Universities in Scotland
- Rankings & Reviews -

For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in Scotland

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Scotland
  • 27 Sep, 2023: THE World University Rankings updated with The University of Edinburgh ranked highest among 13 listed universities in Scotland.
  • 09 Sep, 2023: The Guardian News and Media Limited published most recent results of The Guardian League Table. Includes 14 universities from Scotland.
  • 09 Sep, 2023: Publication of The Guardian University League Tables by Subject (Business and Management). University of St Andrews with highest ranking among universities in Scotland ranked #3.
  • 15 Aug, 2023: ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking updated with The University of Edinburgh ranked highest among 8 listed universities in Scotland.

Rankings of universities in Scotland 2024

  • #1 
  • #30 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #2 
  • #10 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #4 
  • #14 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 26 more rankings of The University of Edinburgh and subject specific rankings for 15 subjects

  • #3 
  • #193 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #1 
  • #2 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #1 
  • #1 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 23 more rankings of University of St Andrews and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.5 / 5.0 (2514 reviews)
Card image

  • #2 
  • #87 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #3 
  • #14 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #3 
  • #13 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 24 more rankings of University of Glasgow and subject specific rankings for 13 subjects


Student satisfaction: 4.6 / 5.0 (244 reviews)
Card image

  • #4 
  • #201 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #5 
  • #19 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #2 
  • #12 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 18 more rankings of University of Aberdeen and subject specific rankings for 12 subjects

  • #6 
  • #301 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #4 
  • #18 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #5 
  • #16 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 18 more rankings of University of Strathclyde and subject specific rankings for 13 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.8 / 5.0 (494 reviews)
  • #5 
  • #301 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #6 
  • #32 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #9 
  • #66 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 20 more rankings of University of Dundee and subject specific rankings for 14 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (466 reviews)
Card image

  • #8 
  • #401 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #7 
  • #38 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #7 
  • #61 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 17 more rankings of University of Stirling and subject specific rankings for 13 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (819 reviews)
Card image

  • #7 
  • #351 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #9 
  • #57 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #11 
  • #85 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 18 more rankings of Heriot-Watt University and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects

  • #11 
  • #601 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #8 
  • #52 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #6 
  • #40 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 14 more rankings of Glasgow Caledonian University and subject specific rankings for 6 subjects

  • #9 
  • #501 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #10 
  • #59 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #12 
  • #92 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 10 more rankings of Edinburgh Napier University and subject specific rankings for 13 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.5 / 5.0 (299 reviews)
  • #13 
  • #801 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #11 
  • #65 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #13 
  • #98 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 9 more rankings of Robert Gordon University and subject specific rankings for 7 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (149 reviews)
  • #12 
  • #67 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #8 
  • #63 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
  • #19 
  • #851 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
Show 4 more rankings of Queen Margaret University and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects

  • #10 
  • #601 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #14 
  • #122 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #14 
  • #119 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Show 10 more rankings of University of the West of Scotland and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects

  • #13 
  • #89 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #10 
  • #84 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
  • #13 
  • #103 
CUG The Complete University Guide
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Show 3 more rankings of University of Abertay Dundee and subject specific rankings for 7 subjects

  • #12 
  • #601 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #13 
  • #2175 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 28 November, 2022]
  • #2 
  • #101 
THE Young University Rankings
[Published 03 July, 2023]
Show 3 more rankings of Scotland's Rural College University and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects

  • #14 
  • #1311 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2023]
  • #11 
  • #1812 
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022]
  • #12 
  • #1859 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 28 November, 2022]
Show 1 more rankings of University of the Highlands and Islands and subject specific rankings for 4 subjects

#17
Scotland

Glasgow School of Art

Student satisfaction: 3.7 / 5.0 (1184 reviews)
Card image

  • #17 
  • #6591 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#18
Scotland

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Student satisfaction: 4.7 / 5.0 (47 reviews)
Card image

  • #18 
  • #8293 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#19
Scotland

City of Glasgow College

Student satisfaction: 3.8 / 5.0 (17 reviews)
  • #19 
  • #9644 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#20
Scotland

Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education

Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (149 reviews)

Highest subject rankings of universities in Scotland

Psychology The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#1 
University of St Andrews
Biology The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#1 
University of Glasgow
English The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#1 
University of St Andrews
Medicine The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#1 
University of Aberdeen
Sports Science The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#2 
University of Glasgow
Creative Writing CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#2 
University of Strathclyde
Mathematics The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#2 
University of St Andrews
Civil Engineering The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#3 
University of Strathclyde
Education CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#3 
The University of Edinburgh
Law The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#6 
University of Glasgow

Scotland Key Facts for International Students

19 out of 20 Universities in Scotland Ranked in at least one ranking

30 Different Rankings list Universities in Scotland (23 institution and 7 subject rankings)

30 Global Rankings rank Universities in Scotland Among TOP 200

Map with location of universities in Scotland

google static map google map control google map control

Useful related pages

Links below are handpicked for usefulness. We might earn a commission on purchases.

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh ranks #1 in Scotland in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Scotland The University of Edinburgh is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 38 rankings where The University of Edinburgh is listed.

University of St Andrews is ranked best in Scotland for Social Studies & Humanities (Psychology). See all rankings for the University of St Andrews.

University of Glasgow is ranked best in Scotland for Natural Sciences (Biology). See all rankings for the University of Glasgow.

University of St Andrews is ranked best in Scotland for Languages & Literature (English). See all rankings for the University of St Andrews.

University of Aberdeen is ranked best in Scotland for Medicine & Health (Medicine). See all rankings for the University of Aberdeen.

University of Glasgow is ranked best in Scotland for Sports Science (Sports Science). See all rankings for the University of Glasgow.

University of Strathclyde is ranked best in Scotland for Arts Visual & Performing (Creative Writing). See all rankings for the University of Strathclyde.

University of St Andrews is ranked best in Scotland for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the University of St Andrews.

University of Strathclyde is ranked best in Scotland for Engineering (Civil Engineering). See all rankings for the University of Strathclyde.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Scotland for Education (Education). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

University of Glasgow is ranked best in Scotland for Law (Law). See all rankings for the University of Glasgow.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Scotland for Architecture, Building & Planning (Architecture). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Napier University is ranked best in Scotland for Journalism & Media Studies (Journalism). See all rankings for the Edinburgh Napier University.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Scotland for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Scotland for Design (Graphic Design). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

University of Strathclyde is ranked best in Scotland for Business (Marketing). See all rankings for the University of Strathclyde.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Scotland for Agriculture (Agriculture). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

Ranking publishers

4icu

view methodology

view methodology

British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

view methodology

view methodology

CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

view methodology

Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

view methodology

NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

view methodology

Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

view methodology

RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

view methodology

Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

view methodology

ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

view methodology

StuDocu

view methodology

THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:

Employability (survey) 100%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:

Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:

Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 30% International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%

view methodology

view methodology

view methodology

view methodology

The Guardian News and Media Limited

Criteria used in ranking -The Guardian League Table:

Student to Staff Ratio: 15% Entry Standards: 15% Expenditure per Student: 5% Continuation 15% (non-medical subjects) OR 5% (medical subjects) NSS - Teaching: 8% NSS - Assessment & Feedback: 8% NSS - Overall Satisfaction: 4% Career Prospects: 15% Value added: 15%

view methodology

The Times and The Sunday Times

view methodology

The University League Tables

Criteria used in ranking -CUG The Complete University Guide:

Entry Standards 12.5% Student Satisfaction 18.75% Student-Staff Ratio 12.5% Research Quality 12.5% Research Intensity 6.25% Academic Service Spending 6.25% Facilities Spending 6.25% Graduate Prospects 12.5% Degree Completion Rate 12.5%

view methodology

Thomson Reuters

Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities Europe:

Patent volume 11.11% Patent success 11.11% Global patents 11.11% Patent citations 11.11% Percent of patents cited / Patent citation impact 11.11% Patent to Article Citation Impact 11.11% Industry Article Citation Impact 11.11% Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11.11% Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11.11%

view methodology

Urap

view methodology

Us News

view methodology

Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

view methodology