QS Best Student Cities ranking: 106^th

The birthplace of many big names in music (most notably The Beatles) and the home of Premier League football clubs Liverpool FC and Everton FC, Liverpool is probably best known for its cultural achievements.

However, it can now proudly boast of being one of the best cities for students, as Liverpool is a new entry to the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, attaining an impressive 106^th place.

Situated in north-west England, and with a population of over two million people, this bustling city has something for everyone – not just music or football lovers! Most importantly for students, it’s home to two world-class universities which both feature in the QS World University Rankings®. These are the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, with the former being the highest-ranked (181^st in the world).

Everything about this city oozes diversity, and the city earns its highest score in the ranking indicators for student mix, placing 40^th. This international outlook is embodied by the city’s universities. The University of Liverpool even formed a partnership with Xi’an Jiaotong University in China in 2006, resulting in the creation of the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Students can choose to split their studies between the two universities if they wish, offering a unique twist to a traditional degree.

Whether you’re looking for theater or sports, nightclubs or concerts, Liverpool has it all. The city has the second largest number of museums and galleries in the UK (beaten only by London). In your spare time, take a wander around the Tate Liverpool or head to the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse to be dazzled by a theatrical production.

The city’s nightlife is also second to none, with many bars and clubs putting on special student nights with discounted drinks and entry for students, covering an eclectic range of musical genres.

Do you think Liverpool deserves to be the Best Student City? Let us know your thoughts.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 109^th

Jakarta is a major metropolitan city, the capital of Indonesia, and the largest city in Southeast Asia. Having gone through quite a few name changes in the past, Jakarta is now nicknamed ‘The Big Durian’, after the city’s native fruit, and is seen as Indonesia’s equivalent to ‘The Big Apple’ in the US.

Jakarta is new to the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, coming in at 109^th place. The city earned its best score for the affordability indicator, ranking 19^th globally. This is due to the relatively low tuition fees of US$3,100, and a cost of living which is low in comparison to other major cities, even though it’s relatively high compared to the rest of Indonesia.

Given its status as the economic, cultural and political center of Indonesia, it’s unsurprising Jakarta attracts masses of people, boasting a population of over 30 million, with many others commuting in during the day for work.

This bustling metropolis is perfect for students who want to experience a diverse culture, from food and languages to local traditions and customs. Those interested in learning more about the traditional culture should stop by Setu Babakan in South Jakarta and get to know the story of Betawi culture (the native ethnic group of Jakarta), drink the local beverage bir pletok, try the traditional dances of the area or have a bite of kerak telor (a spicy omelette dish).

Jakarta is also home to three world class universities that are ranked in the QS World University Rankings®. These are the University of Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural University and Bina Nusantara University (BINUS). As well as being the oldest state-run university in Indonesia, with more than 160 years of education under its belt, the University of Indonesia is also both Jakarta’s and Indonesia’s top university, ranked in 296^th place. The university’s mission is to become a world-class research university and to provide quality education that is easily accessible to all.

Have you studied in Jakarta? Let us know your thoughts.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 108^th  

Wroclaw is the capital of Lower Silesia and is often dubbed ‘the Meeting Place’ of Poland. Located in western Poland on the banks of the Oder river, Wroclaw is home to over one million people, and as a result is the fourth largest city in Poland.

The city is a brand new entrant in the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, achieving a position of 108^th place.

Those who are interested in studying in Wroclaw will be pleased to know the city ranks third in the world for affordability. Tuition fees in Poland are free for Polish citizens, but international students can still benefit from this policy if they study a course taught in the Polish language and sit the same entrance exams as Polish students.

Wroclaw currently has two world class universities featured in the QS World University Rankings®: Wrocław University of Science and Technology and University of Wroclaw. Both institutions are notable for their very high research output.

With charming parks, captivating churches and a comprehensive network of bridges and islands, it’s unsurprising Wroclaw performs well in the ranking’s desirability indicator, ranking in the world’s top 100.

Visiting the city’s market square is a must, with a plethora of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. There are also plenty of events going on throughout the year, so you’ll always find something new to do in between lectures.

This social city also has plenty of opportunities for graduates who decide to stay in the city, with a great deal of international firms setting up offices here, including Nokia, IBM, Hewlett Packard and Google, many of whom look to recruit Wroclaw graduates directly.

Have you studied in Wroclaw? Let us know your thoughts.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 115^th

Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is new to the QS Best Student Cities rankings this year, placing 115^th overall. Lahore is a major center for education, with some of Pakistan’s top universities based within the city.

There are three universities currently ranked in the QS World University Rankings®: Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), University of Engineering & Technology (UET) and Lahore University of the Punjab.

If you’re interested in studying at one of the world-renowned universities in Lahore, you will be pleased to know that, despite being one of Pakistan’s wealthiest cities, Lahore has been ranked as one of the most affordable cities for students, achieving a rank of 31^st for affordability in our cities ranking.

This means you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy all that Lahore has to offer. Lahore is also the second largest city in Pakistan and ranks highly for employer activity (69^th), so there are strong prospects for the graduates of Lahore’s universities.

Lahore has plenty to offer, being an increasingly cosmopolitan city with plenty of historical landmarks to explore, such as the Badshahi Masjid temple – one of the largest mosques in South Asia!

Lahore is also a major centre for Pakistan’s publishing industry, and subsequently has a large literary scene, as well as being home to the country’s film industry, nicknamed Lollywood.

For those looking for good nightlife, there are bars, restaurants, music venues and nightclubs clubs waiting for you to explore. The mix of Lahore’s old architecture with modern cosmopolitan culture makes the city ideal for students looking for a blend of the old and the new.  

