University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583 and is one of the ancient universities of Scotland. Its buildings are distributed through the centre of Edinburgh, with science and engineering concentrated at the King's Buildings site and the medical school and veterinary school on their own campuses.

It has particular international standing in informatics and artificial intelligence, veterinary medicine, medicine, and across the humanities and social sciences. Its informatics school is one of the largest in Europe.

Scotland runs its own education system within the UK framework: undergraduate degrees usually take four years rather than three, and the first year is broader than the equivalent in England, which suits students who want to keep options open.

Requirements are published per programme and applied at school level.

• Class 12 or equivalent at the standard stated for the degree, with any required subjects.
• Entry into the second year is possible for some applicants with advanced standing, which is worth checking before applying to year one.
• A relevant bachelor's degree at the classification the school requires for postgraduate entry.
• English proficiency at the level set for the programme, which varies between schools.
• Portfolios, interviews or admissions tests for medicine, veterinary medicine, art and architecture.

Edinburgh sits in Scotland, whose fee system differs from England's — a distinction that matters mainly for home students but is worth understanding.

• Scotland has its own fee arrangements for Scottish and, differently, for rest-of-UK students. International rates are set by the university.
• Set per programme, with a wide spread between arts, science and clinical subjects.
• Scottish undergraduate degrees typically run four years rather than three, which changes the total cost of an undergraduate degree here.
• Fees usually fixed for the duration at your entry-year rate for international students.
• Programme costs on top for fieldwork, studio or materials where applicable.

Work from Edinburgh's degree finder entry for your specific programme for your specific programme and year of entry — it is the only figure that will be correct for you, and it is republished every year. We will confirm the current cost and what it includes before you commit to an application.

Edinburgh runs a substantial scholarship programme across its three colleges, with awards for both taught and research postgraduates and a smaller set at undergraduate level. Most require a separate application after an offer has been made.

• University-wide awards — open across subject areas, applied for separately once you hold an offer.
• College and school awards — administered within a discipline.
• Research scholarships — for doctoral candidates, frequently jointly funded.
• Country and region awards — restricted by nationality, so check eligibility first.

Most awards require you to hold an offer before you can apply, and the rounds close early. Applying late for the course usually means the scholarship window has already shut.

Several campuses in and around a compact, historic city, with the central area woven into the Old Town.

• Central Area, King's Buildings and others — which you use depends on your subject, and the science campus is a short bus ride from the centre.
• A small, walkable, historic city that is also a capital, so cultural life is well beyond its size.
• The Festival and Fringe in August, which many students take part in or work at.
• A long-established society and sport scene, including one of the oldest students' associations anywhere.
• First-year accommodation for most who apply on time, then shared flats — Marchmont, Newington and Leith are common.

The four-year Scottish undergraduate degree is the structural difference to plan for. It allows more breadth in the early years, and it is one more year of fees and living costs than an English degree.