London Tops Google Poll of Most Searched for City by US Students

NEW YORK, February 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

London is the most popular city in the world among US students who are looking to study overseas, according to new internet search results published by Google today (11 February).

The in-depth analysis that places London ahead of Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and Singapore as the favourite place for US students to study will be announced by the Mayor of London who is currently leading a trade mission to the United States aimed at strengthening economic and cultural ties between London and the US. The research will also reveal that universities in the 'Golden Triangle' of London, Oxford and Cambridge dominate internet searches.

Google's Education team analysed US internet searches during 2014 focusing on international student destinations and found that:

• London is the most searched for city by US students looking for higher education options outside North America. The most popular cities worldwide are London, followed by Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Singapore, Amsterdam, Rome, Dublin, Hong Kong and Oxford.

• 15 UK universities, five from Australia, two from Korea and one from China are in the top 30. UK universities make up 8 of the top 10 most searched for universities with Oxford and Cambridge at #1 and #2 respectively. Five London universities are in the top 10.  Only Dublin and the Australian National University feature from outside the UK.

• 'Universities in London' is the most popular term amongst all generic searches made by US students relating to international study

Harry Walker, Google Education Industry Head, said: "We took a deep dive into the London education market to see how it ranks against other world cities. No matter how we looked at it, by university brand or just generic keywords, there is no doubt that London and the United Kingdom are the biggest magnets for US students seeking to study abroad."

The Google research will be announced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, during an event at the Museum of the City of New York where he will also unveil an innovative "Leaders of the Future Programme" during which US students will have the opportunity of being mentored by some of the United Kingdom's most influential business leaders.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Google have used their search data to prove what we've known for years - that US students love to come to London. It is no wonder we are the number one destination for US students studying abroad because London offers world class universities, has heritage and culture oozing from every pore and is the gateway from which to explore the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe. The programme will help identify the next generation of men and women who will not only act as ambassadors for the city but will be coming back to London to build the global companies of tomorrow."

The "Leaders of the Future Programme" will see students mentored by senior and influential figures within participating companies, including Lebara Group, McCann Health, MedCity and UK Power Networks.

The Mayor added: "London universities are already collaborating with their US counterparts to solve world health problems and create the best business brains, and now the 'Leaders of the Future Programme' will enable the most promising students to receive masterclasses on leadership skills from influential business people and leading academics."

The theme of the Museum of the City of New York event will be "London: Connecting you with the World" and it has been organised by the London Universities International Partnership (LUIP), a collaboration of 18 world class London higher education institutions, seeking to promote the city internationally.  

For further information go to http://www.studylondon.ac.uk

SOURCE London & Partners