Best Education System in the World - Top 20 Countries for Education (2024)

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Updated on 14 December, 2023

Yash*ta Sinha

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Yash*ta Sinha

Education is the biggest transformative tool in the world that shapes not only an individual but also a society. No matter in which corner of the world you live in, education should be given prime importance as it helps one gain new knowledge, progress in life, and have a thorough understanding of the world. Education also makes us think and behave more rationally.

Though education is accepted and appreciated in all the countries of the world; however, if we try to focus on what makes the best education system in the world, there are a few countries that stand out. Ranking also helps the students who are planning to study abroad, select the right country. So, let’s begin by discussing the factors that affect their ranking:

Read More: Study abroad after 12th or graduation | Study Abroad for free

Table of Contents

1. Factors Deciding the Ranking of the Countries
   1. Country-Wise Education Systems
2. 1. The United States of America – Country with the Best Education:
3. 2. United Kingdom –Second Best Education System in the World
4. 3. Australia – One of the Best Education System in the World
5. 4.The Netherlands
6. 5. Sweden
7. 6. France
8. 7. Denmark
9. 8. Canada – One of the Best Countries for Education
10. 9. Germany
11. 10. Switzerland
12. 11. Japan
13. 12. Israel
14. 13. Finland
15. 14. Taiwan – Best Country in Education
16. 15. Singapore
17. 16. Slovenia – Best Countries for Education
18. 17. South Korea
19. 18. Norway
20. 19. Belgium
21. 20. United Arab Emirates – Best Education System in the World
22. Download Country Guides (FREE PDFs)
23. Frequently Asked Questions

Factors Deciding the Ranking of the Countries

Although several factors help determine the ranking of the countries, we’ll start by explaining the two major factors:

• Global Opportunity Index: It is one of the few metrics that indicate the attractiveness of a country to international investors using a combination of economic, financial, institutional, and regulatory factors.
• Quality Index: Another metric that helps in determining a country’s quality of life as a whole in terms of health, education, job opportunities, economic security, physical safety, etc.

Now that you know about both of these factors, let’s know about the top 20 countries with one of the best education worldwide.

Country-Wise Education Systems

• Education System in UK
• Education System in Germany
• Education System in Australia
• Education System in Canada
• Education System in Ireland

Top 20 Best Education Systems in the World

Rank	Country	Quality Index	Opportunity Index
1	United Kingdom	78.2	69.79
2	United States	72	68.74
3	Australia	70.5	67.52
4	Netherlands	70.3	67.21
5	Sweden	70.1	66.96
6	France	69.9	66.3
7	Denmark	69.8	62.54
8	Canada	69.8	61.01
9	Germany	69.5	60.64
10	Switzerland	68.3	60.12
11	Japan	68.2	59.46
12	Israel	66.9	57
13	Finland	66.8	56.68
14	Taiwan	66.6	55.27
15	Singapore	66	55.22
16	Slovenia	65.8	54.38
17	South Korea	65.2	53.5
18	Norway	65	53.41
19	Belgium	64.2	53.02
20	United Arab Emirates	64	52.94

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1. The United States of America – Country with the Best Education:

The USA is one of the top countries that attracts many students from different parts of the world. The reason is high-quality education, world-renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. The country has some of the best universities in the world, such as Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, etc. Whether you want to study Computer Science or Engineering, Law and Arts, or Business Management, you will get all kinds of courses in American universities.

The US offers the finest educational structures and the best universities worldwide. Millions of students from India and around the globe migrate to the US to pursue higher education to enhance their career opportunities. The US universities offer more than two million courses. Most universities in the US follow a semester/trimester schedule based on admission season. The US education system includes elementary, middle school, high school, and higher education. In higher education, there are undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

According to the USA Credit System, you are supposed to choose papers that carry a certain number of credits. Most universities follow the Semester Credit Hours (SCH) system in which you must study 30 credits per year to complete your study program.

Read More: Study in USA

Top-Ranked Universities in US

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1
Stanford University	3
Harvard University	5
California Institute of Technology	6
University of Chicago	10

2. United Kingdom –Second Best Education System in the World

The United Kingdom (UK) is one of the leading countries; that is home to some of the famous universities in the world that offer top-notch quality education, various courses, the best faculty, and more. Educational degrees from UK universities are well-accepted by employers globally. According to QS World University Rankings 2023, some of the top universities in the UK are listed below.

Read More: Study in UK

Top-Ranked Universities in UK

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
University of Oxford	4
Stanford University	3
University of Cambridge	2
Imperial College London	6
University College London	–
The University of Edinburgh	–

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The education system in the UK comprises undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. The country offers a wide range of courses. UG courses are designed to help learners gain practical exposure. After three years of UG courses, learners can pursue a master’s. The one-year course offers a more in-depth study of a particular subject that makes learners eligible for high-paying jobs and promotions. Research programs stretch from two to three years, such as Master of Philosophy, PhD, and Doctorate of Philosophy. Private institutions and universities also offer various pathway programs.

