5 Best Universities In Edinburgh For International Students 2025
Edinburgh is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United Kingdom. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.
Out of 5 universities in Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University are the top-performing schools in Edinburgh. This list covers public institutions in Edinburgh.
In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Edinburgh, Scotland. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Edinburgh, Scotland.
| Rank | University | Country | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Edinburgh | United Kingdom | Public |
| 2 | Heriot-Watt University | United Kingdom | Public |
| 3 | Edinburgh Napier University | United Kingdom | Public |
| 4 | Queen Margaret University | United Kingdom | Public |
| 5 | Scotland’s Rural College | United Kingdom | Public |
How do I get admission to the best universities in Edinburgh?
Applying to the universities in Edinburgh involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Edinburgh to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!
How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Edinburgh?
Tuition fees at Edinburgh’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 2,500 GBP to 32,100 GBP , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 6,000 GBP to 35,900 GBP. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Edinburgh!
As we cover the best universities in Edinburgh for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.
Top Universities in Edinburgh for International Students
The University of Edinburgh is a public research university located in Scotland, a picturesque country known for its castles and whisky. It is one of the nation’s oldest centers of excellence as it was founded in the year 1583. Due to how highly regarded it is, many students choose to pursue their tertiary education at the university. With that, it has a long list of noteworthy alumni such as renowned psychologist and neuroscientist May-Britt Moser, molecular biologist and biophysicist Richard Henderson, as well as economist Sir James Alexander Mirrlees.
Heriot-Watt University is a specialist school that focuses on providing education in the fields of design, engineering, business, and science. It started as a mechanics institute – the first in the world – and it continues to be a leader in finding practical solutions to contemporary problems today. Because of its strong reputation in these highly-technical fields, Heriot-Watt is considered one of the most elite universities in the UK.
The Edinburgh Napier University was firstly founded as Napier Technical College in 1964. The name originated from John Napier, a Scottish physicist, mathematician, and astronomer. It was then renamed to Napier University in 1992 by inauguration of Lord Douglas-Hamilton. After a variety of acquisitions and mergers, it then became Edinburgh Napier University in February of 2009.
Named after Queen Margaret of Scotland, Queen Margaret University was established to help women and working families. Dedicated to its original purposes, it continues to help the community by establishing itself as a campus without borders, open and working closely with its locality. Nationally, the university is included in the top 100 universities based on several ranking sites. These rankings and other awards like the e-Government National Award show the institution’s commitment to excellence.
Scotland’s Rural College is an institution focused on research and education in the fields of agriculture and life sciences. The school aims to develop the knowledge and skills of students for their contributions to improving the agricultural sector. Its vision and mission are centered on Scotland having a natural economy that is sustainable.
We know that choosing your dream school in Edinburgh not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.
So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Edinburgh, make sure to visit our list of the best public universities in Edinburgh! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!