London named the world’s best student city

London has been named the world’s best student city for the sixth consecutive year in the QS Best Student Cities rankings.

Now in its 12th year, the QS Best Student Cities is based on six indicators: the ranking of a city’s universities, student mix, desirability, employer activity, affordability and student views.

London has nine universities in the top 500 of the recently released QS World University Rankings 2025, more than any other city. Seven of these are members of the University of London federation - UCL, King’s College London, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Queen Mary, University of London, City, University London, Birkbeck College, University of London and Royal Holloway, University of London. Brunel University London, which will join the federation in October 2024, also features in the top 500.

The rankings also recognised the excellent feedback London universities received from current and former students, with the city placing third for Student Voice, behind Berlin and Melbourne. London universities were also well rated for their diverse and eclectic student population, boasting the world’s seventh-best score for Student Mix and exceptional career opportunities, placing fourth in Employer Activity.

Find out more on the University of London federation.