University of Edinburgh

By ALASTAIR MCCALL, DAILY MAIL UNIVERSITY GUIDE EDITOR Published: 13:07, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 13:07, 12 August 2026 Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Edinburgh is the fourth most popular university in the UK among prospective students, drawing in more than 70,000 applications in September 2025 - the fourth time in the past five years that it has hit this mark. They are attracted by Edinburgh's stellar global reputation, with the university's standings in international rankings often as high as they are domestically. This apparent contradiction arises from the fact that international rankings do not take account of student satisfaction, which is measured by the National Student Survey (NSS). Poor NSS outcomes have been an Achilles heel for Edinburgh over the past 20 years and hinder the university in our table, keeping it just outside of our top 20 this year. Founded in 1583, it has a long history of academic excellence and is a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. It is home to the UK's national supercomputer, Archer2, and has developed six new hubs in different areas of data-centric technologies and AI, bringing together academics and industry to drive innovation. Edinburgh is working hard to improve connection with its students and their wider university experience with upgrades to facilities and even the food served in halls and catering outlets. There is also a concerted drive on further reducing carbon emissions at a university already ranked 4th in the world for sustainability by QS World University Rankings. Teviot, the world's oldest purpose-built students' union building, has reopened after a 30-month refurbishment; the Engineering Forum opened in March, creating a hub for engineering students with new laboratories, study spaces and classrooms, while the Edinburgh College of Art campus in Lauriston Place is getting a major facelift. Raising Nutrition has recognised Edinburgh's commitment to student health by cutting the frequency and portions of unhealthy foods and using vegetables, fruits, proteins and wholegrains. Your browser does not support iframes. The Access Edinburgh Scholarship costs the university around £10m a year in supporting a substantial proportion of its UK students (including those from Scotland, who are often excluded from maintenance support elsewhere due to the absence of tuition fees for them at Scottish universities). Payouts range from £1,000 to £5,000 per year depending on circumstances. The top award is made to care leavers and those estranged from their parents; those from homes with a residual annual income of £20,999 or less receive £3,000 per year of study. Where household income is £21,000 to £23,999, students get a £2,000 annual bursary, with the smallest payment of £1,000 per year paid to those from homes with an income of £24,000 to £33,999. Students are assessed for eligibility at the time of enrolment and even if their family's financial circumstances improve during their studies, they continue to qualify for support at their initially assessed rate. But if their circumstances decline, they are eligible for increased support. The university invests a further £2m a year on a range of non-means-tested scholarships that reward academic excellence, subject-specific achievement and wider contributions to university life. Support typically ranges from £1,000 per year up to full tuition fee remission. More than £900,000 was distributed in emergency hardship support for students in extreme need in 2024-25. There are more than 6,500 undergraduate rooms in university-owned accommodation, including some of the cheapest to be found anywhere in the UK - just under 200 self-catered twin rooms are priced at £3,726 for a 37-week tenancy. The most expensive self-catered studios cost £18,776 for a 37-week let. Edinburgh also offers catered rooms with prices ranging from £7,573 to £13,605 for a 37-week contract. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Admissions, teaching and student support More than one in seven students got in with a contextual offer set at the minimum entry requirement in September 2025. Eligible applicants are from postcodes with the highest levels of deprivation or those who attended schools with the lowest progression rates to higher education. Care-experienced applicants and those who have completed a Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP), Edinburgh Access Programme or another recognised bridging programme also qualify for a minimum offer. All students who come from a widening participation background are offered a peer mentor upon enrolment, and a three-day Moving On course is available prior to Welcome Week to help with the transition. They are also offered careers and employability support, which includes a programme where alumni offer international or UK-based work-shadowing opportunities. A web of student support includes professional advisers in every academic school, who work with academic cohort leads, peer support and wellbeing advisers to ensure that students can access mental health and wellbeing support. The university counselling service offers therapy in person, via Microsoft Teams, by phone or by email, and is the only university-based service in Scotland registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. The Disability and Learning Support Service provides mental health and autistic spectrum disorder mentors, while Residence Life staff are also embedded in student halls to promote wellbeing, build community and help students thrive. The university offers mental health awareness training for all student-facing staff.