The Gold Coast has taken its place in the world’s leading 100student cities.

The world-ranking status comes in the latest QS Best Student Cities 2016 ranking, which placed Australia’s sixth-largest city at number 69.

It is the Gold Coast’s first appearance in the prestigious ranking of the world’s leading urban destinations for international students.

Brisbane featured in the world’s top 20 student cities, climbing five places to share 18th place with Auckland.

Australia was strongly represented in the top five with Melbourne (2) and Sydney (4) mixing it with Paris (1), Tokyo (3) and London (5).

The Top Universities website, which published the rankings on Monday,highlights Griffith University as the top university on the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast’s highest scores in the ranking process came in the ‘Desirability’ and ‘Student Mix’ categories.

Brisbane’s appealing environment for students was reflected in very high scores in the same categories.

“Brisbane offers an ideal mix for students seeking a balance between urban and outdoor lifestyles. Stunning beaches, a sunny climate and a sporting culture coexist with a cosmopolitan down-town area offering a trendy nightlife and arts scene,” the QS publication says.

International impact

The Best Student Cities ranking followsthe QS World Ranking Top 50 Under 50 (announced last week) whereGriffith moved up to number 37.

The rankings recognised universities making an impact at international level in a relatively short space of time, having rapidly established strong global reputations, research clout and internationally diverse academic communities.

Griffith University celebrated its 40th birthday in 2015, having taken its first 400 students in 1975.

“Griffith University is a first-class young university and has provided the ideal environment for me to pursue a rewarding career in research, a career that was triggered by my frustrations as a clinical nurse, seeing so many patients suffer the pain and complications associated with intravenous catheters,” Professor of Nursing, Claire Rickard, said.

Recognised as a world-leading researcher in her field, Professor Rickard is based at Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) in Brisbane, working closely with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s, Princess Alexandra, Prince Charles, and Lady Cilento Children’s Hospitals.

“Griffith has been innovative in its support of us as a non-traditional researcher group, to work in a dynamic way alongside the clinical nurses and the health system.”