Singapore

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 14^th

Small but densely populated, Singapore's reputation as a center of educational excellence has flourished in recent years. Its top universities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) now rank 12^th and 13^th respectively in the QS World University Rankings®. This year the city falls slightly in the QS Best Student Cities index, but at 14^th 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 11^th in the Employer Activity category of the index.

The downside to Singapore's high standard of living is correspondingly high prices. Singapore is ranked the 4^th most expensive out of 209 cities in Mercer’s 2016 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.