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Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United States, and is widely regarded in terms of its influence, reputation, and academic pedigree as a leading university in not just the US but also the world.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, three miles north-west of Boston, Harvard’s 209-acre campus houses 10 degree-granting schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums. It is also home to the largest academic library system in the world, with 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, an estimated 400 million manuscript items and 10 million photographs.
Like most of the United States’ pre-Civil War colleges, Harvard was founded to train clergy, but Harvard’s curriculum and student body quickly secularized, and in the 20th century admissions policy was opened up to bring in a more diverse pool of applicants.
Now, a total of 21,000 students attend the university, each of whom at some point can be seen bustling past the famous statue of John Harvard, the university’s first benefactor and founder, which looks on benignly in the center of the campus. The bronze statue’s gleaming foot is due to almost incessant rubbing by tourists and students, who believe the act brings good luck.
Only the academic elite can claim a place at Harvard, and the nominal cost of attendance is high – though the university’s hefty endowment is such that it can offer generous financial aid packages, which around 60 per cent of students take advantage of.
As freshmen, students live in one of the dormitories in Harvard Yard, a prime location, and eat in the historic and picturesque Annenberg dining hall. Harvard students are active around and beyond campus, with over 400 official student societies including extracurricular, co-curricular and athletic opportunities. Whether playing on the field in Harvard Stadium, fostering entrepreneurial activities at the Harvard innovation lab or writing and editing at the daily newspaper the Harvard Crimson, student life is a rich and rewarding experience.
Harvard\'s alumni include eight US presidents, several foreign heads of state, 62 living billionaires, 359 Rhodes Scholars, and 242 Marshall Scholars. Whether it be Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, or Academy Awards, Harvard graduates have won them. Students and alumni have also won 108 Olympic medals between them. The university is regularly ranked number one in the world, and the consistency of its chart-topping performances shows that success is yet to breed complacency.
About Harvard University
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United States, and is widely regarded in terms of its influence, reputation, and academic pedigree as a leading university in not just the US but also the world.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, three miles north-west of Boston, Harvard’s 209-acre campus houses 10 degree-granting schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums. It is also home to the largest academic library system in the world, with 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, an estimated 400 million manuscript items and 10 million photographs.
Like most of the United States’ pre-Civil War colleges, Harvard was founded to train clergy, but Harvard’s curriculum and student body quickly secularized, and in the 20th century admissions policy was opened up to bring in a more diverse pool of applicants.
Now, a total of 21,000 students attend the university, each of whom at some point can be seen bustling past the famous statue of John Harvard, the university’s first benefactor and founder, which looks on benignly in the center of the campus. The bronze statue’s gleaming foot is due to almost incessant rubbing by tourists and students, who believe the act brings good luck.
Only the academic elite can claim a place at Harvard, and the nominal cost of attendance is high – though the university’s hefty endowment is such that it can offer generous financial aid packages, which around 60 per cent of students take advantage of.
As freshmen, students live in one of the dormitories in Harvard Yard, a prime location, and eat in the historic and picturesque Annenberg dining hall. Harvard students are active around and beyond campus, with over 400 official student societies including extracurricular, co-curricular and athletic opportunities. Whether playing on the field in Harvard Stadium, fostering entrepreneurial activities at the Harvard innovation lab or writing and editing at the daily newspaper the Harvard Crimson, student life is a rich and rewarding experience.
Harvard\'s alumni include eight US presidents, several foreign heads of state, 62 living billionaires, 359 Rhodes Scholars, and 242 Marshall Scholars. Whether it be Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, or Academy Awards, Harvard graduates have won them. Students and alumni have also won 108 Olympic medals between them. The university is regularly ranked number one in the world, and the consistency of its chart-topping performances shows that success is yet to breed complacency.
