Seoul has overtaken London to be named the world’s best city for international students in the latest QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026, marking a significant shift in global student mobility trends.
Published by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the annual ranking evaluates cities across key indicators including university quality, student mix, employer activity, affordability, and overall desirability. This year, Seoul achieved a perfect score of 100, driven by high scores for desirability and employer-related indicators.
London falls to third place
London, which had held the top position for six consecutive years, received a score of 97.1, ranking London in third place behind Tokyo and Seoul. Despite retaining world-class institutions and a highly international student body, London experienced a sharp decline in the affordability metric, scoring just 12.6 out of 100, which contributed significantly to its fall in the rankings.
The cost of living in London remains a growing concern for prospective students. While the city continues to offer a wealth of academic and professional opportunities, rising rent, transport, and living costs have lessened its appeal relative to more affordable alternatives.
Drivers of Seoul’s success
Seoul’s rise to the top reflects South Korea’s targeted efforts to establish itself as a global education hub. South Korea has experienced sustained growth in international student enrolments over the past few years, with more than 208,000 international students in 2024.
Government initiatives aim to increase this figure to 300,000 by 2027. The Korea Herald reports that five Korean cities and provinces have also launched regional initiatives to attract international students, including the “Study Busan 30K Project.” These areas have created task forces comprising local governments, universities, and businesses to implement region-specific international student recruitment strategies. In addition, they are enhancing support for student integration and employment by organising job fairs in partnership with local universities and companies.
Several factors contributed to Seoul’s strong performance in the QS rankings:
- Affordability & Desirability – QS analysis notes that “Seoul improved its Affordability score compared to 2025. It also marginally improved its Desirability score, which is measured by safety, pollution, and the number of respondents to the QS International Student Survey that wanted to study in Seoul.”
- Global Standing – Seoul is home to some of Asia’s highest-ranked universities, including Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. These institutions enjoy strong reputations both regionally and globally.
- Employer Activity – Seoul scored highly in the QS rankings for Employer Activity, reflecting strong connections between universities and industry, an increasingly important factor for students seeking post-study opportunities.
Regional Trends
The latest rankings provide further evidence of a shift in global student preferences, with cities in Asia and Europe rising up the table. The 2026 top 10 student cities are:
1. Seoul
2. Tokyo (Japan)
3. London (UK – down two places from number 1)
4. Munich (Germany)
5. Melbourne (Australia)
6. Sydney (Australia)
=7. Berlin (Germany, tied – up two places from number 9)
=7. Paris (France, tied)
9. Zurich (Switzerland – down one place from number 8)
10. Vienna (Austria – up four places from number 14)
Cities such as Melbourne, Munich, and Berlin have consolidated their positions through strong affordability scores, supportive student policies, and an emphasis on liveability and quality of life.
The QS rankings confirm the rise of Asia as an alternative study destination for students with Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong all breaking into the top 20 destinations in the 2026 rankings.
Implications
The 2026 rankings highlight the importance of a balanced offer. While academic reputation and institutional excellence continue to be important considerations in student decision-making, factors such as cost, employability outcomes, and student wellbeing are playing an increasingly central role in shaping study destination decisions.
For emerging student cities, Seoul’s success highlights how government policy, institutional collaboration, and cultural capital can be combined to elevate a city’s standing on the global stage.
As competition for international students intensifies amid rising cost-of-living pressures, cities that can offer academic excellence with a high quality of life at an affordable cost are well-positioned to gain a competitive edge.
