several internationally renowned universities such as UNC, Chapel Hill, University of California, Berkeley, and Oxford University. It is also one of the few programs on this list to focus a great deal of its resources on online education, and virtual research collaboration.

Research in the Graduate School of Education mostly focuses on important practical and theoretical problems in education, especially on using different research methods in solving education problems with practical significance. Many of research outcomes have been adopted for education policy-making and reform in China. The School takes a lead in education research, especially in higher education, educational economics and finance, educational policy, ICT in education, and teacher education. Despite its young age, the School has managed to combine all of its resources from global networks, to virtual research collaborations, and has managed to establish itself as a pioneer in the field of education.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 73.9
• H-Index Score: 59.5
• Student-faculty ratio: 8:1
• Percentage of International Students: 14%

49. University of Cape Town School of Education

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was founded in 1829 and is the oldest university in South Africa, and now is thriving as a prestigious institution with over 26,000 students. UCT is also the highest-ranked African university according to the “QS World University Rankings” and the “Times Higher Education World University Rankings.” UCT is home to various internationally known research centers and academic institutes, many of which conduct world-famous research, discoveries, inventions, etc.

The Cape Town School of Education makes use of its unique connection to scientific, mathematical, and technological research centers to offer a variety of unique specialization paths such as: Mathematics in Education; Science Education; Applied Language and Literacy Studies; and Educational Technology. Further research can be conducted in any of the four research groups of the School: Posthumanism Reading Group; Reggio Emilia Reading group; and the Educational Technology Inquiry Lab.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 70.3
• H-Index Score: 74.6
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 18%

50. The University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Education

The University of Tokyo is a research university located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The University was founded in 1877 and its history its deeply entwined with the evolution of Japan and the repercussions of the World Wars. Today, however, the University has established itself as a top institution of higher education, and currently serves over 28,000 students. It is widely considered to be the most prestigious university in Japan, and showcases a vast network of research connections throughout the country as well as throughout the world. The University’s 7 research institutes are each considered to be at the forefront of their fields, especially the Earthquake Research Institute after recent incidents have spurred generous research funding.

The University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Education is comprised of two major departments, which denote the school’s primary research and teaching focuses. First, the Department of Integrated Education Sciences, which entails research into the seven basic theories of education: Social Science in Education, Lifelong Learning Infrastructure Management, University Management and Policy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Physical and Health Education. The second department is of Advanced Research in School Education. This department integrates academic research at the University of Tokyo with international educational research and promotes training for high-level education professionals to achieve the development of teaching, education content, and school management policy.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 77.1
• H-Index Score: 50.4
• Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
• Percentage of International Students: 10%

51.* University of Southampton Education School

The University of Southampton is a public research university located in Southampton, England, and its establishment can be traced back as far as 1862. In 1952, the institution was granted a Royal Charter, and became the foundation for what it is today–a thriving university with a student body of over 23,000 and growing research frameworks. The University has seven teaching campuses, and is well-connected with surrounding research centers and academic institutes. In 2014 the Research Excellence Framework ranked Southampton 8th for its research intensity, and has also received especially high scores for its teaching and learning activities, likely due to its formidable education school.

The Southampton Education School was ranked 4th in the UK according to the Guardian University Guide of 2017. Southampton Education School saw 100% of research impact rated as internationally excellent or of world-leading quality. Having risen 10 places from RAE 2008, Education at Southampton is now firmly in the top quartile of all UK Education Departments and is well on its way to becoming one of the foremost Education departments in Europe. The School was also ranked 7th for the most important metric,research intensity, which takes account of the percentage of staff submitted as well as the excellence of the research done at the school. University of Oxford was ranked 1st in this category, the UCL Institute of Education 16th, and University of Cambridge 26th.

• Homepage
• Academic Reputation: 60.9
• H-Index Score: 75.8
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
• Percentage of International Students: 29%

• Academic Reputation (1/4): A numeric ranking based on researchers in the education field who were asked to provide a ranking of “excellent education institutions.”
• H-Index Score (1/4): The H-Index is a measure of the productivity and impact of research published by a scientist or department.
• Student Faculty Ratio (1/4): The average number of students per full-time equivalent faculty member.
• International Students (1/4): The Percentage of the entire student body who are international students.

Correction: due to an initial accidental exclusion and subsequent adjustment of #15–the Education University of Hong Kong–we have included 51, not 50, schools in our ranking.

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