The four-year, full-time undergraduate program at Harvard actually makes up a minority of enrolments at the university. Since 2008, undergraduates have completed courses in eight general categories outside their chosen concentration or major. These eight categories are: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding, Culture and Belief, Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning, Ethical Reasoning, Science of Living Systems, Science of the Physical Universe, Societies of the World, and United States in the World. Harvard offers 49 concentrations, many of which are interdisciplinary, and there is no predetermined curriculum: students have the flexibility to craft their own in order to meet their own academic goals.
If this sounds like an appealing study environment, be warned that applying to Harvard University is like climbing Everest. Only the strongest succeed. Harvard’s acceptance rate of around 5 percent is the lowest in the United States, a testament to the high caliber of candidates applying to the university. Although Harvard has made significant efforts to be meritocratic in its admissions process, like other Ivy League institutions it offers legacy preferences to children of alumni, a policy which has been criticized for favoring wealthy white applicants. An early admission program is also operated by Harvard, having been reintroduced in 2011.
Applications can be submitted through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Universal College Application. No one method of application is given preference by the university. The application includes the form and essay question answers; two teacher evaluations; a secondary school report including transcripts and a mid-year school report; as well as two SAT subject tests and an ACT test or writing component. The application fee is a standard US$75.
Around 12 percent of the latest undergraduate intake were from international backgrounds, and international students go through exactly the same admissions process as American students. English language proficiency test marks can be submitted but are not obligatory. International candidates are, however, strongly encouraged to attend an interview.
The annual cost of an undergraduate education at Harvard is US$73,600, inclusive of tuition, fees, room, board, personal expenses, and travel costs. It’s no small outlay, but Harvard University does offer need-based finance planning for families at all income levels, something which is taken up by 70 percent of its students. This can include scholarship funds, jobs on campus or student loans. As a result, 100 percent of students are able to graduate from Harvard debt-free, and 20 percent of students’ families pay nothing.
Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) was formed in 1872 and is responsible for the majority of Harvard's post-baccalaureate degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It offers Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in around 56 disciplines.
GSAS is renowned throughout the United States and the world. In addition to scholars and scientists, GSAS graduates have become prominent US politicians, Supreme Court judges, foreign heads of state and heads of government.
There are approximately 4,250 students enrolled in Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with around 200 taking master's programs, and the rest pursuing PhDs.
As of 2016, 46 percent of GSAS students were women, 30 percent were international students, and 12 percent were underrepresented minorities.
Around a fifth of GSAS students pursue degrees in humanities, while a quarter opt for social sciences, and over half of graduate students study natural sciences. Students pursuing doctoral studies can take graduate courses in a secondary field, and GSAS also enables PhD candidates to coordinate their studies for an additional advanced degree.
The application process is relatively simple, though may vary according to subject. Generally, candidates complete an online application form and pay a fee of $105.
Documents to upload in support of an application include university transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and GRE test scores. International students whose first language isn’t English may have to demonstrate their language proficiency by taking a test such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
All GSAS students are charged tuition in a tiered structure that reduces as they progress. Full tuition, required for the first two years of study, costs $44,816 per year, then for the third and fourth years it’s $11,654 a year. In addition, a ten-month living expense budget works out at around $41,000.
However, PhD candidates needn’t reach for their calculators, as Harvard guarantees them full financial support for a minimum of five years, with a funding package that includes tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.
Master’s programs are not fully funded, and students should expect to contribute significantly, although there is a limited amount of grant support and research funding available.
One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.
Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States of America but also has facilities such as the Harvard Medical School based in Boston.
What is difference between Harvard college and Harvard University?
Harvard College and Harvard University are related, but they're not the same thing.
Harvard University: This is the larger institution that encompasses a variety of schools, including Harvard College. It offers programmes for all kinds of students, from undergraduates just starting their academic journey to professionals seeking advanced degrees.
Harvard College: This is the undergraduate college within Harvard University. It focuses on educating students who are earning their bachelor's degrees (BA or BS). This is the part of Harvard most people think of when they talk about applying to ‘Harvard’.
So, if you're applying to Harvard as an undergraduate, you'll be applying to Harvard College.
