The universities we work with in North America
Our established partnerships with select universities in North America will help you succeed. The USA and Canada have two of the world's finest Higher Education systems. Although the general quality of universities is high, reputation and results vary and a wrong choice can prove expensive. We only work with universities that have excellent academic credentials and offer premium international student pathways and support.
Choice of excellent, fully accredited universities
- Use our degree finder tool to find exactly what you are looking for by location, major and price
- If you have completed High School, explore bachelor's degrees
- If you want to continue your education after a first degree, search for master's degrees
Academic rigor and success
All the universities we partner with have an excellent academic reputation and deliver a rigorous, flexible curriculum. They must display a proven track record in successfully graduating international students and offer learning support centers where you can get extra help with your studies. Professors at the universities we work with are qualified to teach, with many holding the highest degree in their field.
Small class sizes
We only select institutions with the capacity to give you the individual attention you need to thrive in an American university. Class sizes are typically low; an average ratio of 1 professor to 14 students.
Outstanding facilities
Our partner universities provide student housing or homestay accommodation, a meal service, a safe campus environment, excellent learning resources, and plenty of activities on and off campus. All also have international offices where helpful staff can address your personal needs.
Categories of university
Higher Education institutions in the USA can be categorized into the following types, with options to suit all academic abilities and budgets:
| Category | Definition* | Description |
|---|---|---|
| National research universities | Award at least 20 doctorate degrees | Full range of undergraduate majors, as well as master's and doctoral degrees. Nationally important research activity. |
| Master's-level universities | Award at least 50 master's degrees but fewer than 20 doctorates | Full range of undergraduate majors and master's degrees but few or no doctorate degrees. |
| National Liberal Arts Colleges | Award fewer than 50 master's degrees. At least 50% of all undergraduate degrees are bachelor's and over 50% of those are in arts and sciences | Private institutions unique to the American education system. Typically fewer than 3,000 students and high levels of teacher-student interaction. Emphasize a broad education (in science, literature, arts, mathematics etc) to develop general knowledge and intellect. |
| Baccalaureate Colleges | Award fewer than 50 master's degrees. Bachelor's degrees account for at least 10% of all undergraduate degrees | Focus on undergraduate education within a mainly professional, vocational, or technical curriculum rather than liberal arts disciplines. Offer majors designed to train you for a specific job. |
| Associate Colleges | Award undergraduate degrees only - all associate degrees or less than 10% bachelor's degrees | 2-year colleges are a path to a 4-year institution (by transfer of credits to a bachelor's degree) or an option if you don't want to commit to 4 years studying abroad |
* Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's Classification of Institutions of Higher Education' based on 2003-04 statistics
Additional classification of universities in North America
Private universities: Most of the universities in the United States are privately operated as a non-profit organization, including many prestigious universities and Ivy League institutions. Private universities in the USA are not the same as commercial for-profit universities. There are far fewer private universities in Canada, and most run only undergraduate programs.
Public universities: In the USA, these are State universities operated by the state government and predominantly publicly funded. Public institutions charge lower fees, but tend to have larger class sizes, and a higher total student population than in the private sector. Some public universities are also highly prestigious. In Canada, all major universities are publicly funded and operated under provincial legislation.
