London is the third best student city in the world, according to a new ranking.
The UK capital has come in third place behind Paris and Melbourne on the QS Best Student Cities 2015 ranking, having dropped down one place from second last year.
Other UK cities included in the top 50 are: Edinburgh in 26th place, rising six places from last year; Manchester, which maintains its position at 29; and Coventry, a newcomer in the top 50 in 45th place.
The ranking focuses on cities with a population of over 250,000 which are home to at least two universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings. Some 116 cities around the world qualify, and 50 have been ranked.
Cities are ranked based on a number of criteria, including: university rankings; student mix; quality of living; employer activity and affordability. This year, for the first time, ranking criteria also include metrics for safety and pollution, corruption and social progress.
The US and Australia have the most cities in the top 50 – 8 and 6, respectively – followed by the UK with 4.
QS Best Student Cities 2015 - Top 10
2015 2014 CITY OVERALL SCORE
1 1 PARIS 412
2 5 MELBOURNE 397
3 2 LONDON 392
4 4 SYDNEY 388
5 7 HONG KONG 387
6 8 BOSTON 386
7 17 TOKYO 385
8 9 MONTREAL 380
9 13 TORONTO 375
10 14 SEOUL 372