#South Korea #Seoul #QS Rankings #Best Student City

Seoul Retains the Top Spot in QS Best Student Cities Ranking for 2027

In an exciting announcement made on July 21, 2026, the QS Best Student Cities Ranking for 2027 has been released, and once again, Seoul emerges as the leading destination for students worldwide. This marks the second consecutive year that the South Korean capital has claimed this prestigious title. Following closely are Tokyo in second place and London in third.

The QS Rankings assess cities based on multiple criteria that are vital for students when choosing a study location. Seoul excels across all categories, notably leading the University Rankings due to the abundance and reputation of its institutions. Tokyo stands out for its combination of prestige and value, earning first place for Business Activity and holding the fourth spot for Student Familiarity. London continues to rank high due to the reliability of its universities and the overall student experience.

This year’s QS rankings evaluated 150 cities, scrutinizing 59 educational systems globally. Notably, the United Kingdom boasts the highest number of ranked cities, with 16, closely followed by the United States with 14 and China with 10. Among the top five, only Sydney from Australia made the cut, highlighting the competitive landscape for educational destinations. Cities like Shanghai and Leeds have also made considerable strides, securing their spots in the top 25 and top 50, respectively.

Top Ranking Cities for 2027

1. Seoul
2. Tokyo
3. London
4. Melbourne
5. Munich
5. Sydney
7. Paris
7. Berlin
9. Vienna
10. Zurich

In a remarkable shift, Vienna climbed to the ninth position, ranking second worldwide in terms of attractiveness, thanks to its universities, which have consistently improved over the years driven by an international vision. On the other hand, mainland China sees a historic milestone with more cities ranked than ever before. Beijing stands at 12th position and Shanghai at 21st, thanks to affordable education, quality universities, and robust industry ties, although the lack of international diversity remains a challenge.

Paris, known for its impressive academic quality, ranks fifth in the roster. French cities like Lyon (71), Toulouse (124), and Montpellier (147) experienced significant drops, but the low tuition fees keep France competitive as a budget-friendly study destination. Munich and Berlin are noted among the best-rated cities by students and alumni, and Hamburg broke into the ranking at 103rd place.

Three Italian cities made it onto the list, led by Milan at 39th, which rose five positions due to its employer attractiveness and university growth. Italian cities remain among Europe’s most affordable. Each of the four Japanese cities on the ranking showed improvement or stability, although the limited international diversity still poses a concern for the sector. Kyoto climbed to 16th while Osaka and Nagoya stood at 60th and 108th, respectively.

Amsterdam, the only Dutch city in the ranking, moved up to 19th place, earning recognition for its global appeal. However, the Netherlands is currently working to limit the influx of international students.[Source: QS Surveys]

South Korean Success

South Korea had a strong showing with five cities represented, including Daejeon and Gwangju, which achieved their first rankings. The government met its ambitious goal of attracting 300,000 international students two years ahead of its target by reaching this milestone in 2025, showcasing the country's commitment to higher education.

Switzerland also performed well with both Zurich and Lausanne ranked among the most international cities, reflecting a strategy emphasizing research excellence and selective talent acquisition.

Given the increasing competitiveness for international students, city rankings such as QS serve as a crucial framework for potential students to assess their options when deciding where to pursue higher education. With strong contenders like Seoul, Tokyo, and London leading the pack, the landscape for students looking to study abroad remains vibrant and diverse.