Top universities for Arts & Humanities in 2026
Global #1
Harvard University
Cambridge, USA · QS #1
Top universities for Arts, Literature, Media and Communication programs. The list below is ranked globally by QS, then grouped by country so you can shortlist by destination. Click any university to see its full IELTS / tuition / intake profile.
Global top 50 for Arts & Humanities
Ranked by QS where available; unranked direct partners are listed alphabetically below the QS-ranked tier.
USA (27)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Harvard University Cambridge | #1 | 7.0 | View → |
Holland College , TOURISM & CULINARY CENTRE | #15 | 6.5 | View → |
NYU silver | #23 | 6.5 | View → |
New York Universityk New York | #26 | 6.5 | View → |
Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong | #65 | 6.0 | View → |
University of Pennsylvania (Penn GSE) | #70 | 6.5 | View → |
American University in Cairo Cairo | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Antioch University - Seattle | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Berkel Bergen | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Chicago State University Chicago | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Columbia Journalism School New York City | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Faulkner University Montgomery | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Finlandia University | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Francis Marion University Florence | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Fuqua School of Business Durham | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Georgia Southern University | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Greensboro College Greensboro | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Harbour Space University Barcelona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Hood College Frederick | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Humanities | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon | #99 | — | View → |
Lasell College Massachusetts | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Manhattan College New York | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Maryland Institute College Of Arts(MICA) | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
UK (19)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Arts University Bournemouth Poole | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Bangor University Gwynedd | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Bath Spa University Bath | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Bellerbys College | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
BENHAM & REEVES (ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER) ALL | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Birkbeck London | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Brighton College Brighton | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
British School of Fashion Glasgow | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
City St Georges | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
De Montfort University Leicester | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
European School of Economics | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Glasgow Caledonian University Glasgow | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Global Banking Training (GBT) | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Goldsmiths University of London London | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Le Cordon Bleu London | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
LSE MPhil/PhD Management - Information Systems | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Luminate Education Group - Leeds Conservatoire Leeds | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Canada (3)
Singapore (1)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
National Institute of Education Singapore | #15 | 6.5 | View → |
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Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score is required for Arts & Humanities programs abroad?
- IELTS requirements for Arts & Humanities typically range from 6.0 to 7.5 overall, with 6.0 in each band the most common minimum. Top-tier universities like Harvard University usually require 7.0+. See each university's row in the table above for the exact band, or look up any university by name on /ielts-score-for.
- Do I need GRE or GMAT for Arts & Humanities masters programs?
- Standardised tests like GRE or GMAT are not always required for Arts & Humanities masters; requirements vary by program and country. UK, Canada, Germany and Australia rarely require GRE/GMAT for Arts & Humanities. Check each university's admissions page for the current policy.
- Which countries are best for Arts & Humanities?
- Top destinations for Arts & Humanities in 2026 include USA, Singapore, Canada, UK. Choice depends on tuition tier, post-study work rights, and the cost-of-living math for your budget. Use the "Shortlist by country" rail above to compare.
- Is Arts & Humanities in demand globally?
- Top universities for Arts, Literature, Media and Communication programs. The roles linked to Arts & Humanities have appeared on every major industry skills-shortage list since 2020 (LinkedIn Emerging Jobs, World Economic Forum Future of Jobs, US BLS occupational outlook), and most destination countries fast-track post-study work permits for graduates of these programs. Check the country-specific PR pathway pages on /studyabroad for the visa-to-PR math.
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