A UK-based higher education analytics firm has put Hong Kong as the 17th best city in the world to attend university.

The SAR climbed five spots in the latest QS Best Student Cities ranking after coming in at 22nd place last year.

The firm said Hong Kong has become a more desirable and affordable destination, while universities here have also climbed in world rankings.

QS graded 150 cities across 58 countries and regions.

Seoul topped the latest chart, swapping its spot with London which came third this time.

Tokyo remained in second place.

Beijing ranked 13th, jumping from 31st last year, while Shanghai leapt from 46th to 27th.

The firm ranked cities based on six categories – how students think of the place, their student mix, affordability, desirability, employers' activity as well as how well the cities' universities did in rankings.