Universities in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has 4 universities in our index, offering 619 study programmes — 619 taught in English. Here's how the city scores for student life, and who teaches what.
City Life Index
Affordability3/10
Safety9/10
Student vibe9/10
English-friendly10/10
Weather4/10
Transport8/10
Edinburgh provides a safe and culturally rich student experience with excellent transport links, but it is a relatively expensive city with often grey and rainy weather.
Universities in Edinburgh
| University | Research rank (EU) | Programmes | English-taught |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Edinburgh | #16 | 375 | 375 |
| Heriot-Watt University | #227 | 109 | 109 |
| Edinburgh Napier University | #352 | 100 | 100 |
| Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh | #590 | 35 | 35 |
How it compares in United Kingdom
| City | Life score | Universities | Programmes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | 8.5/10 | 2 | 331 |
| Liverpool | 8.0/10 | 2 | 394 |
| Nottingham | 8.0/10 | 2 | 626 |
| Aberdeen | 7.8/10 | 2 | 494 |
| Leicester | 7.7/10 | 2 | 349 |
| Birmingham | 7.5/10 | 3 | 570 |
| Canterbury | 7.5/10 | 2 | 316 |
| Manchester | 7.5/10 | 2 | 596 |
Student cities in United Kingdom
What you can study in Edinburgh
- Linguistics and Languages (119)
- Arts and Design (32)
- Management (32)
- Biology (22)
- Business Administration (17)
- Mathematics (16)
- Law (16)
- Physics (15)
- Psychology (15)
Frequently asked questions
- How many universities does Edinburgh have?
- Our index lists 4 universities in Edinburgh with 619 study programmes between them, 619 taught in English.
- Is Edinburgh affordable for students?
- Edinburgh scores 3/10 on affordability in our City Life Index. Students in United Kingdom spend roughly €1,091 a month on living costs. Full breakdown: Cost of studying in United Kingdom.
Last updated 2026-09-15.