Why you should enrol in the worst universities in the world

There are thousands of articles and lists online about the best colleges and universities. Many of these institutes share similar things – a shiny ranking, an excellent faculty, big endowment funds, sprawling campuses against an idyllic backdrop; the list of buzzwords goes on. 

These lists work best for those with talent and ambition – students who are ready to become trailblazers and changemakers of the industry, among other commonly used titles.

But when there is a best, there is a worst – and those who are deemed mediocre are left to seek out other options among the worst universities in the world. 

Then again, who is to say that a prestigious institution with an average graduation rate is better or worse than a lower-ranking one with similar numbers?

What if there are lesser-known universities that offer lower fees but adequate career support – or would a high-ranking university with ample opportunity but higher student loan debt still be the first choice?

Or perhaps the question is, what exactly makes these lower-ranking universities worse than their shiny peers?

A literal barrier to academic success. Source: AFP

What constitutes the worst?

Many students probably think that their university is the “worst ever.”

Dramatic antics aside, there are many things that people would consider before ranking universities or classifying them as good or bad. There are:

• Academic achievements
• Faculty
• Quality of life
• Completion rate
• The country
• Programme offerings
• Career services
• Return-on-investment (ROI)
• Curriculum

That’s not to say that a university that ranks highly in all of these aspects will never be considered the worst in someone’s books.

A beautiful campus may hide some ugly truths, after all – just look at the Ivy Leagues or the Russell Group universities. Harvard University has been thrust into the public eye for its numerous scandals, and even the University of Oxford has received its fair share of criticism. 

“The University of Oxford is the world’s best university in the same way that Nestle is the world’s best confectionery company – success is the measurement, with a complete disregard for how that success is achieved and maintained,” says former Oxford graduate Cornel Hrisca-Munn in a LinkedIn post. 

“I wasted my time studying at Oxford. People may say ‘but you’ve got your Oxford degree, you should be proud of that’. My Oxford degree means nothing to me. It is a stark reminder of a dark time in my life, and a dark and soulless institution.”

Ultimately, the term “worst” is subjective – even misleading, at times. Every university has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Despite their shortcomings, many of these lower-ranked universities still have their perks and strengths. After all, there must be a reason why students still attend them. 

Would you attend a lower-ranked university if it meant less student debt? Source: AFP

The benefits of attending the worst universities in the world

You may be surprised at what some low-ranked universities can offer. Don’t discount seemingly lesser schools if they can help you achieve the same goals – especially if they don’t force you into mountains of debt.

Affordable

A low rank usually comes with a low cost. Compared to prestigious or higher-ranking institutions, lower-ranked universities often have lower tuition costs, which makes higher education more accessible to a wider range of students. 

This is important for international students, as they usually are required to pay more compared to local students.

Smaller class sizes 

With fewer students, you’ll have smaller classes, which means ample room for personalised guidance from professors and lecturers. You will be able to have closer interactions with your peers and ask questions more often, which creates a stronger learning environment. 

Laurel Bongiorno, Hartwick College Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, as well as former Champlain College’s Dean of the Division of Education and Human Studies, says, “I think smaller colleges where students can feel seen and feel valued are going to see more students seeking to establish these connections and may even begin to attract more students than larger institutions.”

Less competition for resources 

Imagine having to share a science lab with thousands of other students or fight to secure a booking for a multipurpose hall. Programme advisors, student support services, and other organisations are constantly booked and busy, leaving you hardly any time to make enquiries. 

Now imagine how much easier it’ll be with fewer students. No squabbling over timeslots, no rushing to get to your next lab – everything is accessible.

Less pressure to excel 

There’s a lower chance of developing imposter syndrome or trying to fit in with a large group of people. Rather, you’ll find a more close-knit community, with a chance to develop friend circles of your own that you can work alongside.

At this point, these so-called worst universities in the world are starting to sound rather appealing. So what exactly is so bad about them that they’re at the bottom of the list? 

Here are a few variables to consider when ranking them. 

