
The University of Edinburgh is a leading European centre of academic excellence and one of the UK's larger, more diverse research universities. As of 2021, it had a student population of over 49,500, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current student population | 49,500 |
| Undergraduate students | 30,000 |
| Postgraduate students | 19,500 |
| Proportion of female students | 62% |
| Proportion of male students | 38% |
| Scottish students | 30% |
| Students from the rest of the UK | 32% |
| Students from the EU | 10% |
| Students from outside the EU | 28% |
| International students | Over 24,000 |
| Number of countries international students come from | Over 130 |
| Number of academic disciplines | 21 |
| Number of colleges | 3 |
| Number of degree programmes | Over 300 |
| UK ranking in 2021 Research Assessment Exercise | 4th |
| Scottish ranking in 2021 Research Assessment Exercise | 1st |
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What You'll Learn

Student population: 49,500+
The University of Edinburgh is a leading European centre of academic excellence. It is one of the UK's larger and more diverse research universities, with a student population of over 49,500. This includes approximately 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. 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 offers a broad range of courses, with students able to choose from more than 300 degree programmes.
The University of Edinburgh is the largest university in Scotland and has a diverse student body, with over 24,000 international students from more than 130 different countries. The undergraduate population has a higher proportion of female students, with a male-to-female ratio of 38:62. Scottish students make up 30% of the undergraduate population, while 32% are from the rest of the UK, 10% are from the EU, and 28% are from outside the EU.
The university's operations are spread throughout the city of Edinburgh, with a mix of old and modern buildings. The Holyrood campus, located just off the Royal Mile, houses the redeveloped Sports Science, Physical Education, and Leisure Management facilities, as well as the £80 million O'Shea Hall, which provides a living and social environment for postgraduate students. The King's Buildings campus in the south of the city is home to most of the Science and Engineering College's research and teaching activities.
The University of Edinburgh has a rich history and has produced many notable alumni and staff members, including philosopher David Hume, chemist Joseph Black, novelist Walter Scott, and J.K. Rowling. It is also known for its research excellence, ranking 4th overall in the UK and 1st in Scotland for the volume of 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent' research. The university actively engages with industry and supports knowledge transfer, start-up companies, and extensive international collaborations.
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Undergraduate ratio: 62% female
The University of Edinburgh is one of the UK's larger and more diverse research universities, with a student population of over 49,500, including approximately 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. As of August 2021, the University of Edinburgh had a higher proportion of female than male students, with a male-to-female ratio of 38:62 among undergraduates. This ratio reflects the university's commitment to gender equality and diversity, which has been a part of its history since the 19th century.
The University of Edinburgh has a rich history when it comes to advocating for the rights of women in higher education. In 1869, the Edinburgh Seven, led by Sophia Jex-Blake, became the first group of matriculated undergraduate female students at any British university when they began studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh. Despite facing obstacles, their campaign gained national attention and sparked a broader discussion about women's rights in education. As a result of their efforts, legislation was passed in 1889, permitting women to study at all Scottish universities. This was a significant milestone, not just for the University of Edinburgh but for the advancement of gender equality in higher education across Scotland.
The undergraduate ratio of 62% female to 38% male at the University of Edinburgh is a testament to the university's continued commitment to inclusivity and diversity. This ratio indicates that the university attracts and supports a significant number of female students, fostering a more balanced and representative academic community. It is worth noting that this ratio may vary across different programs and schools within the university, and it is always subject to change over time as enrollment patterns fluctuate.
The University of Edinburgh's dedication to gender equality extends beyond student enrollment ratios. The university also values its relationship with the Scottish community and enriches its academic offerings through a diverse range of partnerships and collaborations. With a strong profile in research, the university actively engages with industry, supporting knowledge transfer and the creation of start-up companies. This dynamic and inclusive environment benefits all students, regardless of gender, providing them with a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.
