University of Edinburgh World Ranking

​Latest Update  In April 2025, the University of Edinburgh launched a new AI hub, positioning Scotland’s capital as the UK’s leading AI city. This initiative, in collaboration with Cerebras Systems, introduced Europe’s largest AI chip cluster, significantly enhancing the university’s capabilities in artificial intelligence research and innovation.

The University of Edinburgh, a tier-1 institution in the UK, continues to secure its place among the world’s top universities.

In 2025, it ranked 27th in QS World Rankings, 29th in Times Higher Education Rankings, and 38th in U.S. News Global Rankings. Subject-wise, it placed 5th globally in Medicine, Veterinary Science, and Arts and Humanities. It was also ranked 6th among UK institutions by U.S. News and placed 7th in QS Sustainability Rankings. These positions reflect academic strength, global influence, and institutional stability.

This guide helps you understand what these rankings really mean. You will learn the University of Edinburgh rankings, how each system evaluates universities, how the University of Edinburgh performs across subjects, and what recognitions set it apart. If you are planning to apply, these details will give you the clarity to choose your program confidently.

University of Edinburgh World Rankings 2024-25

In 2025, the University of Edinburgh ranked 27th in QS, 29th in THE, and 38th in U.S. News rankings. These figures show a stable global standing. You should know these rankings to assess international recognition and academic influence.

Here is a year-by-year comparison from top global ranking bodies to help you understand the University's position across time.

Ranking Body	2023	2024	2025
QS World Rankings	15	22	27
THE World Rankings	29	=30	29
U.S. News & World Report's Rankings	34	38	38

Now, take a closer look at how these numbers have shifted over time with a visual representation of the University of Edinburgh rankings.

The QS World Rankings show a steady decline from 15 in 2023 to 22 in 2024 and 27 in 2025, indicating increased global competition in academic reputation and citations. In contrast, THE Rankings have remained nearly stable, moving slightly from 29 in 2023 to =30 in 2024, then returning to 29 in 2025, reflecting consistency in teaching and research metrics. 

U.S. News Rankings placed the university at 34 in 2023 and 38 in both 2024 and 2025, showing minimal variation. 

Overall, while QS reflects a competitive global landscape, both THE and U.S. News rankings highlight the University of Edinburgh’s resilience in core academic performance and institutional stability. These figures matter if you're comparing long-term global standing before applying.

Want help deciding if this university fits your academic plans? Book a free 1:1 session with upGrad’s counsellors to explore courses, rankings, and admission tips tailored to your goals.

Curious about which subjects at the University of Edinburgh lead globally? The next section breaks it down with facts that matter to your career planning.

Subject-wise Rankings of University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh ranks 5th in Medicine and Veterinary Science (QS), 11th in Arts & Humanities (THE and U.S. News), and 36th in Surgery (U.S. News). These figures reflect academic strength in both theory and applied fields. You should review them to match your academic interest with globally respected programs.

Start with the QS Rankings to see which subjects place the university among the top five globally.

QS Rankings 2025

In the QS Rankings 2025, the University of Edinburgh ranks 5th in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Arts & Humanities. These top subject rankings show why the university stands out among academic institutions worldwide. You should know this to evaluate subject-level strength.

Explore the following subject rankings to see where the University of Edinburgh delivers global excellence.

Subject	Rankings 2025
Veterinary Science	5
Arts & Humanities	5
History	=13
Medicine	5
Law	21

Want to know how the University of Edinburgh performs in another respected global list? See how it fares in the Times Higher Education Rankings next.

THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings 2025

In 2025, the University of Edinburgh ranks 11th in Arts & Humanities, 16th in Law, and 21st in Medical & Health in THE subject rankings. These ranks reflect consistent performance in competitive fields. You should know this to compare subject-wise credibility.

Check the subject-specific THE rankings below to assess where the university holds strong academic ground.

Subject	Rankings 2025
Arts & Humanities	11
Medical & Health	=21
Computer Science	29
Law	16
Psychology	23

Looking for how the University of Edinburgh stands in American-based rankings? The next section takes you through the U.S. News Rankings 2025 with figures you shouldn’t skip.

U.S. News Rankings 2025

In the 2025 U.S. News Rankings, the University of Edinburgh is placed 11th in Arts & Humanities, 36th in Surgery, and 61st in Computer Science. These numbers reflect the university’s strength in both research and professional disciplines. You should know this to compare its position in U.S.-based evaluation systems.

Review the subject-specific rankings below to understand how the university performs in high-demand academic areas.

Subject	Rankings 2025
Arts & Humanities	11
Computer Science	61
Surgery	36
Micro Biology	52
Economics & Business	128

Want to know more about courses, fees, and how to apply? Check out our University of Edinburgh overview page. You’ll find everything you need to plan your application with confidence.

