An ancient university with a cutting-edge outlook, Edinburgh is a big-hitter in the UK for research. Its academic fields extend across 22 schools, 60 subjects and almost 400 degree programmes — with about the same number of social and sports clubs and societies. The top-rated student city in Scotland according to the QS World Rankings, Edinburgh is second only to London in the UK — and the university is a favourite with students from across the UK and abroad.
With a history dating back to the 16th century, buildings range from the Old Town to the recently opened Nucleus Building on the 115-acre King’s Building campus a couple of miles out of the city. The former Old Royal Infirmary, established in 1879 to limit contagion, is home to the Edinburgh Futures Institute, where the focus is on data, financial services, creative industries, tourism and public services. Edinburgh hosts the £79 million national supercomputer, Archer2, which stores and analyses big data for tackling global challenges.
What is the University of Edinburgh’s reputation?
Edinburgh is 11th in our research quality index. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 96 per cent of its submission was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Some of the best results were in psychology, biological sciences, English, politics, pharmacology and pharmacy, anatomy, and computing. On a global scale, Edinburgh is 34th in the 2026 QS World Rankings.
In a push to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, Edinburgh has completed its divestment from fossil fuel investments — a substantial undertaking for a university with the third-largest endowment fund of any UK institution, behind Oxbridge. A solar farm provides power to the Easter Bush campus and there is a project to restore peatlands and expand forests in Scotland. In the 2024-25 People & Planet environmental and ethical performance rankings the university was placed 107= of 149 institutions.
Rates of student satisfaction remain low, a fate shared by many research-intensive universities but perhaps none as much as Edinburgh where students have reported dissatisfaction with obtaining feedback from lecturers, in particular. In our new National Student Survey analysis, Edinburgh is second from bottom for teaching quality (down one place) and although it does better for the wider student experience, rising three places this year, it still ranks only 119th.
Though not in deficit in its most recent financial return, Edinburgh is looking to save £140 million from its annual budget. Job cuts have been made and there may be more to come, as the university needs to “take the necessary steps to ensure a financially sustainable future”, its principal, Sir Peter Mathieson, said in April 2025.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
The first students of a new biological sciences degree began in September 2025. Withdrawn from 2025 are physiology and oral health sciences degrees, and the landscape architecture degree is revised. From 2026, a new degree in religion, culture and society will be on offer (replacing religious studies). Specific joint degrees in “divinity and classics” and “sociology and psychology” will also end or be revised, but other programmes in these subject areas are still available.
What are the University of Edinburgh’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
High academic standards are the norm, with courses demanding from BBB up to A*A*A*, and in Scottish Highers BBBB to AAAAA. Edinburgh was an early convert to contextual admissions, which undercut the standard retirements for eligible students. In 2024 about one in five new entrants received a contextual offer. Student enrolments hit a new high with more than 7,500 new undergraduates accepted onto courses — the largest cohort (just) was from overseas, followed by those from Scotland, then students from England. Just 2.5 per cent gained places through clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
Fieldwork, industry placements and opportunities to study abroad are embedded in its courses, and employer links help students to secure funded internships and placements with partner organisations. The High Fliers graduate market report puts Edinburgh in the top 15 universities targeted by the largest number of leading employers for 2024-25. Yet the university sits 33rd in our analysis of the proportion of graduates in high-skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months after leaving.
What is the University of Edinburgh’s campus like?
There are five main campuses, from the Old Town and the £8 million Health and Wellbeing Centre to the Medical School — headquartered in the BioQuarter and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute at the Easter Bush campus. Edinburgh Futures Institute follows the opening of the £45 million Bayes Centre, the Edinburgh International Data Facility, the National Robotarium (a tie-in with Heriot-Watt University), the Usher Institute and the Easter Bush Agritech Hub.
When can I visit?
Everything you need to know about the University of Edinburgh’s student life and wellbeing support
More than 100,000 students converge on the city, and the nightlife is lively without being overwhelming. The city itself is a famous cultural hub from festivals to fixed art collections. The university’s sporting programmes are among the best in the UK — producing Olympic champions such as the cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and the rower Dame Katherine Grainger. Students have a choice of more than 60 sports clubs. Edinburgh is fifth in the UK in the 2024-25 British Universities and Colleges Sport overall points tally. There is a network of student gyms in and around the city and the 27-acre Peffermill playing fields include facilities for hockey, lacrosse and rugby. There are two rowing club boathouses in the city and at Firbush outdoor activity centre on the shore of Loch Tay, about 80 miles from Edinburgh, mountain activities and water sports.
Same-day counselling appointments and a 24/7 chaplaincy listening service are available. There are free period products, and the university employs an intercultural and anti-discrimination adviser. Lecturers have become the first in the UK to undertake accent bias training to counteract claims of anti-Scottish bullying at the institution.
What do the students say?
“Edinburgh has everything; castles, hills, history, cultural events, beaches, music, nature, museums and food. There’s a reason why so many Edinburgh graduates choose to stay in the city to live and work — this place is fantastic. The university offers flexibility throughout your degree, which allows you to explore multiple disciplines and graduate with a well-rounded experience.”
Ruth Elliot, vice-president (community), Edinburgh University Students’ Association
What about student accommodation at the University of Edinburgh?
There are 10,460 residential places reserved for undergraduates (up from 6,581 last year), more than a third of them with breakfast and evening meals included. All first-years who come from outside Edinburgh’s city limits are guaranteed a room. Prices start at £151 in a self-catered room, rising to £350 a week at the top end in catered accommodation.
How diverse and inclusive is the University of Edinburgh?
Despite outreach programmes to target local primary and secondary schools with the aim of supporting underrepresented groups to apply to Edinburgh, the university is towards the bottom of our Scottish social inclusion index, ranking 14th.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Edinburgh
The Access Edinburgh Scholarship for UK students — received by more than a quarter of entrants — is worth up to £5,000 and based on individual circumstances and household income. A scholarship function on Edinburgh’s website allows applicants to search for subject-specific and merit-based awards.
Win a uni bundle with John Lewis
Times+ members have the chance to win one of five uni bundles including bedroom, kitchen and tech essentials courtesy of John Lewis. Enter here . T&Cs apply.