What is Harvard graduation rate?
Harvard University boasts an impressive graduation rate .
For Harvard College, home to Harvard’s undergraduate degrees, the typical graduation rate is 98% placing it among the highest in the country. Harvard is committed to supporting its students and helping them achieve their academic goals. The high graduation rate reflects this commitment and the success of their programmes.
What are the admissions requirements for Harvard?
Admission to Harvard is highly selective, and requirements vary by course and degree level. Here are some key factors that can help your application, whether you’re a student from the US or an international student:
Strong academic record: Excellent grades in a rigorous curriculum are essential.
Standardised testing (required starting fall 2025): Starting with students applying to the Harvard College Class of 2029 (entering fall 2025), submission of SAT or ACT scores is required. In exceptional cases where testing is inaccessible, alternative assessments may be considered.
Extracurricular activities : Demonstrate your passions, leadership skills, and well-roundedness.
Essays : Showcase your unique voice, intellectual curiosity, and future goals through your essays.
English language proficiency : TOEFL scores are not essential for first-year or transfer applicants. However, a strong grasp of English is crucial, so you can submit TOEFL scores if you wish.
Does Harvard offer scholarships?
Yes, Harvard offers generous need-based funding to admitted students. In fact, over half (55%) of students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants and one in five students don’t pay anything. This means your financial situation won't prevent you from attending Harvard if you're admitted.
What this means for you:
Financial aid is available: Regardless of your family's financial background, Harvard is committed to making your education affordable.
Focus on your application: You can concentrate on putting together your strongest application for admission without worrying about the cost.
For Postgraduates
Many of Harvard’s graduate programmes offer funding packages for a set period (often the first five years). These packages may include a combination of fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships.
Funding comes from various sources, including internal fellowships, external grants, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and other academic employment opportunities.
Harvard University
Harvard College, Cambridge United States
# 4QS World University Rankings
1Undergraduate programs
24Postgraduate programs
Find your perfect Course!
Find my courseAbout Harvard University
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United States, and is widely regarded in terms of its influence, reputation, and academic pedigree as a leading university in not just the US but also the world.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, three miles north-west of Boston, Harvard’s 209-acre campus houses 10 degree-granting schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums. It is also home to the largest academic library system in the world, with 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, an estimated 400 million manuscript items and 10 million photographs.
Like most of the United States’ pre-Civil War colleges, Harvard was founded to train clergy, but Harvard’s curriculum and student body quickly secularized, and in the 20th century admissions policy was opened up to bring in a more diverse pool of applicants.
Now, a total of 21,000 students attend the university, each of whom at some point can be seen bustling past the famous statue of John Harvard, the university’s first benefactor and founder, which looks on benignly in the center of the campus. The bronze statue’s gleaming foot is due to almost incessant rubbing by tourists and students, who believe the act brings good luck.
Only the academic elite can claim a place at Harvard, and the nominal cost of attendance is high – though the university’s hefty endowment is such that it can offer generous financial aid packages, which around 60 per cent of students take advantage of.
As freshmen, students live in one of the dormitories in Harvard Yard, a prime location, and eat in the historic and picturesque Annenberg dining hall. Harvard students are active around and beyond campus, with over 400 official student societies including extracurricular, co-curricular and athletic opportunities. Whether playing on the field in Harvard Stadium, fostering entrepreneurial activities at the Harvard innovation lab or writing and editing at the daily newspaper the Harvard Crimson, student life is a rich and rewarding experience.
Harvard\'s alumni include eight US presidents, several foreign heads of state, 62 living billionaires, 359 Rhodes Scholars, and 242 Marshall Scholars. Whether it be Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, or Academy Awards, Harvard graduates have won them. Students and alumni have also won 108 Olympic medals between them. The university is regularly ranked number one in the world, and the consistency of its chart-topping performances shows that success is yet to breed complacency.
