University of Edinburgh
Became a university in: 1582
Student population: 39,110 (2022/23)
Location: Several sites all located on the southern side of Edinburgh
Subject areas: Almost every conceivable traditional university subject is taught across the three Colleges: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, and Science & Engineering
Admissions: It’s complicated! (see below)
📸 Snapshot
I frequently advise readers to always check for bias in anything they are reading. Always ask: could the writer have any affiliations that might mean they are not entirely objective in their advice?
Well… when it comes to me writing about this university:
🚨🚨🚨 Bias warning! I studied at Edinburgh! 🚨🚨🚨
Now, the Edinburgh I studied at all those years ago was quite a different place from the one you might be thinking about studying at. I haven’t been able to find figures for student numbers in 1989, but I’d be surprised if it was even half the current figure of 40,000. Buildings have changed, some for the better, some not so. And while the university has never lacked confidence in its own importance, it is only with the rise of international university rankings that it has become a genuine world-wide draw for international students.
So, what is the appeal?
Regular readers will know all about my reservations about university league tables (especially the international rankings), but the one thing they really do impact is reputation. And having been placed firmly in the world's top 40 in every international ranking since their inception, Edinburgh sits quite happily alongside Oxbridge, and the London elite in its international reputation.
Much of this reputation is based on the size and breadth of its research, as opposed to any sensible measure of its teaching quality. But if you want the cachet of having been taught by academics who are genuinely at the forefront of their disciplines, then it could be for you!
If you’ve read my piece on the Scottish Universities, you’ll also know that across the majority of Edinburgh’s degrees you have the flexibility to take outside courses, and even change the main subject within the first two years of your four-year degree. This sets Edinburgh apart from any of its English, Welsh or Northern Irish counterparts. Beware though, this means that the first year classes in some subjects can be very, very large.
And the city? Edinburgh is an extraordinary place. It has beauty, character and history that frankly cannot be found in any other city in the UK. It's large enough to have everything that you could possibly want in a major modern city, but small enough that you can walk much of it on foot, and access everywhere else within a short bus ride. If it weren’t for the unforgiving Scottish weather, it really would be the finest city in the world!
Add to that one of the largest and most active students’ associations in the country, and the oldest purpose built student union building in the world, and you really do have the most amazing opportunities to maximise your student life beyond the classroom.
So what about getting in? Well, there are limits on student numbers for Scottish students (who remember, don’t pay tuition fees), but no caps on spaces for rest of UK and international students. Some Scottish applicants achieve their school qualifications over one year, while others take theirs over two years. A-level candidates, meanwhile, may choose to enter in year one, or in some instances, go directly into year two. Add to this the university’s widening access offers for students from non-traditional backgrounds, and you have a complicated admissions picture.
But make no mistake, Edinburgh is the number one choice for many thousands of students, and so overall, entry is highly competitive. And be warned, if social media is to be believed, Edinburgh can be super-slow with its decision-making. In recent years they have even gone as far as to send out rejection notifications during Scottish Higher exams, which, to my mind, is not OK.
In summary
Edinburgh could be for you if…
You want to study in a beautiful, historical but vibrant and exciting city.
You are looking for a university with a rock-solid reputation.
You like the flexibility that the Scottish four year degree offers.
You are not intimidated by the idea of large class sizes.
And if you like Edinburgh, you might also like…
University of Glasgow
University of Aberdeen
University of Dundee
King’s College London
University of Manchester
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
Queen’s University Belfast
University of Sheffield
University College London
