Seoul

QS Best Student Cities ranking: Joint 10th

Long since labeled as an up-and-coming destination, Seoul is certainly making good on this prediction. Continuing to be one of Asia’s strongest representatives, Seoul maintains its rank of 10th in the QS Best Student Cities 2019.

South Korea’s capital scores well in a number of indicators used to compile the ranking, including employer activity where it ranks sixth – reflecting the strong reputation of universities in Seoul among both domestic and international employers.

The city also rises one spot to claim the second-highest score in the rankings indicator (beaten only by London). This score is explained by the impressive fact that no fewer than 18 universities in Seoul are featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2020, of which the highest-ranked is Seoul National University, at 37th in the world.

Seoul is a 24/7 city in which life is never dull. Whether it’s the sounds of night-market sellers, the atmosphere of the all-night tea houses or the cries of gamers at a ‘PC bang’ (gaming center), Seoul is as alive at 3am as it is at 5pm. The magic of this city is that boredom is impossible, with culture, history and creativity everywhere you turn.

If you need some more restful down-time from your studies, Seoul also offers many opportunities to find your inner Zen, whether at one of many Buddhist temples or in a traditional sauna or spa. Further tranquility can be found less than one hour outside of the city walls, where you can explore South Korea’s mountainous landscape and charming, historic villages.

Students and graduates of the city certainly rate their experience highly – Seoul comes 23rd in the student view indicator, and one respondent to our student survey said: “The diverse culture makes for a great experience, and everything is so convenient,” while another described it as “a city which has the possibilities of a truly metropolitan city without almost any danger”.

To share your own experience of Seoul or another city, take the survey.

Internationally ranked universities in Seoul

More about Seoul

* To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.*