About Harvard University
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United States, and is widely regarded in terms of its influence, reputation, and academic pedigree as a leading university in not just the US but also the world.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, three miles north-west of Boston, Harvard’s 209-acre campus houses 10 degree-granting schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums. It is also home to the largest academic library system in the world, with 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, an estimated 400 million manuscript items and 10 million photographs.
Like most of the United States’ pre-Civil War colleges, Harvard was founded to train clergy, but Harvard’s curriculum and student body quickly secularized, and in the 20th century admissions policy was opened up to bring in a more diverse pool of applicants.
Now, a total of 21,000 students attend the university, each of whom at some point can be seen bustling past the famous statue of John Harvard, the university’s first benefactor and founder, which looks on benignly in the center of the campus. The bronze statue’s gleaming foot is due to almost incessant rubbing by tourists and students, who believe the act brings good luck.
Only the academic elite can claim a place at Harvard, and the nominal cost of attendance is high – though the university’s hefty endowment is such that it can offer generous financial aid packages, which around 60 per cent of students take advantage of.
As freshmen, students live in one of the dormitories in Harvard Yard, a prime location, and eat in the historic and picturesque Annenberg dining hall. Harvard students are active around and beyond campus, with over 400 official student societies including extracurricular, co-curricular and athletic opportunities. Whether playing on the field in Harvard Stadium, fostering entrepreneurial activities at the Harvard innovation lab or writing and editing at the daily newspaper the Harvard Crimson, student life is a rich and rewarding experience.
Harvard\'s alumni include eight US presidents, several foreign heads of state, 62 living billionaires, 359 Rhodes Scholars, and 242 Marshall Scholars. Whether it be Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, or Academy Awards, Harvard graduates have won them. Students and alumni have also won 108 Olympic medals between them. The university is regularly ranked number one in the world, and the consistency of its chart-topping performances shows that success is yet to breed complacency.
Available programs
Bachelor UG
Master PG
The four-year, full-time undergraduate program at Harvard actually makes up a minority of enrolments at the university. Since 2008, undergraduates have completed courses in eight general categories outside their chosen concentration or major. These eight categories are: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding, Culture and Belief, Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning, Ethical Reasoning, Science of Living Systems, Science of the Physical Universe, Societies of the World, and United States in the World. Harvard offers 49 concentrations, many of which are interdisciplinary, and there is no predetermined curriculum: students have the flexibility to craft their own in order to meet their own academic goals.
If this sounds like an appealing study environment, be warned that applying to Harvard University is like climbing Everest. Only the strongest succeed. Harvard’s acceptance rate of around 5 percent is the lowest in the United States, a testament to the high caliber of candidates applying to the university. Although Harvard has made significant efforts to be meritocratic in its admissions process, like other Ivy League institutions it offers legacy preferences to children of alumni, a policy which has been criticized for favoring wealthy white applicants. An early admission program is also operated by Harvard, having been reintroduced in 2011.
Applications can be submitted through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Universal College Application. No one method of application is given preference by the university. The application includes the form and essay question answers; two teacher evaluations; a secondary school report including transcripts and a mid-year school report; as well as two SAT subject tests and an ACT test or writing component. The application fee is a standard US$75.
Around 12 percent of the latest undergraduate intake were from international backgrounds, and international students go through exactly the same admissions process as American students. English language proficiency test marks can be submitted but are not obligatory. International candidates are, however, strongly encouraged to attend an interview.
The annual cost of an undergraduate education at Harvard is US$73,600, inclusive of tuition, fees, room, board, personal expenses, and travel costs. It’s no small outlay, but Harvard University does offer need-based finance planning for families at all income levels, something which is taken up by 70 percent of its students. This can include scholarship funds, jobs on campus or student loans. As a result, 100 percent of students are able to graduate from Harvard debt-free, and 20 percent of students’ families pay nothing.
Arts and Humanities (1)
Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree Program
Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) was formed in 1872 and is responsible for the majority of Harvard's post-baccalaureate degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It offers Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in around 56 disciplines.
