Basic information and contact details for the University of Edinburgh
Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh (UoE) is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Britain and Ireland’s seven ancient universities.
It is made up of three colleges: arts, humanities and social sciences; science and engineering and medicine and veterinary medicine. Within these three colleges, there are 20 academic schools.
In total, the university attracts around 35,000 students, the majority of which study within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the largest of its colleges.
Its College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is reputed to be a world-leader in its field.
UoE is an internationally-focussed university and welcomes students from all corners of the globe, with the majority coming from China and the United States.
Its students can also take advantage of the Go Abroad Fund, which provides grants for 250 or students to have a short-term international experience each year. Additionally, students are also encouraged to either study or work abroad as part of their course.
The university receives over £200 million in research income. It spends over £26 million on prizes, scholarships, studentships and bursaries. At around £317 million, it has the third largest endowment of any UK university after Oxford and Cambridge.
A total of 20 Nobel laureates are affiliated with the University of Edinburgh. These include winners of Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Peace, Literature and the Memorial Prize in Economic Science.
Alumni include Charles Darwin, David Hume, Alexander Graham Bell and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, among many others.
Situated in the heart of the historic capital of Scotland, the city of Edinburgh is home to the Scottish Parliament, an ancient volcanic rock and an iconic castle.
Rankings
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World University Rankings 2025
Breakdown via year: Overall
Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
2025
29th
2024
=30th
2023
29th
2022
=30th
2021
30th
2020
30th
2019
29th
2018
=27th
2017
27th
2016
24th
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
Impact Rankings
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Impact Rankings 2024
Breakdown via year: Overall
Impact Ranking positions 2020 to 2024
2024
=89th
2023
=52nd
2022
29th
2021
36th
2020
30th
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
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