IF you want to study by the sea, the Gold Coast is the best place in the world for it, according to a leading university ratings website.

QS Top Universities highlighted the city’s 52km of golden sand, 300 sunny days a year and the fact that we even have a suburb called “Surfers Paradise”.

The site rated the Coast ahead of Sharjah, San Diego and Hong Kong as the “best student city by the beach”.

There are about 14,000 international students in the city, pumping $1 billion a year into the local economy.

Rob Sheppard, 21, from Switzerland said he regularly spent time at the beach after classes at Bond University.

“It’s so different to my home town where it’s snowing at this time of the year,” he said. “It’s so good to be able to go in the ocean all year around.”

media_camera The Gold Coast has been ranked the best city in the world to study by the beachside. Picture: Mike Batterham

Also from Bond University, Canadian student Dan Tychynski, 27, was sponsored by a law firm when he finished his masters degree and is now permanently ­living on the Gold Coast.

Liz Chaparro left her ­Colombia home nearly two years ago to study marketing at Southport’s Imagine ­Education.

“I had heard a lot about Australia and its good education system,” the 25-year-old said.

“I took the risk and came here to this beautiful place.

“I’ve enjoyed it so much I’ve decided to stay ­another two years for my masters.

“Studying with students from different countries has taught me about different cultures which will help me in the professional world.”

media_camera International students Rob Sheppard, Liz Chaparro and Dan Tychynski picked the Gold Coast for the benefits of studying close to the beach. Picture: Mike Batterham

Study Gold Coast chief executive Shannon Willoughby said it was “big news” for the local education industry.

“We’ve been trying to promote the Gold Coast as an education destination,” she said.

“Our point of difference as a city is that we are beautiful but we also have great education infrastructure.”

“Part of the reason why locals and tourists like to live in the city is why students want to study here.”