QS Best Student Cities ranking: 66^th

Up 10 places in the Best Student Cities ranking this year, Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg is noted for being at the forefront of much political and social change during its 300-year history. It’s been known as Petrograd and Leningrad, and home to many major events and historical figures.

Many students will be keen to visit iconic sights such as the Church of the Savior on Blood (pictured above), the Winter Palace (the official residence of Russian monarchs from 1732 to 1917), the Hermitage Museum (one of the largest art museums in the world), and the city’s beautiful cathedrals, such as the impressive Kazan Cathedral, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, possibly the most venerated icon in Russia.

St. Petersburg is probably Russia’s most westernized city, and is also considered one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Nicknamed “The Venice of the North”, the city’s northern location means that it experiences the ‘White Nights’ phenomenon, in which the sun barely dips below the horizon (peaking in mid-June), giving its name to the annual White Nights of St. Petersburg music festival.

Other cultural activities you could enjoy in St. Petersburg include opera and ballet shows at the historic Mariinsky Theatre, visits to one of its 200-or-so museums, and its lively nightlife, with sophisticated live-music joints, dance clubs and English- or Irish-style pubs. It’s also ranked in the top 5 of the Best Student Cities ranking for affordability (up seven places this year) with low tuition fees and fairly affordable living costs.

Known for its longstanding tradition in literature, the city is also home to a number of Russia’s most prestigious universities, including Saint Petersburg State University, the oldest and one of the largest in the country as well as being Russia’s third highest ranking university.

Internationally ranked universities in St. Petersburg

More about St. Petersburg

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 82^nd

Colombia’s capital and largest city, Bogotá has transformed its image in recent years from a city known largely for its high crime rate, to a cosmopolitan and vibrant metropolis.

Located 2,630 meters above sea level (8,612 feet), the city borders the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes mountain range, offering attractive surroundings. Bogotá also boasts a great restaurant scene, world-class museums, and a rich nightlife including salsa clubs, trendy cocktail bars and English-style pubs. Many students will also find the city’s cost of living far lower than in other popular study destinations.

If you study in Bogotá, you could also enjoy major cultural events such as the Iberoamerican Theater Festival of Bogotá, one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world, or for rock fans, the free Rock al Parque, which attracts around 400,000 people every year.

The city has retained many of its colonial-era landmarks, which is particularly notable in the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria, with its government palaces, beautifully preserved colonial architecture and popular museums.

Nicknamed “The South American Athens” due to its extensive education system and libraries, Bogotá was named World Book Capital in 2007 by UNESCO, the first Latin American city to be granted the title. There are a number of public and private universities in the city, including Universidad de Los Andes Colombia, widely considered one of the most prestigious in Latin America.

Internationally ranked universities in Bogotá

More about Bogotá

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 71st

Straddling two continents on the Bosporus strait, Istanbul is a real mix of east and west, and a melting pot of cultures. The largest city in Turkey, Istanbul has a history dating back thousands of years, during which time it’s seen a number of major events in political, religious and art history, and has been known as Constantinople and Byzantium.

The country’s economic, cultural and historic center, Istanbul was voted the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and boasts attractions such as the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the sixth century Hagia Sophia and the Süleymaniye Mosque.

The city’s unique skyline and architecture reflects the various empires that have ruled over it, from Roman constructions such as the Obelisk of Theodosius to Ottoman fortresses that were once used to defend the city from sieges.

As well as seeing these famous sights, there’s plenty more to do during your time in the city. Shopping districts range from the entirely modern to the deeply historic, including the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world.

There are also famous restaurants, vibrant nightlife, traditional taverns, and cultural events such as international music and film festivals.

Istanbul has a large number of public and private higher education institutions, some of which offer teaching in English, and the city offers good value for money in terms of living costs. The city earns its highest scores in the affordability indicator and student view indicator, reflecting the great student experience to be had there.

When asked in the student survey what they enjoyed most about studying in Istanbul, one respondent said they enjoyed the “cultural and historical diversity” of the city and another commented on the “many opportunities available in both your personal and professional life”.

Internationally ranked universities in Istanbul

More about Istanbul

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

Stanford University leads the Unicorn League, a table showing the 15 universities with the most unicorn founders amongst their alumni.

Even if you haven’t heard of a ‘unicorn company’ (a private start-up worth more than US$1 billion) before, you’ll certainly be familiar with some of the companies considered unicorns –  including Facebook (before it went public), Uber, Deliveroo, Airbnb, Twitter and Spotify, to mention just a few.

