Seoul Tops London and Tokyo for the First Time... Foreign Media: "Seoul Is Becoming the New Paris"

The Rise of Holistic Considerations:
Lifestyle and Living Costs Now Key Factors

Increasing Influx of Students with No Prior Ties to Korea

Seoul Ranks First for the First Time
in the 'Best Student Cities' List

According to foreign media analysis, Seoul is emerging as a new destination for international students, replacing traditional study-abroad hubs like London, Paris, and New York. The growing global influence of Korean culture, particularly K-pop, along with a diverse range of living expenses and the convenience offered by the city, are drawing increasing interest from foreign students.

The Financial Times (FT) of the UK reported on the 18th (local time) in an article titled "Seoul is Becoming the New Paris for Overseas Students" that the criteria international students use to choose where to study are changing. In the past, university reputation or post-graduation employment prospects were the main priorities. Recently, however, there has been a strong trend toward considering lifestyle, cost of living, city environment, and cultural experiences as key factors in decision-making.

Foreign international students at a university in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

One of the most significant changes in Seoul is the influx of students who have no special ties to Korea. Fanta Aw of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators told the FT, "In the past, many American students coming to Seoul were second- and third-generation Asian immigrants with cultural connections to Korea. Recently, however, students with no particular ties to Korea are also choosing Seoul as their study-abroad city." With Korean pop music, dramas, food, and other elements of Korean pop culture becoming routine parts of life overseas, Seoul itself is now perceived as a unique cultural experience.

In fact, the number of foreign students coming to Korea has been increasing rapidly. According to data from the Ministry of Justice, as of February this year, the number of foreign students residing in Korea reached 314,397, surpassing 310,000 for the first time. Compared to 153,361 at the end of 2020, the figure has more than doubled in about five years. Particularly, the number of students enrolled in universities and higher education institutions rose to 238,905, a 22.2% increase from the previous year.

Seoul's international competitiveness as a student city is also reflected in various global rankings. In the '2026 QS Best Student Cities' ranking, published by global higher education rating agency QS, Seoul topped the list for the first time. London dropped to third place, while Tokyo ranked second. According to QS, Seoul was highly rated not only for its university competitiveness and business activity, but also for improved affordability and student preferences compared to the previous year.

International students at a university in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Housing costs are also cited as one of Seoul's strengths. According to FT, a studio apartment in Seoul costs about 900,000 won per month, and a room in a boarding house around 600,000 won. With housing costs in traditional study-abroad cities like London and Paris rising significantly, the ability to choose from a relatively diverse range of price points is seen as an attractive factor for international students.

Alongside Seoul, cities such as Lisbon in Portugal and Prague in the Czech Republic are also gaining attention as new study-abroad destinations. FT noted that these cities are also attracting international students by offering relatively lower living costs, unique cultural experiences, improved transportation, and robust urban infrastructure. It was also analyzed that advancements in digital technologies, such as mapping and translation applications, have made it easier to live in unfamiliar cities, thereby expanding students’ options when choosing where to study abroad.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.