Latest news with #BestStudentCitiesRanking2026
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
QS 2026: Not London or Boston, Seoul is top city for foreign education
Seoul, not London, has emerged as the most preferred city for international students, according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026. The South Korean capital has taken the top spot, pushing London to third place, while Tokyo has climbed to second. This is the first time two Asian cities have led the global student city rankings. Compiled by UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the annual index considers a mix of factors including affordability, student mix, desirability, quality of universities, and employment outcomes after graduation. London, United Kingdom Munich, Germany Melbourne, Australia Sydney, Australia Berlin, Germany Paris, France Zurich, Switzerland Vienna, Austria Singapore Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Beijing, China Taipei, Taiwan Boston, United States 'Seoul's rise to the top spot, overtaking long-time favourites like Tokyo and London, is a clear message that the global higher education scene is evolving strongly and shows diversity in the study options for students globally. For Indian students and parents, this means that they now don't have to run behind the Anglosphere and can choose other hot spots,' said Mamta Shekhawat, founder at 'It additionally confirms that Asian cities, especially East Asian cities such as Seoul and Tokyo, provide a very real and exciting blend of academic excellence, lively student experience, and strong post-graduation career options,' she told Business Standard. Indian students still prefer familiar routes 'It's a wake-up call for Indian families to look beyond the traditional US–UK–Canada triangle and consider high-performing, culturally rich destinations like South Korea that are investing heavily in international education,' Ritesh Jain, co-founder of LaunchEd Global told Business Standard. Mary Gogoi, head of admissions at eduVelocity, agreed the trend is slowly shifting. 'Students are becoming more open to exploring countries like South Korea and Japan, especially for courses in STEM, business, and international studies. This is often driven by curiosity, cultural appeal, and the availability of government scholarships,' she told Business Standard. Still, many Indian families continue to lean towards English-speaking destinations. 'For many families, these factors offer a sense of comfort and long-term opportunity, especially in terms of career prospects,' said Gogoi. Korean wave and government support drive interest According to LaunchEd Global and there has been a clear uptick in enquiries over the past 12 to 18 months. 'We've seen a clear uptick in interest, particularly from students in tech, design, and media-related fields. South Korea's pop culture influence—K-dramas, K-pop, etc.—is a huge pull among Gen Z, but it's not just about fandom,' said Jain. 'Students are now recognising the strong academic infrastructure and the generous scholarships Korean and Japanese universities are offering to international students.' 'While difficulties like learning a new language and finding work after graduation are still real, both South Korea and Japan are actively trying to make things easier for international students, including those from India,' said Shekhawat. Language barriers and career planning 'While many top universities in Seoul and Tokyo offer programmes in English, daily life and internships often require some knowledge of the local language. Also, the path to staying and working after graduation isn't as clear-cut as it is in Canada or Australia,' said Jain. 'Knowing the local language becomes essential for internships, part-time jobs, and long-term employment. Post-study work options exist, but navigating them requires good planning and language skills. It's important for students to be prepared for that adjustment,' said Gogoi. She added that Seoul and Tokyo offer high-quality education at comparatively lower costs, excellent public safety, and a modern lifestyle. 'Generous scholarships and a growing focus on internationalisation make them attractive. Career opportunities in tech, design, and research are also a big plus.' 'Seoul has built a strong reputation through universities like KAIST and SNU, especially in tech, engineering, and research. Scholarships and government support help too,' said Mayank Maheshwari, co-founder and COO at University Living. 'Tokyo's been a go-to for innovation for years whether it's AI, robotics, or design. Both cities have universities that are respected around the world, which is why they score well in the employer-related parts of the QS ranking,' he said. 'But students also care about what happens after—can they stay back, work, and build a life there? And even during their studies, they think about the everyday stuff: food, language, part-time work, and whether they'll feel at home in a completely new culture. That's why, for many Indian students, countries like the UK, Canada, the US, and Australia still feel easier. The language, the work rights after graduation, and even access to familiar food and communities—all of that helps when you're going abroad for the first time.' Cost of living: Seoul vs Tokyo vs Europe 'When it comes to cost of living, Seoul is generally more affordable than both Tokyo and many major cities in Western Europe. International students in Seoul usually spend around $550 to $750 per month, depending on lifestyle and housing,' said Maheshwari. 'Dorms are reasonably priced, public transport is student-friendly, and food, especially on campus, is affordable.' According to him: Tokyo tends to be slightly more expensive, with monthly student expenses between $700 and $900 (around ₹58,800 to ₹75,600). Rent and commuting costs are higher, but quality of life is strong. In European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, or Dublin, student budgets can range between $1,200 and $1,800 per month (around ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh). Housing in Europe generally ranges from €500 to €900 (around ₹45,500 to ₹81,900), with total monthly costs often crossing €1,000 (around ₹91,000). 'However, many students manage these costs through part-time work opportunities, which are more accessible and flexible in Europe compared to some Asian destinations,' he said. 'In the end, Seoul offers a strong mix of affordability, safety, and quality education. Tokyo appeals to students keen on tech, design, and innovation. And Europe remains one of the top choices, not just for academic excellence and cultural diversity, but also for its student-friendly work policies and career pathways,' Maheshwari said.
