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Welcome to Harvard

In Focus

Welcome to Harvard

Where world-class faculty, innovative research, and dynamic students come together to advance education and foster change in the world.

Last updated: September 2024

Harvard at a glance

For nearly four centuries, people have come to Harvard in the pursuit of truth, knowledge, and a better world.

Learn more about our history

  • 1636

    The year Harvard was founded

  • 21,782

    Undergraduate and graduate students in the 2022-23 academic year

  • 13,087

    Harvard Extension School students in the 2022-23 academic year

  • 406

    Innovations reported by Harvard researchers in fiscal year 2023

  • $246 million

    Institutional need-based grant aid provided to Harvard College students in the 2022-23 academic year

  • 400,000+

    Alumni worldwide

Start exploring

Our Schools

Harvard University includes the undergraduate Harvard College, 12 graduate and professional Schools, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Learn about Harvard's Schools

Our programs

Harvard students can follow their passions and discover new ones through our many degree programs and courses.
Explore our programs

Our sports and athletics

From club sports and intramurals to varsity athletics and recreation, Crimson pride is strong across campus.
Cheer on our teams

Our museums

Harvard’s museums curate renowned collections, pioneer cutting-edge research, and offer educational experiences for everyone.
Explore our museums

Our libraries

Harvard's libraries are dedicated to expanding knowledge and intellectual exploration for everyone.
Discover our libraries

Meet the community

“From the moment I arrived at Harvard as an undergraduate, I have been inspired by the people who make this institution what it is.” -President Alan M. Garber

Meet President Garber

Lisa Yan

After participating in her high school robotics team, Lisa went on to study electrical and computer engineering in college. She is now pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams at Harvard Business School.

Learn more about Lisa

Iñaki Arango

A dual-concentrator in computer science and statistics at SEAS, Iñaki is a member of the Harvard Quantitative Traders Club, which mentors students interested in finance.

Learn more about Iñaki

Cami Tussie

Born congenitally missing 13 permanent teeth, Cami hopes to bring her personal experiences to her patients when she graduates from Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Learn more about Cami

Haim Sompolinsky

Haim Sompolinsky, a professor in residence in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Physics, received the Brain Prize for his pioneering contributions to computational and theoretical neuroscience.

Learn more about Professor Sompolinsky

Carola Suárez-Orozco

Graduate School of Education Professor Carola Suárez-Orozco was awarded the 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship to work on a book documenting the needs of immigrant students in America and what educators can do to better serve them.

Learn more about Professor Suárez-Orozco

Maurice Cox

New Graduate School of Design Professor Maurice Cox is an urban designer acclaimed for his ability to merge architecture, design, and politics in pursuit of design excellence and the equitable development of cities.

Learn more about Professor Cox

The latest

Stay up to date on the latest Harvard news and events with the daily Gazette newsletter.

Sign up for the daily Gazette email

Three hands with temporary UDR logo tattoos on them

Greater access

University Disability Resources has a variety of new accommodations and services for Harvard community members.

Greater access
  • Harvard Law School

Tuition-free initiative at HLS

A large stone building with columns
Tuition-free initiative at HLS
  • Harvard College

New course in Filipino (Tagalog)

Students walking side by side down a hallway
New course in Filipino (Tagalog)
  • Harvard Business School

MBA Program now qualifies as a STEM degree

The facade of Baker Library against a bright blue sky.
MBA Program now qualifies as a STEM degree
  • Harvard Chan School

New concentration in climate change and planetary health

Windmills and a rainbow
New concentration in climate change and planetary health
  • Harvard Medical School

New master of science in clinical research

Students walk on campus between buildings
New master of science in clinical research

Beyond Harvard Yard

From forests and gardens to art tours and labs, venturing outside the Yard opens up a whole other Harvard world.

A red sign that reads
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Harvard Innovation Labs

The Harvard Innovation Labs is a full-service space for Harvard students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. Since the i-lab opened in 2011 they’ve worked with more than 5,000 ventures in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. During the last academic year, more than 2,700 students from across the University were part of the i-lab.

Check out the i-lab
People picnic on the grass
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Arnold Arboretum

Located in the heart of Boston, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University includes living collections, an herbarium, and robust archives. Free and open every day, this center for research engages the public through educational opportunities and programs for all ages.

Visit the arboretum
A mural of a bird and flowers on a building
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Allston public art tour

On this self-guided tour, you'll discover public art installations and learn the stories behind them and their artists. Follow along to explore hand-painted murals, sky-high sculptures, 25-cent art prints, and more.

Take a tour
A sign for Fisher Meteorological Station by a field and fence
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Harvard Forest

The Harvard Forest is comprised of 4,000 acres of land, research facilities, and a museum. The scientists, students, and collaborators at the Forest explore topics ranging from conservation and environmental change to land-use history.

Take a trip to the forest
The exterior of the building during the daytime, with plants growing over the walls of the outdoor performance yard.
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American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.)

Each season, the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University brings a variety of boundary-breaking new works and beloved classics to local audiences.

See a show
A man looks at boxes of books outside of the Harvard Square MBTA stop
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Harvard Square

Bustling with bikes, busses, pedestrians, and tourists, Harvard Square is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

Check out the Square

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