GSAS is renowned throughout the United States and the world. In addition to scholars and scientists, GSAS graduates have become prominent US politicians, Supreme Court judges, foreign heads of state and heads of government.
There are approximately 4,250 students enrolled in Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with around 200 taking master's programs, and the rest pursuing PhDs.
As of 2016, 46 percent of GSAS students were women, 30 percent were international students, and 12 percent were underrepresented minorities.
Around a fifth of GSAS students pursue degrees in humanities, while a quarter opt for social sciences, and over half of graduate students study natural sciences. Students pursuing doctoral studies can take graduate courses in a secondary field, and GSAS also enables PhD candidates to coordinate their studies for an additional advanced degree.
The application process is relatively simple, though may vary according to subject. Generally, candidates complete an online application form and pay a fee of $105.
Documents to upload in support of an application include university transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and GRE test scores. International students whose first language isn’t English may have to demonstrate their language proficiency by taking a test such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
All GSAS students are charged tuition in a tiered structure that reduces as they progress. Full tuition, required for the first two years of study, costs $44,816 per year, then for the third and fourth years it’s $11,654 a year. In addition, a ten-month living expense budget works out at around $41,000.
However, PhD candidates needn’t reach for their calculators, as Harvard guarantees them full financial support for a minimum of five years, with a funding package that includes tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.
Master’s programs are not fully funded, and students should expect to contribute significantly, although there is a limited amount of grant support and research funding available.
Arts and Humanities (6)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Creative Writing & Literature)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Digital Media Design)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Dramatic Arts)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (English)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (History)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Museum Studies)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Religion)
Business and Management (6)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Finance)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Management)
Engineering and Technology (6)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Bioengineering & Nanotechnology)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Biotechnology)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Software Engineering)
Life Sciences and Medicine (6)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Biology)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Industrial-Organizational Psychology)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Psychology)
Natural Sciences (6)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Sustainability)
Social Sciences and Management (6)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Anthropology & Archaeology)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Data Science)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Global Development Practice)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Government)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Information Management Systems)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (International Relations)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Journalism)
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (Mathematics for Teaching)
University information
Bachelor
Master
Tuition fee and scholarships
One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.
In this guide you will find:
Where to look for scholarship opportunities
How to apply to scholarships relevant to you
A list of available scholarships around the world
A scholarship application checklist
Rankings & ratings
Harvard University is one of the top private universities in Cambridge, United States. It is ranked #4 in QS World University Rankings 2025.
QS World University Rankings
QS WUR Ranking By Subject
QS Sustainability Ranking
QS World University Rankings
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FAQs
Harvard College and Harvard University are related, but they're not the same thing.
Harvard University: This is the larger institution that encompasses a variety of schools, including Harvard College. It offers programmes for all kinds of students, from undergraduates just starting their academic journey to professionals seeking advanced degrees.
Harvard College: This is the undergraduate college within Harvard University. It focuses on educating students who are earning their bachelor's degrees (BA or BS). This is the part of Harvard most people think of when they talk about applying to ‘Harvard’.
So, if you're applying to Harvard as an undergraduate, you'll be applying to Harvard College.
Harvard University boasts an impressive graduation rate . For Harvard College, home to Harvard’s undergraduate degrees, the typical graduation rate is 98% placing it among the highest in the country. Harvard is committed to supporting its students and helping them achieve their academic goals. The high graduation rate reflects this commitment and the success of their programmes.
Admission to Harvard is highly selective, and requirements vary by course and degree level. Here are some key factors that can help your application, whether you’re a student from the US or an international student:
Yes, Harvard offers generous need-based funding to admitted students. In fact, over half (55%) of students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants and one in five students don’t pay anything. This means your financial situation won't prevent you from attending Harvard if you're admitted.
What this means for you:
For Postgraduates
Many of Harvard’s graduate programmes offer funding packages for a set period (often the first five years). These packages may include a combination of fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships.
Funding comes from various sources, including internal fellowships, external grants, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and other academic employment opportunities.