Recently, QS officially released the "2026 Best Student Cities Ranking," with 150 cities making the list this year.
The prerequisite for participating in the QS Best Student Cities ranking is that a city must have a population of over 250,000 and at least two universities included in the latest QS World University Rankings.
The evaluation criteria remain largely unchanged, still based on a comprehensive comparison of the following six aspects:
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University Rankings
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Desirability
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Affordability
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Employer Activity
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Student Mix
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Student View
These indicators offer great reference value!
First, let's highlight some key points in this year's ranking!
Seoul dethroned London to become the best student city this year. Tokyo maintained second place, while London, which topped the list for six consecutive years, fell to third.
Munich once again outperformed Melbourne, ranking fourth globally. Berlin rose two spots to tie with Paris at 7th, and Vienna entered the Top 10 this year.
Source: QS World University Rankings
👉 For the complete ranking, visit:
https://www.topuniversities.com/city-rankings
Now, let's take a closer look at the Top 10 cities!
TOP 1 Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is the political, economic, technological, educational, and cultural center of South Korea, and one of the major financial hubs in Asia.
Since Korea shares cultural roots with China, studying in Korea makes it easier to adapt to dietary habits and lifestyle customs. Moreover, flights from Shanghai to Seoul take only about 2 hours, making travel very convenient.
Notable Institutions
Seoul National University, Hanyang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Korea University, etc.
TOP 2 Tokyo, Japan
As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is not only an educational and cultural center but also recognized as one of the safest cities in the world.
Tokyo boasts numerous strong schools and well-developed educational resources, with 138 universities and thousands of museums, temples, and shrines, hosting cultural events every week.
Furthermore, as one of the world's three major financial centers alongside New York and London, Tokyo's economy has been growing well, offering abundant internship opportunities and a relatively positive employment outlook.
Notable Institutions
The University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Keio University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, etc.
TOP 3 London, United Kingdom
London, with its strong academic atmosphere and profound cultural heritage, is a dream city for many international students.
Many world-renowned museums are clustered in London, including the Natural History Museum and the British Museum, where you can witness the development of world culture.
Three of the G5 universities are in London: Imperial College London, University College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Notable Institutions
University College London, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, Queen Mary University of London, King's College London, etc.
TOP 4 Munich, Germany
Compared to other European cities, Munich has relatively low prices but offers the same quality of life. Ancient buildings like church towers can be seen everywhere, giving the city a unique aesthetic that blends modern civilization with historical charm.
Munich and its surrounding areas host headquarters of many international companies. Well-known firms like Huawei, Longi, and NIO have established design centers in Munich. Additionally, Fortune 500 companies Allianz, BMW, and Siemens are also headquartered there, providing excellent employment opportunities for international students.
Notable Institutions
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Technical University of Munich, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Goethe-Institut, etc.
TOP 5 Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, known as Australia's cultural capital, consistently ranks among the Top 5 most livable cities globally and offers all the charms of the Australian lifestyle—beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and plenty of sunshine.
Melbourne is an inclusive, multicultural city with 55% of its population born overseas. Here, you can experience the collision of different cultures and fully immerse yourself in global diversity.
Notable Institutions
The University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria University, etc.
TOP 6 Sydney, Australia
Sydney is nestled between mountains and the sea, boasting numerous famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach—all popular check-in spots for visitors.
As Australia's economic center, Sydney offers abundant job opportunities, and many international students work part-time while studying to gain work experience.
Notable Institutions
The University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, etc.
TOP 7 Berlin, Germany
As Germany's capital, Berlin is highly internationalized, with nearly 20% of its students being international, and the main source country is China. In this regard, it is a very suitable city for Chinese students to study abroad.
Berlin is also a city with a diverse art scene, home to over 440 galleries with world-class collections, and modern street art has also thrived here.
Notable Institutions
Humboldt University of Berlin, Technical University of Berlin, Free University of Berlin, Berlin University of the Arts, Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, etc.
TOP 7 Paris, France
When mentioning Paris, "romance" and "fashion" immediately come to mind, but it is also the political, economic, and cultural center of France and even Western Europe.
It's worth noting that France has one of Europe's most comprehensive social welfare systems. International students can also enjoy housing subsidies, social insurance, and discounts on university dining, public transportation, cinemas, theaters, etc., significantly reducing the financial burden of studying abroad.
Moreover, international students who obtain a master's degree or higher in France can get a one-year work visa, and the employment policies are relatively relaxed.
Notable Institutions
Collège de France, University of Paris, École Polytechnique, École Normale Supérieure, ENSAE ParisTech, etc.
TOP 9 Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and most important commercial and industrial hub. It is not only the country's political, economic, cultural, and transportation center but also the richest city in Europe. It has been repeatedly rated by UN-Habitat as one of the world's most livable cities.
Many well-known companies and financial institutions have their headquarters in Zurich, and the city is also home to internationally leading tech industries, with fields like computer science and artificial intelligence thriving there.
Notable Institutions
ETH Zurich, EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), etc.
TOP 10 Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of Europe's oldest capitals with a rich cultural heritage. From Baroque architecture to contemporary buildings, Vienna blends old and new, making the city beautiful.
Vienna is one of the cheapest capital cities in Europe, with low tuition fees and living costs. In the desirability index, Vienna also scores highly and frequently ranks at the top of global livability rankings.
Notable Institutions
University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology, etc.
Choosing a city is just one of many factors in studying abroad. When selecting schools, it's still important to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to find the most desired and suitable Dream School~
Finally, I wish everyone success in applying to their desired institutions!
