Latest news with #QSQuacquarelliSymonds
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- 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
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
QS2026 rankings: Delhi, Mumbai, B'luru among top global cities for students
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai are among the top 130 cities worldwide for students, as per the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026 announced on July 9. While Mumbai leads the Indian pack by rank, Delhi has been recognised as the most affordable city in the world for students. All four major Indian cities have improved their positions in the rankings, indicating the growing appeal of India's higher education system. The QS Best Student Cities Ranking is compiled by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education consultancy that evaluates 150 cities worldwide to arrive at its rankings. Mumbai has re-entered the global top 100, climbing 15 spots to 98th place. Delhi has moved up seven ranks to reach 104th, while Bengaluru has made the biggest leap among Indian cities, jumping 22 places to 108th. Chennai has also shown strong progress, rising 12 spots to stand at 128th. High scores for affordability and employment Mumbai and Bengaluru have performed particularly well in the affordability category, both securing positions within the top 15 globally. In terms of employer activity, which reflects graduate employment opportunities, Delhi and Mumbai have both entered the global top 50. Bengaluru has surged 41 places in this category to rank 59th, while Chennai has risen by 29 positions, highlighting increased recognition of its graduates. NEP 2020 driving progress 'India's rising presence in the 2026 QS Best Student Cities Rankings is more than a statistical bump – it reflects a structural shift in the country's higher education landscape. As we approach the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, its focus on global engagement, quality enhancement and student-centric learning is starting to bear fruit on the international stage,' said Jessica Turner, CEO of QS. This year, Seoul has overtaken London to become the world's top student city. London, which had held the number one spot for six years in a row, has fallen to third place, mainly due to a sharp fall in its affordability score, where it dropped 11 places to 137th. To be considered, cities must have a population of at least 250,000 and contain at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings. The assessment also includes insights from 100,000 survey responses, split between prospective students (desirability) and former students (student voice), with both factors carrying equal weight in the final score. Global rankings: Highlights Seoul has topped the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking for the first time, earning a perfect overall score of 100 Tokyo holds second place with a score of 99.9, driven by strong employer engagement and student satisfaction Munich and Melbourne retain their top 10 positions, ranking fourth and fifth respectively Asia-Pacific gains and affordability trends Increases in Affordability scores have been widespread in the Asia-Pacific region, with notable improvements across Taipei, Hong Kong (SAR), Tokyo and Seoul, each gaining over 10 points. Ten out of the top 20 ranked cities are now in Asia-Pacific, underlining the region's rising status in global higher education. Safety, inclusivity and lifestyle preferences Seventy-nine per cent of students cited safety and inclusivity as their top priority when selecting a study destination, followed by 57 per cent who prioritised lifestyle and leisure opportunities.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Delhi ranked world's most affordable, Mumbai in top 100
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Delhi has been named the most affordable student city in the world, according to the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026. While Mumbai has made a comeback into the top 100 student cities globally, Bengaluru and Chennai have also improved their rankings overall. According to the list of cities released by QS, all four Indian cities featured in this year's ranking have moved up from their previous positions, indicative of a broader upward shift in India's academic visibility, affordability, and improvement in workforce relevance. Which Indian cities made it to the 2026 list? According to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Mumbai emerged as the highest-ranked Indian city at 98th place globally, marking a significant leap of 15 spots from last year. Delhi climbed seven places to 104th and secured the top spot in the affordability category, making it the cheapest student city globally in 2026. Bengaluru, known for its technology and research ecosystem, jumped 22 places to 108th rank. Chennai also improved, rising 12 spots to settle at the 128th position. The presence of leading institutions in these cities adds weight to their rankings. Mumbai houses the University of Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, while Delhi is home to prestigious institutions like the University of Delhi and IIT Delhi. Bengaluru has the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), IIM Bengaluru, and a number of other popular private universities, and Chennai features institutions like Anna University and IIT Madras. How affordable are Indian cities for students? Affordability has been a consistent strength for Indian cities in the QS rankings. Delhi ranked first globally for affordability, scoring 96.5 in this category, with Bangaluru scoring 84.3 and Chennai 80.1 on the affordability index. This indicator takes into account average tuition fees and cost of living, both of which remain significantly lower in Indian cities compared to top-ranked global education hubs. Which are the world's top student cities in 2026? Globally, Seoul has claimed the top spot, displacing London which fell primarily due to a drop in affordability. The top five cities in the 2026 edition are: Seoul, South Korea Tokyo, Japan London, United Kingdom Munich, Germany Melbourne, Australia What about graduate employment prospects? In the 'Employer Activity' indicator, which assesses how highly employers regard graduates from a city, Delhi and Mumbai both placed in the global top 50. Bangalore made the steepest improvement of any Indian city, climbing 41 spots to reach 59th position. Chennai also showed significant movement, advancing 29 places. These gains reflect rising employer confidence in the talent emerging from India's top academic institutions, many of which are now also improving in global university rankings. How did Indian cities rank overall compared to 2025? When compared to last year's rankings, all four Indian cities showed upward movement: -Mumbai: from 131 to 98 -Delhi: from 117 to 104 -Bangalore: from 130 to 108 -Chennai: from 140 to 128 Notably, in the QS World University Rankings released earlier in 2025, nearly 50 per cent of Indian universities improved their standing. IIT Delhi was ranked the best institution in India, while globally, MIT retained its position as the top-ranked university for the 14th consecutive year. Achievement comes amid five years of NEP The improved visibility of Indian cities and institutions in global rankings comes at a time when India is marking five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. One of the aims of the NEP has been to internationalise Indian education and improve quality standards, which is beginning to reflect in both university-level and city-level rankings.
