The University of Pittsburgh, originally named the Pittsburgh Academy, begins life in a log cabin on the American frontier. The University of Pittsburgh is a state-related research university, founded as the Pittsburgh Academy in 1787. Pitt is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which comprises 62 preeminent doctorate-granting research institutions in North America.
Global Recognition
Pitt ranks in the top 10 percent in teaching, the top 20 percent in research, and the top 10 percent in citations in the 2016 Times Higher Education World University Rankings of the world's top 800 universities.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Pitt 47th on its list of the best global research universities. The publication collected data from 750 universities worldwide.
Pitt also ranks high among universities in the number of alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers, and it’s a top producer of Fulbright awards for U.S. students. In addition, since 1997 Pitt students have received 29 David L. Boren Scholarships and 19 Boren Fellowships for international study.
Embracing the World
Pitt convenes bright minds to explore and address global issues that improve life in the world's local communities. By engaging in research, policies, partnerships, and the study of languages and cultures, they open the door to global citizenship.
Languages
At Pitt, many languages are taught through dedicated departments—Classics (Ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit), East Asian Languages and Literatures, French and Italian Languages and Literatures, German, Hispanic Languages and Literatures, Jewish Studies (Hebrew), and Slavic Languages and Literatures.
Others, such as Arabic, Farsi, and Swahili, are offered through the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center, part of Pitt's Department of Linguistics.
Many departments offer intensive language courses during the summer.
Pitt students can craft competitive résumés for the global marketplace by learning languages while studying abroad and by earning an International Studies Certificate.
