QS Best Student Cities methodology | Top Universities
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QS Best Student Cities methodology

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Craig OCallaghan

Updated Jul 19, 2023
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QS Best Student Cities 2024

The QS Best Student Cities ranking showcases the best urban destinations for international students, based on a diverse range of indicators grouped into six key categories.

To be considered for inclusion, each city must have a population of over 250,000, and be home to at least two universities featured in the most recent QS World University Rankings®. For population metrics, the metropolitan area is used where possible.

The six key categories are:

  • University rankings
  • Student mix
  • Desirability
  • Employer activity
  • Affordability
  • Student voice

Indicators

As an example, here are some of the indicators used within each category.

University rankings

  • How many universities does the city have which are in the QS World University Rankings?
  • How well do those universities perform in the latest rankings?

Student mix

  • What proportion of the city's population are students?
  • How many international students are enrolled in the city?
  • How inclusive is the city and the country it's located in?

Desirability

  • How safe is the city?
  • What are the pollution levels like in the city?
  • How many respondents to our student survey wanted to study in the city?

Employer activity

  • What is youth employment like in the city?
  • What do employers think of the graduates produced by universities in the city?

Affordability

  • How much does tuition cost at the city's universities?
  • What is the cost of living for students in the city?

Student voice

  • What ratings did students give the city's friendliness, sustainability, diversity and more?
  • What proportion of students continue to live in the city after graduation?

Learn more about these indicators and how they are measured.

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