Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek Among World’s Best Cities for Students

For the first time ever, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, has secured a spot on the global map of top student destinations.

Global higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released its 2026 Best Student Cities Ranking, highlighting the world’s top 150 urban centers for student life, academic excellence, and post-study prospects, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Seoul claimed the No. 1 spot this year with a perfect score of 100, edging out Tokyo (99.9) and London (97.1), thanks to its strong university presence, high quality of life, and increasing international student appeal.

Other cities in the top 10 include:

Munich (96.3)

Melbourne (95.7)

Sydney (94.7)

Berlin (93.3)

Paris (93.3)

Zurich (91.5)

Vienna (90.8)

The rankings are based on a combination of factors such as student diversity, affordability, desirability, employer activity, and university rankings. To qualify, cities must have a population of at least 250,000 and host at least two universities featured in the global QS World University Rankings.

In a notable development, Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, made its debut in the ranking at 138th place, tying with Tel Aviv-Yafo. Bishkek earned high marks in affordability (89.7) and student mix (44.9), although it lagged in university rankings (20.1) and overall student desirability (23.1).

Elsewhere in Central Asia, Almaty was ranked 91st, while Astana came in at 127th, reflecting the region’s growing presence on the global education map.

The QS Best Student Cities report continues serving as a valuable resource for students seeking dynamic, supportive, and accessible urban environments for their higher education journey.