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Edinburgh, United Kingdom

University of Edinburgh

#22 QS World RankingPublicEurope

QS World Ranking

#22

Acceptance Rate

43%

Annual Tuition (USD)

$27,000

On-Campus Housing

Available

QS Best Student City

#8

Edinburgh

Application Deadline

January 31

via UCAS

Student Body

Total Enrollment

35,000

students

International Students

36%

US Students

4%

of total enrollment

Figures are approximate based on institutional reports and QS data.

Why This School

Scotland's capital city university with 425 years of history and world-class research.

QS Subject Rankings 2025

Rankings by academic subject — source: QS World University Rankings by Subject

#7Veterinary Science#11Linguistics#13Philosophy#27Medicine

Notes for US Students

Apply via UCAS. Scotland's most international university. Strong arts and science programs.

Admission Criteria

Key requirements for US students applying to University of Edinburgh

Acceptance Rate

43%

Moderately selective

Application System

UCAS

Deadline

January 31

Instruction Language

English

School Type

Public

Annual Tuition

$27,000

Requirements Checklist for US Applicants

  • Apply via UCAS by January 31
  • SAT 1350+ or ACT 30+ recommended
  • IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 92+ (program-dependent)
  • 4-year Scottish degrees — US students enter Year 1
  • UCAT required for Medicine and Dentistry
  • UCAS personal statement required

Class Size

Avg. Lecture150 students
Avg. Seminar20 students
Student : Faculty12:1

Academic Calendar

SystemSemester (2/yr)
Fall TermMid-SeptemberMid-December
Spring TermMid-JanuaryLate May
BreaksDec–Jan, Jun–Aug

Requirements may vary by program. Always verify with the university's official admissions page.

Admission Details

Language of Instruction
English
Estimated Annual Tuition
~$27,000 / year
Application Deadline
January 31
Application System
UCAS
School Type
Public
Acceptance Rate
43%
QS Best Student City (Edinburgh)
#8 globally

Programs Offered

MedicineLawArts & HumanitiesEngineeringSciencesBusiness

Scholarships to Explore

  • Edinburgh Global
  • Principal's Career Development

Cost of Living — Edinburgh, UK

Moderate Cost
Rent (1BR near campus)$950/mo
Groceries & dining$290/mo
Transportation$80/mo
Misc (phone, entertainment)$200/mo

Estimated monthly total

$1,520

vs. avg US college student

20% cheaper

US avg ~$1,900/mo

Edinburgh is significantly cheaper than London. A walkable city with a strong student culture.

Estimates based on 2025–26 student budgets. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and housing choice.

About Studying at University of Edinburgh as a US Student

University of Edinburgh is located in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and is ranked #22in the QS World University Rankings. The school offers programs in Medicine, Law, Arts & Humanities, Engineering, Sciences, and more. Instruction is offered in English. The estimated annual tuition for international students is ~$27,000 / year, with an acceptance rate of approximately 43%. Applications are submitted through UCAS with a deadline of January 31. Scholarships available include the Edinburgh Global.