Best student cities in the world 2015

This year the British agency QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), compiler of one of the world's most influential university rankings, QS World University Rankings, has published a ranking of the world's best cities for students in 2015. In total, 50 cities are represented.

Criteria for evaluating cities

The rankings took into account cities with more than 250,000 inhabitants and with at least two universities from the previously mentioned ranking of the world's best universities.

The study is based on five main evaluation criteria: the prestige of universities located in the city, its popularity among students, attractiveness, popularity among employers and finally the financial affordability of education. In the concept of popularity among students the authors included such indicators as the total number and share of international students, tolerance and accessibility of the environment. The attractiveness of a city refers to its level of livability, globalization, safety, pollution, and corruption. At the same time, affordability includes both the cost of education and the cost of living in the city.

Rating Results

First place, as last year, went to Paris, the capital of France, with 412 points (the maximum possible score for each of the five criteria is 100 points). It is followed by Melbourne, which displaced London in third place compared to last year. Another Australian city, Sydney, is in fourth place, and Hong Kong is in fifth place. Also in the top 10 cities for students are Boston, Tokyo, Montreal, Toronto and Seoul.

The Russian capital is also in the ranking, ranking 43rd out of 50. Compared to last year, Moscow's performance deteriorated, dropping five points lower. However, despite this, its attractiveness among employers has increased.