London named best city for education in 2024

London has secured the title of the best city in the world for pursuing education in 2024, according to a recent study by MastersDegree.net. 

The study, considering factors such as student popularity, quality of life, friendliness, language proficiency, safety, budget, scholarships, and employment rate, placed London at the forefront with a score of 31.4 points, the Erudera reported.

Boasting a student popularity score of 3.2, the city provides an attractive environment for a diverse range of students worldwide. London excels in friendliness, with a score of 56, and safety, with a score of 1.7, reinforcing its reputation as a secure and welcoming destination for international students.

London’s commitment to providing a high quality of life is also evident, reflected in its score of 164.30. Moreover, the study showed that the city performs well in terms of employment opportunities, with an employment rate of 75.5 percent. Students benefit from an average monthly budget of around €1,700 (US$1,845), coupled with fully funded scholarship opportunities.

International student enrollment in the UK

According to the latest statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the 2021-22 academic year showed a significant increase in international student enrollment in the UK, reaching 679,970 students, a 12.3 percent rise from the previous year’s 605,130. 

The overall student enrollment in higher education institutions in the UK has increased by 4.02 percent to 2,862,620 students.

In 2019-20, HESA reported 556,985 international students, up from 496,110 in 2018-19. The UK Government noted a 16 percent increase in Sponsored Study (Tier 4) visas, reaching 276,889, the highest since 2011.

The total student enrollment in UK higher education institutions for 2018-19 was 2,456,545, a 1.7 percent increase from the previous academic year (2,414,745).

In 2022, Chinese students made up the majority of international students in the UK, comprising 22.3 percent of the total international student population, approximately 151,690 students. Among first-year non-UK students, 26.1 percent (99,965) are international students from China.

University College London leads in the number of international students, boasting a total of 24,145, followed by The University of Manchester (18,170), The University of Edinburgh (18,050), and The University of Glasgow (17,390). 

In the 2021-22 academic year, King’s College London, Coventry University, University of Hertfordshire, University of the Arts London, Ulster University, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, and The University of Leeds complete the list. 

Other best cities

Following closely behind London in the rankings are Vienna, Melbourne, and Munich, securing the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.

Vienna, with a score of 20.6, stands out as the second-best city for students in 2024. The city’s higher friendliness score (64) and an average monthly budget of €1,200 (US$1,303) contribute to its appeal. Vienna’s employment rate of 74.1 percent and its status as the largest university city in the German-speaking world make it a strong contender for international students.

Melbourne claims the third spot with an overall score of 13.4, offering students a balanced environment combining safety, quality of life, and educational excellence. With an average monthly budget of €1,370 (US$1,487), Melbourne is officially recognized as the best international student city in Australia.

Munich, known for its quality of life with the highest score among the top cities (77.5), secures the fourth position with an overall score of 10.4. Nearly half of international students in Munich choose to stay in the city even after completing their studies, showcasing its appeal. The average monthly budget in Munich exceeds €1,400 (US$1,520).

Paris rounds out the top five with an overall city score of 8.10. The city scores 1.9 for safety, 56 for friendliness, and boasts an employment rate of 68.6 percent. Paris continues to attract international students, with 90 percent recommending France as a study destination.

The study also highlighted other cities in the top ten, including Montreal, Sydney, Toronto, Zurich, and Amsterdam, each prioritizing and enhancing the student experience in its unique way. These cities provide diverse opportunities for students, with Zurich and Amsterdam excelling in quality of life and job opportunities. In the 2021-22 academic year, 8,660 international students studied in Amsterdam.