Melbourne ranked fifth best city in the world for students

Melbourne has once again been recognised as one of the world’s best cities for students, ranking fifth globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities 2026 rankings.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Melbourne has been ranked in the top five student cities, reflecting the city’s top class educational system, rich cultural scene and vibrant multicultural student population.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) Professor Michael Wesley said Melbourne’s consistent ranking reflects its unique appeal to students.

“The news of the 2026 QS Best Student Cities ranking captures what makes Melbourne special – a city where world-class education meets vibrant cultural diversity and a thriving social scene,” Professor Wesley said.

“At the University of Melbourne, international students join a global community that challenges them academically while supporting their personal growth. Our graduates leave with valuable qualifications, lifelong connections, and meaningful experiences that prepare them to lead on the global stage.”

Access to a globally recognised education is central to attracting students from across the world and the University of Melbourne continues to be the benchmark in Australia.

The University of Melbourne is the highest ranked Australian university across the three major global rankings – ranked number 19 in the world in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, number 39 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 37 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

In the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the University of Melbourne also ranked in the top 50 globally across all five broad subject areas and ranked in the top 100 globally for all its 52 narrow subject areas.

Melbourne’s high student population, international student community and culture of inclusivity contributed to a strong score in the ‘Student mix’ metric of the rankings. Over 150 nationalities are represented in the University of Melbourne’s international student cohort, creating a flourishing global community and dynamic learning environment.

Ashwin Chhaperia, a University of Melbourne alum and volunteer of the India Alumni Network, said: “Studying at the University of Melbourne didn’t just give me a degree, it prepared me for life.

“It wasn’t just the world-class academics or the iconic campus – it was the people, the connection, and the sense of belonging that I felt during my time at uni.”

Seoul ranked No1, followed by Tokyo, London and Munich, with Sydney behind Melbourne in sixth place.