Today Harvard University is regarded as one of the wealthiest schools of higher learning in the USA, which receives the largest endowments. The university belongs to the most selective and the old private north-eastern universities, known as the Ivy League. With its traditions and long-established reputation Harvard University occupies prominent position in American university life.

The Harvard University Library is considered to be the largest university library in the world and the second largest library in the USA after the Library of Congress. The library system comprises 90 individual libraries and more than 14,5 million volumes and is regarded as one of the most prominent accomplishments alongside with Harvard Art Museums and Harvard Health Service.

Cambridge University Library is the main library of Cambridge, constructed during the period of 1931-1934 by the celebrated architect Giles Gilbert Scott. Since the time of its establishment the library has been extended many times and comprises today five separate libraries, including the main building of the University Library, the Central Science Library, the Medical Library, the Betty and Gordon Moore Library and the Squire Law Library.

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge, referred to as Oxbridge, occupy a prominent position in the university life of the United Kingdom. Regarded as the oldest universities in the English speaking world, Oxford and Cambridge are also the greatest rivals reaching back to the day of Cambridge' foundation in 1209. The universities compete in the number of degrees awarded as well as the proportion of Nobel Prize winners, celebrated scholars, scientists and politicians.

As well as many other USA universities Stanford University provides good scientific preparation. In the opinion of American experts, such approach promotes more intelligent mastering of the chosen directions of training and prepares the students for continuously updating education throughout their life, allows them more effectively use knowledge within the career framework.

Founded in 1968, Berkeley is the oldest campus of the University of California, as well as the most prestigious public university in the United States. Due to its prominent faculty and graduate programs, the University of Berkeley ranks among the world's leading research universities. It enjoyed a golden age in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences in the XX century, contributing substantially to the development of world science.

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is the largest and most prestigious university in Canada. Among its graduates are six Nobel Prize winners, the highest number of any university in Canada. The university's endowment exceeds $1.4 billion, which is far more than that of other Canadian institutions and which provides the university with the opportunity of developing its numerous facilities, centers and institutes. Among these is the University of Toronto Library - which as we will see - concerns itself with a lot more than just books.

The fourth oldest institution of higher learning of the United States, the University of Pennsylvania - also referred to as Pen -- is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With its excellent reputation and traditions, the status of Pennsylvania University is assured. A member of the Ivy League, the university keeps company with such prestigious and ancient institutions as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth College and Columbia College. According to the Washington Monthly it ranks sixth among the U.S. national universities.

Chicago University is a private institution of higher education located in Chicago, Illinois. Regarded as a "teacher of teachers", the university ranks second after the University of Cambridge as to the number of Nobel Prize laureates among the members of its staff. The university is considered to be the academic home for such prominent scholars as Allan Bloom, Ronald Coase, Milton Friedman, Leo Strauss and Richard Posner.

The University of Illinois is a public research university, established in 1890. It comprises three independent universities with campuses located in Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign. With its excellent public service, high level of research and economic development, the University of Illinois is regarded as the state's best public university.

Founded in 1968, Berkeley is the oldest campus of the University of California, as well as the most prestigious public university in the United States. Due to its prominent faculty and graduate programs, the University of Berkeley ranks among the world's leading research universities. It enjoyed a golden age in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences in the XX century, contributing substantially to the development of world science.

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is the largest and most prestigious university in Canada. Among its graduates are six Nobel Prize winners, the highest number of any university in Canada. The university's endowment exceeds $1.4 billion, which is far more than that of other Canadian institutions and which provides the university with the opportunity of developing its numerous facilities, centers and institutes. Among these is the University of Toronto Library - which as we will see - concerns itself with a lot more than just books.

The fourth oldest institution of higher learning of the United States, the University of Pennsylvania - also referred to as Pen -- is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With its excellent reputation and traditions, the status of Pennsylvania University is assured. A member of the Ivy League, the university keeps company with such prestigious and ancient institutions as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth College and Columbia College. According to the Washington Monthly it ranks sixth among the U.S. national universities.

Chicago University is a private institution of higher education located in Chicago, Illinois. Regarded as a "teacher of teachers", the university ranks second after the University of Cambridge as to the number of Nobel Prize laureates among the members of its staff. The university is considered to be the academic home for such prominent scholars as Allan Bloom, Ronald Coase, Milton Friedman, Leo Strauss and Richard Posner.

The University of Illinois is a public research university, established in 1890. It comprises three independent universities with campuses located in Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign. With its excellent public service, high level of research and economic development, the University of Illinois is regarded as the state's best public university.

Throughout its history, Princeton University -- one of the largest institutions of higher education in the nation -- has been seen as a major contributor to the development in the world of science and technology. The university expanded to comprise schools of Architecture, Public Affairs and International Studies in addition to its undergraduate and graduate schools. A Princeton University graduate can be assured that his or her studies will represent not only time well spent, but will act as springboard in the high speed business world of today.

Founded in 1746, Princeton University is regarded as the fourth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It was known originally as the College of New Jersey until the name of the school was officially changed in 1896 to Princeton University. Today the university occupies a prominent place in U.S. higher education due to its membership in the Ivy League, an association of old private north-eastern universities. The university is recognized for it's cutting edge research and studies as evidenced by the on-going work be done in the Princeton Plasma Physics laboratory.

The MIT Media Laboratory in MIT is dedicated to the education and research in digital technology. Founded in 1985 by former president of the university Jerome Wiesner and fellow colleague Professor Nicholas Negroponte, the Laboratory was opened in 1985. Since its establishment MIT Media Lab has strived to pursue its research and educational mission through collaborations with a number of sponsors.

The system of universities of Michigan is comprised of two categories of institutions: independent or public and private universities. Among the most popular independent universities are Central Michigan University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan System. The group of private institutions includes Kettering University, Northwood University, Andrews University and others.

The Imperial College London, referred to simply as Imperial, was established in 1907 upon the merger of the Royal School of Mines, the City and Guilds of London Institute and the Royal College of Science. Based in the South Kensington district, Imperial is one of the colleges of the University of London. The College focuses mainly on technology and science and is considered one of the best engineering schools in the world.

In the age of information technologies and developed research facilities, all academic institutions strive to meet the needs of a constantly evolving economy, industry, healthcare and education. Imperial College retains this mission and remains one of the top scientific, research, and teaching institutions in the world. This allows it to be able to attract students and the best staff worldwide.

Located at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Institute for Advanced Studies is an institution dedicated to academic research. Due to its numerous ties with the worldwide scientific and academic community, the Hebrew University is now seen as a center of international repute, whose programs attract a great number of overseas students.

Florida State Universities comprise the State University System of Florida, which is governed indirectly by the State of Florida. Due to the growing size of the university system, the governing Florida Board of Control was replaced with the Florida Board of Regents in 1965. The amendment to the state constitution in 2002 established a new governing body, the Florida Board of Governors.

According to Shanghai Jiao Tong University which establishes the academic ranking of world universities, some of the best European universities occupy a prominent position in the list of the world's top institutions of learning. This is primarily due to a significant improvement in their structure and quality of education. As of 2005, out of 100 of the world's best universities 35 are European. A notable increase over previous years.

The name of ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute, is associated today with technology progress and distinguished research record. Forming a community of 20,000 students, researchers and faculty members from 80 nations worldwide, the university is seen as an international institution of higher learning and academic research. ETH Zurich provides are challenging environment for students eager to develop the necessary skills needed in today's competitive job market.