University of Edinburgh
About the university
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1582 and located in Scotland’s capital city. It is a large, research‑intensive, collegiate university with three Colleges (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Medicine & Veterinary Medicine; Science & Engineering) and 25 Schools, covering disciplines from medicine and veterinary science to informatics, engineering, business, law, social sciences and the arts. Edinburgh is regularly ranked among the global top universities across major rankings and is particularly strong in life sciences, medicine, informatics, AI, environmental sciences and the humanities. With nearly 50,000 students, a large share from outside the UK, it offers a highly international environment in a historic city that is also a major cultural centre (home to the Edinburgh Festivals).
Key information
- Location: Edinburgh, UK
- Ranking #6
- QS #22
- THE #30
- US News #50
- National ranking #10
- Institution type: public
Popular faculties
- College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences (Business School
- School of Law
- School of Social and Political Science
- School of Literatures Languages and Cultures
- Moray House School of Education and Sport
- Edinburgh College of Art
- School of Economics
- School of Divinity
- School of Philosophy Psychology and Language Sciences)
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (Edinburgh Medical School
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
- Schools of Population Health
- Genetics and Cancer
- Neuroscience and related areas)
- College of Science and Engineering (Schools of Informatics
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics and Astronomy
- Chemistry
- GeoSciences
- Biological Sciences)
Programs (37)
- Medicine
- Law
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Psychology
- History
- Philosophy
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Dentistry
- Veterinary Science
- Computer Science
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Architecture
- Telecommunications
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Public Health
- Biochemistry
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Engineering
- Finance and Accounting
- Marketing
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Linguistics
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Music
Student body
- Total students: 50,000
- Undergraduate: 35,000
- Graduate: 17,000
- International students: 48%
Campus life
The University of Edinburgh is spread across several campuses (Central, King’s Buildings for science and engineering, BioQuarter and Easter Bush for medicine and veterinary medicine). Historic city‑centre buildings sit alongside modern teaching and research facilities. The Students’ Association runs hundreds of societies and events; the Sports Union offers a wide range of clubs and teams. Edinburgh itself is a major cultural capital with festivals, theatres, galleries and easy access to Scottish landscapes, making it a popular destination for international students.
Housing & accommodation
Housing cost: £600 - £1,300 / per month
Housing options
- University halls (various catered and self‑catered options)
- Shared flats with standard or en‑suite rooms
- Studios
- Postgraduate residences
- Private student residences and rented flats in Edinburgh
Student clubs and organizations
- Students’ Association societies
- Academic and subject societies
- Cultural and international student groups
- Volunteering and campaigning groups
- Arts
- music and performance societies
Sports
- Football
- Rugby
- Hockey
- Rowing
- Athletics
- Basketball
- Netball
- Swimming
- Many other BUCS and recreational sports through Edinburgh University Sports Union
Career & internships
Employment rate: 94%
Partner companies
- Standard Life Aberdeen
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- NHS Scotland
Internships: Many Edinburgh programmes offer industrial placements, internships or study‑abroad options, especially in science, engineering, informatics, business and some social sciences. The university has extensive links with employers in the UK and internationally, and Careers Service provides guidance, skills workshops and employer events. International students can undertake placements within visa regulations, gaining work experience alongside their degree. Edinburgh’s global reputation supports strong graduate outcomes across sectors such as tech, finance, consulting, research, creative industries and public service.
Admission requirements
Required tests
- IELTS
- TOEFL
Required documents
- UCAS or online application
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Personal statement
- Academic reference
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
- Passport copy
- Additional materials for some programmes (e.g. portfolio for art and design
- auditions
- written work)
Tuition costs
- £30,000 - £50,000 / per year
- Acceptance rate: 12.00%
- Scholarships available: The University of Edinburgh offers many scholarships for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, funded by the university, colleges, schools and external partners. These include partial tuition fee waivers (often several thousand pounds per year), country‑specific awards, subject scholarships and fully‑funded schemes for some postgraduate research and taught programmes. Most scholarships are competitive and based on academic excellence, potential and personal statements, with some considering financial need. All funding opportunities, eligibility criteria and deadlines are listed annually on the university’s scholarships and funding pages.
Quick facts
- Founded: 1582
- Teaching languages: English, english
- Study formats: offline
Contact
- Website: https://www.ed.ac.uk
- [email protected]
- +44 131 650 1000