QS Best Student Cities methodology

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.