QS compiles these statistics to rate 150 cities across six student-friendly factors: university rankings, student mix, student view, desirability, employer activity, and affordability.
So, where came out on top?
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Breakdown
Looking for a fast-paced life in a city which blends cutting-edge technology with rich history? Then you’ll be pleased to know that the number one city to pursue your studies in is Seoul.
The South Korean capital has overtaken London, which had previously held onto the crown since 2015. Asian cities top this year’s ranking, with Tokyo following Seoul as the second-best student city. Both cities offer strong career opportunities in tech and finance.
London still ranks highly, in third place, due to its prestigious universities and diverse student mix, with Munich securing the fourth spot as the second European city on the list.
Melbourne and Sydney follow as Australia’s two major urban hubs, with high career prospects in major companies.
Paris—home to top institutions such as HEC Paris—Zurich, Berlin, and Vienna also feature in the top 10, with Berlin topping the charts in terms of its student life.
However, if you're trying to figure out where you'd like to study, overall ranking positions only paint part of the picture. Here is a breakdown of the top five, according to QS.
Top 10 Student Cities
The Five Best Student Cities
5. Melbourne
Rounding out the top five is the Australian city of Melbourne: known for its idyllic laidback lifestyle, students ranked it highly for university experience, student diversity and desirability.
If you’re looking to study business, the reputable Melbourne Business School provides a strong option for your degree—plus, with major companies headquartered there such as Accenture and EY, there are plenty of career opportunities available.
4. Munich
In fourth place, the charming German city of Munich is highly regarded for its vibrant student life, career opportunities, and desirability. The Bavarian town is home to many multinational companies, such as BMW, Siemens, Allianz SE and Munich Re.
Not to mention, several top European business schools have campuses in Munich, including IESE—which ranks in the top 10 MBA programs in the world, according to QS’ 2025 ranking.
3. London
London takes the third spot in this year’s rankings, dropping from its previous position as the top-ranked student city. The UK’s capital still scores the highest in terms of student view and remains a particularly advantageous location for business students. London Business School ranked fifth in QS’ MBA global ranking 2025, while Imperial College London—famously established by Prince Albert—has a business school that’s regarded among the top 50.
Although the most expensive of the top five student cities, it remains a top hiring destination for major consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain, and Deloitte, which offer both high salaries and exciting career progression.
2. Tokyo
Tokyo comes in as the second highest-ranked city for student living and is the most affordable option of the top five. The Japanese capital is also one of the most exciting places to be for those looking start a prosperous business career.
Not only is Japan the third largest economy after the US and China, the nation houses 181 of the Forbes 2000 companies—including major car and tech companies like Tokyo Motors, Mitsubishi, and Sony. Japan is also home to a number of renowned business schools, such as NUCB Business School and Keio Business School.
1. Seoul
Seoul has moved up the rankings by two places this year, securing the top spot for the best student city in 2025. The South Korean capital is ranked particularly highly for its schools and enticing job prospects: including a career with the trillion-dollar tech giant, Samsung, which employs more than 270,000 global workers.
For prospective business school students looking to study in Seoul, top business schools are found at Seoul National University and Korea University.
So, what are you waiting for? Now you can reap the benefits of an international experience while also optimizing your business education.
