Top 7 student cities in the world, ranked on university quality and affordability

The QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking has identified the world’s leading destinations for students, highlighting cities that stand out for their universities, affordability, career opportunities and overall student experience. The ranking looks beyond academic quality to assess factors such as employer activity, student mix, desirability and the views of current students. Here are the seven highest-ranked student cities in the world and what makes them stand out as destinations for higher education.

Seoul has retained the No. 1 position in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking for the second year in a row. The South Korean capital recorded the highest possible score in the university rankings category, reflecting the strength and presence of its universities. It also performed strongly in employer activity, making it a key destination for students looking at both education and career opportunities.

Tokyo has secured the second position globally. The Japanese capital ranked first for employer activity, highlighting its strong position for graduate career opportunities. It also ranked fourth for desirability, showing its appeal among students considering where to study and live.

London remains Europe's highest-ranked student city and holds the third position globally. The city continues to benefit from its strong university profile and student experience. QS says London has one of the strongest student-view scores, although affordability remains a challenge for international students.

Melbourne has moved up one place to fourth in the 2027 ranking. The city recorded a perfect score in the student mix category, reflecting its strong international student community. It also performed well across student experience, employer activity and desirability, making it one of the leading study destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Munich shares fifth place globally with Sydney. The German city has performed strongly in student experience and employer activity. QS also highlights Munich among the cities that are highly regarded by students and graduates, while Germany continues to have a strong presence among Europe's leading student destinations.

Sydney has tied with Munich for fifth place, moving up from sixth in the previous ranking. The city scored particularly well for its student mix and student experience. Its strong international student presence and performance across several QS indicators keep Sydney among the world's leading destinations for students.

Paris ranks seventh globally and remains one of Europe's leading student cities. The French capital ranks fifth worldwide for university strength and also performs strongly for employer activity and desirability. According to QS, France remains among the more affordable study destinations in Europe because of its relatively low tuition costs.