Best Universities For Masters in History In World

The University of Oxford is one of the world's most notable and historical institutes. A self-governing institute, it is ranked the fourth best university in the world by QS World University Ranking 2023. On the other hand, it is ranked #1 by the Times Higher Education World Ranking list for 2022. It is a world-class university that is highly regarded for its contribution to research.

Located in the city of Oxford, the University has more than 30 colleges, all spread throughout the city. Established in the 13th century, the University, Balliol, and Merton Colleges are the oldest. Green Templeton is the University’s newest college.

The University has three societies – Kellogg College, Reuben College, and St Cross College and they are considered departments under Oxford.

Students from more than 160 countries and territories come to study at Oxford.

The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is a public research university in the United Kingdom (UK). University of Cambridge, UK, is known as the fourth-oldest university that survives in the world today and is also the second-oldest university in the entire English-speaking world. The university has more than 20,000 students from varied disciplines and above 11,000 staff members along with 31 colleges, 150 departments, schools, faculties, and institutions. It has been ranked in the top 3 in the 2022 Guardian University Guide and Complete University Guide. It is one of the foremost educational and research institutions in the world offering more than 700 clubs and societies for students.

The University of Cambridge ranking is 3 in the QS World University Rankings and 5 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2022.

The University of Cambridge is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the G5, the League of European Research Universities, and the International Alliance of Research Universities.

Stanford University is a globally recognized, private research university located in Stanford, California, United States of America (USA). Holding 3rd rank in best global universities, Stanford is committed to academic excellence and innovation through its primary emphasis on research.  

Stanford University, USA, has seven schools, out of which three offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the rest four are graduate schools. The top-ranked schools of Stanford are the School of Engineering, School of Education, School of Medicine, School of Law, and Graduate School of Business.

Harvard University is one of the top 5 universities in the world. Its highly competitive acceptance rate of just 3.64% makes it especially selective in programs like engineering and medicine. Harvard, being one of the oldest universities in the US, combines rich history with academic excellence.

Renowned for its academic excellence, Harvard has produced notable individuals, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and industry leaders like Bill Gates. Harvard alumni have had a massive impact globally, creating 20.4 million jobs and founding organizations with combined revenues exceeding $3.9 trillion.

Harvard University offers courses, numbering around 3700, across its schools, including Harvard College, Business, Law, Medical, and Engineering Schools. Harvard is also recognized for its research and innovation in medicine, technology, social sciences, and environmental studies.

Yale University, a private Ivy League research institution, carries a legacy from its founding as the Collegiate School. Over the centuries, it has become one of the most respected universities globally. Notably, Yale was the first U.S. university to award a PhD in 1861, marking a significant milestone in American education.

The university's influence extends far beyond academics. Yale University has produced 5 U.S. Presidents, highlighting its role in shaping national leadership. With an impressive endowment valued at $40.7 billion, it offers unmatched resources, ensuring that students benefit from advanced facilities, expert faculty, and world-class opportunities.

Founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell University is one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in Ithaca, New York. It stands out not only for its academic excellence but also for its comprehensive approach to higher education, offering over 100 fields of study across 14 colleges and schools. 

Cornell's acceptance rate is 8%, with an enrollment of more than 16,000 undergraduate students and a diverse international presence. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio 9:1, ensuring a highly personalized learning experience.

Cornell is also one of the wealthiest universities in the U.S., with an endowment surpassing $10.7 billion. This financial strength supports modern research, world-class faculty, and extensive scholarship opportunities for students.

The Johns Hopkins University takes its name after the exemplary man, John Hopkins, who pushed the boundaries of education and public health in Baltimore and, since its establishment in 1876, has ensured to further his life's cause. 

The university runs with the simple motto of spreading the light of knowledge, original research, and independent thinking across the world. It’s also America’s first research university. 

This private research university has earned #32 position worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2024. On the other hand, THE Times Higher Education places the university at #15 rank in the US College Rankings 2024. 

