The QS Best Student Cities 2025 rankings have been unveiled, spotlighting the world’s most student-friendly destinations.
Among the top cities in Asia, Kuala Lumpur stands out, securing the 6th spot in Asia and 23rd spot globally, reaffirming its growing appeal as an educational hub in Malaysia.
Six metrics to evaluates
The QS Best Student Cities ranking evaluates destinations using six key metrics:
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- Student View: Measures students’ overall satisfaction, including their experience and likelihood of recommending the city.
- Student Mix: Assesses the diversity of the student population and inclusiveness.
- Employer Activity: Reflects how attractive the city is to employers and the career opportunities available to graduates.
- Desirability: Considers the city’s quality of life, safety, and cultural attractions.
- Affordability: Weighs the cost of living, tuition fees, and overall student expenses.
- Rankings: Considers the number of highly ranked universities in the city.
Kuala Lumpur achieved an overall score of 85.4, with its highest marks in Employer Activity (85.1) and Affordability (69.7).
However, Kuala Lumpur scored lower in Desirability (52.5) and Student Mix (68.7), indicating room for improvement in cultural diversity and overall student experience.
Top 10 in Asia
Tokyo ranked 1st among Asian cities and 2nd globally with an overall score of 99.2, while Singapore secured 4th in Asia and 15th globally with an overall score of 89.6.
- Tokyo, Japan (Rank 2)
- Seoul, South Korea (Rank 3)
- Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Japan (Rank 12)
- Singapore (Rank 15)
- Hong Kong SAR (Rank 22)
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Rank 23)
- Taipei, Taiwan (Rank 26)
- Beijing, China (Rank 31)
- Shanghai, China (Rank 46)
- Bangkok, Thailand (Rank 59)
