University rankings are being mentioned all the time, with comments coming from governments, journalists, universities, independent companies and higher education experts.
While some universities dismiss the rankings, others are keen to use them to show off their strengths – and also to improve aspects where they do not compare so well with others.
Students are the forgotten majority in this whirlwind – and yet university rankings are a useful tool for students, often primarily designed with them in mind. Read on for some tips on using the rankings to choose a university:
Tip 1
Deciding on a university is a challenging decision. You’ve probably had words of wisdom on this subject from your parents/ their friends, famous people, Nobel prize winners, your friends’ sisters’ uncle (the list goes on), all of them raving about the university they went to.
Listen, but remember it’s you and what you want out of university that is the important factor. Think about what’s most important for you: the course content, future career opportunities, tuition fees, weather, university brand or social atmosphere...
Get started with the World University Rankings >
Tip 2
Another aspect to consider is location – which should help to narrow down your university choices. Some countries, such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Germany, have lower tuition fees and are also increasing the number of degrees taught in English.
As well as language, you may also want to consider living costs, local climate and culture, and quality of life.
Find out more with QS Best Student Cities >
Tip 3
Choosing a subject is, for many students, the most easy part – most students will have already selected subjects to specialize in while at school.
For some it’s harder, and it may be worth taking a gap year to really discover your passion.
Once you’ve decided, research which universities are best for your subject. A university may have an overall high ranking, but might not have a strong background in the particular subject you want to study.
Narrow your search QS Rankings by Subject >
Tip 4
Having used rankings and done your research, it’s time to get back to talking to people. Speak to alumni of universities you’re interested in, and if you can, attend their open days.
If this is not possible, you could attend an event such as the QS World Grad School Tour, where you can meet representatives of universities from around the world, to help you reach that final decision.
Final advice: Use the rankings wisely and if you prefer a warmer a warmer climate then search for a university in a hot country, but don’t let sunshine hours alone be your deciding factor!

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Mesothelioma law firm Sell annuity payment University rankings are being mentioned all the time, with comments coming from government...
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University rankings are being mentioned all the time, with comments coming from governments, journalists, universities, independent comp...
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Evening Degree programs In response to our students’ diverse needs, Grand Canyon University is now offering selected degree programs in an...

Deciding on a university is a challenging decision
Sell annuity payment University rankings are being mentioned all the time, with comments coming from governments, journalists, universi...

A prestigious American education

A prestigious American education

he United States has one of the finest university education systems in the world. American universities are recognized globally for their excellence, diversity, flexibility, range of opportunities, modern facilities, and top quality teachers. The USA is the #1 choice of study abroad destination for international students.

TThe Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-13 names 15 US universities in the world's top 20 universities, and 76 US universities in the top 200 universities worldwide. US degree pathways for international students

aine, Roosevelt University, and Widener University) Global Gateway Program: Year 1 undergraduate degree pathway with aca

If you do not yet have the English level required for a US university, join a degree pathway for international students: International First Year leading to Year 2 of a bachelor's degree (at James Madison University, University of
Mdemic merit partial scholarships (at University of Vermont) Pre-Master's for English and GMAT/GRE preparation before a master's degree (at University of Maine, Widener University, and Roosevelt University) The programs are delivered by Study Group at an on-campus International Study Center, in partnership with the host universities shown below.

Your choice of universities in the USA

Master of Business Administration

Put a Renowned MBA on Your Résumé

AACSB Accredited In order to advance your career, you need to acquire the knowledge and tools to look at your organization from a strategic perspective. An AACSB-accredited MBA from a respected institution, such as Penn State, can teach you the key business concepts from all facets of business to make you more effective in your current job or even open new employment opportunities for you.

What Makes the Penn State Online MBA Program Different?

Rich interaction and networking opportunities

Diverse virtual teams

Integrated curriculum

High-quality customer service

Unique residency experiences

Taught by faculty experts

Rich Interaction and Networking Opportunities

The Penn State intercollege MBA program (iMBA) engages students and promotes rich interaction between faculty and students. Our program allows for in-depth discussions between team members and with faculty, with the use of web conferencing, online forums, and multimedia. Our students have said that they were pleasantly surprised to find that the level of interaction is even greater than what they might expect to find in a traditional bricks-and-mortar MBA program.

Because of this rich interaction, as a student in the program, you would network with professionals from many different industries and geographic locations. These connections are further reinforced during the residencies where you would spend a week in close proximity to fellow students and faculty. We even have an iMBA Alumni Network website to ensure that graduates of the program can continue to network with the individuals in their cohort, or graduates of any cohort, from the more than ten years that Penn State has offered the program.

Diverse Virtual Teams

To mirror how most organizations function in an increasingly global business environment, Penn State’s online MBA uses virtual teams throughout the two-year program. Because teams are assembled so that members have diverse industry and personal perspectives, you can gain valuable insight from others' experiences. With a selective admissions process, you will work with high-caliber students from around the globe, offering networking opportunities with business and industry leaders alike.

Integrated Curriculum

Incorporating cutting-edge business strategies and practical business knowledge, the Penn State iMBA curriculum integrates across all functional areas of business — linking management, marketing, finance, accounting, and operations. As a student in the program, you will focus on six business themes derived from the values and concepts found in all areas of high-performance organizations: strategic planning, process management, leadership, customer and market, human resources, and information analysis.

High-Quality Customer Service

As an iMBA student, you will have access to an array of resources to support you throughout the program and beyond. Each term, we will order your books and course materials and have them delivered to you as well as complete your registration for all courses. While enrolled in the program, you can contact a program adviser with any questions you may have, or our career services if you are looking for career-planning advice and assistance. As a Penn State student you can even search the online catalog and review databases as if you were sitting at a terminal in any Penn State library.

Unique Residency Experiences

Two of the defining components of the Penn State iMBA are the Term 3 and Term 8 residencies. In the Term 3 residency, you will study a prominent U.S. firm by spending a week on-site, analyzing their organizational structure and strategy. In the Term 8 residency, you will participate in a team business simulation held at Penn State University Park in State College, Pennsylvania. These residency experiences put you in consulting and decision-making roles, allowing you to use the skills and tools you have developed in the program to find solutions to real business problems. At the conclusion of the Term 8 residency, you will have the opportunity to walk at commencement with the other Penn State master’s and doctoral candidates.

Faculty Experts

The faculty members who teach in the iMBA program are all full-time, Penn State graduate faculty. With more than a century of combined experience in industries from consulting to manufacturing, these respected individuals bring with them a wealth of theoretical knowledge and personal work experience. They have not only proven themselves successful in their industries and in teaching in a traditional classroom environment — they have been specifically trained to teach effectively online as well.

Who Should Apply?

Penn State's online MBA degree is designed for professionals who have work experience in a wide variety of fields — business, engineering, health care, technology, and many others — and who seek to position themselves for growth in the global economic environment. The online MBA curriculum is well-suited for people with either business or nonbusiness undergraduate degrees.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Because the online MBA degree offered through Penn State integrates virtual teams and real-world skill sets to prepare you to be an executive-level decision maker in virtually any enterprise, you could be prepared for a number of positions, including:

chief executive officer

chief financial officer

chief operations officer

executive vice president of finance

vice president of operations

director of integrated marketing

IT director

engagement director

global controller