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is one of the oldest and most respected public universities in the UK. Ranked #27 in the QS World Rankings 2025, it welcomes over 51% international students. Edinburgh offers more than 700 programs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

With an average graduate salary of £49,500 (INR 55.9L) and a placement rate of 86%, the university stands out for its academic strength and global student support.

Founded in 1946, Australian National University (ANU) is a leading public university situated in Canberra, Australia. With more than 350 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees, the university has seven colleges that offer courses in various disciplines. Consistent higher rankings, cutting-edge curriculum, and modern pedagogy with a vision to uplift society are the features that make Australian National University one of the sought-after study abroad destinations. 

McGill University is one of the reputed and leading public universities in Montreal, Canada. The university is well established and offers state-of-art and world-class education and research facilities for postgraduate, undergraduate, and doctoral programs. The excellent education system makes McGill University a ranked university with a competitive acceptance rate of 47% (as per EduRank). To be a part of McGill University, international students need to meet the admission requirements and eligibility criteria completely. 

https://www.mcgill.ca/about/#:~:text=McGill%20University%20is%20one%20of,of%20any%20Canadian%20research%20university.

The University of Manchester in the UK is located towards the southern end of the city center in Manchester, encompassing Oxford Road and Sackville Street, the earlier homes of the Victoria University and UMIST respectively. The University of Manchester is a public research university known for its checkered history. Around 25 Nobel Prize winners have studied or worked at the institution while the atom was first split here by Ernest Rutherford. Alan Turing invented artificial intelligence here while the first stored-program computer in the world was made at the university. The university is known for its Square Kilometer Array, the biggest radio telescope in the world, and also the Jodrell Bank observatory with its Lovell Telescope. 

The University was founded in its current avatar in 2004 through the fusion of the UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology) and the Victoria University of Manchester. After collaborating for 100 years, the institutions merged on 22nd October 2004, creating the biggest single-site UK University. 

The University of Manchester ranking is 1 in THE (Times Higher Education) University Impact Rankings and 27 (World) in the QS World University Rankings for 2021. It is ranked at 35 in the World in the Academic Rankings of World Universities (2021). THE has ranked it at 50 (World) in its 2022 rankings. 

The University of Toronto was founded in 1827. It is considered one of the world’s top research-intensive universities. It is a public research institution located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The university presumed its present name in 1850 after becoming a secular institution. The university comprises eleven colleges and operates three campuses: St. George, Mississauga (in the West), and Scarborough (in the East).

Over the years, the school has progressed into Canada’s paramount institution of learning, discovery, and innovation. It has a significant footprint both in Canada and around the world. It hosts the idea of bringing together top minds from every plausible background and discipline to collaborate on the world’s most dire challenges. 

Western Illinois University is a public institution at Macomb, Illinois, USA. It was founded in 1899 as the Western Illinois State Normal School. It was founded for catering to the needs for preparing teachers to work at the grammar schools throughout the State. 

The name of the college became the Western Illinois University in 1967. The institution gradually included several majors for high-school teacher preparation. It then came up with the graduate school, and a college for Arts and Sciences, in tandem with a liberal arts curriculum. It also set up institutions for Education and Human Services, Business and Technology, and Fine Arts and Communication. It has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The student to faculty ratio stands at 12:1 while 88% of students are transfers at the institution. 

The University Campus is located at Macomb, Illinois, within the Quad Cities. It lies on the banks of the Mississippi River as well. It has several research and study centers including the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, Central Illinois Adult Education Service Center, Children's Literature Examination Center, COEHS Advising, Infant and Preschool Center, Center for Applied Criminal Justice, Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center, Reading Center, and the Center for Social Studies Education. 

There are 47 degree programs encompassing master, bachelor, certificate, and doctoral programs along with four degrees which are exclusively for the WIU Quad Cities campus, namely engineering, counseling, museum studies, and environmental science. 

Notable alumni include commentator, editor, and television producer, Mary Matalin, actor, journalist and voice actor, John Mahoney, and businessperson Robert Nardelli. 