According to research compiled by software company Sage, Stanford boasts 51 unicorn founders among its alumni, far more than any other university in the world. The next highest number comes from Harvard University, with 37. 

Stanford’s ‘unicorns’ include the founders of LinkedIn, Shazam and WhatsApp.

While US institutions dominate the table, elsewhere the University of Oxford has the highest number of unicorn-founders in UK and Europe with eight, while the Indian Institute of Technology has the highest number of unicorn start-up founders in Asia with 12.

Top five universities for billion-dollar ‘unicorn’ start-ups

Stanford’s success in the table doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering the university’s strong reputation and close proximity to the world-famous start-up ecosystem of Silicon Valley.

The university also recently topped the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2017, a ranking based on the five key aspects of graduate employability: employer reputation, alumni outcomes, employer partnerships, employer-student connections, and graduate employment rates.

Stanford received perfect scores for its reputation among graduate employers and alumni outcomes, reflecting the high number of former students who go on to become successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

While there’s no guarantee that a Stanford education will make you billionaire, it’s certainly not a bad place to start out if you plan to start-up!

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 72^nd

Greece’s capital and largest city, Athens has a history dating back thousands of years, and has been called the cradle of western civilization as well as the birthplace of democracy.

The classical city-state of Athens has been transformed into a busy modern metropolis, home to around 34 percent of Greece’s total population. Rising four places this year, Athens is now ranked 72^nd in the Best Student Cities 2019.

Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (including the world-famous Acropolis), the city retains much of its classical heritage, with many ancient monuments such as the famous Parthenon. Athens is a city that certainly mixes old and new – you can’t walk the streets without seeing reminders of the fascinating history that’s taken place exactly where you’re standing.

As well as exploring one of the oldest cultures in the world, you could also spend time enjoying the city’s lively nightlife, delicious Greek food, great shops, its long tradition in sports, as well as theater and entertainment.

Greek people are noted for their warmth and friendliness and, if you fancy more exploration, the city is just a quick ferry ride away from beautiful Greek islands such as Kea and Aegina.

Considered the birthplace of modern thinking, Athens is home to some of Greece’s most prestigious universities, three of which are included in the QS World University Rankings® 2020.

Greece earns its highest score in the affordability indicator, at 32^nd worldwide. This is due to its relatively low tuition fees (US$2,100), as well as the low cost of living. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center would cost you only US$400 per month, compared to US$1,288 for the same thing in France’s capital, Paris.

In fact, in the student survey, Athens’ affordability is frequently mentioned, with one individual saying, “in contrast to other European cities, Athens is much more affordable.” Another respondent praised “the weather and the nightlife.”  

Internationally ranked universities in Athens

More about Athens

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 72nd

The capital and most populous city in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is one of the richest cities in the world, demonstrating the country’s highly developed infrastructure with its modern skyscrapers and highways. With its intriguing combinations old and new, Riyadh could be a fascinating city to spend your student days, remaining conservative and upholding traditional Islamic values while simultaneously experiencing significant change due to economic prosperity and innovation.

While there’s much to adapt to, there’s also plenty in Riyadh to make you feel comfortable. The city boasts a number of fine hotels and restaurants, almost all residents speak English, and there’s lots to explore. Interesting sites of historical significance include the Murabba Palace, Masmak fort and (just outside the city) the historic town of Diriyah – the original home of the Saudi royal family, in which the At-Turaif District is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Others may be impressed by the city’s vast contemporary architecture, such as the impressive Kingdom Center, a 41-storey skyscraper boasting a range of famous shopping brands, the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, and fantastic views of the city from its Sky Bridge.

Students will doubtless be interested to know that tuition in Saudi Arabia is usually free, with a mix of both English- and Arabic-taught programs.

Riyadh is also home to the world’s largest women-only university – Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University. Two of the city’s universities appear in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, with King Saud University featured in the top 250.

Internationally ranked universities in Riyadh

More about Riyadh

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: =43^th

Hungary’s capital and largest city, Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and one of its most-visited. Split in two halves (Buda and Pest) either side of the Danube river, the city has everything you’d want in a charming European capital: fairy-tale architecture, fascinating history, great cuisine (known for its use of paprika), and fairly low living costs.

Consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities, Budapest offers a great student life, with a large selection of unique ‘ruin pubs’, bohemian cafés, bars, clubs and live music venues, as well as events such as the Sziget music festival, one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

Those interested in studying in Budapest will be pleased to learn that the city is ranked as the best in the world for affordability, thanks to the low cost of living. Tuition fees average only US$1,400 per year.