The academic year in the UK begins in September-October. Apart from this, universities also intake students in January and April. Admissions commencing in September are for January intake. The classes follow modern pedagogy and boast a high reputation worldwide. The learning in UK classrooms goes beyond textbooks, and learners get opportunities to indulge in various seminars, workshops, webinars, and conferences to gain a dynamic learning experience.

3. Australia – One of the Best Education System in the World

Australia has earned the third position for offering the best education system globally. The country is good for those students who want to pursue courses in technology.

With more than 39 universities and 35+ government-funded universities, Australia offers one of the best education systems in the world, attracting lakhs of students from all over the world. There are bachelor, postgraduate and doctoral programs along with certification courses. The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognizes the Australian education system. The academic year in Australia starts at the end of February or the beginning of March. There are two to four winter breaks between each semester and a long summer break from December to February.

According to the academic credit system in Australia, undergraduate students are required to complete 144 credit points. Whereas postgraduate students need to complete 96 credits to get a degree.

Read More: Study in Australia

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Top-Ranked Universities in Australia

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
Australian National University	30
The University of Melbourne	33
The University of Sydney	41
The University of New South Whales	45
The University of Queensland	50

4.The Netherlands

Although the Netherlands is a non-English speaking country, most universities in the country offer English-taught courses for the ease of international students who are unfamiliar with Dutch, the country’s official language. The cost of education in the Netherlands is comparatively lower, making it affordable for many students.

Dutch universities are widely known for their teaching and research work. Millions of students worldwide move to the Netherlands to pursue higher education. The tuition fees are low, and the degrees are offered in English to attract international students. Dutch universities offer three education levels: undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.

The universities here follow the European Credit Transfer System. Each academic year in Dutch universities is equal to 60 credits. Students must complete 30 ECTS per semester to earn their degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in Netherlands

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
University of Amsterdam	58
Delft University of Technology	61
Utrecht University	112
Wageningen University and Research	124
Leiden University	131

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5. Sweden

The Swedish education system is better known for academic excellence than grades. As you pursue a course at a university in this country, you will get a good education and learn how to be a good team player. This helps the candidates move further in their careers. Sweden is a great choice for research and innovation. Tuition fee for students from the EU (European Union) countries is free in Sweden.

Ranked as the world leader in providing top education systems globally, Sweden has over 45 universities. Most of these universities are state-run, but few are independent higher education institutions. Sweden provides more than 1000 courses. All these courses are in English to attract international students. The Ministry of Research and Education governs the education system in Sweden to manage the quality of education.

In Sweden, the credit system plays an important role in measuring students' academic performance. The country follows the ECTS system. To finish their study program, students must achieve 30 ECTS per semester.

Top-Ranked Universities in Sweden

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
KTH Royal Institute of Technology	89
Lund University	95
Chalmers University of Technology	=125
Uppsala University	128
Stockholm University	153

6. France

Higher education is subsidized in France; therefore, the tuition fees are comparatively lower. This means you can get a quality education with lesser tuition fees in this country. Also, there are ample job opportunities for students after completing their studies.

The education system of France is quite complex in comparison to other countries. More than a million students from around the globe visit France every year to pursue higher education. The three types of university degrees in France correspond to a certain number of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits.

• License:Similar to a bachelor's degree, a License requires 180 ECTS (or three years of study)
• Master’s: Requires two years of study with a completion of 120 ECTS
• Doctorate: Requires a total of 8 years of study and research (an additional 3 years after completing one’s master’s)

Top-Ranked Universities in France

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
Université PSL	26
Institut Polytechnique de Paris	48
Sorbonne University	60
Universit Paris-Saclay	69
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon	111

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Read More: Study in France

7. Denmark

Denmark is home to some notable universities where you can find a variety of courses in the universities in the country and can even get a scholarship, making Denmark one of the best education systems in the world.

The country follows a European Credit Transfer System in which students must complete 60 ECTS credits per semester to complete their degree program.

Top-Ranked Universities in Denmark

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
University of Copenhagen	82
Technical University of Denmark	=104
Aarhus University	161
Aalborg University	330
University of Southern Denmark (SDU)	=347

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8. Canada – One of the Best Countries for Education

Canada is one of the most popular study destinations that offers one of the finest education systems in the world. According to The Times Education and QS, Canadian Universities rank among the leading universities in the world. The educational institutions here offer several degrees along with short-term courses in varied disciplines. Some of the renowned universities are the University of Toronto and Queen’s University. Canadian universities follow the European Credit Transfer System under which undergraduate students are required to complete 15 credits per semester and students enrolled in graduate programs are required to complete 9 credits.