Students have an opportunity to get practical experience across the spectrum, including gaining work experience at smaller businesses, various companies, and leading Fortune 500 entities, such as John Deere. There is a Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement which links students to companies for projects, internships, and career related prospects. The Center also offers career appointments, along with Handshake activities, resume development, cover letter development and review, personal statement building, mock interviews and support, searching for internships and jobs, navigating careers, and a lot more.  It also helps with choosing future graduate study programs along with career planning, and career fairs. Students can also access varied career tools and resources. 

King’s College London is a public research university in London, United Kingdom. It is renowned for its academic and research excellence and commitment to sustainable societal change. It is ranked 37 (2023) and 35 (2022) in the QS and THE World University Rankings lists, respectively. The institution was founded in 1829. 

The University of London came up in 1836, with the King’s College being one of its founding colleges. It has witnessed several other mergers, especially with the Chelsea and Queen Elizabeth Colleges (1985), Institute of Psychiatry (1997), and the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals (1998). The institution has achieved prestigious accreditations, including EQUIS and AACSB. It has 33,000+ students from 150+ countries with 185,000+ global alumni. It also has 14 Nobel Laureates to its credit. 

The institution has Denmark Hill, Strand, Guy’s, St Thomas’, and Waterloo campuses. Some of its research centers include the Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, ADHD Remote Technology, Aerospace Medicine & Physiology Research Group, Centre for Attention Studies at King’s, and many others. 

The institution offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses for aspirants. The study faculties include Business, Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences & Medicine, Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Law, and Social Science & Public Policy. There is also the King’s Business School for students. 

Famous alumni at the institution include athlete Dina Asher-Smith, author-philosopher Alain de Botton, science fiction writer, author Virginia Woolf, Sir Arthur C Clarke, poet-novelist Thomas Hardy, and biophysicist Rosalind Franklin. Poet John Keats studied here, as did social reformer-nurse Florence Nightingale and politician Sarojini Naidu. 

King’s CareerConnect is a platform for finding new employment opportunities and events and booking appointments. KEATS takes care of resources, career information, case studies, online workshops, and more. Students can also access the King’s Careers Blog for information, along with Academic & Professional Services Support. King’s CareerConnect helps with vacancies, placements, internships, graduate career opportunities, reminders, alerts, career goals, and career lounges. It also helps access career fairs, panels, workshops, masterclasses, presentations, and varied career pathways.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leading public research university consistently ranked among the top 40 globally and 3rd in Canada (QS World Rankings 2024). Established in 1908, UBC boasts a diverse student population of over 65,000, comprising more than 20,000 international students from 160 countries. The university offers 200+ undergraduate and 300+ graduate programs across disciplines such as STEM, business, arts, and health sciences.

Arcadia University is generally a private university which is established in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Arcadia University was founded in the year 1853 and the names of the founders of this famous university were Sylvania Jones and Juliet A. Poundstone. They left their family home which was in Lafayette Country just to pursue an education. Arcadia University is one of the finest universities in the country and students from different places come to be a part of this reputed university to gather various knowledge which will aid them to shine in future. 

The University of Bristol is a public red brick university in Bristol, United Kingdom. It is known for its academic and research excellence, ranking 61 in the QS World University Rankings list for 2023. The University was established as the University College Bristol in 1876, the first to admit women on an equal merit basis as men. 

The college continued operations till 1909 as the precursor to the current institution. The origins of the university lay in the efforts made by Clifton College headmaster John Percival to set up such an institution. It has accreditation from several bodies, including the Royal Statistical Society, AVMA, RCVS, and EAEVE. The institution had 29,356 students as of 2020-21. 

The main campus of the University lies at Clifton, while it's Richmond Building is a stroll away from the same. There are several research institutions at the University, including the Bristol BioDesign Institute, Bristol Quantum Information Institute, Bristol Population Health Science Institute, Migration Mobilities Bristol, Brigstow Institute, Jean Golding Institute, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research, and many others. 

