Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It is located in the southeastern part of the country. The city is blessed with a rich history, stunning architecture and a beautiful cultural scene. Edinburgh is set among crags and hills, giving it a dramatic and picturesque landscape. It is also home to many historic and cultural landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The city is also a major centre for finance, law, tourism and education. Study in Edinburgh is chosen by more than 45,000 students because of its compact size and abundance of literary and historical attractions.
Edinburgh’s 39% of students at ranked universities in the city are international. In total, six of the approximately fifteen universities in Scotland are located in Edinburgh, providing high-quality education and significant research opportunities for students. Additionally, Edinburgh College offers high-quality English language courses for international students across its four campuses in the city. The university also has a dedicated global office, Edinburgh Global, to support international students. Furthermore, the Scottish Universities International Summer School is located in Edinburgh and offers a unique summer learning experience for students from around the world. These universities make study abroad in Edinburgh a viable choice for students.
Why Study In Edinburgh?
Top universities in Edinburgh bring together thousands of students who are ready to delve into world-class education and an ecstatic atmosphere. Read about the top reasons in this section below:
Historic architecture and culture: Edinburgh has a uniquely preserved old town with medieval streets, Gothic architecture and historic sites like the Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Students will be immersed in centuries of Scottish history and culture while walking to class each day. The city also hosts world-famous seasonal cultural festivals.
Top universities: Edinburgh is home to several highly ranked universities including the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University. These schools offer top programmes in fields like medicine, technology, business, and more. With a student population of over 45,000, students have plenty of intellectual peers while doing courses in Edinburgh.
Student Life: Nearly a quarter of Edinburgh's population are students, making for an engaging, youthful city vibe. There are many student societies, pubs with live music, clubs open late and opportunities to connect with students from around the world. The city comes alive each August for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Easy access to nature: Despite being a capital city, Edinburgh has plenty of green spaces and is surrounded by dramatic natural landscapes. Parks and trails along the Water of Leith are accessible from campus. Day trips to Loch Lomond National Park and Scottish Highlands are also possible.
Great opportunities after university: Many major companies have offices in Edinburgh due to its pool of talented university graduates. There are also opportunities to stay after graduation given Scotland's post-study work visa options. Graduates are highly employable across Europe after their masters in Edinburgh.
Top Universities And Global Ranking
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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 18,156
£ 8,435
#15
£ 18,156
£ 8,435
#5
The University of Edinburgh, located in Scotland's capital city, is a world-renowned center of learning and research. Founded in 1583, it is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. It has a rich history of academic excellence and has produced numerous influential graduates in fields ranging from science and medicine to arts and humanities. The university is home to over 50,000 students from over 140 countries, making it a diverse and inclusive community.
With over 500 years of history, the university has a rich cultural heritage that is evident in its stunning architecture, such as the iconic McEwan Hall and the historic Old College. The university's world-class research facilities and innovative teaching methods have earned it a reputation as a leading institution in Europe. It has consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities. The university prepares its students to become leaders in their fields and make a positive impact on the world. The university is also home to several notable alumni. With a rich history and a bright future, the university is a premier destination for students seeking a top-notch education.
It offers a range of outreach programs, bursaries, and scholarships to support underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students. With its commitment to accessibility and its rigorous selection process, the university is a top choice for students looking to receive a top-notch education.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 18,156
£ 9,260
#801 - 1000
£ 18,156
£ 9,260
#73
Founded in 1964, Edinburgh Napier University is a public higher education institution located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The institution began at Napier Technical College, with 800 students enrolled in courses such as cabinet making, chemistry, engineering, and boat building. In 1992, it was granted university status as Napier University. The name of the institution was changed four times before it finally adopted the current title in 2009. The university is affiliated with MillionPlus and is named after John Napier, the inventor of the decimal point and logarithms.
The university has 3 locations in Edinburgh and multinational education overseas. The academic structure is divided into six specialist schools and six Institutes of Research and Innovation. A plethora of programmes in accounting, education, law, arts, applied sciences, engineering, business, tourism, management, health, social service and computer science are offered to students.
