Edinburgh University's Student Population: How Many Attend?

how many students attend edinburgh university

The University of Edinburgh is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is one of the four ancient universities in Scotland and the sixth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is spread across five campuses in Edinburgh and is ranked 15th in the UK. Edinburgh University is one of the world's top universities, receiving over 69,000 undergraduate applications per year, making it the third-most popular university in the UK by application volume. The university has over 45,000 students from across 156 countries, with 41% of students from outside the UK.

Characteristics Values
Number of students 45,000+
Number of students (according to another source) 47,800
Undergraduate/Postgraduate split 61% / 39%
Male/Female split 38% / 62%
Percentage of students with a declared disability 19%
Percentage of UK-domiciled undergraduate entrants who declared themselves black or minority ethnic in 2018 13%
Percentage of UK-domiciled postgraduate taught entrants who declared themselves black or minority ethnic in 2018 14%
Percentage of UK-domiciled postgraduate research entrants who declared themselves black or minority ethnic in 2018 13%
Percentage of Scottish-domiciled undergraduate entrants from the 20% most deprived areas in 2018-19 11.2%
Number of countries students come from 156
Number of countries students come from (according to another source) 110
Number of online distance learners 4,940
Number of alumni 300,000+

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The University of Edinburgh is the eighth-largest university in the UK by enrolment

The University of Edinburgh's largest college is Arts, Humanities and Social Science, with 58% of students based there. This college has a broad range of schools, including History of Art, Architecture & Design, Drama, Dance & Cinematics, and Business & Management Studies. The College of Science & Engineering is home to 26% of students, with schools such as Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mathematics. The remaining 16% of students are based in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, which includes schools such as Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Infectious Diseases.

The University of Edinburgh is known for its academic rigour, with all applicants requiring a strong academic record to gain entry. The university's entrepreneurial and cross-disciplinary culture attracts students and staff from across the globe, fostering a unique Edinburgh experience. The university is consistently ranked as one of the top institutions in the UK and globally, reflecting its high calibre of teaching and research.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of catered and self-catered accommodation options to meet the needs of its diverse student body. First-year undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh are guaranteed housing, and graduate student accommodations are also available for new students from outside the EU. The university prioritises student support, providing assistance with both personal and academic matters to ensure a holistic educational experience.

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The university has around 45,000 students, with 61% undergraduates and 39% postgraduates

The University of Edinburgh is a large university, with around 45,000 students. It is the eighth-largest university in the UK by enrolment, and it is also the third-most popular university in the UK by application volume, receiving over 69,000 undergraduate applications per year. The university has a diverse student body, with 61% of students being undergraduates and 39% being postgraduates. The student body is predominantly female, with 62% of students identifying as women and 38% as men. The university also has a significant population of international students, with 51% of students coming from outside the UK.

The University of Edinburgh is divided into three colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Science and Engineering; and the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest, with 58% of the student body. The College of Science and Engineering is home to 26% of students, while the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine accounts for the remaining 16%.

The University of Edinburgh has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1582 by the town council under the authority of a royal charter from King James VI. It is one of Scotland's four ancient universities and is the sixth-oldest university in continuous operation in the English-speaking world. The university has played a significant role in Edinburgh's intellectual history, contributing to the city being nicknamed the "Athens of the North." The university has produced numerous notable alumni, including inventor Alexander Graham Bell, naturalist Charles Darwin, and writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

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The university has a near-even gender split, with 62% of students female and 38% male

The University of Edinburgh has a near-even gender split, with 62% of students identifying as female and 38% identifying as male. This gender distribution is reflected across the university's three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering. The university's diverse student population also includes individuals from over 156 countries, with 51% of students hailing from outside the UK.

Edinburgh's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students is evident in its range of clubs, societies, and volunteering groups. With over 400 societies and 60 sports clubs, students have numerous opportunities to connect with others who share their interests. The university also offers dedicated support services, providing assistance with both academic and personal matters.

The University of Edinburgh has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1582 by the town council under the authority of a royal charter from King James VI. It is one of Scotland's four ancient universities and is currently ranked as the eighth-largest university in the UK by enrolment. The university has produced numerous notable alumni, including inventors, naturalists, philosophers, physicists, and writers.

Edinburgh's global reputation for academic excellence is further emphasised by its ranking within the top 40 globally by the three main university ranking systems: ARWU, THE, and QS. The university's five campuses in Edinburgh offer a range of facilities and accommodate a diverse array of programmes.

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The university has a diverse student body, with 51% of students from outside the UK

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with a student body of over 45,000 individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. The university's commitment to diversity is evident in the fact that 51% of its students are international, representing 156 countries. This includes 12% from the EU and 39% from outside the EU and the UK.

Edinburgh's student body is not only diverse in terms of nationality but also in terms of academic interests. The university is organised into three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Science and Engineering; and Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Within these colleges, there are a total of 21 schools, offering a broad range of academic programmes to cater to the varied interests of its students.

The University of Edinburgh also has a nearly equal gender distribution, with 62% of its students identifying as female and 38% as male. In addition, 19% of students have a declared disability, and in 2018, nearly 13% of UK-domiciled undergraduate entrants identified as black or minority ethnic. The university welcomes students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds as well, with 11.2% of Scottish-domiciled undergraduate entrants in 2018-19 coming from the 20% most deprived areas according to the Scottish Government's index of multiple deprivation.

The University of Edinburgh's diverse student body is a testament to its commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for individuals from all walks of life. The university offers a range of support services to meet the diverse needs of its students, including academic and dedicated student experience staff who assist with both personal and academic matters. With its variety of clubs, societies, and sports teams, the university encourages students to pursue their passions and connect with others who share their interests.

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The university has three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering

The University of Edinburgh is made up of three colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS), the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), and the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM).

CAHSS is the largest of the three colleges by enrolment, with 26,130 students and 3,089 academic staff. It offers over 280 undergraduate degree programmes, 230 taught postgraduate programmes, and 200 research postgraduate programmes. The college includes the Edinburgh College of Art, Moray House School of Education and Sport, School of Health in Social Science, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, School of Social and Political Science, Centre for Open Learning, and Edinburgh Futures Institute.

The College of Science and Engineering has 11,745 students and 2,937 academic staff. It is home to the School of Biological Sciences, School of Engineering, School of GeoSciences, School of Informatics, School of Mathematics, and School of Physics and Astronomy.

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is the smallest of the three colleges, with 7,740 students and 1,896 academic staff. It includes the Edinburgh Medical School, which has been associated with 13 Nobel Prize recipients, and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, a world leader in veterinary education, research, and practice. The university's teaching hospitals include the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, St John's Hospital, Livingston, Roodlands Hospital, and Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Edinburgh is host to more than 45,000 students from across 156 countries.

61% of students are undergraduates and 39% are postgraduates.

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science is the largest, with 58% of students based there. The College of Science & Engineering is home to 26% of students, and the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine hosts the remaining 16%.

4,940 students study online, creating a truly global community.

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