Minerva is a fully accredited, non-profit university based in San Francisco, California, offering a unique, global college experience for the most inquisitive, adventurous students.
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Over the course of four years at Minerva, students live, learn, and gain valuable work experience in vibrant cities around the globe. Freshmen spend their first year in San Francisco before moving to new cities each year, including Seoul, Berlin, Hyderabad, and Buenos Aires.In each location, students live together in a residential dormitory, sharing meals, studying, and building community.
Students attend small, discussion-based seminars that nurture critical and creative thinking while enhancing communication and teamwork skills. Rigorous academics are reinforced by hands-on, collaborative projects, and on-the-ground experiences, including local community initiatives.
Each student is partnered with a personal coach dedicated to guiding their professional development. Together they identify strengths, interests, and goals. Through 1:1 coaching, resume services, networking, and more, students shape their short- and long-term professional journeys.
Incubated in Silicon Valley, Minerva’s mission is to shape global entrepreneurs and changemakers equipped to address the biggest challenges facing humanity. Our powerful network supports a thriving internship and career development program, with 97% of students holding internships before graduating.
91% of our alumni are in full-time positions or in graduate programs.
“Our daughter and many of her friends have the skills and attitudes that will shape employment in the future. They are flexible, creative, analytical, and innovative global thinkers.”
“It’s so different from just sitting in a lecture theater. You learn as you do,not learn by rote. And I have learned so much more in the past year thanin any year of my life.”
Minerva has been ranked the #1 Most Innovative University in the World two years in a row by The World University Rankings for Innovation. Our active learning methodology, global immersion, and emphasis on experiential, project-based learning sets us apart. Minerva's unique global rotation model allows students to live and learn in 5+ diverse cities around the world, providing a truly global education experience.
Though highly diverse in their interests and backgrounds, Minerva students have many attributes in common. They are intellectually curious, driven to excel, adventurous and inventive, and inspired by the complex challenge of making the world a better place.
Minerva selects top students from around the world based on academic excellence, how students think and solve problems, and their accomplishments. There is a three-part admissions process: 1) Who You Are - the basic application form; 2) How You Think - a series of six challenges completed online that take 2 hours in total; and 3) What You Have Achieved - past accomplishments and academic performance.
Every class at Minerva is a small, discussion-based seminar conducted in a live, virtual learning environment. The emphasis is on active learning, with students participating in debates and case studies. Knowledge is then applied outside the classroom, where students participate in collaborative, culturally immersive research and project-based opportunities around the world. Students can pursue a range of majors across disciplines, including but not limited to humanities, sciences, business, and social sciences. The curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded education with a focus on practical skills.
The Minerva curriculum is designed to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills through active learning, real-world applications, and collaborative projects. Classes focus on the skills that are essential for success in a rapidly changing world. A typical day at Minerva involves classes, extracurricular activities, independent study, and collaborative group work, fostering a rigorous academic environment. Nearly all students hold an internship before graduating.
Minerva's dorms and residence halls are designed to provide a comfortable and supportive living environment. They have shared spaces that foster a sense of community, including cooking facilities. Minerva also provides meal options for students, often in collaboration with local vendors. While there may not be traditional dining halls, students have access to diverse and nutritious food choices.
Minerva graduates have a strong track record of successful employment outcomes, securing positions in top-tier companies and organizations globally. The university's emphasis on practical skills and global experience contributes to their professional success. 91% of our alumni are in full-time positions or enrolled in graduate programs.
