Melbourne and Sydney have been ranked among top 10 cities preferred by students while Canberra and Brisbane moved up the ranks to be counted among the be worlds best 20 ahead of the likes of New York, Madrid, and Beijing.

The best place to get a degree in Australia, is Melbourne according to QS Annual Survey of the best cities in the world to be a student in 2016.

While Melbourne scored full marks for job prospects, a diverse mix of students and good quality of life, it was edged out for the top spot by Paris due to the greater variety the European city offered.

Melbourne, scored highly on the “student mix” part of the list’s criteria, which is calculated based on the relative size and diversity of each city’s student population while also taking into account the levels of social inclusion and tolerance.

Sydney ranked fourth, with students pointing to the quality of life and sunshine as key reasons for their choice. Australia’s biggest city is becoming a hub of sorts for fashion students and the – it’s the only city on the list to boast an annual duck fashion show.

The QS best student cities rankings are organised by four main categories: student mix, quality of life, employer activity and affordability. Australian universities ranked highly due to their “laid-back culture and relaxed vibe.”

“I agree with the cliche that Australian universities are more laid-back,” student Imogen Leaning told The Guardian recently. “Lecturers genuinely seem to be chilled, and at my uni shoes seem to be optional,” she says.

She adds that university in Australia is a lot more flexible for students wanting to study a wide range of subjects. “In the UK, people tend to start and finish uni on the same course, whereas in Australia people seem freer to change what they study,” she says.

Canberra was placed at 17 - up four spots from 21 last year and up 20 spots from 37th in 2014, in the rankings. Brisbane ranked 19^th and ahead of New York.