New Zealand's Auckland and Australia's Sydney and Melbourne made it to the list of world's top cities for students. Auckland's international student industry is boosted by ranking no. 18 out of 50 cities in Quacquarelli Symonds Best Students Cities list.

Paris was hailed the best in the world for students followed by London. Auckland became eligible in the list after Auckland University of Technology placed in the prestigious World University Rankings top 500 joining Auckland University in 2012.

Quacquerelli's Head of Research Ben Sowter said to be included in the list of best cities for students, the city needs to have more than one premier university.

He added Auckland scored 91 points out of 100 based on world university rankings, student diversity, cost of living, employment availability and quality of life.

According to Education New Zealand, an estimated 50,000 students from all over the world arrive in Auckland each year, boosting the local economy with $1.65 billion. Education is New Zealand's fifth biggest export earner.

The best cities in the world for students list can be used as a tool for students to evaluate their options in pursuing overseas education.

The countries that made it to the list for the first time are Norway's Oslo at no. 48 and Czech Republic' Prague at no. 45.

Paris made it to the top for the second year in a row as it continues to impose low tuition fees to attract both domestic and international students. Paris ranked in the availability of employment for graduates and quality of living.

London was 2 points behind Paris. Singapore came in third place followed by Sydney with Melbourne and Zurich tied in fifth place.

Quacquarelli Symonds said employers target French graduates since French universities have produced the most notable scientists, mathematicians and philosophers in the past 100 years. France is also the birthplace of the classical art, film and literature.

Auckland Among Top 10 Places To Visit

Travel bible Lonely Planet rated Auckland, New Zealand as one of the top 10 cities to visit in the world. On average, Auckland attracts 1.8 million foreign tourists every year. New Zealand's best city is rated alongside other top cities like Paris, Shanghai, Zurich and Vancouver in Lonely Planet's ninth annual Best in Travel guide out Oct. 29.

The Best in Travel guide highlights the best travel destinations, trips, trends and experiences around the world for the year. Lonely Planet praised Auckland for its waterfront districts like the popular Wynyard Quarter. For the best dining and shopping options in Auckland, Lonely Planet recommended the City Works Depot and Britomart.

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