For the sixth consecutive edition, London has been named the world’s best student city by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The announcement came with the release of the QS Best Student Cities ranking for 2025, which evaluated 150 study destinations worldwide. London’s top position was attributed to its world-class universities, diverse student population, high student satisfaction and plentiful career opportunities.
QS Best Student Cities 2025 key highlights
The QS Best Student Cities ranking, now on its 12th year, assesses cities on indicators important to international students, including university rankings, student mix, desirability, employer activity and affordability. London’s consistent performance across these metrics has awarded it the top spot for students globally since 2018.
Following London in the rankings are Tokyo in second place, Seoul in third, Munich in fourth, and Melbourne placing fifth. Rounding off the top ten are Sydney, Paris, Zurich, Berlin and Montreal, with Sydney and Montreal making notable gains from the previous year.
London’s strengths
World-class universities: London’s educational landscape is exceptional, home to two universities ranked among the world’s top 10, the highest number globally alongside Boston. Eighteen London universities feature in the latest QS World University Rankings, highlighting the city’s academic excellence.
Student satisfaction: Current and former students gave London favourable reviews, earning the city the third spot for Student Voice, just behind Berlin and Melbourne. This encompasses student ratings or feedback of the city’s friendliness, sustainability, diversity and other factors, as well as the proportion of students who remain in the city after graduation. London’s diverse student population contributes significantly to its appeal, with the city earning the seventh-best score globally for Student Mix, which ecompasses of the proportion of students in a city’s population, including the number of international students and the inclusivity of the city and country.
Career opportunities: London’s business environment remains strong, providing career opportunities for graduates. The city improved to fourth place in the Employer Activity indicator, up from eighth last year, promoting employment opportunities for students. This covers youth employment rates in the city and the employer opinions on the quality of graduates from the city’s universities.
Rising cities and affordability
Other cities have also made significant strides in this year’s rankings. Sydney moved from seventh to sixth place, benefiting from improved performance in Employer Activity and Affordability. Montreal climbed from 13th to 10th, showing progress in Student Mix, Employer Activity and Affordability.
Delhi emerged as India’s highest-ranking city, while Cairo was named Africa’s best student city. In terms of affordability, Izmir (Turkey) stood out as the most budget-friendly destination for students.
Significant challenges and future outlook
Despite London’s success, there are concerns about the UK’s ability to maintain its appeal to international students amidst reforming the visa regulations. Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, expressed sentiments over the impact of changing visa policies introduced since January, which have led to a decline in international student applications. “It is imperative for our country to maintain its appeal to international students, which is crucial not only for the vitality and financial resilience of our higher education institutions but also for the enrichment of our society as a whole,” she said.
Celebrating London’s educational success
Diana Beech, CEO of London Higher, lauded the city’s universities for their continued delivery of an exceptional student experience. She emphasised the importance of London’s cultural diversity and inclusivity, which have been central to its sustained success as a top student city.
A recent campaign by London Higher aimed to highlight these attributes, dispelling misconceptions about studying in the city and showcasing its vibrant, welcoming environment. The campaign promotes London as the premier global destination for students seeking world-class higher education and unparalleled career opportunities.
Sustaining excellence
London’s standing as the best student city underscores its promising educational offerings, diverse student population and strong career prospects. As the city looks to the future, maintaining its global appeal despite changing policies is fundamental to preserving its status as a top study-abroad destination.
To learn more news, updates and exciting study opportunities available for international students in the UK, please visit our blog or contact our business development experts for more information.
