The 11th edition of the QS Best Student Cities ranking has just been released, and London has once again been named the top student city worldwide for the fifth consecutive year. The ranking includes 160 cities that meet the criteria of having a population of at least 250,000 and hosting at least two universities featured in the QS World University Ranking.
The rankings are based on survey responses from over 110,000 prospective international students across 194 countries. Each city is evaluated across six factors, all carrying an equal weight of 16.67%:
- QS World University Rankings: Reflects the collective performance of a city’s universities.
- Student Mix: Assesses diversity and the overall student population, focusing on international representation.
- Desirability: Considers factors like safety, quality of life, and pollution levels to gauge a city’s overall appeal.
- Employer Activity: Evaluates employment prospects for graduates based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
- Affordability: Measures the cost-effectiveness for students, including tuition fees and living expenses.
- Student Voice: Incorporates feedback from the annual QS International Student Survey to understand student experiences.
Tokyo made a significant leap this year, climbing from 7th place to secure the 2nd position, while London maintained its stronghold at the top spot. Asia and Europe have strong representation in the top 20, while Canada and the US each boast three cities in the upper tier.
The top 20 student cities for 2024, according to the QS ranking, are as follows:
- London
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Melbourne
- Munich
- Paris
- Sydney
- Berlin (tied)
- Zurich (tied)
- Boston
- Toronto
- Vienna
- Montreal
- Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe
- Singapore
- Edinburgh
- New York
- Vancouver
- Lausanne
- San Francisco
London’s consistent top performance highlights its appeal to international students, combining world-class universities, diverse student life, and desirable living conditions.
