Top 10 Student-Friendly Cities Around the World

Itching to pursue your dream degree abroad but can’t quite decide where? The university ranking site QS just released its annual ranking of the world’s best student cities—based on a combination of student reviews and statistics surrounding safety, cost-of-living, and population.

QS compiles these statistics to rate 150 cities across six student-friendly factors: university rankings, student mix, student view, desirability, employer activity, and affordability.

So, where came out on top?

QS Best Student Cities 2026: Breakdown

Looking for a fast-paced life in a city which blends cutting-edge technology with rich history? Then you’ll be pleased to know that the number one city to pursue your studies in is Seoul.

The South Korean capital has overtaken London, which had previously held onto the crown since 2015. Asian cities top this year’s ranking, with Tokyo following Seoul as the second-best student city. Both cities offer strong career opportunities in tech and finance.

London still ranks highly, in third place, due to its prestigious universities and diverse student mix, with Munich securing the fourth spot as the second European city on the list.

Melbourne and Sydney follow as Australia’s two major urban hubs, with high career prospects in major companies.

Paris—home to top institutions such as HEC Paris—Zurich, Berlin, and Vienna also feature in the top 10, with Berlin topping the charts in terms of its student life.

However, if you're trying to figure out where you'd like to study, overall ranking positions only paint part of the picture. Here is a breakdown of the top five, according to QS.