Delhi Ranked World's Most Affordable City In QS Best Student Cities 2026 List
These rankings are created by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a respected global higher education analyst. They evaluate cities using several important factors like affordability, student diversity, city desirability, the quality of universities, and the job opportunities available after graduation.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
QS 2026: Not London or Boston, Seoul is top city for foreign education
Seoul, not London, has emerged as the most preferred city for international students, according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026. The South Korean capital has taken the top spot, pushing London to third place, while Tokyo has climbed to second. This is the first time two Asian cities have led the global student city rankings. Compiled by UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the annual index considers a mix of factors including affordability, student mix, desirability, quality of universities, and employment outcomes after graduation. London, United Kingdom Munich, Germany Melbourne, Australia Sydney, Australia Berlin, Germany Paris, France Zurich, Switzerland Vienna, Austria Singapore Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Beijing, China Taipei, Taiwan Boston, United States 'Seoul's rise to the top spot, overtaking long-time favourites like Tokyo and London, is a clear message that the global higher education scene is evolving strongly and shows diversity in the study options for students globally. For Indian students and parents, this means that they now don't have to run behind the Anglosphere and can choose other hot spots,' said Mamta Shekhawat, founder at 'It additionally confirms that Asian cities, especially East Asian cities such as Seoul and Tokyo, provide a very real and exciting blend of academic excellence, lively student experience, and strong post-graduation career options,' she told Business Standard. Indian students still prefer familiar routes 'It's a wake-up call for Indian families to look beyond the traditional US–UK–Canada triangle and consider high-performing, culturally rich destinations like South Korea that are investing heavily in international education,' Ritesh Jain, co-founder of LaunchEd Global told Business Standard. Mary Gogoi, head of admissions at eduVelocity, agreed the trend is slowly shifting. 'Students are becoming more open to exploring countries like South Korea and Japan, especially for courses in STEM, business, and international studies. This is often driven by curiosity, cultural appeal, and the availability of government scholarships,' she told Business Standard. Still, many Indian families continue to lean towards English-speaking destinations. 'For many families, these factors offer a sense of comfort and long-term opportunity, especially in terms of career prospects,' said Gogoi. Korean wave and government support drive interest According to LaunchEd Global and there has been a clear uptick in enquiries over the past 12 to 18 months. 'We've seen a clear uptick in interest, particularly from students in tech, design, and media-related fields. South Korea's pop culture influence—K-dramas, K-pop, etc.—is a huge pull among Gen Z, but it's not just about fandom,' said Jain. 'Students are now recognising the strong academic infrastructure and the generous scholarships Korean and Japanese universities are offering to international students.' 'While difficulties like learning a new language and finding work after graduation are still real, both South Korea and Japan are actively trying to make things easier for international students, including those from India,' said Shekhawat. Language barriers and career planning 'While many top universities in Seoul and Tokyo offer programmes in English, daily life and internships often require some knowledge of the local language. Also, the path to staying and working after graduation isn't as clear-cut as it is in Canada or Australia,' said Jain. 'Knowing the local language becomes essential for internships, part-time jobs, and long-term employment. Post-study work options exist, but navigating them requires good planning and language skills. It's important for students to be prepared for that adjustment,' said Gogoi. She added that Seoul and Tokyo offer high-quality education at comparatively lower costs, excellent public safety, and a modern lifestyle. 'Generous scholarships and a growing focus on internationalisation make them attractive. Career opportunities in tech, design, and research are also a big plus.' 'Seoul has built a strong reputation through universities like KAIST and SNU, especially in tech, engineering, and research. Scholarships and government support help too,' said Mayank Maheshwari, co-founder and COO at University Living. 'Tokyo's been a go-to for innovation for years whether it's AI, robotics, or design. Both cities have universities that are respected around the world, which is why they score well in the employer-related parts of the QS ranking,' he said. 'But students also care about what happens after—can they stay back, work, and build a life there? And even during their studies, they think about the everyday stuff: food, language, part-time work, and whether they'll feel at home in a completely new culture. That's why, for many Indian students, countries like the UK, Canada, the US, and Australia still feel easier. The language, the work rights after graduation, and even access to familiar food and communities—all of that helps when you're going abroad for the first time.' Cost of living: Seoul vs Tokyo vs Europe 'When it comes to cost of living, Seoul is generally more affordable than both Tokyo and many major cities in Western Europe. International students in Seoul usually spend around $550 to $750 per month, depending on lifestyle and housing,' said Maheshwari. 'Dorms are reasonably priced, public transport is student-friendly, and food, especially on campus, is affordable.' According to him: Tokyo tends to be slightly more expensive, with monthly student expenses between $700 and $900 (around ₹58,800 to ₹75,600). Rent and commuting costs are higher, but quality of life is strong. In European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, or Dublin, student budgets can range between $1,200 and $1,800 per month (around ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh). Housing in Europe generally ranges from €500 to €900 (around ₹45,500 to ₹81,900), with total monthly costs often crossing €1,000 (around ₹91,000). 'However, many students manage these costs through part-time work opportunities, which are more accessible and flexible in Europe compared to some Asian destinations,' he said. 'In the end, Seoul offers a strong mix of affordability, safety, and quality education. Tokyo appeals to students keen on tech, design, and innovation. And Europe remains one of the top choices, not just for academic excellence and cultural diversity, but also for its student-friendly work policies and career pathways,' Maheshwari said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
