Universities in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Rankings & Reviews -

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

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Edinburgh
  • 27 Sep, 2023: THE World University Rankings updated with The University of Edinburgh ranked highest among 4 listed universities in Edinburgh.
  • 09 Sep, 2023: The Guardian League Table updated with The University of Edinburgh ranked highest among 4 listed universities in Edinburgh.
  • 09 Sep, 2023: Latest The Guardian University League Tables by Subject (Business and Management) from The Guardian News and Media Limited. 98 universities from Edinburgh appear in this ranking.
  • 15 Aug, 2023: ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking updated with The University of Edinburgh ranked highest among 2 listed universities in Edinburgh.

Rankings of universities in Edinburgh, 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

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (819 reviews)
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  • #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

  • #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


  • #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

  • #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

Highest subject rankings of universities in Edinburgh

Education CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#3 
The University of Edinburgh
Social Work CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#4 
The University of Edinburgh
Linguistics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#4 
The University of Edinburgh
Mathematics The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#4 
The University of Edinburgh
Chemistry The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#5 
The University of Edinburgh
Medicine The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#5 
The University of Edinburgh
Architecture The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#6 
The University of Edinburgh
Mechanical Engineering The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#8 
The University of Edinburgh
Sports Science CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#8 
The University of Edinburgh
Journalism The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#8 
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Key Facts for International Students

5 out of 5 Universities in Edinburgh Ranked in at least one ranking

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

30 Global Rankings rank Universities in Edinburgh Among TOP 200

Population: 507000

Time: GMT +0

District/province: Scotland, Edinburgh

Living costs for students in Edinburgh:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 93* (7% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 73* (27% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 76* (24% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 3.49 £
  • Plug Type G
    • Residential voltage: 230 V
    • Frequency: 50 Hz
Nobel prize laureates:
Peter Higgs (The University of Edinburgh, 2013)
 
Max Born (Edinburgh Napier University, 1954)
 
Charles Glover Barkla (Edinburgh Napier University, 1917)

Map with location of universities in Edinburgh

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FAQ

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

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

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

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Edinburgh for Social Studies & Humanities (Social Work). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Edinburgh for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

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

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Edinburgh for Natural Sciences (Chemistry). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The University of Edinburgh is ranked best in Edinburgh for Arts Visual & Performing (Music). See all rankings for the The University of Edinburgh.

Heriot-Watt University is ranked best in Edinburgh for Business (Marketing). See all rankings for the Heriot-Watt University.

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

Ranking publishers

4icu

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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

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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%

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Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

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

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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%

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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%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

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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%

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StuDocu

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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)"

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:

Employability (survey) 100%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

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

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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%

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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%

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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%

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The Times and The Sunday Times

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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%

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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%

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Urap

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Us News

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

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

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