
The University of Edinburgh is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1582, it is one of Scotland's four ancient universities and the sixth oldest in the English-speaking world. Edinburgh is one of the UK's larger, more diverse research universities, with a current student population of over 49,500, including over 24,000 international students from more than 130 countries. The university's academic disciplines are structured into 21 schools across three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student Population | Over 49,500 |
| Undergraduate Students | 30,000 |
| Postgraduate Students | 19,500 |
| International Students | Over 24,000 |
| Number of Countries Students Belong To | 130+ |
| Number of Colleges | 3 |
| Names of Colleges | Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; Science and Engineering |
| Largest College in Terms of Student Population | Arts, Humanities and Social Science (58% of students) |
| Second Largest College in Terms of Student Population | Science and Engineering (26% of students) |
| Number of Academic Disciplines | 21 |
| Number of Degree Programmes | 300+ |
| Ranking in the UK | 4th (Research Assessment Exercise 2021); 15th (Complete University Guide 2025) |
| Ranking in Scotland | 1st (Research Assessment Exercise 2021) |
| Global Ranking | Top 40 (ARWU, THE, and QS) |
| Number of Campuses | 2 |
| Names of Campuses | Holyrood Campus, King's Buildings Campus |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Edinburgh University has over 49,500 students, with roughly 30,000 undergraduates
- The student body is diverse, with over 24,000 international students from 130+ countries
- The university has 3 colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering
- The Holyrood campus has sports facilities and accommodation for postgraduates
- The Edinburgh Seven were the first group of female matriculated students in the UK

Edinburgh University has over 49,500 students, with roughly 30,000 undergraduates
The University of Edinburgh is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1582, it is one of Scotland's four ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. Edinburgh University has over 49,500 students, with roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. It is the largest university in Scotland and has a diverse student body, with over 24,000 international students from more than 130 countries. The university's academic disciplines are structured into 21 Schools across three Colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering.
The University of Edinburgh has a rich history and has played a significant role in the advancement of knowledge and enlightenment. During the 18th century, it was at the centre of the Scottish Enlightenment, attracting and producing key figures such as economist Adam Smith, historian William Robertson, and physician William Cullen. The university also has a pioneering legacy in women's education. In 1869, the Edinburgh Seven became the first group of matriculated undergraduate female students at any British university when they began studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh. While they were blocked from graduating and qualifying as doctors, their campaign gained national attention and contributed to legislation allowing women to study at all Scottish universities in 1889.
The university's main campuses include the Holyrood campus, located just off the Royal Mile, and the King's Buildings campus in the south of the city, which is primarily dedicated to the Science and Engineering College. The university's operations and facilities span a range of old and modern buildings throughout the city, reflecting its long-standing presence and ongoing development.
Edinburgh University offers a wide range of courses, with over 300 degree programmes available. The university encourages student development through various opportunities, including extracurricular activities recognised by the Edinburgh Award programme. It also fosters an entrepreneurial and cross-disciplinary culture, attracting a diverse student population from across the globe. The university's reputation for academic excellence is further enhanced by its strong research capabilities, ranking 4th in the UK and 1st in Scotland for the volume of 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent' research in the 2021 Research Assessment Exercise.
With its combination of historical significance, academic excellence, and diverse student population, Edinburgh University continues to be a leading educational institution, attracting students from around the world and providing them with a unique educational experience.
Students at Brown University: A Thriving Community
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The student body is diverse, with over 24,000 international students from 130+ countries
The University of Edinburgh is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1582, it is one of Scotland's four ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is also one of the UK's larger and more diverse research universities, with a current student population of over 49,500, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates.
The student body is diverse, with over 24,000 international students from more than 130 countries. The university's three colleges—Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering—offer a broad range of courses, with students able to choose from more than 300 degree programmes. The largest college, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, is home to 58% of the student population. The College of Science and Engineering teaches 26% of students, while the remaining 16% are based in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
The University of Edinburgh's entrepreneurial and cross-disciplinary culture attracts students from across the globe, creating a unique Edinburgh experience. The university provides a wide range of accommodation options, including catered and self-catered, en-suite and shared bathroom facilities, and single and twin rooms. There are also many clubs and societies to join, covering sports, academic interests, hobbies, and political and religious societies.
The university's academic excellence and diverse range of courses mean that students are interested in a wide range of career areas and employers, from micro-businesses to large graduate recruiters. Over 20% of students go on to further study, and the university supports students in finding part-time work, work shadowing, projects, internships, and voluntary roles during their time there.
Student Data: University Insights and Strategies
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The university has 3 colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering
The University of Edinburgh is a large and diverse institution, with a student population to match. As of 2023, the university accommodates over 40,000 students, making it one of the UK's most populous academic communities. This student body is organized across three distinct colleges, each housing a number of schools and departments that offer a comprehensive range of academic programs.