The city is also packed full of museums and galleries, such as the Hungarian National Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery, which boasts more than 100,000 pieces of European art. And if you fancy a break from your studies, you could relax in one of the city’s famous thermal springs.

Budapest is noted for its strengths in the arts, entertainment, fashion, education, finance and sport. The city is home to over 35 higher education institutions, three of which appear in the QS World University Rankings® 2020 – and there are many opportunities for international students to study in English or other popular languages such as French or German.

Internationally ranked universities in Budapest

More about Budapest

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

The QS Best Student Cities 2017, due to be published on 15 February, will celebrate the world’s 100 best cities for international students, and for the first time the results will incorporate direct feedback from students around the world.

First published in 2012, this annual index highlights leading urban study destinations, drawing on a range of criteria relating to higher education options, student community, quality of life, employment prospects, and of course affordability.

For the first time this year, students and graduates worldwide were given the chance to contribute to the results, through a short online survey. Collecting over 18,000 responses in December 2016 and January 2017, the survey results provide a global perspective on which cities are in highest demand, which are most likely to retain graduates, and which offer the best overall student experience.

Incorporating students’ views

Adding the student survey was an important development, says Dasha Karzunina, lead analyst for this year’s edition. “For some time now we have been keen to incorporate the student view into our methodology; it was just a matter of figuring out how.”

She continues: “The student input not only adds a real-life perspective on studying in each city, verifying some of the other data-driven indicators we have, but also allows us to assess the more qualitative aspects of a city – such as how friendly and inclusive it is and whether it has a good nightlife.”

With high response rates from students and graduates around the world, the index now offers a more “complete” picture of the world’s best student cities, Karzunina says. She also notes that the student survey will have a significant impact on the results, bringing fresh prominence to cities that may have been previously underrated.

Which student cities have it all?

Alongside the global survey, the Best Student Cities index draws on more than 20 individual metrics to rate each city. These are grouped into six categories: University Rankings, Student Mix, Employer Activity, Desirability, Affordability, and Student View.

Expanded this year to feature 100 cities (from 75 last year), the index “aims to inform students about not only the most desired cities, but also the safest, most student-friendly, most affordable and least polluted cities with the best employment prospects,” Karzunina explains.

For the past four editions, the list has been led by Paris, reflecting the French capital’s concentration of internationally ranked universities, desirable lifestyle, diverse student community, and the low tuition fees that help to offset its famously high living costs. Last year saw Melbourne claim second place, followed by Tokyo, Sydney and London, while the affordability criteria prevented US cities from appearing in the overall top 10.

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Applications to UK universities from EU students are down 7% compared to last year, new figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show.

UCAS, which serves as a centralized application system for students to apply to UK universities, also reported an overall drop in applications from UK students by 5% compared to the previous year.

This news, based on the number of undergraduate applications for the 15 January deadline, represents a slight improvement from the 15 October deadline (for applications to Oxbridge and medicine courses), when it was reported that EU applications had fallen by 9%.

Since the UK’s Brexit vote in June 2016, there have been widespread concerns that the country will lose out on EU students, with research suggesting that many are deterred by uncertainties surrounding fees, funding, visas and employment opportunities.

Applications down overall

It’s not just EU application numbers that have fallen – applications from within the UK, and from elsewhere in the world, are also lower compared to last year.

Nursing saw the largest fall of any individual subject, following the UK government’s decision to scrap NHS bursaries from autumn 2017. This is worrying news for the country’s nursing sector, which has 24,000 vacancies and has reported a 90% decline in EU nurses coming to the UK since the Brexit vote.

UCAS policy analyst Eleanor Jubb notes that the decline in applications for nursing and related health professions goes a long way to explaining the fall in applications from older applicants (aged 25 and above).

On a more positive note, applications from 18-year-olds applying directly from schools in England have reached another record high. UCAS also reports that applications from young people living in areas least represented in higher education have increased to 22.1%, the highest level recorded.

Why are EU applications to UK universities falling?

The news appears to confirm fears that the UK’s Brexit vote would have a damaging effect on UK universities’ recruitment, despite efforts to reassure EU students on questions about fees, funding and the welcome they can expect to receive.

Today’s statistics reflect a recent report published by Red Brick Research, which found that almost two-thirds of international students considered the UK a less desirable study destination post-Brexit.

Sorana Vieru, vice-president of the National Union of Students, commented that the fall in applicants was “disappointing, but not a surprise”.

“Uncertainty around increases in tuition fees, loss of maintenance grants and the rising costs of living and studying at university are too much of a risk to some potential students,” Vieru said.

Has Brexit made you reconsider studying in the UK? Share your thoughts in the comments below.