U.K.'s Southampton University opens campus in Gurugram
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Wednesday inaugurated the India campus of the University of Southampton in Gurugram. The launch coincides with the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The University of Southampton, a QS Top 100 global institution and founding member of the U.K.'s Russell Group, becomes the first foreign university to operationalise a campus in India under the University Grants Commission's (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, said an official statement. Speaking at the event, Mr. Pradhan called it a 'momentous milestone' in the internationalisation of education, and a step forward in strengthening the India-UK education partnership envisioned in the India-U.K. Roadmap 2030. He expressed confidence that the new campus, backed by Southampton's academic legacy and offering a suite of forward-looking courses, would become a distinguished institution shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Pradhan said education is a 'living bridge' between the two countries, and the opening of the varsity's India campus would further fortify this bridge. Chief Minister Saini welcomed the university to Haryana and reaffirmed the State government's commitment to developing the region as a global hub for education and innovation. Mr. Pradhan invited other top global universities to come to India to co-create ecosystems of innovation, research, and education. 'Together, we must strive to build a bright future and drive innovation and progress,' he said. The Gurugram campus will offer globally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aligned with UK academic standards. Students will also have the opportunity to spend up to one year at the university's U.K. or Malaysia campuses. Programmes starting in 2025 include courses in Computer Science, Economics, Accounting & Finance, and Business Management, as well as courses in Finance and International Management.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Delhi ranks world's most affordable student city in QS 2026 rankings
India's rising academic reputation, affordability, and graduate employability shine in the latest QS Best Student Cities a significant recognition of India's growing stature as an education hub, four Indian cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai—have registered impressive gains in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026. Delhi emerged as the most affordable student city in the world, while Mumbai re-entered the global top 100, landing at the 98th annual rankings, released by global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds, assess cities based on a blend of factors including university quality, student diversity, affordability, and employment prospects for graduates. All four Indian cities in the 2026 edition have climbed the ladder from their 2025 positions—an upward trend signalling enhanced global visibility and improving standards in India's urban academic STANDOUTS: WHO RANKED WHERE? Mumbai was the top-performing Indian city overall, jumping 15 spots to secure the 98th rank globally. Delhi moved up by seven positions to 104th, and stood out by clinching the #1 global spot in affordability, a key category for students considering overseas education. Bengaluru, renowned for its thriving tech and research sectors, recorded one of the sharpest rises globally—advancing 22 places to the 108th position. Chennai also made a respectable climb, moving 12 spots up to rank the full list of QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026These improvements come as Indian cities continue to leverage their strong academic institutions. Mumbai boasts premier centres like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and the University of Mumbai, while Delhi is home to powerhouses such as IIT Delhi and the University of Delhi. Bengaluru's reputation is anchored by institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and IIM Bangalore, whereas Chennai features leading universities, including IIT Madras and Anna INDIAN CITIES ARE STANDING OUTA major draw for students is the cost advantage. In the QS affordability index, Delhi scored 96.5, claiming the top global rank. Bengaluru followed with 84.3, and Chennai posted a commendable 80.1. The affordability metric considers average tuition fees and living costs, which are markedly lower in Indian cities compared to traditional education destinations like the UK, USA, and affordability isn't the only factor driving India's rise. The 'Employer Activity' score—a metric that evaluates how favourably employers view graduates from a particular city—has seen notable improvements for Indian metros. Delhi and Mumbai both broke into the global top 50, while Bengaluru soared by 41 places to reach 59th position, and Chennai climbed 29 spots, reflecting growing industry faith in India's talent INDIAN CITIES IMPROVED FROM 2025 RANKINGSadvertisementIndia's upward trajectory from the previous year is striking:Mumbai: climbed from 131 to 98Delhi: moved from 117 to 104Bengaluru: jumped from 130 to 108Chennai: improved from 140 to 128These gains align with broader trends seen in the QS World University Rankings 2025, where nearly half of India's institutions improved their global standing. IIT Delhi led the pack as India's top university, while MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) retained its global #1 position for the 14th straight 5 CITIES FOR STUDENTS IN 2026While Indian cities gained ground, Seoul topped the global list, pushing London—the previous #1—down to third, mainly due to worsening affordability. The top five cities globally in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 are:Seoul, South KoreaTokyo, JapanLondon, United KingdomMunich, GermanyMelbourne, AustraliaIndia's improving international education footprint coincides with the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Amongst its key goals, the NEP seeks to internationalise Indian higher education, bolster quality, and foster research latest QS city rankings suggest that these policy shifts are beginning to yield measurable results—not just at the institutional level, but also across cities as attractive destinations for both domestic and international India looks to cement its place on the global education map, the latest QS rankings provide a strong signal: Indian cities are no longer just affordable—they are increasingly aspirational.- Ends
