The complete guide to Edinburgh's universities
Eyeing up a move to Edinburgh for your studies? With four major universities to pick from – including one of the world’s top-rated institutions – there's certainly no shortage of options! But which is right for you?
Below, we take a deep dive into each of Edinburgh’s universities, covering everything from courses and campus life to job prospects and support services. Let’s jump in!
University of Edinburgh
Established in 1582, the University of Edinburgh is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It’s considered one of the best universities in the UK and regularly ranks among the top 30 globally.
The historic main campus is based right in the heart of Edinburgh – a major draw for many students – just a stone’s throw from the Old Town and iconic sights like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
As you'd expect, the university’s study offering is vast, with close to 400 undergraduate programmes and over 300 master's programmes offered to students. These are delivered by 21 academic schools, which are grouped into three main colleges:
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
College of Science & Engineering
Top-quality teaching is pretty much guaranteed whatever you study, but the university performs especially well in arts and humanities, mathematics and natural sciences – where it’s ranked among the best in the world.
More than 40,000 students are enrolled at the university, so you can expect a vibrant campus life with over 300 clubs to get involved in and plenty of dedicated support for international students.
Graduate employment rates are strong thanks to the university’s excellent reputation. There’s also ample opportunity for study abroad, with most courses having the option to spend a semester or year at one of the university’s many partner institutions.
Locations: Old Town, Blackford, Craigleith, Little France, Roslin
Scotland ranking: #1
UK ranking: #5
International ranking: #27
Source: QS World University Rankings
Heriot-Watt University
Another historic institution, Heriot-Watt University has a rich heritage dating back to 1821. Initially founded to provide technical education to the working classes, the university retains a specialist focus on science and technology but has also expanded to other areas.
The main campus spans 380 acres of beautiful parkland a few miles southwest of the city – so it’s ideal if you’re looking for that traditional campus experience. That said, you’re still only a 30-minute bus ride from the centre, so you get the best of both worlds.
Despite its specialist nature, there are still well over 100 undergraduate courses and an even greater number of postgraduate programmes to pick from, with the university divided into six different schools:
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
School of Social Sciences
School of Textiles and Design
Edinburgh Business School
Heriot-Watt's highest-ranked subjects are chemical engineering, mathematics, architecture and petroleum engineering – so well worth considering if you’re looking to study in one of these areas.
In keeping with its roots, the university places strong emphasis on building practical skills, with many programmes – particularly at master’s level – involving some form of work-based learning.
It’s a popular choice for international students, who make up close to a third of the student body. This gives the campus a distinctly global feel and means you’ll end up meeting people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Locations: Riccarton, Galashiels, Stromness
UK ranking: #32
International ranking: #256
Source: QS World University Rankings
Edinburgh Napier University
Founded in 1964, Edinburgh Napier University may not date back as far as Edinburgh’s other universities, but it has quickly established itself as a top study destination. Originally a technical college, it grew into a polytechnic and achieved full university status in 1992.
Today, it serves over 20,000 students and offers more than 250 undergraduate and postgraduate courses spanning a range of fields, with the university made up of five specialist schools:
Business School
School of Applied Sciences
School of Arts & Creative Industries
School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
School of Health & Social Care
Napier’s courses in building, travel and tourism and media and communications rank among the best in the UK, while it also performs strongly in English, computer science, nursing and criminology.
The university excels when it comes to student satisfaction, often outscoring the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University on this indicator. Employability is another big focus with many courses offering work placements.
Location(s): Craiglockhart, Merchiston, Sighthill
UK ranking: #70
International ranking: #801-850
Source: QS World University Rankings
Queen Margaret University
Based in the market town of Musselburgh about five miles east of Edinburgh city centre, Queen Margaret University (QMU) is a small but well-regarded university originally founded back in 1875 as the Edinburgh School of Cookery.
Its menu of courses has expanded over the years, and while food is still part of the curriculum it now covers various other areas. Two schools, each comprising smaller divisions, make up the university’s core structure:
The university is best known for its work in the health sciences, offering top-ranked courses in fields physiotherapy, radiography and complementary medicine. Many of its creative programmes – particularly in drama, dance and film – also perform well.
With its enclosed campus and population of roughly 5,000 students, QMU has a close-knit community feel with lots of support available. There are also some great placements opportunities, particularly in the health and social care sectors.
Locations: Musselburgh
UK ranking: #79
International ranking: #951-1,000
Source: QS World University Rankings
Edinburgh College
If you’re not sure that the traditional university route is the right fit, you may want to consider Edinburgh College. Founded in 2012 from a merger between four local colleges, it’s one of Scotland’s biggest further education providers and serves around 25,000 students.
The college offers over 30 SCQF Level 8 programmes – equivalent to a bachelor’s degree – along with several honours degrees delivered in partnership with universities. These degree-level programmes generally fall within the following areas:
There’s also a wide range of access and higher education courses, which are ideal for students looking to progress to university who do not currently meet the entry requirements.
As a major institution, Edinburgh College has all the events, facilities and student-run clubs you’d expect from a full university – but the courses come at only a fraction of the price.
Locations: Granton, Esbank, Brunstrane, Sighthill
UK ranking: N/A
International ranking: N/A
Edinburgh: a university city
From specialist schools and colleges to global institutions dating back centuries, there’s a wealth of amazing universities in Edinburgh. No matter your preferred pathway or field of study, you won’t have any trouble finding the right course in this magnificent city!
Want to learn more about the Scottish capital? Check out our guide on the best our student accommodation in Edinburgh!
Frequently asked questions
How many universities are there in Edinburgh?
There are four universities in Edinburgh: the historic and globally renowned University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University. Additionally, Edinburgh College offers a wide array of degree-level programmes.
How many students are there in Edinburgh?
Combining the various populations of the city’s four universities, it’s estimated there are around 75,000 undergraduate and master’s students living in and around Edinburgh. Given that Edinburgh’s total population is around 550,000, that’s a pretty big student population!
Is the University of Edinburgh a good place to study?
Yes, the University of Edinburgh is an excellent place to study. It’s considered one of the best universities in the UK and also consistently ranks among the top 30 institutions worldwide. Its strongest areas include arts, humanities, mathematics and natural sciences.
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