To see more info/photos from Sarah’s visit to The University of Edinburgh on Facebook, click here.
A public research university founded in 1583, The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and is ranked 16th in the QS World University Rankings (2022). The campus is located smack bang in the center of one of Europe’s finest and friendliest cities, but its manageable size also offers easy access to the multitude of adventurous outdoor activities on offer around Scotland. The international airport means that with a short flight, students also have the rest of Europe to explore during weekends and vacations.
- Public
- Urban
- 5 campuses located around the city of Edinburgh
- Good public transport within the city and the main campus area is very walkable
- Undergraduate enrollment – around 23,000
- Total student population – around 35,000
- Very international student body and faculty
- In 2019/20: 30% Scottish students, 32% rest of UK, 10% EU, 28% Rest of the World
- Admission standards are higher for Scottish students
- Receives around 60,000 applications – Enrolls 8,083 (2021)
2nd most popular university in the UK by volume of applications - Offer Rate – 47% (2021)
- Average A Level offer: AAA
- 3 Colleges: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Science and Engineering; and College of Medicine and Vet Medicine.
- Most competitive courses: International Relations, PPE Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and Oral Health Science, and programmes at the Edinburgh College of Art
- Oldest English literature department in the UK
- Students apply to study a particular subject, but can make changes once enrolled
- No core curriculum
- Students generally take three courses in Years 1 and 2, and then concentrate on 1 or 2 subjects in the last two years
- Combination of weekly lectures and tutorials
- Tutorials average 10-20 students
- Assessment is based on coursework throughout the year and then final exams in April/May
- All students complete a research project or thesis in their final year
- Lots of independence and self-study is expected – academically rigorous
- Help from professors and tutors is available but the onus is on students to seek it out
- Over 250 study abroad programs with leading universities around the world
- Some scholarships are available for international students and American students can use their U.S. student loans to attend
- Guarantees housing to all first year international students – catered and self catering options
- Most students move off campus after the first year
- Vibrant social life on and off campus – the city is host to a wide range of festivals throughout the year
- Between them, the Edinburgh University Student Association and the Edinburgh University Sports Union offer a huge range of sports, charity and special interest societies and clubs – more than 280 societies and 64 sports clubs
- Strong intramural sports program and some opportunities to compete against other Scottish, UK and European universities
- Many ancient traditions including regular ceilidhs (Scottish dancing), Robert Burns Night, Guy Fawkes firework celebrations and, of course, Hogmanay.
- Wide range of free online MOOC courses with Coursera, Edx and Future Learn.
Applications to Edinburgh should be made through UCAS – the deadline is at the end of January in the year of entry.