There are 200+ degree courses available for students at the institution. The institution also has 25 academic schools and six faculties in total. Some of the top academic centers are dedicated to disciplines like arts, philosophy, music, films and television, anthropology and archaeology, humanities, theatre, English, aerospace engineering, computer science, civil engineering, health and life sciences, and social sciences and law. 

Famous alumni at the institution include Nobel Prize winner and physicist Paul Dirac; author-economist-journalist-administrator Will Hutton; journalist Sarah Montague; author Deborah Moggach OBE; equestrian and Olympic medal winner Laura Tomlinson; rugby player and World Cup winner Josh Lewsey MBE;  and actor Will Poulter. 

The institution has several industry connections, linking with numerous employers, right from smaller business entities to global companies. There are several other activities like networking events, career fairs, workshops, and mentorship programs for student entrepreneurs. Students get assistance in finding and choosing career pathways, preparing for job applications and interviews, and creating resumes. They also get help finding part-time work opportunities, volunteering programs, and internships. They can also find jobs after graduating and support for their start-up aspirations. Students also get assistance with choosing and applying for further study programs. 

Duke University has a chequered legacy, deriving its origins to a smaller school in 1838 at Randolph County, North Carolina. It was a preparatory institution for young men under the Union Institute Academy. It became chartered into Normal College in 1851 and transformed into Trinity College in 1859. The Cherokee Industrial School also came up here while college president John F. Crowell encouraged a shift to Durham in 1892. With a request from Washington Duke in 1897, the institution began offering admissions to women. The school changed once again to Duke University in 1924 after establishing the Duke Endowment by Washington Duke’s child, James Buchanan Duke. A new campus was built with these funds, while several other changes have taken place over the years. 

Duke University has 6,789 UG and 9,991 PG and professional students on its rolls, while 52% of UG students get financial aid in some form or the other. It also maintains an enviable 8:1 ratio of students to faculty members. 

The Duke University acceptance rate is 7.7% as of 2020. Some famous alumni include comedian and physician Ken Jeong, Mehta Engineering VP and singer Radha Mehta, Apple CEO Timothy Cook, physician-anthropologist-human rights activist Paul Farmer, WNBA President Lisa Borders, Ex-Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey, Melissa & Doug Toys Co-Founder Melissa Bernstein, Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson, International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa Kennedy, Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, CBS Sports President, Sean McManus, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, broadcasters and NBA star Grant Hill, Melinda French Gates, Co-Founder at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and former U.S. President Richard Nixon to name a few. 

The University of Warwick in the UK was founded in 1965 after receiving its Royal Charter of Incorporation. The University of Warwick got approval in 1961 from the government and has four campuses: Central Campus, Lakeside & Cryfield, Westwood & Science Park, and Gibbet Hill Campus.

The City and County together worked to make a 400-acre university campus a reality. It has 29 departments and 50+ research centers and institutions across the Science, Arts, Medicine, Entertainment, and Social Sciences faculties. It is a public research institution.

The University of Warwick's ranking is #106 (globally) for 2024 as per the Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings tally and #20 in the UK. It is also ranked at #172 in the list of global universities according to US News rankings.

The University of Texas, Austin is one of the most respected state universities in the United States of America. With a history of over 140 years, it houses over 52,000 students across 18 colleges and specialization schools with a teaching faculty of 3,000.

Texas’s most prominent research institution, the university draws over $650 million (? 4,850 crores) in research funding each year. The university acts as a platform to explore many prospects across career fields within the city of Austin in Texas, known for celebrating its people’s entrepreneurial energy and creativity.

The institution is home to seventeen libraries and seven museums, including the LBJ Presidential Library and the Blanton Museum of Art. It also manages several research centres, including the J. J. Pickle Research Campus and the McDonald Observatory.

With so much to its name, the University of Texas is a mammoth in the world of education, with it receiving thousands of applications across departments each year.