Asian Cities Ranked: Top 10 Student Hubs Revealed
Seoul Tops QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026
Seoul, South Korea, has been crowned the best city for students worldwide in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026, surpassing traditional leaders like London and Tokyo. The city's success is attributed to a perfect overall score of 100, driven by several key factors.
The city's strong academics are evident in the high number of universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings, reflecting top-rated institutions and academic quality. Seoul's universities are also known for their flexible and student-centric teaching methods, with professors often combining theory with practical activities such as group discussions, projects, and presentations.
Seoul's high desirability is another factor that contributes to its success. This metric includes factors like safety, low pollution levels, and the city’s attractiveness based on student surveys. The city's vibrant cultural and innovative environment, which blends academic excellence with cutting-edge innovation and a safe, welcoming atmosphere, enhances the overall student experience.
Seoul's employer activity is also strong, scoring highly for employer-related indicators, suggesting excellent career prospects and strong connections between universities and employers. The city has seen improvements in affordability, making it financially more accessible for students compared to other major cities such as London.
South Korea's targeted efforts to become a global education hub have led to an increase in international student enrolments, with over 208,000 international students in 2024. This growing international appeal, combined with its academic excellence, job opportunities, and student satisfaction, has elevated Seoul above its competitors.
Other Asian cities that made it to the top-ranked student cities list include Taipei (Taiwan) and Bangkok (Thailand). Beijing, China, stands out with an Employer Activity score of 90.2 and a strong Affordability score of 76, while Tokyo leads in Employer Activity with a perfect score of 100. Tokyo also scores high on Desirability (91) and Student View (87.1), securing the second spot in the rankings with an overall score of 99.9.
The latest rankings highlight the growing prominence of Asian cities in global education, underscoring the importance of academic excellence, job opportunities, and student satisfaction in attracting international students. With its perfect overall score, Seoul is setting a new standard for student cities worldwide.
[1] QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026 [2] Seoul's Rise as a Global Education Hub [3] The Impact of Flexible Teaching Methods in Korean Universities [4] Improved Affordability in Seoul Attracts More International Students
- The perfect overall score of Seoul in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026 not only solidifies its position as the world's best student city but also encourages exploration of its vibrant lifestyle, travel opportunities, and education-and-self-development prospects.
- As international students flock to Seoul for its top-rated universities and strong employer connections, they also discover a city that offers an engaging travel experience, immersing them in a unique blend of academic excellence, personal growth, and cultural exploration.
