Top 6 universities for social sciences

Top 6 universities for social sciences

Over the past few decades, degrees in social sciences have rapidly gained popularity as more and more international students see them as a key to entering lucrative fields such as business management, talent acquisition, or digital media. However, for most kids, it can be a bit difficult to figure out which foreign universities are the best for social sciences. So without further ado, let us present our list of the top six universities in the world for social sciences.

1) Harvard University

Unsurprisingly, the USA’s Harvard University is on the list. The Ivy League school has a long history of teaching social sciences and currently such degrees rank among its most popular majors. The University’s sociology degree is especially renowned by educators across the world and, according to the educational website College Factual, the institution is the first choice for most sociology students in America. However,  a spot in any one of Harvard’s numerous social science programs requires excellent grades as well as other extracurricular activities. So if you envision getting a Bachelors in Media Studies or Philosophy from the Crimson Campus then it may be best to start preparing early.

2) The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Famous for being the alma mater of multiple billionaires and for having an unusually close relationship with the British Parliament, LSE is considered to be one of the best European universities for social sciences. As the school’s name implies, it places great emphasis on the study of economics as well as political science. While the institution is not ranked very highly on the global scale, according to US News its current placement is 244, what makes LSE unique is that it has numerous connections within British society and with the global business community. This enables its graduates to attain highly lucrative posts within various organizations and companies in a short period.

3) Stanford University

One of the oldest universities in the United States, many of Stanford’s social sciences departments have existed for longer than many American universities have been in operation. Currently, the university offers programs in a vast variety of social science fields, from economics to international relations. While Stanford is one of the best universities in the world for social sciences, what makes it a truly appealing option for international students is that its tuition fees are generally lower, when compared to other universities on the same level, and its payment plans are more flexible. However, as with Harvard, an admission to Stanford requires the student to have a truly exceptional profile, academic as well as otherwise.

4) Oxford University

The first university in the world to teach history academically, Oxford has been a pioneer in socioeconomic research for decades. Currently, the University offers degrees in nearly every social science imaginable. What makes studying the social sciences at Oxford different is that nearly every course requires a significant degree of individual research, something that is not present in many other universities. Another advantage of studying at Oxford University, for students from the subcontinent, is that the institution has a very large number of South Asian students and even has an “Oxford South Asian Society”. This makes it possible for Pakistani and Indian students to not only find people from their own country but even from their area and city.

5) University of Cambridge

One of the oldest universities in England, Cambridge has been offering various social science degrees for decades. Presently, the University offers social science programs in a vast variety of fields including economics, history, political science, and international relations. The institution also runs various research projects for budding young scholars such as the Philomathia Social Sciences Research Programme, a project that focuses on using quantitative methods and large datasets to find solutions for the problems plaguing humanity. Over the past few years, Cambridge’s social science degrees have become highly popular, both in the UK and abroad, so getting a spot in one of them can be quite difficult. Still, if one does manage to get in, it is likely to be an incredible experience.

6) Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While MIT is known around the world for its advancements in technology and the natural sciences, the university also offers numerous excellent social sciences programs, especially in the fields of business, economics, and law. The institution’s School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS) has also produced some truly outstanding students, researchers, and academics. From a diversity standpoint, MIT is a melting pot of various ethnicities, races, and religions which makes it an excellent place to gain firsthand knowledge of how various cultures interact with each other in a controlled university environment. All this makes the university a superb choice for anyone who wants to get a social science degree.

In conclusion, as the services sector expands across the world, social science degrees are becoming ever more popular. However, since nearly every graduate school offers such programs, it is imperative to get a degree from a respected institution. Otherwise, it may be difficult to not only stand out but to get a job altogether.