Harvard University

Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the most recognised universities in the world. It is a private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, directly across the Charles River from Boston.

Why students choose Harvard

• Ivy League prestige with a global reputation across nearly every academic field.
• Renowned faculties of law, business, medicine, and government alongside its liberal arts college.
• Extensive library system and research resources, among the largest of any university worldwide.
• A dense alumni network spanning academia, business, politics, and the arts.
• Access to the wider Boston-Cambridge student community and its many cultural institutions.

Campus and location

Harvard’s historic main campus sits in Harvard Square, Cambridge, within easy reach of Boston’s museums, hospitals, and technology and biotech employers.

What students say

Students frequently point to the strength of Harvard’s alumni network and the sheer breadth of academic and extracurricular resources as standout benefits. A recurring theme is that the environment is highly competitive and achievement-oriented, which some find motivating and others describe as pressure-filled. International students often mention finding community through cultural and country-specific student groups, which help offset the scale of a large, prestigious institution.

Official website: https://www.harvard.edu

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