Explore the Best Cities for Students in 2026

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QS has announced the Best Student Cities Ranking for 2026.

LONDON, July 15, 2025 — Seoul has been named the world’s best study destination, according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking, ending London’s six-year reign at the top. Seoul has moved up two spots, reflecting its strong international appeal and an outstanding selection of universities. London has dropped to third place due to a decrease in its Affordability rating.

QS has ranked 150 cities across 58 countries and territories. The US and UK have the most representation, with 16 cities each. Vienna enters the top 10, while Kuala Lumpur (12th), Taipei (14th), and Hong Kong (17th) make it into the top 20.

Ju-Ho Lee, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of the Republic of Korea stated, “We are proud that Seoul has been recognized as the best student city in the world. This achievement reflects the global confidence in Korea’s higher education system. It showcases Seoul’s ability to combine academic excellence with a vibrant culture, cutting-edge innovation, and a safe, welcoming environment.”

Global Highlights

  • In the UK, only Nottingham (49th) and Leeds (51st) have seen improvements. The UK excels in Desirability but faces challenges with Affordability.
  • Among all ranked US cities, only Boston (15th) has improved; however, US cities continue to struggle with Student Mix and Desirability.
  • All four Canadian cities have dropped in rankings, but they all remain in the top 100, led by Montreal (18th).
  • Melbourne and Sydney continue to rank in the top 10, reinforcing Australia’s status as one of the world’s premier study destinations.
  • Tokyo ranks second globally and leads in Employer Activity.
  • Beijing achieves its highest position ever at 13th, leading all eight ranked cities in Mainland China.
  • Mumbai, India, has entered the top 100 at 98th place, thanks to its strong performance in Affordability (11th) and Employer Activity (37th).
  • Germany and Australia are the only countries with two cities in the top 10; both Munich and Berlin are highly regarded by students and graduates who have studied and lived there.
  • Paris maintains its 7th place and stands out as the European leader in the QS World University Rankings indicator, reflecting its exceptional universities.
  • Madrid has entered the Top 30, while Milan and Rome are now in the Top 50.
  • Amman ranks as the highest city in the Arab Region, at 64th, marking an impressive 19-place rise year-on-year. Cairo leads in Africa, ranking 71st.
  • Buenos Aires tops the Latin America rankings, placing 32nd and improving by 10 spots, followed by Santiago at 50th.

