Published on: January 1, 2023
When choosing a suitable university for your higher education, the selection of the top city where you live and study is also important. The QS Best Student Cities 2023 highlights 100 of the best places to be a student around the world, based on a methodology that rates each city on six indicators, including affordability, student vision and desirability. But which cities made the top 10? Read on to know the top 10 best places to study abroad.
Top 10 Best Cities to Study Abroad 2023
There are thousands of unique cities in the world that offer students something different. To help you explore the best cities in the world to study abroad in 2023, here we have listed the best student cities to study abroad according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2023.
| RANK | CITY | COUNTRY |
| 1 | London | United Kingdom |
| 2 | Munich | Germany |
| 3 | Seoul | South Korea |
| 3 | Tokyo | Japan |
| 5 | Berlin | Germany |
| 6 | Melbourne | Australia |
| 7 | Zurich | Switzerland |
| 8 | Sydney | Australia |
| 9 | Boston | United States |
| 9 | Montreal | Canada |
| 9 | Paris | France |
1. London, United Kingdom
Number one in the list of top cities to study abroad is the capital of the UK, London. If you are planning to study in the UK, you should know that London itself is home to 18 universities that are among the top universities in the world.
It is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with students from all over the world. London’s diversity is also a strong draw for many students at universities in the UK. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in London:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 95.9 |
| Employer activity | 92.9 |
| Desirability | 84.4 |
| Affordability | 36.9 |
| Rankings | 98.2 |
| Total score | 100 |
Top universities in London are
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Queen Mary University of London
- Western University
- University of London, City
- University of London, Birkbeck
2. Munich, Germany
The 2nd city in the list of the 10 best cities to study abroad according to QS’s ranking of best student cities goes to Munich, Germany. Offering an economic cost of living and quality education, it is one of the safest student cities to study in Germany. Another reason why Munich is a favorite student city is that the public universities in Germany offer programs with no tuition fees and only minimal administrative costs. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Munich:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 89.9 |
| Employer activity | 85.3 |
| Desirability | 91.4 |
| Affordability | 75.4 |
| Rankings | 56.6 |
| Total score | 97.4 |
Top universities in Munich are
- Technical University of Munich
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- Munich University of Applied Sciences
- The University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich
- Trade School Munich
3. Seoul, South Korea
A degree from South Korea is in demand and preferred by employers and recruiters around the world. Among all cities, the South Korean capital of Seoul holds the highest ranking for foreign studies in South Korea. Included in the safest student cities in the world, Seoul is known for its innovation, research and development sectors.
Considered a leading and emerging global city, it is known for its technologically advanced infrastructure, exciting nightlife and K-pop music scene, offering something for everyone. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Seoul:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 77.4 |
| Employer activity | 93.5 |
| Desirability | 82.1 |
| Affordability | 57.6 |
| Rankings | 100 |
| Total score | 96.1 |
Top Universities in Seoul are
- Seoul National University
- Korean University
- Yonsei University
- Hanyang University
- Ewha Woman’s University
- Chung Ang University (CAU)
- HUFS – Hankuk (Korea) University of Foreign Studies
- Dongguk University
3. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the 3rd city ranked for study abroad 2022 this year according to the QS best student cities ranking. It has a higher score than any other city for employer activity, as the city boasts the largest metropolitan economy in the world. It has a reputation as one of the world’s leading financial centers. International students will find excellent educational opportunities.
The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Tokyo:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 62.3 |
| Employer activity | 100 |
| Desirability | 100 |
| Affordability | 51.6 |
| Rankings | 87.4 |
| Total score | 96.1 |
Top universities in Tokyo are
- The University of Tokyo
- Kyoto University
- Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech)
- Keio University
- Waseda University
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
- University of Agriculture and Technology in Tokyo
5. Berlin, Germany
The German capital of Berlin ranks fifth in the 2022 city ranking for study abroad and is thriving as one of Europe’s most outstanding urban hubs. It is becoming more and more popular with students. It also gets the highest score for affordability of the top 10 cities, thanks to a lower cost of living than Munich and no tuition fees (regardless of nationality). The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Berlin:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 83 |
| Employer activity | 84.2 |
| Desirability | 90.6 |
| Affordability | 76.1 |
| Rankings | 51.9 |
| Total score | 95.9 |
Top universities in Berlin are:
- Free University of Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)
6. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne ranks 6th in the list of the best cities in the world to study abroad and is known as Australia’s cultural capital. It has world-class universities in Australia. Though the cost of living and studying in Melbourne is slightly higher to study in Australia.
