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Last updated: May 24, 2026

The University of Edinburgh

Scotland · Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh

Scotland
Country
Edinburgh
City
49500
Total Students
Status
About the University

The University of Edinburgh overview

The University of Edinburgh began in 1582 with a royal charter granted by King James VI. It is one of the oldest universities in Scotland and one of the most prestigious in the world. It is also the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university played an important role in the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century. It made significant contributions to philosophy, science and medicine. It was the first civic university in the English-speaking world designed to serve the needs of the city.

The medical school, founded in 1726, is one of the oldest medical schools in the UK. It has trained many important physicians and pioneered many medical advances. Over the centuries the university has produced many notable achievements. Its notable alumni include Charles Darwin, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Alexander Graham Bell. The university is known for its research and is consistently ranked among the world's top institutions. In 2015 it became a founding member of the Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

It is also associated with Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, developed at the Roslin Institute. The university's main campus is in the heart of Edinburgh and combines historic and modern architecture. It is home to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the largest annual arts festivals.

About the University

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh began in 1582 with a royal charter granted by King James VI. It is one of the oldest universities in Scotland and one of the most prestigious in the world. It is also the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university played an important role in the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century. It made significant contributions to philosophy, science and medicine. It was the first civic university in the English-speaking world designed to serve the needs of the city.

The medical school, founded in 1726, is one of the oldest medical schools in the UK. It has trained many important physicians and pioneered many medical advances. Over the centuries the university has produced many notable achievements. Its notable alumni include Charles Darwin, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Alexander Graham Bell. The university is known for its research and is consistently ranked among the world's top institutions. In 2015 it became a founding member of the Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

It is also associated with Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, developed at the Roslin Institute. The university's main campus is in the heart of Edinburgh and combines historic and modern architecture. It is home to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the largest annual arts festivals.

City
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Number of Students
49500
#29
Times Universities
#34
QS World
#18
National Ranking
85
Quality Score
#37
Shanghai List
Faculties & Programs

The University of Edinburgh faculties and programs

345 results listed

Classics

Graduate1 Years#11 Ranking
£32,000per year

Sociology

Undergraduate4 Years#29 Ranking
£29,600per year

Scottish Studies

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£29,600per year

Scandinavian Studies

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£29,600per year

Arabic and French

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£29,600per year

Arabic and History

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£29,600per year

Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£29,600per year

Advanced Power Engineering

Graduate2 Years#51 Ranking
£29,270per year

Russian Studies

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£29,600per year

Product Design

Undergraduate4 Years#11 Ranking
£38,900per year
Scholarship Opportunities

The University of Edinburgh scholarships and financial aid

The university offers a wide range of scholarships, especially for international students. One of the special country-specific scholarships includes Turkish students. There are many options, especially in the field of computing and at master's level. There are also scholarships for humanities, social sciences, computer science, engineering and veterinary medicine. These scholarships are awarded according to the level of achievement and department, so meeting the required criteria is very important. You can find detailed information about the scholarship programs through the link below, or you can contact us.

Funding for international students

The University of Edinburgh Exam Requirements

Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.

Application Process

How to get into The University of Edinburgh

Admission Requirements For International Students

Undergraduate

  • A-Levels
    • You need at least three A-Levels, with grades ranging from ABB - A*A*A*, although grades vary from program to program.
    • The courses you take as part of the A-Level curriculum must relate to the program you apply for.
  • International Baccalaureate
    • The diploma grade required varies from program to program, but your diploma grade must be between 37 and 43.
    • Courses taken at HL level must have a final grade of 7-6-6 and 7-7-7.
    • To be considered for entry, you must achieve a minimum grade of 5 at Standard Level (SL) in English.
  • SAT/ACT + Advanced Placement
    • ACT score of 27 plus two AP scores at 4+
    • SAT score of 1290+ (650+ in Evidence based reading and Writing and 620+ in Math) plus two AP scores at 4+
    • 3 AP scores at 4+

Admission Requirements For International Students

Graduate

If you are an international student applying to a graduate program at the University of Edinburgh, you must meet the admission requirements set out below.

