Montreal has secured a spot among the top ten best cities worldwide for international students, according to the 2025 QS Best Student Cities rankings. The city, known for its vibrant cultural scene and academic institutions, ranked 10th out of 150 cities, with an impressive overall score of 92.1 out of 100.
Here are the top ten cities:
- London
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Munich
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Paris
- Zurich
- Berlin
- Montreal
Toronto, Canada’s largest city, placed just outside the top ten in 11th position, while Vancouver ranked 19th.
Factors Behind the Ranking
The QS study assessed six key categories to rank universities and their cities globally. To qualify, cities needed a population exceeding 250,000 and at least two universities in the QS World University Rankings. Montreal is home to two major institutions: McGill University and Concordia University, both located in the heart of the city.
Student Mix
The “Student Mix” category evaluated the proportion of students in the city’s population and the number of international students. With 40,000 international students from over 150 countries each year, according to Tourisme Montreal, the city stands out for its diversity and inclusivity.
Desirability
This category assessed factors like safety, pollution levels, and students’ preferences for study destinations. Montreal scored 85.1 in desirability, while Toronto led the category with 92.8. A portion of this score reflects students’ “dream city” choices for their education.
Employer Activity
Montreal’s ranking also reflected its appeal to employers looking for new graduates. The employer activity category assessed both domestic and international employer popularity, highlighting cities with a reputation for producing excellent graduates. Toronto outperformed Montreal in this category with a score of 84.3, compared to Montreal’s 77.
Affordability
Montreal scored significantly higher in affordability, with a score of 41.6, compared to Toronto’s 21.2 and Vancouver’s 25.1. As one of the more affordable major cities in Canada, Montreal’s lower rent and tuition costs contributed to its strong showing in this category.
Student View
Students rated their city on aspects such as tolerance, diversity, transit, friendliness, and nightlife. Montreal achieved a score of 93.6, while Toronto slightly edged out with 94.3. This category also reflected students’ likelihood to remain in the city after graduation, highlighting both cities’ appeal as places to live and work long-term.
Montreal’s strong scores across categories cement its reputation as a top destination for international students, offering a balanced blend of affordability, diversity, and academic opportunity.