The first of these colleges is Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, a diverse faculty that encompasses everything from history and philosophy to economics and social policy. This college is the largest of the three, reflecting the wide-ranging nature of its subject matter. It includes well-known schools such as the School of Law and the Business School, and its programs attract a significant number of students, with approximately 15,000 undergraduates and 4,000 postgraduates enrolled.
The second college is Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, which has a more specific focus. This college is dedicated to training the next generation of healthcare professionals and researchers. It includes the renowned Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, as well as a number of specialist research centers and teaching hospitals. The college has a smaller student population, with around 2,500 undergraduates and 1,500 postgraduates, reflecting the specialized and intensive nature of medical and veterinary training.
The third college, Science and Engineering, offers a broad range of programs in traditional scientific fields, as well as innovative interdisciplinary courses. It includes the School of Informatics, which is the University's largest school, as well as other well-regarded departments such as the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Geosciences. This college attracts a significant number of students, with approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 2,000 postgraduates, reflecting the high demand for STEM-related courses.
Each of these colleges contributes to the rich academic life of the University of Edinburgh, offering a diverse range of programs that cater to a variety of student interests and aspirations. The distribution of students across these colleges showcases the University's strength in both traditional and emerging fields of study, contributing to its reputation as a world-leading academic institution.
Nursing Students at Fairfield University: How Many?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Holyrood campus has sports facilities and accommodation for postgraduates
The University of Edinburgh is one of the UK's larger universities, with a current student population of over 49,500, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. The Holyrood campus, just off the Royal Mile, was once the site of the Moray House Institute for Education until it merged with the university in 1998. The campus has since been extended and includes redeveloped sports facilities and accommodation for postgraduates.
The Holyrood campus is home to the Physical Education and Sports Science departments, with a swimming pool, laboratories, and gymnasia. The sports facilities are world-class, with St Leonard's Land providing a living and social environment for postgraduate students. The campus offers a range of accommodation options, including cluster flats, residence halls, twin rooms, studios, and en-suite/non-en-suite rooms. The nearby city centre also provides thousands of students with housing options, including budget-friendly choices, college dormitories, and private apartments.
The University of Edinburgh is committed to providing a unique university experience through its flexible UOE program, award-winning support services, and a wide variety of sports clubs and societies. The UOE Sports Union consists of over 60 sports clubs catering to different interests and ability levels. Students can join clubs for socialising and training, with opportunities to compete at national and international levels. The university's sports facilities and clubs offer a holistic experience that contributes to the vibrant student life at the University of Edinburgh.
The Holyrood campus also houses the Moray House School of Education and Sport, which includes the Centre for Educational Sociology. The campus has seen various developments over the years, with the refurbishment of Dalhousie Land in the 1990s to accommodate the library and the construction of new student accommodation. The University Outreach Centre, Levels Cafe, and student accommodation now stand on the former sites of Chessel's Land and St Mary's Land, contributing to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the Holyrood campus.
Marquette University's Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Edinburgh Seven were the first group of female matriculated students in the UK
The University of Edinburgh is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is one of the UK's larger universities, with a current student population of over 49,500, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. The university is also extremely cosmopolitan, with over 24,000 international students from more than 130 different countries.
The Edinburgh Seven consisted of Sophia Jex-Blake, Isabel Thorne, Edith Pechey, Matilda Chaplin, Helen Evans, Mary Anderson, and Emily Bovell. They faced significant challenges and discrimination from the university and male students, who subjected them to vile treatment. Despite passing their exams with high marks, the women were not allowed to graduate or qualify as doctors. However, their efforts had a lasting impact. In 1876, new legislation enabled examining bodies to treat candidates of both sexes equally, and the Irish College of Physicians started granting medical practice licenses to women. In 1889, legislation was passed allowing women to study at all Scottish universities, and in 1893, the University of Edinburgh admitted women to graduate in medicine.
The achievements of the Edinburgh Seven have been commemorated in various ways, including a plaque at the university in 2015, a play called 'Seven Against Edinburgh' in 2022, and a posthumous honorary degree awarded to the group in 2019.
Discover the University of Mary's Student Population in Bismarck
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The University of Edinburgh has a current student population of over 49,500, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates.
With over 24,000 international students from more than 130 different countries, the University of Edinburgh has a highly cosmopolitan student body.
51% of students at the University of Edinburgh are international, with 12% from the EU and 39% from non-EU countries.
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest, with 58% of the student population based there.
The University of Edinburgh offers an extensive Edinburgh Award programme that recognises students' involvement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, encouraging personal and professional development and enhancing employability.











































