Some say one of the finest methods to improve your education and keep yourself motivated throughout difficult times is to attend a stunning university in an Instagrammable location. Check out these 30 campuses that will make you feel like the main character of a Dark Academia book.
1. Tsinghua University, China
On the location of the royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty, Tsinghua was established in 1925. There are numerous traditional Chinese buildings on the campus, along with ponds filled with floating lotus blooms.
2. University of Coimbra, Portugal
This place has a long history, having been founded in 1290, the architecture of the University of Coimbra supports its status as one of the oldest universities in the world still in continuous operation. The school was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2013.
3. University of Queensland, Australia
The Brisbane River abuts the university’s main campus, which is primarily located in downtown Brisbane. In the middle of the school, including the Great Court, is the sandstone Cloister from the 1930s. There are lots of places for students to rest on the campus thanks to its three lakes and expansive meadows.
4. University of Sydney, Australia
The first university in Australia is this school. The institution is well-known for its remarkable history and astounding neo-gothic structures, which are dispersed around the inner-city suburbs of Darlington and Camperdown. Did we mention that the university has produced 24 judges of the Australian High Court and six prime ministers?
5. University of Otago, New Zealand
With its breathtaking beaches, mountains, and plethora of extreme sports, New Zealand is already difficult to beat. We’re preparing to enroll at the University of Otago for the upcoming semester after adding the picturesque Leith River and an astounding 100,000 acres of pastoral area.
6. University of Glasgow, Scotland
Here, you can attend classes with the world’s top wizards. Well, not technically speaking, but the University of Glasgow does look a lot like Hogwarts. This place was once largely attended by the wealthy, but in the 19th century, it pioneered higher education for the expanding middle class.
7. University of Cape Town, South Africa
The main campus, called Upper Campus, is situated in the valley beneath Devil’s Peak in the Western Cape of South Africa. The Public Research University is the top-ranked African university in the QS World University Rankings in addition to being stunning.
8. University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Is it beaches or mountains? With multiple beaches nearby and vistas of the North Shore mountains, the University of British Columbia offers the best of both worlds. Did we also mention that it takes about 25 minutes to drive from downtown Vancouver to the campus? We’ll need more than just four years here.
9. University of Bologna, Italy
With an estimated inception date of 1088, this university wins the title of oldest university still in operation. The term universaitas was even used for the first time to refer to the student population that attended the institution. To promote research and tourism, the university has five campuses spread across the Italian region.
10. University of Oxford, England
Although its exact founding date is unknown, evidence suggests that this institution was established as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings just placed it at the top of the global rankings. The trophy shelf at this university is quite full, as you can expect.
11. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
One of the more recent universities is the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which was founded in 1991. Its compact 120-acre campus overlooks a stunning harbor south of Sai Kung, and it is located in the Sai Kung District on the northern portion of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula.
12. University of Edinburgh, Scotland
At the University of Edinburgh, the sixth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, you may immerse yourself in ancient Scottish history. The Old College, the first specially constructed university structure, was created around the close of the 1800s.
13. University of Cambridge, England
Did you know that this is the educational institution that produced some of the greatest thinkers, such as Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin? In addition, this university holds the record of 90 Nobel Prizes worldwide. Here, you can enjoy one of the nine museums and collections that are available to the public all year long when you’re not buried in books.
14. University of London, England
It’s unbelievable that this majestic red-brick stronghold is a university rather than a Disney castle. One of the school’s 18 autonomous member institutions, Royal Holloway, is highlighted. There is plenty of space for work and play on this campus, which spans 135 acres of gorgeous grassland.
15. Royal Roads University, British Columbia
The Hatley Park National Historic Site is breathtaking, but Royal Roads University offers more than just a lovely castle. With 642 acres of lush vegetation and astounding vistas of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the exotic Japanese Garden, the remainder of the campus is equally impressive.
16. University of Salamanca, Spain
Established in 1134, this marvelous university is the third oldest in the world and the oldest in Spain. The medieval town is situated between Castilla and León, west of Spain. Despite more recent renovations, most buildings still retain Salmantica’s 2,000-year-old architectural character.
17. Queen’s University, Ireland
This university doesn’t look like a place for young people in their 20s; rather, it looks like a palace suitable for Irish royalty. Although the Lanyon Building is one of Queen’s University’s most famous features, the campus is home to over 250 structures in stunning Gothic and Medieval architecture.
18. Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland, was established in 1592 and was modeled after the prestigious collegiate institutions of Cambridge and Oxford. Given that Trinity College has 25 distinct schools, it is not surprising that the library has almost 6.2 million printed volumes of manuscripts and maps.
19. University Centre of the Westfjords, Iceland
The University of Iceland provides a special combination of top-notch education, innovative research possibilities, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to take in one of the most breathtaking natural settings on earth.
20. Sorbonne University, France
Built in the 16th century, the campus itself is a sizable, opulent building with marble arches encircling the school courtyard. Chandeliers and elaborate statues of prominent thinkers decorate the school’s hallways.
21. University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Birmingham has its own distinct appeal, despite not having as much history as Cambridge and Oxford. The campus is aesthetically pleasing due to the university’s diverse architectural style, which includes both modern and red brick structures.
22. University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
According to the QS World Institution Rankings 2019, the University of Buenos Aires is the best Spanish-speaking institution in the world. The university is ranked 73rd overall, making it the best university in Latin America.
23. University of Waterloo, Canada
As one of the best institutions in North America, Waterloo attracts students every year from all around Canada and the world. Their graduate programs and many of their undergraduate programs (for transfer and high school students) are ranked among the top in the world.
24. RMIT University, Australia
With a solid research record and top-notch facilities across the Melbourne campuses, this institution has been listed in the top 250 institutions globally (QS World University Rankings 2022) and 18th globally among international universities under 50 (QS Top 50 under 50 2021).
25. University of Nigeria, Nigeria
According to the Best Global Universities list, the University of Nigeria is placed #1150. Schools are ranked based on how well they perform on a number of generally recognized excellence metrics.
26. University of Chile, Chile
Located in Santiago, the University of Chile is a public research university. On November 19, 1842, it was established, and on September 17, 1843, it was officially opened. And this is the nation’s oldest university.
27. Moscow State University, Russia
The oldest, biggest, and most prominent university in Russia is Moscow State University, a state-run institution of higher learning located in Moscow. The linguist M.V. Lomonosov established it in 1755, and its early faculty was primarily German. And it was modeled after German universities.
28. Charles University, Czech Republic
One of the oldest universities in the world, Charles University was established in 1348. This is the biggest and most well-known institution in the Czech Republic, and it also has the highest international ranking among Czech universities.
29. Al Akhawayn University, Morocco
One of the best public universities in Ifranne, Morocco, is Al Akhawayn University Ifrane. According to the 2019 QS World University Rankings, it is ranked #801–1000.
30. University of São Paulo, Brazil
In 1934, the university was established by combining several already-existing educational institutions in São Paulo, including the College of Agriculture, the Polytechnic School, and the Law School. The establishment of the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Literature, followed by the development of further departments, commemorated the university’s founding in that year.