News18
7 days ago
- Business
- News18
Delhi Ranked World's Most Affordable City In QS Best Student Cities 2026 List
In an exciting update for students around the world, the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026 has been announced, and it comes with major changes. Seoul has claimed the top spot as the best city in the world for students, replacing London, which has dropped to third place. Tokyo now holds the second position, making this a historic moment with both top cities coming from Asia. These rankings are created by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a respected global higher education analyst. They evaluate cities using several important factors like affordability, student diversity, city desirability, the quality of universities, and the job opportunities available after graduation.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Seoul Ranks 1; Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, And Chennai In Top 150
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities Ranking 2026 has been announced, and Seoul has taken the top spot as the best city in the world for students. This is a significant change, as London, which was previously the best, has now dropped to third place. Tokyo has secured the second spot, marking a historic moment as both the top-ranked cities are now in Asia. The rankings are determined by Quacquarelli Symonds, a renowned analyst of global higher education. They assess cities based on several key factors, including affordability, diversity of students, desirability of the city, quality of universities, and job opportunities available to students after graduation. Top 15 Cities in QS Best Student Cities 2026 1. Seoul, South Korea 2. Tokyo, Japan 3. London, United Kingdom 4. Munich, Germany 5. Melbourne, Australia 6. Sydney, Australia 7. Berlin, Germany 7. Paris, France 9. Zurich, Switzerland 10. Vienna, Austria 11. Singapore 12. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 13. Beijing, China (Mainland) 14. Taipei, Taiwan 15. Boston, United States Indian Cities In The Global Top 150 India has made a notable impact in the rankings, with four cities securing spots in the global top 150. These cities include Mumbai at rank 98, Delhi at rank 104, Bangalore at rank 108, and Chennai at rank 128. These cities were recognised for their growing education infrastructure, vibrant student communities, and improving global perception. The QS rankings provide a helpful guide for students looking to pursue higher education abroad or in India. Factors like living costs, career opportunities, and quality of life are all considered, helping students make better-informed decisions.
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Delhi ranked world's most affordable, Mumbai in top 100
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Delhi has been named the most affordable student city in the world, according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026. While Mumbai has made a comeback into the top 100 student cities globally, Bengaluru and Chennai have also improved their rankings overall. According to the list of cities released by QS, all four Indian cities featured in this year's ranking have moved up from their previous positions, indicative of a broader upward shift in India's academic visibility, affordability, and improvement in workforce relevance. Which Indian cities made it to the 2026 list? According to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Mumbai emerged as the highest-ranked Indian city at 98th place globally, marking a significant leap of 15 spots from last year. Delhi climbed seven places to 104th and secured the top spot in the affordability category, making it the cheapest student city globally in 2026. Bengaluru, known for its technology and research ecosystem, jumped 22 places to 108th rank. Chennai also improved, rising 12 spots to settle at the 128th position. The presence of leading institutions in these cities adds weight to their rankings. Mumbai houses the University of Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, while Delhi is home to prestigious institutions like the University of Delhi and IIT Delhi. Bengaluru has the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), IIM Bengaluru, and a number of other popular private universities, and Chennai features institutions like Anna University and IIT Madras. How affordable are Indian cities for students? Affordability has been a consistent strength for Indian cities in the QS rankings. Delhi ranked first globally for affordability, scoring 96.5 in this category, with Bangaluru scoring 84.3 and Chennai 80.1 on the affordability index. This indicator takes into account average tuition fees and cost of living, both of which remain significantly lower in Indian cities compared to top-ranked global education hubs. Which are the world's top student cities in 2026? Globally, Seoul has claimed the top spot, displacing London which fell primarily due to a drop in affordability. The top five cities in the 2026 edition are: Seoul, South Korea Tokyo, Japan London, United Kingdom Munich, Germany Melbourne, Australia What about graduate employment prospects? In the 'Employer Activity' indicator, which assesses how highly employers regard graduates from a city, Delhi and Mumbai both placed in the global top 50. Bangalore made the steepest improvement of any Indian city, climbing 41 spots to reach 59th position. Chennai also showed significant movement, advancing 29 places. These gains reflect rising employer confidence in the talent emerging from India's top academic institutions, many of which are now also improving in global university rankings. How did Indian cities rank overall compared to 2025? When compared to last year's rankings, all four Indian cities showed upward movement: -Mumbai: from 131 to 98 -Delhi: from 117 to 104 -Bangalore: from 130 to 108 -Chennai: from 140 to 128 Notably, in the QS World University Rankings released earlier in 2025, nearly 50 per cent of Indian universities improved their standing. IIT Delhi was ranked the best institution in India, while globally, MIT retained its position as the top-ranked university for the 14th consecutive year. Achievement comes amid five years of NEP The improved visibility of Indian cities and institutions in global rankings comes at a time when India is marking five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. One of the aims of the NEP has been to internationalise Indian education and improve quality standards, which is beginning to reflect in both university-level and city-level rankings.
