# University of Edinburgh

- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Type: Public
- Founded: 1582
- Official website: http://www.ed.ac.uk/
- CollegeStat profile: https://collegestat.britexstudy-15d.workers.dev/university/university-of-edinburgh-f2f2a71c

## Summary

Edinburgh was founded by the town council under a royal charter from James VI in 1582, and teaching began in 1583, making it the youngest of Scotland's four ancient universities. In the 18th century it was a centre of the Scottish Enlightenment and of medical education. It merged with Edinburgh College of Art in 2011 and has sites across the city.

## Key facts

- rank: #35 (QS 2027) — https://insights.qs.com/hubfs/Rankings%20Excel%20Reports/2027%20QS%20World%20University%20Rankings%201.1%20%28For%20qs.com%29.xlsx

## Sources

- [rank](https://insights.qs.com/hubfs/Rankings%20Excel%20Reports/2027%20QS%20World%20University%20Rankings%201.1%20%28For%20qs.com%29.xlsx)
- [Official website](http://www.ed.ac.uk/)
- [Reference](https://ror.org/01nrxwf90)
- [Official Student Factsheet 2025/26: 48,820 students matriculated during the session (peak count 44,610)](https://governance-strategic-planning.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2026-08/Student%20Factsheet%202025/26.pdf)
- [Official 'Our History': royal charter 1582, teaching from 1583](https://ourhistory.is.ed.ac.uk/index.php/University_of_Edinburgh)
- [Wikipedia cross-check: history, type, motto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Edinburgh)

> Figures are as reported by the linked sources; confirm requirements with the university before applying.