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What are the world’s best student cities to study abroad? If you are a university student, there are a lot of benefits to spending one or two semesters abroad – you can polish your language skills, get foreign exposure and make friends from all over the world. Not only will time abroad increase the number of Facebook friends or Instagram followers you have, but it will certainly also increase your self-confidence in the future and increase those all-important work opportunities.
It can be tricky to choose the right destination where you can extend your horizons, advance your career, and experience cool adventures. But the list for that is here. Let’s get started.
1. Berlin (Germany)
Berlin is one of the most renowned cities in Europe, with its rich history, diverse architecture, and flourishing cultural scene. The city has a strong international population and universities of global renown, making it one of the best student cities in the higher education arena.
As opposed to other European countries, Berlin is also known for its affordability. This makes it attractive to students who have revenue streams that are minimal or relatively unpredictable. Berlin’s living costs are exceptionally low as opposed to other European cities, while still providing a high quality of life.
There are five major public universities in the city and more than 20 private, technical and vocational universities and colleges offering a broad range of courses in a variety of disciplines. Several international schools are in Berlin as well. A big factor in choosing a university education in Berlin is that there are no fees for tuition. This means that you can enter the best schools to study in Berlin, with the appropriate grades.
If you’re looking for financial aid to help you fund your study abroad in Berlin, you should check out “Young Global Changers”. It is a fully-funded program that will let you join the Global Solutions Summer School and Global Solutions Summit in Berlin. The complete detail about the program can be found here.
2. London (UK)
London is one of the best student cities and the hottest spots for students right now. It is home to world-class education and there are more students in London studying abroad than in any other city in the world. You will be at the heart of one of the areas best suited to fulfill your educational needs while studying in London. There is an amazing range of libraries, local companies, and networks of support that could all help you in your studies.
With 17 London universities included in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, there’s no denying the city is host to some of the world’s best universities. Among them, for its master’s degree in finance, London Business School ranks first in the world, second for its master’s degree in management, and third overall for business and management studies.
For international students, the annual tuition fee can range from $14,720 to $25,000. This does not include lodging, which is an additional $1,300 to $1,600 per month. Although the cost of studying in London is high, you can actually study for free. If you are interested in studying sanitation and hygiene, the scholarship at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) might be the ideal choice for you.
3. Melbourne (Australia)
You can live in a safe and vibrant city when you study in Melbourne, which provides world-class study options, facilities, and the widest variety of things to do.
According to the prestigious QS Best Student Cities 2019, Melbourne is Australia’s best student city and the world’s third-best student city. In 2017, 200,000 foreign students were drawn to Victoria by main characteristics such as the high standard and quality of living of Victoria, vibrant multicultural culture, and social inclusion.
Melbourne is also called the cultural capital of Australia and is home to the attractions that make the Australian lifestyle so attractive. The ranking of Melbourne as the 10th best city for ’employer activity’ in the world makes it an even more desirable destination. The high-quality courses in Melbourne, welcoming universities, livable cities, and outstanding lifestyle make it an economical choice for international students.
It will be even cheaper if you consider enrolling in any programs of one of these Australian universities scholarships that offer amazing opportunities for international students. They provide tons of scholarships for many fields of study.
4. Montreal (Canada)
Montreal is one of the best student cities to study abroad, and a home for students from around the world with whom you can easily interact, make friends with, and party together, of course!
Montreal, Québec, also known as the “culture city” of Canada, may not have been your first guess. In a list of the best cities to live in the world, it has topped both London and Paris, and Montreal continues to be in the top six of QS’s Best Student Cities ranking. There are six variables behind these rankings:
- Affordability
- Desirability
- Employer activity
- Student mix
- Student view
- University rankings
It’s home to some of the finest educational institutions, in addition to everything else Montreal has to bring. The Université de Montréal is one of Canada’s 10 best universities for 2021. It is a French-speaking research university, renowned for its programs in life sciences and medicine, and pharmacy and pharmacology. As for the amount of satisfaction employers have for their graduates, the university is also ranked 36th in the world.
One thing to remember, besides, is that student accommodation is very cheap in Montreal. The city is, in fact, one of the most affordable in all of Canada, which is just one reason why students like it so much. It is not unimaginable to study for free in Montreal. You can sign up for either one of these short courses in Canada or these international scholarships at Canadian universities (including the Université de Montréal) to earn the best study experience in the city at the most reasonable price.
5. Munich (Germany)
Did you ever consider studying abroad in Munich? Well, you should because it is a great place to live and study.
The capital of Bavaria, Munich, famous for its Oktoberfest, is also home to some of Germany’s best universities and one of the country’s key financial, technical, and cultural hubs. This implies that in your free time you will be surrounded by a foreign community, have plenty of things to do, and gain from many internships or work opportunities.
Munich is also ranked among the best in the world for attractiveness, drawing on a wide variety of sources designed to determine the quality of life. Technische Universität München is the city’s highest entrant in the QS World University Rankings 2020 at 50, followed by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in 63rd place, Germany’s top two representatives in this year’s world rankings.
Another explanation for attending a college in the city is the expense of studying at a university in Munich, as it is substantially lower than the cost of attending colleges in other nations. In addition, students pursuing their education are also available for scholarships, grants, and other forms of assistance.
