# QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2027

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/qs-best-student-cities-ranking-2027
- Published: 2026-07-21T16:59:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

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**Seoul retains #1; Asia shines and Europe mixed**

LONDON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seoul is named the world’s best study destination
for a second year in the [QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2027](https://www.topuniversities.com/city-rankings/),
followed by Tokyo (2^(nd)) and London (3^(rd)).

While Seoul is strong all-round, it ranks first for _University Rankings_, which
measures the number and standing of a city’s institutions. Tokyo combines prestige
and value, placing first for _Employer Activity_ and fourth for _Desirability_. 
London’s position rests on university strength and students’ experience.

QS ranks 150 cities across 59 higher education systems. The UK is most represented
with 16 ranked cities, followed by the US (14) and China (10).  Only Sydney joins
the top five while no city enters the top-10 or top-20. Shanghai joins the top-25
and Leeds the top-50.

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**Top-10**

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**2027**

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**2026**

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1

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1

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Seoul

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2

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2

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Tokyo

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3

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3

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London

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4

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5

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Melbourne

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=5

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4

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Munich

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=5

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6

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Sydney

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7

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=7

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Paris

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8

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=7

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Berlin

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9

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10

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Vienna

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10

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9

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Zurich

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**Highlights**

 ◦ Vienna rises to ninth and is second globally for desirability. Austria’s universities
   are among Europe’s most improved year-on-year, powered by an exceptionally international
   outlook.
 ◦ Mainland China has more ranked cities than ever. Beijing ranks 12th and Shanghai
   21st. Affordability, university quality and employer links drive its rise, while
   limited international diversity is a constraint.
 ◦ Paris ranks fifth for university strength. Lyon (71st), Toulouse (124th) and 
   Montpellier (147th) fall sharply, although near-free tuition keeps France among
   the most affordable destinations.
 ◦ Munich and Berlin are among the world’s most highly regarded by students and 
   graduates, while Hamburg enters the ranking at 103rd.
 ◦ Three Italian cities feature, led by Milan (39th), up five places due to its 
   employer appeal and rising universities. Italy’s cities remain among the more
   affordable in Europe.
 ◦ All four Japanese cities rise or remain stable, but limited international diversity
   remains the sector’s weakness. Kyoto rises to 16th, Osaka climbs to 60th and 
   Nagoya to 108th.
 ◦ Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ only ranked city, rises to 19th and tops the world
   for desirability, even as the country moves to slow the inflow of international
   students.
 ◦ Five South Korean cities rank. Daejeon and Gwangju appear for the first time.
   The government achieved its target of attracting 300,000 international students
   by 2027 two years early, in 2025.
 ◦ Switzerland is home to two ranked cities: Zurich and Lausanne (23rd). Both are
   among the world’s most international, reflecting a strategy that prizes research
   excellence and selective talent.

[**Methodology**](https://www.topuniversities.com/best-student-cities/methodology)

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**Read the original article :** [QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2027 ](http://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/5008041_EN08041_0?rand=184833)