QS BEST STUDENT CITIES 2026

RANK – CITY – COUNTRY

  1. Seoul – South Korea
  2. Tokyo – Japan
  3. London – United Kingdom
  4. Munich – Germany
  5. Melbourne – Australia
  6. Sydney – Australia
  7. Berlin – Germany
  8. Paris – France
  9. Zurich – Switzerland
  10. Vienna – Austria
  11. Singapore – Singapore
  12. Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia
  13. Beijing – China (Mainland)
  14. Taipei – Taiwan
  15. Boston – United States
  16. Edinburgh – United Kingdom
  17. Hong Kong SAR – Hong Kong SAR
  18. Kyoto – Japan
  19. Montreal – Canada
  20. Amsterdam – Netherlands
  21. Lausanne – Switzerland
  22. Toronto – Canada
  23. New York – United States
  24. Stockholm – Sweden
  25. Auckland – New Zealand
  26. Brisbane – Australia
  27. Shanghai – China (Mainland)
  28. Madrid – Spain
  29. Prague – Czech Republic
  30. Vancouver – Canada
  31. Adelaide – Australia
  32. Buenos Aires – Argentina
  33. Leuven – Belgium
  34. Copenhagen – Denmark
  35. Barcelona – Spain
  36. Glasgow – United Kingdom
  37. Perth – Australia
  38. Canberra – Australia
  39. Dublin – Ireland
  40. Manchester – United Kingdom
  41. Newcastle Upon Tyne – United Kingdom
  42. San Francisco – United States
  43. Los Angeles – United States
  44. Milan – Italy
  45. Coventry – United Kingdom
  46. Rome – Italy
  47. Bristol – United Kingdom
  48. Chicago – United States
  49. Nottingham – United Kingdom
  50. Santiago – Chile
  51. Leeds – United Kingdom
  52. Gothenburg – Sweden
  53. Brussels – Belgium
  54. Lyon – France
  55. Bangkok – Thailand
  56. Warsaw – Poland
  57. Brno – Czech Republic
  58. Lisbon – Portugal
  59. Birmingham – United Kingdom
  60. Helsinki – Finland
  61. Istanbul – Türkiye
  62. Liverpool – United Kingdom
  63. Osaka – Japan
  64. Amman – Jordan
  65. Belfast – United Kingdom
  66. Turin – Italy
  67. Sheffield – United Kingdom
  68. Budapest – Hungary
  69. Nanjing – China (Mainland)
  70. Philadelphia – United States
  71. Cairo – Egypt
  72. Hsinchu – Taiwan
  73. Mexico City – Mexico
  74. Washington DC – United States
  75. Dubai – United Arab Emirates
  76. Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
  77. Cape Town – South Africa
  78. Oslo – Norway
  79. Ankara – Türkiye
  80. Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
  81. Atlanta – United States
  82. Ottawa – Canada
  83. Valencia – Spain
  84. Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
  85. Doha – Qatar
  86. Aberdeen – United Kingdom
  87. San Diego – United States
  88. Manila – Philippines
  89. Pittsburgh – United States
  90. Wuhan – China (Mainland)
  91. Almaty – Kazakhstan
  92. Brighton – United Kingdom
  93. Tainan – Taiwan
  94. Christchurch – New Zealand
  95. Gold Coast – Australia
  96. Seattle – United States
  97. Beirut – Lebanon
  98. Mumbai – India
  99. Bogota – Colombia
  100. Johannesburg – South Africa
  101. Sao Paulo – Brazil
  102. Athens – Greece
  103. Baltimore – United States
  104. Delhi – India
  105. Riga – Latvia
  106. Toulouse – France
  107. Al-Ain – United Arab Emirates
  108. Bangalore – India
  109. Graz – Austria
  110. Krakow – Poland
  111. Monterrey – Mexico
  112. Nagoya – Japan
  113. Taichung – Taiwan
  114. Houston – United States
  115. Vilnius – Lithuania
  116. Jakarta – Indonesia
  117. Baku – Azerbaijan
  118. Busan – South Korea
  119. Guangzhou – China (Mainland)
  120. Stuttgart – Germany
  121. Yogyakarta – Indonesia
  122. Jeddah – Saudi Arabia
  123. Bandung – Indonesia
  124. Xi’an – China (Mainland)
  125. Leicester – United Kingdom
  126. Miami – United States
  127. Astana – Kazakhstan
  128. Chennai – India
  129. Tallinn – Estonia
  130. Taoyuan District – Taiwan
  131. Daegu – South Korea
  132. Tianjin – China (Mainland)
  133. Pretoria – South Africa
  134. Macau – Macau SAR
  135. Lima – Peru
  136. Dhaka – Bangladesh
  137. Montpellier – France
  138. Bishkek – Kyrgyzstan
  139. Tel Aviv-Yafo – Israel
  140. Wroclaw – Poland
  141. Izmir – Türkiye
  142. Kaunas – Lithuania
  143. Surabaya – Indonesia
  144. Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
  145. Shah Alam – Malaysia
  146. Chengdu – China (Mainland)
  147. Dallas – United States
  148. Cluj-Napoca – Romania
  149. Durham – United States
  150. Irbid – Jordan

The QS Best Student Cities ranking highlights the top urban destinations for international students based on a diverse range of indicators divided into six main categories.

To be eligible for inclusion, each city must have a population of over 250,000 and host at least two universities that are featured in the most recent QS World University Rankings. Whenever possible, population metrics are based on the metropolitan area.

The six main categories considered are:

  • University Rankings
  • Student Mix
  • Desirability
  • Employer Activity
  • Affordability
  • Student views


Source: QS