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Postgraduate accommodation: O'Shea Hall
The University of Edinburgh is the largest university in Scotland, with a current student population of over 49,500, including approximately 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates. The University of Edinburgh is extremely cosmopolitan, with over 24,000 international students from more than 130 countries.
O'Shea Hall is a postgraduate student accommodation located at 9D Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8FQ. The £80 million accommodation was named after the former principal of the university, Sir Timothy O'Shea, and was opened by Princess Anne in 2017. It provides a living and social environment for postgraduate students.
O'Shea Hall is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers an area of approximately 3.1 hectares over the south-facing slope of the Canongate behind the Royal Mile. The project involved the urban regeneration of previously walled and inaccessible private landholdings, creating a new urban village within the medieval context of Edinburgh Old Town.
The residence hall contains 469 single en-suite bedrooms and 7 twin rooms. It has a unique feature in the UK: a large communal kitchen providing space for over 400 residents to cook, eat, meet, and celebrate. Residents can also enjoy the main common room on the ground floor, and there is a dedicated study room, TV room, and bookable dining room. Additionally, there are four bookable music rooms equipped with various instruments.
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International students: 24,000+
The University of Edinburgh is a leading European centre of academic excellence. It is the largest university in Scotland, with a current student population of over 49,500, including more than 24,000 international students from over 130 countries. The University of Edinburgh is one of the UK's larger and more diverse research universities. It is also Scotland's leading research-intensive university, with a strong profile across a wide range of subjects. The university actively supports knowledge transfer and the creation of start-up companies, and it collaborates extensively worldwide in numerous research fields.
The University of Edinburgh'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 offers its students the chance to study abroad at around 300 partner institutions in nearly 40 countries worldwide. Most of these partner universities are located in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The University of Edinburgh has a rich history and is known for its Enlightenment values. The university's main library, founded in 1580, is the largest academic library collection in Scotland. The university's operations are spread throughout the city, from historic buildings to modern, purpose-built facilities.
The University of Edinburgh has a higher proportion of female than male students, with a male-to-female ratio of 38:62 in the undergraduate population as of August 2021. The undergraduate student body comprises 30% Scottish students, 32% from the rest of the UK, 10% from the EU, and 28% from outside the EU.
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Exchange opportunities: 300+ partner institutions
The University of Edinburgh is one of the UK's larger and more diverse research universities, with a student population of over 49,500, including over 24,000 international students from more than 130 countries. The university offers a broad range of courses, with students able to choose from more than 300-degree programmes.
The University of Edinburgh offers its students incredible opportunities to study abroad at around 300 partner institutions in nearly 40 countries worldwide. Most of these partner universities are located in Europe, North America, and Asia. University-wide exchanges are open to most students on undergraduate degrees in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and the College of Science and Engineering.
The University of Edinburgh values its intellectual and economic relationships, enriching itself and Scotland by providing students with a whole world of exchange opportunities. The university's exchange partners change from year to year, and students are not permitted to create their own exchange agreements. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the students to identify an appropriate programme of study at a potential exchange destination and ensure that appropriate courses are available.
The University of Edinburgh is a leading European centre of academic excellence and is ranked 4th overall in the UK and top in Scotland by volume of 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent' research. The university actively supports knowledge transfer and collaborates extensively worldwide in numerous research fields, including Informatics and Medicine.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, the University of Edinburgh has a student population of over 49,500, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 19,500 postgraduates.
The University of Edinburgh is the largest university in Scotland and has a very diverse student body. It has over 24,000 international students from more than 130 different countries.
As of August 2021, the University of Edinburgh has a higher proportion of female students than male students, with a ratio of 38:62 in the undergraduate population.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the UK's larger and more diverse research universities. It is ranked 4th overall in the UK and top in Scotland for the volume of "world-leading" and "internationally excellent" research.
The University of Edinburgh's academic disciplines are structured into 21 Schools across three Colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering. This structure allows students to choose from over 300 degree programmes.











