The worst universities in the world, ranked 

It should be said that it is not our intention to defame any university on this list; we’re merely echoing the facts. Many other people have shared their opinions on the matter, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide.

Remember: what’s the worst for some are the best for others. Even Oxford and Harvard have been described as “the worst.”

All data is taken from available statistics and lists online. 

Graduation rate

Using the latest data from Times Higher Education, the lowest-ranked universities are: 

Ziauddin University, Pakistan

A private university established in 1986 in memory of Sir Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad, a prominent educationist. The Ziauddin University initially focused on healthcare and allied health sciences but has since expanded to offer programmes in various disciplines.

Despite its ranking, the university is recognised and accredited by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

Ziane Achour University of Djelfa, Algeria

Ziane Achour University of Djelfa is a public university that was originally established as a university centre in 1990 and became a fully-fledged university in 2008. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programmes across four main areas of study: arts and humanities, business and social sciences, engineering, and science and technology.

The university does not have any international students.

Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Ukraine

Founded in 1920, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University is a technical university that offers a wide range of engineering and technical programmes. It’s the only one of its kind in the region, and is considered the best for research, science, business studies and more. 

The university offers all three levels of study – bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. 

Zhetysu University, Kazakhstan

Zhetysu University is formally known as Zhetysu State University Named After Ilyas Zhansugurov. Yes, that’s its full name. It’s a large, regional university offering multidisciplinary programmes in science and education. 

Despite its low ranking on THE, Zhetysu University is ranked among the top ten universities in the region. 

Zarqa University, Jordan

Established in 1994, Zarqa University is the first private university in the Zarqa Governorate. Today, it offers 37 undergraduate majors and 11 postgraduate programmes in various fields, bolstered by seven humanities faculties and six scientific ones.

Zarqa University offers generous scholarships and grants, with tuition fee exemptions of up to 70% across its academic programmes. 

Learn about new cultures and sights while studying abroad, even in the worst universities in the world. Source: AFP

International student body

When studying abroad, you’d likely want to attend a university with a diverse student body.

Having friends from other cultures and backgrounds will greatly benefit your time there and expand your worldview. Though historically, international students face the risk of racism and bullying from local students – just look at the news about international students from the UK’s leading universities, despite these institutions claiming they are home to a diverse student body. 

So, take the following with some salt.

As impressive as it is for a university to have a large international student body, ending up in an institution with less than 25% of students coming from around the world isn’t the be-all and end-all of your journey.

The data from Times Higher Education shows: 

University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom

Originally the Huddersfield Scientific and Mechanic Institute, the University of Huddersfield has a longstanding tradition of vocational education. It’s an excellent institution that offers its students the opportunity to undertake professional work-related experiences during their programmes.

But despite accepting students from over 130 countries, only 25.8% of the student body consists of international students. 

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

One of Malaysia’s leading public universities, renowned for its strong focus on engineering and technology. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has multiple campuses, and all students make valuable contributions to advancements in fields such as business and economies, education, computer science, and other areas. 

While Malaysia is a popular choice for international students thanks to its colourful cultural background and multinational population, only 25.8% of UTM’s students are international students. 

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic

Established in 1906, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague is one of the oldest universities of its kind in Europe. Today, it’s a prominent institution focused on agriculture, food science, and related fields, offering mostly undergraduate programmes. The campus is also stunning.

The Czech capital is one of the most famous and visited cities in Europe and is rich in its local heritage. Unfortunately, only 25.9% of Czech University’s students are international students. 

Rice University, US

Located in Houston, Texas, Rice University is a private research university renowned for its strong emphasis on research. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes across various disciplines, with particular strengths in engineering, sciences, and humanities.

Admission is competitive, and only the best from around the world may enrol. However, only 25.9% of the student body is comprised of international students. 

CY Cergy Paris University, France

A relatively young public university established in 2020 through the merger of several institutions, including the University of Cergy-Pontoise and EISTI School of Engineering. CY Cergy Paris University is known to partner with other institutes worldwide, offering students the chance to study abroad for a year. 

Despite welcoming students from around the world and hosting a number of courses in English, only 25.9% of the student body are international students.