Rankings and Accreditations

Use rankings to map the landscape. Use accreditations to confirm minimum quality and recognition. Then decide with program details, costs, city, and deadlines.

Rankings

  • Published by media or data groups. Examples: QS, Times Higher Education (THE), ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), U.S. News.
  • Show relative standing under a specific methodology. Good for a first shortlist and for subject-by-subject comparisons.

Accreditations

  • Granted by independent bodies or regulators. They check curriculum, faculty, outcomes, and continuous improvement.
  • Yes/no status. Not a rank. Often country- or profession-specific and tied to licensing or recognition.

How to use both

  • Check accreditation first for safety and recognition.
  • Scan subject rankings for your field.
  • Read the exact program page for courses, projects, internships, and language.
  • Note scholarships, housing, and visa timing.
  • Compare total cost and practical fit.

General rankings that apply to most majors

  • QS and THE: overall and by subject tables.
  • ARWU (Shanghai): heavy on research strength.
  • U.S. News Best Global Universities: research-based with many subject lists.

When choosing a major, prefer the subject table over the overall table.

By major: what to check

Business and management

  • Useful rankings: QS/THE Business & Management subjects. For postgraduate programs only, Financial Times ranks MBA, MiM, MiF, EMBA.
  • Accreditations to look for: AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA. “Triple Crown” means all three.
  • Notes: Accreditation signals school quality. Still read the specific BBA/MSc/MiM page for content and internships.

Engineering

  • Useful rankings: QS/THE Engineering & Technology subjects.
  • Accreditations (examples): ABET (U.S.), EUR-ACE label via ENAEE (Europe). Many countries have national engineering councils.
  • Notes: If you plan to become a licensed engineer, confirm the degree meets your target country’s requirements.

Computer science / IT

  • Useful rankings: QS Computer Science, THE Computer Science.
  • Accreditations (examples): ABET CAC (U.S.). Elsewhere, recognition is often national or tied to the engineering framework.
  • Notes: Projects, software labs, and industry placements matter a lot. Check them on the program page.

Medicine and dentistry

  • Useful rankings: QS Medicine, THE Clinical & Health.
  • Accreditations: National medical education accreditors and recognition by the national medical council of the country where you will practice. Some systems reference WFME-recognized accreditors.
  • Notes: Rankings cannot guarantee licensure. Verify clinical placements, degree recognition, and licensing steps.

Psychology

  • Useful rankings: QS Psychology, THE Psychology.
  • Accreditations (examples): APA accreditation for U.S. health-service doctoral programs; BPS accreditation for UK degrees; national psychology councils elsewhere.
  • Notes: If you want a protected title, check the full pathway: accredited degree, supervised practice, national registration.

Architecture

  • Useful rankings: QS Architecture.
  • Accreditations (examples): NAAB (U.S. professional degree), RIBA/ARB recognition (UK). Many countries have their own architectural boards.
  • Notes: Professional recognition is critical for licensure. Confirm your degree stage meets requirements.

Law

  • Useful rankings: QS Law, subject tables in THE.
  • Accreditations: ABA approval for J.D. programs in the U.S.; national bar councils and legal regulators elsewhere.
  • Notes: Law is highly country-specific. Make sure the degree aligns with practice routes in the country you want.

Nursing and midwifery

  • Useful rankings: QS Nursing, THE subject tables where available.
  • Accreditations (examples): CCNE or ACEN (U.S.); national nursing councils elsewhere.
  • Notes: Clinical hour requirements and licensing exams are country-specific. Confirm both.

Pharmacy

  • Useful rankings: QS Pharmacy & Pharmacology.
  • Accreditations (examples): ACPE (U.S. Pharm.D.); national pharmacy councils elsewhere.
  • Notes: Check internship hours and eligibility for pharmacist registration in your target country.

Public health

  • Useful rankings: QS Life Sciences and sublists; THE Public Health where available.
  • Accreditations (examples): CEPH for public health in the U.S.; national frameworks elsewhere.
  • Notes: Practice roles vary widely by country. Verify local recognition.

Art, design, and creative fields

  • Useful rankings: QS Art & Design.
  • Accreditations (examples): NASAD (U.S.) and national arts/creative education bodies.
  • Notes: Portfolio quality, studio time, live briefs, and showcases often matter more than small rank differences.

Quick checklist for students

  • Is the school or program accredited in a way that matters for my goal and country.
  • Does the school appear consistently in subject rankings for my field.
  • Do the courses, projects, and placements match what I want to learn.
  • Are deadlines for scholarships and housing aligned with my testing plan.
  • Do I understand the licensing or registration steps if my field requires them.

Use rankings to discover options. Use accreditation to confirm quality and recognition. Then choose based on program content, outcomes, and a timeline you can actually meet.

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