Why choose Edinburgh?
We are globally recognised for our research, development and innovation and we’ve provided our students with world-class teaching for more than 425 years.
An Edinburgh degree works for you
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50 and placed 27th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Our graduates are ranked 24th in the world by employers1.
Find out how a postgraduate degree from Edinburgh can boost your career prospects:
Excellence in research
The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation for innovative research across a wide range of disciplines.
According to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the University is ranked fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top ranked institution.
The REF2021 results reveal that nearly 90 per cent of the University’s research activity is in the highest categories – 4 star and 3 star – which are classified respectively as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, a growth of 10 percentage points since the previous REF in 2014.
Browse our range of research opportunities:
Innovation in teaching
The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience. We are always working to develop innovative approaches to teaching in order to discover the methods that work best for students, including e-learning techniques and peer-assisted learning.
Discover the breadth of our taught degree programmes:
Experts in online learning
We are the largest provider of online distance learning in the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities and offer more than 80 programmes across a wide range of subject areas. We have around 4,000 students currently studying online with us and we take the delivery of teaching online just as seriously as we do on-campus.
Find out more about our online programmes:
Extraordinary city
Ranked 13th in the world’s top student cities2, Edinburgh is a compact city with excellent transport links, which makes it easy to get around and to travel to other parts of Scotland.
Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city with a diverse, multicultural community.
Facilities and support to help you succeed
You will have access to one of the largest and most important academic libraries in the world, housing over 1.8 million printed volumes. You’ll also benefit from 30 open-access computer labs with 24-hour access across key locations, as well as free laptop loans.
We offer a free Student Counselling Service and a University Health Centre, and our Student Disability Service provides a range of support for students with disabilities. We also offer excellent childcare services, making it easier to juggle parenthood and study.
Impressive global community
Our ambitious internationalisation strategy ensures the teaching and research we deliver offers global benefits. We’re ranked in the world's top 20 most international universities3. Students from two-thirds of the world’s countries study here.
We collaborate with a host of world-leading institutions in fields as diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences, and arts and culture. We’re also a member of the global research network Universitas 21 and the European networks Coimbra Group and LERU.
Leading on social responsibility and sustainability
Our world faces a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Huge social inequalities mean it is often communities that contributed least to the problems that are affected the most.
The University is among the world’s top institutions for tackling the world’s most pressing environmental and social issues, we're ranked 4th globally and 1st in the UK for Sustainability4. We have an impressively diverse range of award-winning sustainability experts and educators. We bring people together from across the world to understand the problems caused by issues like our changing climate, and work with local communities, businesses and governments on solutions.
Our values guide our work. You’ll find progressive sustainability action in our operations and enterprises, and in the partnerships we form. On campus, we will be zero waste by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2040.
Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Get involved
Extra-curricular activities can play a big part in enhancing your learning and employability, as well as the enjoyment you get from university life.
Edinburgh University Student's Association has more than 320 societies covering a diverse range of interests. We can even offer help in setting up your own society. There are also opportunities for volunteering in the local community, as well as UK-based volunteering with Third Sector organisations.
If you enjoy being active, our Sports Union has 64 sports clubs in which to get involved. As one of the top five sporting universities in the UK5, our Centre for Sport and Exercise is regularly voted one of the city's best fitness facilities.
1QS World University Rankings 2025 2QS Student Cities 2025 3Times Higher Education, World’s Most International Universities 2024, 4QS Sustainability Rankings 2023 5British Universities and Colleges Sport 2018/19