Paris voted the world"s best student city second year in a row

For the second year running, Paris has emerged as the best city in the world for students in the QS Best Student Cities Survey 2014. Known for their low tuition fees, fun student life and research initiatives, Parisian universities are quickly proving to be a popular destination for students from across the world.

Last year, almost 2, 600 Indian students opted for higher education in France, a jump of nearly 50 per cent in the past five years. “It costs half the amount to pursue your higher education in Paris as compared to the UK, US or Australia. On top of this employment and visa regulations are more student-friendly in France at the moment,” says Ashish Jain, from Delhi who is currently studying at Paris Sorbonne University.

Be it the top ranked business schools of ESCP Europe or HEC Paris, or the famed hospitality institute Le Cordon Bleu or the 17th century political school at Ecole Normale Superieure, there’s plenty of disciplines for students to choose from in Paris.

“In the last few years French universities have put in a special effort to include more courses in the English language. So knowing French is no longer a requirement to study in Paris. However, for those who wish to learn it there are plenty of courses and support available both in France and in India for studying the French language,” explains Arnaud Mentre, press counsellor, French Embassy India.

This year the QS Best Student Cities Survey has also announced three new sub-categories. Kuala Lampur has been voted the world’s most affordable city for students with tuition fees costing only Rs. 1.7 lakh per year for undergraduate courses. Vienna has been ranked as the world’s best student city for quality of life, while Singapore has emerged as the best student city for employer activity.

Paris voted the world"s best student city second year in a row