Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields.
Continue your search
New York City, New York, United States
Top reasons to study here
- For more than 250 years, Columbia has been a leader in higher education in the nation and around the world.
- The University recognizes the importance of its location and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis.
- It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
PhD Programmes
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (10)
- Ph.D. Astronomy
- Ph.D. Biological Sciences
- Ph.D. Biostatistics
- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
- Ph.D. Chemical Physics
Engineering & Technology (6)
- Ph.D. Architecture
- Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering
- Ph.D. Biomedical Informatics
- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
- Ph.D. Chemical Physics
- Ph.D. Urban Planning
Medicine & Health (4)
Arts, Design & Architecture (3)
- Ph.D. Architecture
- Ph.D. Theatre
Social Sciences (3)
- Ph.D. Anthropology
- Ph.D. Business
Business & Management (1)
- Ph.D. Business
About
History
Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King's College by royal charter of King George II of England. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the United States.
Education
Columbia offers a comprehensive array of academic programs. These include three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical center, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, twenty-six libraries, and nearly two hundred research centers and institutes.
Research
Columbia has more than 200 research centers and institutes, covering a wide range of interdisciplinary work such as climate response, data and society, neuroscience, next generation nano, fundamental science and precision medicine.
Career
Students at Columbia University have a wide range of options for employment, including work-study programs, part-time jobs in university departments, internships both on and off campus and teaching or research assistants.
Columbia's Career Centers prepare graduating students to enter the job market, conduct recruiting events to match you with prospective employers and provide job searching resources for landing the career of your dreams.
University Ranking
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2018
8
2017
8 1
2016
9
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2018
8
2017
-
2016
-
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2019
16 -2
2018
14 2
2017
16
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2019
16 2
2018
18 2
2017
20
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
The Student Service Center is the front-facing office for the University Registrar and Student Financial Services assisting with an array of services for students, faculty, parents, and university administrators and partners. The SSC provides information and services around the following tasks; registration, cross registration, grading, ID development, ordering transcripts, certifications, apostille/notary process, diploma replacement and distribution, billing, payment plan, and tuition and fees.
Housing services
Incoming students have guaranteed housing for up to four years based on their guaranteed housing status (for more information visit Loss of Guaranteed Housing within Guide To Living's Room Assignments and Room Transfers) and their admission standing. Housing options are varied – singles or suites, halls or brownstones – and depend on class year and availability.
All first-year students are housed on South Lawn, the heart of undergraduate life at Columbia. Proximity to Butler Library, Alfred Lerner Hall, John Jay Dining Hall and Columbia Health make these residence halls a convenient connection to the Columbia community.
Library services
The Columbia University Libraries are dedicated to the development of programs, services, spaces, and modes of engagement around technology in scholarship and research across its campuses. Together, these activities comprise a program of Digital Scholarship, which the libraries conduct through interactions in both physical and online venues.
Medical services
Columbia Health advances the well-being of the Columbia University community and the personal and academic development of students.
Student Life
Campus life
We are a diverse, academic community of more than 40,000 students, faculty, and staff from across the nation and the world, living and learning on dynamic campuses in a great, global city.
Student clubs
The Office of University Life is your hub for University-wide student life information and initiatives.
- Learn about Columbia resources.
- Join us for lively campus conversations on pressing issues in AWAKENING OUR DEMOCRACY and other forums and pop-up events.
- Take a break with yoga on the lawns, Wellness Days, Columbia and StudyBreak, CU.
- Help shape community citizenship at Columbia through workshops, task forces and working groups with students, faculty and administrators from across the University. You can step up and join the team leading the Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative, as one option.
The Global Study Awards
Together with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, StudyPortals offers you the chance to receive up to £10000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.