Taipei ranked world’s 21st best city for students

2017/02/17

Taipei moved up two places to 21st globally, while ranking sixth in Asia, in this year’s Best Student Cities index conducted by U.K.-based higher education information provider Quacquarelli Symonds.
 
“Taiwan’s universities have been steadily climbing to greater global prominence in recent years, establishing the country’s capital as one of Asia’s leading higher education hubs,” the QS website said. “Taipei is home to no less than eight universities ranked among the world’s best in the QS World University Rankings 2016-2017, led by the nation’s flagship public institute National Taiwan University at joint 68th in the world.”

The 2017 edition of the QS Best Student Cities includes a new category—Student View, based on a survey of students and recent graduates around the world—in addition to the established five categories, namely affordability, desirability, employer activity, student mix and university rankings.

Taipei was ranked 10th in the index’s Student View category, indicating that many students are enjoying their experience of the city and are often keen to stay after graduation. When asked to name the best things about studying in Taipei, one respondent summarized by saying “Inclusion. Diversity. Friendliness.”

With relatively low tuition fees and living costs, Taipei has one of the highest scores in the Affordability category, making it well worth considering for those on a tight budget, according to QS.

Northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu City also ranked in the world’s top 100 cities for international students, taking 75th place. Though not as well known as many of the cities on the list, the index called Hsinchu a great option for those who want to study in Taiwan but would prefer a smaller, more laid-back city compared to the bustling capital Taipei.

According to QS, Hsinchu is very much a “forward-thinking and fast-developing place, with the nearby Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park dubbed the ‘Silicon Valley of the Orient.’” The city’s innovative spirit is reflected in the local universities, with National Tsing Hua University and National Chiao Tung University both in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings.

To be considered for inclusion in the index, each city must have a population of more than 250,000 and be home to at least two universities featured in the most recent QS World University Rankings.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=111495)