Singapore has been ranked as the 15th best city worldwide for studying abroad in the 2025 edition of the 'Best Study Abroad Cities' ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), an international education market consulting firm. Additionally, Singapore has emerged as the top destination in Southeast Asia, underscoring its rising reputation as a premier education hub.
Released on June 18, the QS ranking assesses 150 cities globally based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including student feedback, university quality, affordability, livability, employment opportunities, and diversity. London has maintained its position as the best city for international students for the sixth consecutive year. The top five also includes Tokyo, Seoul, Munich, and Melbourne, respectively.
These cities have consistently ranked highly due to their world-class universities, vibrant cultural scenes, and extensive student support services. Singapore has excelled particularly in terms of “attractiveness,” securing the 11th position globally in this indicator. This measure reflects the city’s appeal based on factors such as safety, quality of life, and the overall environment, which are critical considerations for international students.
Singapore excelled in the 'student perspective' category, securing 14th place globally and topping all Asian cities. This category evaluates the student experience through surveys, which reflect positive feedback from the student community about their educational and social experiences in Singapore. However, despite these impressive rankings, Singapore encounters challenges related to affordability.
It placed 125th out of 150 cities for affordability, underscoring that the high cost of living continues to pose a significant challenge for students contemplating studying in Singapore. Despite its esteemed educational standards and quality of life, the city's expensive living expenses and tuition fees can deter prospective students. This year's QS ranking features 36 Asian cities, highlighting the region's increasing significance in global higher education.
Among these cities, 27 have climbed in their rankings, four have retained their positions, and five have experienced a decline. Mainland China leads with the highest representation, featuring eight cities. Taiwan follows closely with five cities, while India and Indonesia each have four cities included in the list.