Observer
21-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
QS to launch report on Oman's higher education
MUSCAT: On Monday, June 23, Oman will host a landmark academic event to unveil a new global report by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, titled 'The Enormous Potential of Higher Education in the Sultanate of Oman.' The event will take place at the Modern College of Commerce and Science in Muscat, under the auspices of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit and in the presence of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Bringing together prominent academic leaders, policymakers, representatives from Omani universities and international institutions, the event will spotlight Oman's rising profile as a global hub for higher education. The QS report presents data-driven insights and practical recommendations aimed at enhancing the performance of Omani universities in global rankings. It also emphasises the Sultanate of Oman's strategic strengths — its geographic location, cultural diversity and sustained investment in educational development — as key drivers for attracting international students and researchers. This initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, reflecting the nation's strong commitment to raising educational standards and achieving institutional excellence on both regional and international fronts.
Times of Oman
02-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
QS and Modern College of Business and Science Announce Strategic Partnership in Zanzibar
Muscat – QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts and compiler of the QS World University Rankings, will hold the annual QS Africa Forum at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel from 3-4 July. The forum will address issues related to the theme 'Maximising Africa's Potential: Scientific Research, Knowledge Transfer, Innovation, and Skills for a Thriving Future' and is co-hosted by the Modern College of Business and Science. QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the world's leading provider of services, analytics, and insights to the global higher education sector, is pleased to announce the QS Africa Forum 2025, co-sponsored by the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS), Oman's leading institution for business and applied sciences. The event will be held in Zanzibar in July 2025 under the theme 'Maximizing Africa's Potential: Scientific Research, Knowledge Transfer, Innovation, and Skills for a Thriving Future.' Under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, this landmark event will bring together leaders from academia, industry, and government to engage in critical dialogues on harnessing higher education as a catalyst for Africa's transformation. The forum aims to explore how to maximise the continent's vast potential by equipping emerging generations with future-ready skills, knowledge, and opportunities to drive economic growth, innovation, and societal progress. 'We are honored to co-sponsor the QS Africa Forum 2025, a significant platform that aligns perfectly with MCBS's commitment to fostering global academic partnerships and supporting the growth of East Africa as a key player in the international knowledge economy,' said Executive Chairman, Dr Muneer Al Maskari. 'This forum will empower the region to maximize its educational and innovation potential through effective knowledge transfer and capacity building.' Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice-President, said: 'The QS Africa Forum is a pivotal and transformative event that unites leaders from universities, academia, industry, and government. Its mission is to foster collaboration, champion sustainability, and serve as a catalyst for innovation and thought leadership to tackle vital contemporary challenges. We would like to thank our hosts, The Modern College of Business and Science, for their outstanding support in making this event possible.' Guest speakers include: ▪ Dr. Bismark Tyobeka, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, North-West University, South Africa ▪ Prof. Kayode Ijadunola, Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University, Nigeria ▪ Hon. Lela Muhamed Mussa, The Minister of Education and Vocational Training Revolutionary, Government of Zanzibar ▪ Dr Muneer Al Maskari, Executive Chairman, Modern College of Business and Science ▪ Prof. Qurashi Mohmed Ali, President, National University, Sudan The QS Africa Forum 2025 is a premier event for higher education leaders, researchers, and investors, with sessions dedicated to Africa's potential in scientific research, innovation, and skills development. This Forum focuses on knowledge transfer as a key enabler of sustainable development and the pathways for collaboration between African Higher Education Institutions and leading educational institutions worldwide.
