Find a university that's right for you

With thousands of universities around the world, choosing where to study can feel overwhelming. The good news is that a clear, honest shortlist makes the decision far easier. Here's how to compare universities the smart way, and how IDP's counsellors in Kuwait can build a shortlist for you, free of charge.

Top 2 in the UK

What to weigh when you shortlist

A good shortlist balances several factors rather than chasing one.

Location: country, city size, climate, distance from home and the local lifestyle.
Cost: tuition fees, living expenses and the scholarships or funding available.
Entry requirements: academic grades, prerequisites and the IELTS score you'll need.
Course strength: the department's reputation and expertise in your subject.
Student support: orientation, academic help, accommodation and wellbeing services.
Employability: graduate outcomes, placements, internships and industry links.

Use rankings as one input, not the whole story

University rankings are a helpful starting point, but they're only one signal among many. A university ranked outside the top tier may still be excellent for your specific subject and goals.

Read subject-level rankings rather than overall ones, and combine them with the practical factors above. The right university is the one that fits your course, budget and life, not just the highest number on a list.

Where IDP can help you study

IDP works with thousands of partner universities across the world's leading study destinations.

UK & Ireland

Long, respected academic traditions with a wide range of one-year master's options.

USA & Canada

Flexible degrees, strong research and welcoming pathways for international students.

Australia & New Zealand

Highly ranked universities with strong post-study work and lifestyle appeal.

How IDP builds your shortlist

Our counsellors do the heavy lifting so you can focus on your decision.

1
Understand your profile
We start with your grades, budget, preferred destinations and career goals.
2
Match partner universities
We draw on our network of partner universities to find genuine fits for you.
3
Compare and shortlist
We present a clear shortlist with costs, entry requirements and key differences.
4
Plan your application
We guide you through deadlines, documents and the IELTS score each option needs.

IDP's university placement counselling in Kuwait is free. You get expert, honest guidance and a tailored shortlist at no cost to you.

Common questions

How many universities should I apply to?

There's no fixed number, but a balanced shortlist of a few well-matched choices is usually wiser than many scattered applications. Your IDP counsellor can help you decide.

Do I need IELTS for every university?

Most universities in these destinations require proof of English, and IELTS is widely accepted. The exact score depends on the university and course.

Can IDP help with the application itself?

Yes. Beyond shortlisting, IDP can guide you through applications, offers and visa steps for our partner universities.

Keep exploring

Ready to find your university?

Let an IDP counsellor in Kuwait build a free, tailored shortlist based on your goals and budget.

Book free counselling

Find a university that's right for you

University of Oxford

University of Cambridge

Imperial College London

University College London

University of Edinburgh

University of Manchester

King's College London

London School of Economics and Political Science

University of Warwick

University of Bristol

University of Glasgow

University of Leeds

University of Birmingham

University of Nottingham

University of Sheffield

University of Southampton

Durham University

University of St Andrews

University of Exeter

University of Bath

Lancaster University

University of York

University of Liverpool

Cardiff University

Queen Mary University of London

Newcastle University

University of Leicester

University of Surrey

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stanford University

Harvard University

California Institute of Technology

Princeton University

Yale University

Columbia University

University of Chicago

University of Pennsylvania

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Los Angeles

Cornell University

New York University

University of Michigan

Carnegie Mellon University

Johns Hopkins University

Northwestern University

Duke University

University of Washington

University of Texas at Austin

Georgia Institute of Technology

University of California, San Diego

Boston University

University of Southern California

Purdue University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Arizona State University

Northeastern University

University of Melbourne

University of Sydney

Australian National University

University of New South Wales

Monash University

University of Queensland

University of Western Australia

University of Adelaide

University of Technology Sydney

Macquarie University

RMIT University

Deakin University

Queensland University of Technology

Griffith University

University of Wollongong

University of Newcastle

La Trobe University

Curtin University

Western Sydney University

Swinburne University of Technology

University of Toronto

University of British Columbia

McGill University