As a matter of fact, the best universities in Germany and Munich, specifically, including the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, offer plentiful scholarships to help you kickstart your education.
6. Paris (France)
Not only is Paris the #1 city to study following the new QS Best Student Cities ranking, but it will also recommend France as a study destination for 9 out of 10 international students. There are a lot of towns in the nation and each of them provides a special experience, but let’s not go any further and bring Paris in the spotlight.
In terms of research and growth, Paris has excellent opportunities, most of the young people are successful entrepreneurs and innovators, according to QS Best Student Cities, Paris is the #1 student city, 2014 results, food is world-class, the entertainment scene is truly a description of entertainment, architecture and art are priceless, and the city itself is wonderful.
Paris, however, is not a place that tops every list of the “most affordable countries to study abroad in Europe.” It is an extremely costly place to study abroad, and comparatively expensive. At present, the all-encompassing average cost of the study abroad program is about $18,000/semester or $36,000/year.
But with these scholarships at universities in France, starting from Université PSL to Université Paris-Sud, maybe you can make that French dream come true at a lower cost.
7. Seoul (South Korea)
Seoul is one of the most famous cities where international students can study. The number of foreign students that the city accepts is growing rapidly. At the beginning of the 2010s, this number increased to 142,205 in April 2018, while it had 89,000 international students. The local government also declared that it would help increase the number of students enrolled abroad.
In contrast to other common countries with good education, such as the USA or Japan, Seoul universities have a low application fee to enroll. Also, the government has many scholarship opportunities for international students, as you can see here and here.
Studying in Seoul will open up a large range of opportunities for you to work. Graduates from universities in Seoul are widely sought after by employers worldwide. In addition, the economy of the country is incredibly stable, ensuring you a future that is financially secure after graduation.
8. Sydney (Australia)
Home to Australia’s oldest university (the University of Sydney) and also among the world’s best universities (ranked 42nd worldwide), the city is proud of its rich history of academic excellence. International students, recognized annually in world university rankings, should look forward to a promising future in education.
Sydney’s universities are also in the top 10 in the world rankings. Because of the excellent weather, many foreign students want to study in Sydney. You can do various outdoor activities, such as walking, exploring the town center, learning to surf in Manly or Bondi Beach, and much more.
Studying in Sydney could guarantee you a degree of trust by attracting over 35,000 international students to live and study, although this could be a more expensive choice. At a university in the Sydney area, the average cost of living on campus ranges between $665-$1,000 per week.
But this shouldn’t be a big deal if you land a scholarship to help yourself cut down the cost while studying in Sydney. Financial aid like full scholarships at UTS (University of Technology Sydney), for starter, can be the best option for you to study in Sydney without costing you a fortune.
9. Tokyo (Japan)
Tokyo, according to the latest QS Best Student Cities list, has been ranked the second-best student city in the world for two years running. It is a nice place to live in, to study, and to work. Just like every other metropolitan city, all you need is in town.
In Tokyo, there are many good reasons to study. Some students are drawn to the high educational standards of Tokyo, while the draw for others is the rich cultural heritage of the country. Almost 5 million students study abroad annually, and this figure is expected to continue to grow. Tokyo is one of the most popular destinations for international students, with more than 150,000 international students.
Besides, tuition fees are comparatively cheap in Tokyo. While an “in-state” student in the US may spend $10,000 a year or more on tuition, with “out of state” and international fees being several times higher, tuition fees at Tokyo public universities are a mere 535,800 yen (approx $5,500) a year.
Furthermore, a wide range of scholarships is available, both from the university and from public and private organizations. A limited number of the University of Tokyo Research Internship is available, paying a monthly living allowance, and a travel allowance. A wide range of other scholarships is available, with some directed towards specific nationalities, women, minorities, or those with high-level Japanese proficiency.
10. Zurich (Switzerland)
Zurich, in terms of the quality of life, is one of the safest cities to live in. Zurich is almost always at the top of the surveys for the quality of life. It is, without a doubt, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful and posh cities. A highly developed country, Switzerland is a country of financial wealth and spectacular mountain landscapes. Zurich is a financial hub as well, and it is an excellent place to study.
If you’re already accepted into Zurich University, you can get the best education and academics that you can ask for. Switzerland is renowned for its world-class education, though it is considered to be quite rigorous. The University of Zurich, ETH Zurich-Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and many more are some of the best universities in Switzerland. However, by demonstrating your commitment and discipline, make sure that you prove your worth at a Swiss university.
Since living in Zurich is by no means cheap, you should start looking for scholarships soon. The tuition costs are sky-high, which is why it is wise to take advantage of the many scholarship opportunities the Swiss universities provide. Some cover the fees while some support a part of your living expenses as well, such as the ESOP and ETH-D Scholarships at ETH Zurich.
Final thoughts
While it is always important to choose a good university for your course when choosing where to study or do a year abroad, the city in which you choose to live is also very important, particularly because when you’re finished, you might end up getting a graduate job there.
If you are searching for a city with fantastic nightlife or a town with plenty of work opportunities, it is important to make the right choice.
So, which best student cities are the perfect ones for you according to the above list? You decide yourself.