  • Bachelor's Degree Diploma
  • High Grade Point Average
  • Official transcripts of the courses you took during your college/university education
  • Work experience may be required for certain programs
  • Certificate in English Proficiency (for students from countries whose first language is not English)
    • A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE or CPE.
  • A GRE/GMAT exam score may be required, in line with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
  • The University of Edinburgh may also ask you to sit various exams and reach a sufficient score. What is asked depends on the admission requirements of the program you apply to.

Application Deadlines

OCAK2027
Application deadline
OCAK2027
Application deadline

* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the The University of Edinburgh application process.

Campus

Take a closer look at The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is spread across five main campuses, each with a different character and its own facilities. The Central Area campus, in the heart of Edinburgh city center, holds many of the university's oldest buildings. These include the College of Letters, Humanities and Social Sciences. Important buildings include the iconic 18th-century Old College and the Main Library, one of the largest academic libraries in Europe. George Square, a hub for student activities, and the modern Appleton Tower also form part of the center.

A few kilometers south of the city center, King's Buildings is the university's science and engineering campus. It is home to the College of Science and Engineering. Its modern facilities include the James Clerk Maxwell Building and the recently developed Roslin Institute. The nearby BioQuarter campus focuses on medical and veterinary sciences. It includes the well-known Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Chancellor's Building, next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The Easter Bush campus, in the countryside, is dedicated to veterinary medicine and animal science.

It has modern research facilities and the Equine Hospital. The final campus, Pollock Halls, serves mainly as student accommodation. It also includes the John McIntyre Conference Center, a venue for academic and social events. You can reach each campus easily by public transportation, as dedicated bus services and bicycle paths make travel simple.

Campus Life

The university has over 290 student societies, covering academic, cultural, political and recreational activities. The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) plays a central role in student life. It organizes events, manages student societies and provides support services. EUSA runs several venues such as Teviot Row House, the oldest purpose-built student union building in the world. Teviot Row House serves as a hub for social activities and events. You can join societies focusing on everything from debating and theater to anime and international relations.

Sport and physical activity are also an important part of student life in Edinburgh. The university has a rich sporting tradition, with facilities including a modern fitness center, the Pleasance Sports Complex and numerous playing fields. The University of Edinburgh Sports Union manages over 60 sports clubs. These range from traditional sports such as rugby, football and rowing to more varied activities such as ultimate frisbee and quidditch. The university competes regularly in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues and has produced numerous Olympic athletes.

Key annual events include Freshers' Week, run by the University of Edinburgh Students' Association. It welcomes new students with a week-long series of activities and social events. The annual EUSA Student Awards recognize outstanding contributions to student life. One tradition worth knowing is the Beltane Fire Festival, a modern reinterpretation of the ancient Celtic festival. Students and locals celebrate it on Calton Hill every April 30.

Student Profile

Since it was founded, the University of Edinburgh has produced many world-leading graduates. Some of them are listed below:

  • Charles Darwin
  • Alexander Graham Bell
  • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Robert Louis Stevenson
  • David Hume
  • Pipa Middleton
  • Walter Scott
Achievements

The University of Edinburgh awards and achievements

  • 3 British Prime Ministers
  • 19 Nobel Laureates
  • 4 Pulitzer Prize Winners
  • 3 Turing Award Winners
  • 1 Abel Prize Winner
  • 1 Fields Medallist

The University of Edinburgh Frequently Asked Questions

The University of Edinburgh Location

Edinburgh, Scotland

The University of Edinburgh Social Media

Follow the university on its official social media channels:

The University of Edinburgh

Take a Closer Look
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How to Get Into The University of Edinburgh

01

In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.

02

By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.

03

The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.

Why The University of Edinburgh?

Located in Edinburgh, Scotland, The University of Edinburgh is known for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and remarkably rich history.

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