The QS Rankings for Best Student Cities 2025 have been announced, and it’s great news for Australia!
Melbourne and Sydney have secured spots in the top 10, continuing to be favourites among international students. But there’s more – six Australian cities are in the top 50, showing just how appealing Australia is for students from around the world.
How are the rankings decided?
QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is a top global higher education company, well-known for its detailed ranking systems. The QS Best Student Cities ranking evaluates cities based on six key categories, giving a comprehensive overview of the best places to live and study around the world.
These categories are:
- University rankings – How many universities are in the QS World University Rankings and how well they perform.
- Student mix – The proportion of students in the city, number of international students and inclusivity.
- Desirability – Safety, pollution levels, and student survey responses about the city’s appeal.
- Employer activity – Youth employment rates and employer opinions on university graduates.
- Affordability – Tuition costs and the overall cost of living for students.
- Student view – Ratings on friendliness, sustainability, diversity, and the proportion of students staying in the city after graduation.
To be included, a city must have a population of over 250,000 and host at least two universities from the most recent QS World University Rankings.
Melbourne and Sydney make the top 10
Melbourne secured an impressive 5th place, continuing its streak as Australia’s top student city since 2015. Sydney followed closely at 6th, reinforcing its status as a top choice for students from around the globe.
The top 10 best student cities for 2025 rank as follows:
- London
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Munich
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Paris
- Zurich
- Berlin
- Montreal
How other Australian cities performed
Australia continues to shine in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, with four other cities making it into the top 50:
- Brisbane – Ranked 25th, with high scores in student mix and desirability.
- Adelaide – Ranked 28th, noted for its student view and student mix.
- Canberra – Tied at 29th, praised for its student mix and employer activity.
- Perth – Ranked 35th, highlighted for its affordability and rankings.
And let’s not forget the Gold Coast, which made it into the top 100, ranked 93rd, showcasing its growing appeal to international students.
For more insights on university rankings, check out our recent article on the QS Top University Rankings here.
