Student cities buzz with vibrant culture, expansive shopping districts, and lively nightlife, making them ideal for young people pursuing higher education. Among global metropolises, London stands out as the top choice. According to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2018 by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)—a leading authority in higher education connecting universities worldwide with prospective students—the British capital claims the number one spot. The top five includes Tokyo (2nd), Melbourne (3rd), Montreal (4th), and Paris (5th, down three places from last year). Rounding out the top 10 are Munich (6th), Berlin, Zurich, Sydney, and Seoul.
QS's ranking draws from an international survey of 50,000 students, evaluating key factors like affordability (Paris ranks 92nd, London 113th), international student concentration, post-graduation desirability, and entry-level job opportunities (Paris 2nd, London 7th). Last year, Montreal edged ahead in student perceptions, but 2018 reshuffled the leaderboard entirely. Check the full ranking on the Top Universities website. If you've studied abroad, do these results align with your experience?
