Seoul holds its place as the world’s best student city for university students. In the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings, published on 21 July 2026, Seoul took first place for the second year in a row. It received a perfect score of 100, which is the highest possible, and finished ahead of Tokyo (second) and London (third).
This achievement is a notable one. Until 2025, London had held the top position for six consecutive years for the best student city award. Seoul, as a South Korean city, first claimed the number one ranking as the best student city in 2026 and has now successfully defended it again for 2027.
The QS ranking assesses 150 cities that meet two basic criteria. The first is a population of at least 250,000 and the second is a minimum of two universities listed in the QS World University Rankings. Performance is generally measured across six indicators, which are
- University Rankings
- Student Mix
- Desirability
- Employer Activity
- Affordability
- Student View
Seoul: The Best Student City
Seoul performed particularly strongly in the university rankings indicator, taking the global top spot. Twenty-three universities in the city appear in the latest QS World University Rankings. The city also scored highly in Employer Activity, an indicator that reflects graduate employability and how employers perceive the quality of local graduates.
The top five student cities in the rankings are (1) Seoul, (2) Tokyo, (3) London, (4) Melbourne, and (5) a tie between Munich and Sydney. Asian cities continue to rise in influence, with Seoul and Tokyo now occupying the top two places.
Beyond the headline ranking, the result points to broader strengths. Seoul combines academic quality with career opportunities and a high standard of urban living. South Korea has also made deliberate efforts to attract more international students, meeting its national target of 300,000 earlier than expected.
Five South Korean cities featured in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings list, including newcomers Daejeon and Gwangju. This indicates growing recognition of the country’s higher education offering beyond the capital. For students and families comparing study destinations and the best student city, the ranking provides a clear data point. Seoul is currently assessed as the best student city overall in the world for university students based on this major international evaluation.
Whether you are considering South Korea or simply tracking global higher education trends, Seoul’s second consecutive top ranking is a result that stands out.
If you want to study in Seoul or any other cities in South Korea, contact Aspire Global Pathways today to get completely free expert guidance. Don’t miss out!