Is Lahore your ideal student city? Tell us why.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 114^th

Situated in north-east Texas with a population of 7,233,000, Dallas is undoubtably the largest new city entering the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, coming in at 114^th place. Considering its population size, it’s hardly surprising this bustling city is the ninth largest in the US and the third largest in Texas.

Dallas currently has two leading universities featured in the QS World University Rankings® - University of Texas Dallas and Southern Methodist University. Both have very high research output and a diverse student population, something which is reflected by Dallas’s strong ranking of 71^st in the student mix indicator.

Known for their sports teams – the Dallas Cowboys (five-time winners of the Superbowl), the Mavericks and the Rangers – for being the backdrop of the JFK assassination in 1963 and, of course, for the popular TV show of the same name, Dallas is a city that is often in the international limelight.

However, what you may not know about Dallas is it also ranks among the biggest cities in the US in terms of employment and business opportunities. With all of this in mind, it isn’t hard to see why Dallas achieved its highest indicator rank in this year’s cities ranking for desirability (64^th). This indicator considers many different aspects such as the city’s safety, pollution, level of corruption and student desirability.

As you would expect from such a large US city, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in your spare time. From restaurants to museums, concerts to sports games, there is something to cater for all interests for the students of Dallas.

Are you a student in Dallas? We’d love to hear what you think.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 115^th

Formally known as Madras, Chennai is the fourth largest cosmopolitan city in India and the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. Chennai is new to the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, coming in 115^th place.

Chennai currently has two universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings®: the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) and Anna University. The former is the fourth best university in all of India, while both universities are notable for their research output.

Described as South India’s leading commercial center, the city has a strong heritage of music, classical dance, architecture and crafts, so there will be more than enough to keep you entertained when lectures are over for the day.

Students thinking of studying in Chennai will be pleased to know the city ranks highly for affordability, coming in 34^th globally and third of all ranked cities in India, beaten only by Delhi and Bangalore. This is because the city has a relatively low cost of living and cheaper tuition fees than many other countries.

The city also ranks highly in the employer activity indicator (84^th), with only one Indian institution achieving a higher score. This shows the strong employment prospects for graduates based in Chennai.

Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal and has excellent transport links connecting it to many different parts of India as well as countries overseas, so you’ll easily be able to explore other parts of India when you are here.

Alternatively head over to one of Chennai’s many beaches with your friends to unwind in the sun after a long day of studying!

Have you studied in Chennai? Let us know your thoughts.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 111^th

The capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad, is a new entrant in this year’s Best Student Cities ranking in 111^th place. Known as the modern face of Pakistan, this city achieves its best score in the ranking for affordability, ranking 19^th worldwide. International students can expect to pay an average of US$1,300 for tuition, and there are relatively low costs of living, so students can afford to study at top ranked universities for less.

There are currently four world renowned universities in Islamabad, with Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) the best of the bunch, having been ranked in 375^th place worldwide. This is a highly reputable university, offering BS, MS and PhD programs in engineering, physical sciences, life sciences and formal sciences, with over 55 percent of students pursuing postgraduate studies.

There’s plenty to explore in Islamabad in the day, from the stunning Shah Faisal Mosque and the Saudi-Pak Tower to the national assembly building and the city’s botanical gardens.

However, at night the city is a lot quieter, as practicing Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol, and may be faced with strict fines if they do, meaning there aren’t any traditional bars and nightclubs.

Alcohol will still be served in selected places around the city for non-Muslim travelers (for example, in hotels) but is likely to be quite expensive. However, there are several bars dotted around the city, serving non-alcoholic drinks, where you can enjoy dancing, and bowling alleys for when you want to enjoy an evening out with your friends.

Is Islamabad your top student city? Tell us why.

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 110^th

Riga, the capital city of Latvia is situated on the Gulf of Riga, and occupies both banks of the Duagava River. Riga is new to the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, placing 110^th. 

This picturesque city is more than 800 years old and if you’re looking for a student city with a blend of modern and medieval, then Riga is the perfect city for you. The city is split into the Old Town, which can be explored on foot, and the New Town, which can be easily reached via bus or tram.

The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 due to the many medieval buildings within its Old Town. These include the 13^th century Riga Dom cathedral, the 14^th century Riga Castle and the merchant’s homes and warehouses. The Old Town even has a canal surrounding it which used to be the fortress moat. These are definitely worth a look when you have some free time to explore the city.

In the winter the Riga’s Christmas markets won’t fail to get you in the festive spirit, with mulled wine, roasted almonds, gingerbread and Christmas gift stalls on offer. In the summer these markets sell unique Latvian food products, with a variety of fresh and natural products from Latvian farms as well as clothes and jewelry.

Whichever time of year you decide to take a visit to these markets, you will not be disappointed. In the evening, you can enjoy one of Riga’s many bars, cafes and restaurants, many of them with outdoor seating areas in the summer - in fact many consider Riga’s nightlife to be among the best in Eastern Europe!

Riga boasts three leading universities, all of which are ranked in the the QS World University Rankings® Riga Technical University, Riga Stradins University, University of Latvia.

Riga Technical University is the highest ranked, achieving a position of 701-750 and it offers an innovative approach to learning, new technologies and advanced teaching methods, which give the university a reputation for research excellence.

This is reflected in the five star ranking it has received from QS Stars for its program strength, facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility and inclusiveness.

In the Best Student Cities ranking, Riga gains its highest score on the ‘student mix’ indicator, a credit to the diversity of the city’s students and its inclusivity.

Is Riga your favorite student city? Let us know why.

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