Japan and the UK Lose Out! Seoul Claims Crown as the World's Best Student City in 2027: Rich in Research Resources and Strong Job Competitiveness

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the international higher education ranking organization, released the latest '2027 Best Student Cities Ranking' on July 21. Seoul took first place, followed by Tokyo in second and London in third. Across Asia, Hong Kong maintained its position at 17th globally (8th in Asia) among 150 candidate cities, while Taipei ranked 5th in Asia.

According to the report, Hong Kong's strengths lie in its concentration of top-tier educational resources and diverse career development opportunities. However, international students face high living costs and a severe shortage of on-campus housing, which have become major constraints in attracting overseas students.

Multi-Indicator Assessment of the Student Experience

To qualify for the 2027 Best Student Cities ranking, a city must have a population exceeding 250,000 and host at least two universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings. The ranking evaluates six key factors—university rankings, employer activity, student views, desirability, student mix, and affordability—to comprehensively assess a city's appeal and overall student experience.

QS 2027 Best Student Cities Top 10

Rank | City | Score 1 | Seoul | 100 2 | Tokyo | 98.0 3 | London | 97.3 4 | Melbourne | 94.8 5 | Munich | 94.1 5 | Sydney | 94.1 7 | Paris | 92.5 8 | Berlin | 91.8 9 | Vienna | 90.9 10 | Zurich | 90.6

Top 3 Global Cities: Key Strengths

1st: Seoul Achieved a perfect 100 in university rankings and 94.1 in employer activity, securing first place through academic excellence and strong job market competitiveness.

2nd: Tokyo Scored a perfect 100 in employer activity and 94 in desirability, ranking second due to abundant corporate recruitment resources and unique urban appeal.

3rd: London Received a 99 in student views (high satisfaction) and 94.6 in student mix, earning third place through long-standing positive reputation and a highly international atmosphere.

Asia's Top 10 Student Cities

1 | Seoul 2 | Tokyo 3 | Singapore 4 | Beijing 5 | Taipei 6 | Kuala Lumpur 7 | Kyoto 8 | Hong Kong 9 | Shanghai 10 | Osaka

Concentration of Top Universities and Strong Post-Graduation Employment Prospects in Hong Kong

As a popular student destination in Asia, Hong Kong's appeal stems from its high-quality education and strong post-graduation career prospects. Among the six evaluation indicators, Hong Kong improved in 'university rankings,' now ranked 6th globally.

According to the previously released 2027 QS World University Rankings, 10 Hong Kong universities are ranked. The University of Hong Kong remains 11th globally, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong rose to 18th, both entering the global top 20. Most local universities improved their positions, with nearly half ranked within the global top 100, indicating a high concentration of elite higher education resources.

In terms of employment, Hong Kong ranked 32nd globally in 'employer activity,' reflecting steady demand for international graduates. Complementing this, post-study work policies allow non-local graduates to obtain a 24-month visa (IANG) without conditions. Combined with its proximity to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong offers diverse career launch opportunities.

High Living Costs and Housing Shortage: Major Challenges

However, daily life and housing present significant challenges. High living expenses are Hong Kong's biggest pain point in attracting international students. In the 'affordability' indicator, Hong Kong dropped to 86th globally. The report notes that while annual tuition for international students averages around USD 18,900—moderate globally and lower than the U.S.—it exceeds that of Western European countries like France or Germany. Combined with high living costs, overall expenses are substantial.

Another severe issue is 'housing shortage.' Data shows only about 44,000 dormitory units were available in the 2024/25 academic year, while full-time local and non-local undergraduate and postgraduate students totaled 192,000, including 79,000 to 80,000 non-local students. With demand far exceeding supply, many international students are forced to rent in the private market. This indirectly affects Hong Kong's scores in 'desirability' (36th) and 'student mix' (49th), which reflect student life experience.

Despite financial pressures, the report emphasizes Hong Kong's unique urban charm and international atmosphere remain highly attractive. Nestled against scenic mountains, students can hike and enjoy nature on weekends. The city blends Eastern and Western cultures, balancing tradition and modernity. Among 89,600 students, 38% are international, creating a highly globalized campus environment.

Reprinted with permission from Hong Kong 01 (Original title: qs最佳留學城市2027排名出爐-亞洲2大城市佔冠亞軍-香港入20強)

Editorial Responsibility / Lam Lai