Singapore

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 20th

Small but densely populated, Singapore's reputation as a center of educational excellence has flourished in recent years. Its top universities, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) now both ranking in joint 11th place in the QS World University Rankings® 2020. This year the city falls five places in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, but at 20th overall it remains one of the most desirable student destinations in Asia and indeed the world.

Alongside growing prominence in the global higher education sector, Singapore remains renowned for its prosperity and low levels of crime and unemployment. In keeping with the city’s strong corporate reputation, Singaporean graduates are much sought-after by international employers, especially throughout Asia, and the city comes 12th in the employer activity indicator.

The downside to Singapore's high standard of living is correspondingly high prices. Singapore is ranked the third most expensive out of over 500 cities in Mercer’s 2019 Cost of Living Survey, and tuition fees have also increased in recent years, particularly for international students.

On the plus side, one thing you certainly won't need to shell out for in Singapore is central heating; its position next to the equator means it is equally scorching all year round. And if you fancy exchanging the concrete jungle for the real thing, Singapore is surrounded by tropical scenery, both throughout adjacent Malaysia, and in nearby exotic destinations such as Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Internationally ranked universities in Singapore

 More about Singapore

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