The city has a packed calendar of cultural events. It is recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature and is an important center for street art, music and theatre. Melbourne has a large and diverse student population. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Melbourne:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 100 |
| Employer activity | 88.3 |
| Desirability | 88.7 |
| Affordability | 38.4 |
| Rankings | 69.8 |
| Total score | 95.5 |
The best universities in Melbourne are:
- The University of Melbourne
- Monash university
- RMIT University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- La Trobe University
- Victoria University
- Australian Catholic University
7. Zurich, Switzerland
According to the QS ranking of best student cities, the 7th place in our list of the top 10 best cities to study abroad in 2022 is Zurich, Switzerland. It is the largest and one of the most beautiful and chic cities in Switzerland and a great place to study. It is consistently voted one of the best in the world for its overall quality of life. Unfortunately, the cost of living in Zurich is very high, but it will be worth every penny. Zurich is also a financial center and wages here are also very high compared to the rest of the world. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Zurich:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 85.4 |
| Employer activity | 89.9 |
| Desirability | 95.9 |
| Affordability | 52.9 |
| Rankings | 64.1 |
| Total score | 95.5 |
Top universities in Zurich are
- ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
- University of Zurich
8. Sydney, Australia
The 8th place in the list of the top 10 best cities to study abroad in 2022 according to the QS best student cities ranking goes to Sydney, Australia. It is not surprising that it is one of the most desirable cities in the ranking, thanks to its high quality of life, beaches and laid-back lifestyle. It is one of the most multicultural and welcoming cities in the world with a high standard of living, world-class education and high employability. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Sydney:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 98.5 |
| Employer activity | 86.8 |
| Desirability | 95.8 |
| Affordability | 33.4 |
| Rankings | 66.2 |
| Total score | 94.3 |
Top universities in Sydney are
- The University of Sydney
- The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
- University of Technology Sydney
- Macquarie University
- University of Western Sydney
9. Boston, USA
Ranked 9th in the list of the top 10 best cities to study abroad in 2022 according to QS’s ranking of best student cities goes to Boston, USA. It is one of the historic cities in the US and is close to some of the most prestigious and prominent universities in the world. Being in Boston gives you a lifetime opportunity to explore and study the best universities in the US. It is one of the safest cities to start your studies in the US. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Boston:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 93.2 |
| Employer activity | 94.4 |
| Desirability | 76.8 |
| Affordability | 27.4 |
| Rankings | 78.7 |
| Total score | 92.1 |
The best universities in Boston are:
- Boston University
- Northeastern University
- Boston college
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- King’s College
- Wheaton College
- Gordon College
9. Montreal, Canada
According to the QS ranking of best student cities, the 9th place in the list of the top 10 best cities to study abroad in 2022 goes to Montreal, Canada. It is a top choice among the students studying in Canada due to its globally acclaimed universities, low cost of living and cultural vibrancy.
It is also one of the highest ranked destinations in North America hosting many international cultural events throughout the year. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Montreal:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 93.8 |
| Employer activity | 73.9 |
| Desirability | 87.6 |
| Affordability | 58.6 |
| Rankings | 59.2 |
| Total score | 92.1 |
Top Universities in Montreal Canada is
- McGill University
- University of Montreal
- Concordia University
9. Paris, France
The French capital Paris is ranked 9th in the list of the top 10 best cities to study abroad in 2022. It also offers a vibrant culture and cuisine. Paris is the heart of Europe, the safest student city in France to study and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Paris offers excellent research and development opportunities with a world-class education system in France’s universities. You don’t have to worry about the language barrier as there are plenty of courses available in English. Studying in Paris enables students to build an international network with diversity in culture. The following table shows attractive ranking indicators to study in Paris:
| Ranking Indicators | To score |
| Student mix | 82.1 |
| Employer activity | 88.3 |
| Desirability | 83.3 |
| Affordability | 60.2 |
| Rankings | 77 |
| Total score | 92.1 |
Top universities in Paris are:
- Polytechnic Institute of Paris
- University of Paris-Saclay
- Ecole des Ponts ParisTech
- University of Paris
- University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- University of Paris 2 Pantheon-Assas
- CY Cergy University of Paris
We hope you found this article on the best student cities for study abroad useful. All of this great information will help students choose the best city in the world to live and study in that suits their higher education and ambitious study goals. You can contact us for all your questions.