It also offers a variety of creative studies courses such as graphic design, music, communication, publishing, filmmaking, acting and product design. Students can pursue various degree programmes either on-campus or online. Sighthill, Merchiston, and Craiglockhart are the university's three campuses. More than 5,000 students and staff from the Schools of Applied Sciences and Health & Social Care are served by the Sighthill Campus. Life-like hospital wards, a clinical skills suite, sports science labs and the [EN]GAGE sports centre are some of the amenities.
Craiglockhart Campus is home to law and business schools, as well as the Craiglockhart Hydropathic Hospital. The Schools of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, and Arts and Creative Industries are located on the University's third campus in Merchiston. A 500-seat Computing Centre, a video games lab, a newsroom, television and radio studios, and state-of-the-art music studios are also included. For teaching, learning and research, the university library provides a huge amount of printed and digital resources. The on-campus apartments are close to entertainment venues, shopping malls, and recreational facilities. They are also well-connected to university campuses via public transportation.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 18,156
£ 18,048
#281
£ 18,156
£ 18,048
#45
Heriot-Watt University was founded in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanical academy, and is the UK's ninth oldest higher education institution. The Royal Charter established it as a university in 1966. Furthermore, one-third of Heriot-students Watt's at the Edinburgh campus are from outside the United Kingdom, and the university's worldwide emphasis is mirrored in the 10,000 students from 150 countries enrolled in its international programmes.
Admission Process & Requirements
To get into universities in Edinburgh, students must adhere to the following. However, for certain programmes and universities, the admission criteria may differ.
|
Criteria |
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
|
Application platform |
UCAS (undergraduate programmes only) |
University website or directly through UCAS |
|
English language proficiency |
IELTS 6.5-7.0 TOEFL 92-100 |
IELTS 6.5-7.0 TOEFL 92-100 |
|
Helpful resources |
University websites, UCAS website, Study in Scotland website |
University websites, UCAS website, Study in Scotland website |
Documents Required:
- High school diploma/Bachelors with strong grades
- Personal statement
- References
- CV/resume
- Transcripts
- Work Experience (some programmes)
Scholarships In Edinburgh
There are several scholarships in Edinburgh offered to international students. The ones mentioned below are the most common. If students wish to apply for programme-specific scholarships, they will need to refer to the university website.
The Data Lab PhD Studentships: These are funded by the Scottish Informatics & Data Analytics Alliance (SIDA), they target international students in data science and related fields.
- Amount: £6,000
Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships: For international students starting a taught Master's programme in Mathematics at the university.
- Amount: £5,000
GREAT Scholarships: These scholarships are available to students from specific countries (currently Ghana, Malaysia, Mexico, Turkey, and Vietnam) for postgraduate study in the UK.
- Amount: £10,000
Chevening Scholarships: Offered by the UK government to outstanding international students with leadership potential from countries worldwide.
- Amount: £18,000
Commonwealth Scholarships: Funded by the British government, these provide opportunities for students from Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK.
- Amount: £1,000 every month
The Marshall Trust: Supports outstanding American journalists to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Edinburgh.
- Amount: £1,650
FAQs
Edinburgh consistently earns recognition as one of the top places worldwide for both studying and living. With its distinctive and exciting atmosphere, Edinburgh serves as a city that will captivate your heart, creating lasting memories for a lifetime.
Students will have to pitch in £9,250 per year to complete their education in Edinburgh.
Buses serve as the primary mode of public transportation in Edinburgh. They have an extensive network that spans across the city, its suburbs, and the surrounding region.
Marchmont, Calton Road, Lady Lawson Street, Potterrow and Old Town are some of the areas habited by students.
Edinburgh has a reputation for being a secure city with minimal crime; however, it remains crucial for you to prioritise your safety. It's essential to familiarise yourself with the laws of both the UK and Scotland during your time residing here.