Top-Ranked Universities in Canada

University	QS World University Ranking 2023
McGill University	31
University of Toronto	=34
University of British Columbia	47
University of Alberta	110

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Read More: Study in Canada

9. Germany

Germany is one of the most welcoming countries to foreign students. With so many options for courses, the educational institutions here ensure quality education. Germany is the only country that offers good industry-relevant education at low or zero tuition fees. Germany abolished the high tuition fees for both German and international students in October 2014.

Per the European Credit System, full-time students must complete 30 credit points per semester for the completion of their study program.

Top-Ranked Universities in Germany

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10. Switzerland

While you are surely going to be smitten by the beauty of Switzerland, the country is also known for being the home to many great universities in the world. Two of the best educational institutions here are ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Some of the top disciplines offered by Swiss universities are Online Business Administration, Project Management, Luxury Brand Management, Creative Business Management, Fashion Management, Event Management, International Relations, Communication, and Public Relations, Digital Business, Design and Innovation, and International Hospitality Management. Similar to other European countries, Switzerland follows a European credit system that requires students to complete 180 credits for an undergraduate program and 90 to 120 credits for a graduate program.

Top-Ranked Universities in Switzerland

11. Japan

This technologically advanced country is known for having one of the best education systems in the world. International students can get scholarships that are offered by the Japanese Government. To get an associate degree in Japan, students studying at Junior College must complete 93 credits for a three-year course. However, students studying in colleges of technology must receive 167 credits for a five-year course.

Top-Ranked Universities in Japan

12. Israel

While talking about countries with the best education system, Israel is next on our list. Israel is known across the globe for its academic excellence. From bachelor’s to master’s to even PhD, you can pursue any course in this country and do not have to doubt the quality of education. While bachelor’s and master’s programs can be sought from all universities. PhD degrees are offered only by research universities. From engineering to law, you can opt for various courses in the universities of Israel. Students enrolled in an undergraduate program at the University of Isreal are supposed to complete 120 credits to earn their degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in Israel

13. Finland

Finland’s education system is one of the best in the world. Finland has outperformed many well-known countries in the world in subjects like mathematics, science, and reading. The colleges in the country are divided into universities and universities of applied sciences. The Finnish higher education system is based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System in which students must complete 10 credits per semester to earn a degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in Finland

14. Taiwan – Best Country in Education

There is a great variety of courses offered by universities in Taiwan, and the degree courses are taught bi-lingually or completely in English. The government also offers a series of scholarships to foreign students. The credit grading policy of Taiwan is quite similar to that of North American universities, where 1 Taiwan credit is equal to 2 ECTS credits per semester. Therefore, students must complete 2 credits per semester to earn their degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in Taiwan

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15. Singapore

Singapore is another country in the world that has earned a reputation for offering the best education system in the world. Discipline is one of the most important factors that are maintained in educational institutions in Singapore. The faculty in each university in the country is great. The courses are designed in a way that even international students can understand easily. Students enrolling in bachelor’s degrees must complete 120 credits. However, a bachelor’s degree with honors requires a minimum of 160 credits to earn a degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in Singapore

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16. Slovenia – Best Countries for Education

Slovenia is a much smaller country than many others mentioned in this list. However, the country boasts a high-functioning education system. Slovenia follows a European Credit Transfer System, in which students are supposed to obtain 60 credit points per year.

Top-Ranked Universities in Slovenia

17. South Korea

When we talk about the best education system in the world, we shouldn’t miss South Korea. It is one of those countries that has been putting a lot of effort into improving the education system in the country, and so far it has been successful. Korean universities demand students to complete 17 to 20 credits per semester to earn a degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in South Korea

18. Norway

The education system in Belgium is a little challenging for some students. However, not all universities offer education in English; therefore, you need to find universities that offer courses in English. One of the oldest universities in Europe is in Belgium, KU Leuven, which is more than 600 years old and makes it the best education system in the world. Norway follows a European Credit Transfer System in which students are required to complete 60 credits in an academic year.

Top-Ranked Universities in Norway

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19. Belgium

Belgium’s education system is good but can be a little challenging for some students as not all universities offer education in English; therefore, you need to find universities that offer courses in English. One of the oldest universities in Europe is in Belgium, KU Leuven, which is more than 600 years old. Similar to other European countries, Belgium follows a European Credit Transfer System in which students are required to complete 60 credits a year to earn a degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in Belgium

20. United Arab Emirates – Best Education System in the World

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been attracting international students for the last few years. There are several higher education programs for students, such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, associate’s degrees, and vocational courses. Besides, there are branches of many international universities in the UAE. Students pursuing an undergraduate program in UAE universities must complete 120 to 140 credits. While students studying a graduate program must complete 30 to 48 credits to earn their degree.

Top-Ranked Universities in UAE

Know More:

All of these education systems offer great opportunities to international students who want to make their career in their desired field and are looking for some of the best education systems in the world. If you are interested in studying abroad, you can visit theupGrad Abroad website and find attractive courses in some of these countries.

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