Wondering how else the University of Edinburgh is being recognised globally? The next section highlights some lesser-known but important rankings worth your attention.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

In 2025, the University of Edinburgh ranked 6th in U.S. News Best Global Universities in the UK and shared 7th in QS Sustainability. These rankings show the university’s strength in sustainability, innovation, and local impact. You should know this to assess performance beyond academics.

Check the following rankings to see how the university performs in sustainability, social contribution, and UK-specific evaluations.

Ranking Body	Ranking Description	Ranking
QS World Sustainability Rankings 2025	Measures environmental and social impact of global universities	=7
U.S. News Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom 2025	Ranks top UK institutions based on academic research and reputation	6
THE Impact Rankings	Assesses universities against UN Sustainable Development Goals	=89
THE Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	Evaluates contribution to innovation, patents, and industrial collaboration	=1

The University of Edinburgh’s rankings reflect both academic excellence and societal contribution. With a =7 rank in QS Sustainability and 6th in U.S. News UK rankings, it shows strong local and global presence. 

Its =1 position in THE Innovation proves its industrial relevance, while =89 in THE Impact Rankings highlights room for growth in social metrics. These results offer a full picture of its reputation and influence.

Thinking about applying? Visit the University of Edinburgh Admission Page to check entry requirements, deadlines, and everything you need to get started.

Curious how such impressive rankings match with the university’s acceptance rate? The next section compares its global reputation with how selective it is.

University of Edinburgh: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

The University of Edinburgh has an overall acceptance rate of 47%, but select programs vary widely. Law admits 74%, while Arts accepts just 13%, despite ranking 11th globally. You should know this to target programs that match your academic profile and admission chances.

The following table shows how global rankings compare with subject-level acceptance rates.

Subject	Ranking	Acceptance Rate
Law	21 (QS)	74%
Business	128 (U.S. News)	22%
Arts	11 (THE)	13%

Note: The acceptance rate varies according to subject, academic year, and program type. 

What makes a university globally respected beyond rankings and selectivity? The next section walks you through the milestones and recognitions that make the University of Edinburgh stand out.

University of Edinburgh: Excellence and Achievements

The University of Edinburgh received the Chancellor’s Award for Research, was named Scotland’s top university for Sport & Active Wellbeing, and earned the CDCS Digital Research Prize. 

Additionally, the university recorded a peak of 49,485 matriculated students in the 2023/24 session, highlighting its expansive academic community. These recognitions and figures underscore the university's commitment to excellence across academics, student life, and cultural innovation.

Begin with its academic achievements to see how national recognition reflects teaching quality and research strength.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

The University of Edinburgh received the Chancellor’s Awards for both Research and Teaching, and ranked 4th in the UK for research power in REF 2021. You should know these milestones to evaluate the university’s academic credibility and national reputation.

Here are some notable recognitions that underscore the university's academic stature.

Recognition	Description
Chancellor’s Award for Research (2024)	Awarded to Professor Shannon Vallor for her influential work in AI ethics, enhancing the university's global research profile.
Chancellor’s Award for Teaching (2024)	Granted to Professor Meryl Kenny for her significant contributions to interdisciplinary education and curriculum development.
Edinburgh Award	Recognizes over 1,000 students annually for their engagement in activities beyond academics, promoting personal and professional growth.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021	Ranked 4th in the UK for research power, with 90% of research rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

Beyond academic accolades, the University of Edinburgh also excels in creating a vibrant community and enriching student life.

What initiatives and recognitions contribute to the community & environment? Let’s explore them next.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

The University of Edinburgh was named the number one university for Sport & Active Wellbeing in Scotland. The Student Awards celebrated initiatives like 'Cards for Care Homes' and the Edinburgh Award, highlighting the university's commitment to student welfare and community engagement. 

You should know these recognitions to understand how the university supports a balanced and enriching student experience.​

Here are some notable recognitions that underscore the university's dedication to community and lifestyle excellence:​

Recognition	Description
Number One University for Sport & Active Wellbeing in Scotland (2024)	Acknowledged for leading in sports participation, facilities, and wellness programs, reflecting a strong commitment to student health and engagement.
Student Awards 2024 – Outstanding Contribution to Community Wellbeing	Awarded to Julie Ann Fooshee for the 'Cards for Care Homes' project, delivering over 2,000 holiday cards to care facility residents, enhancing community connections.
Edinburgh Award	A skills development program recognizing students' extracurricular involvement, promoting personal growth and community contribution.
Sustainability Awards	Recognizes efforts in promoting sustainable practices within the university community, encouraging environmental responsibility among students and staff.

What achievements highlight its commitment to the arts and innovation? Let's explore the cultural and creative excellence that defines the university's environment.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

The University of Edinburgh's cultural contributions were recognised through awards like the CDCS Digital Research Prizes and the Arts Award's Trinity Champion Centre status. These accolades underscore the university's dedication to cultivating creativity and innovation. 

Here are some notable recognitions that underscore the university's cultural and creative achievements:​

Recognition	Description
CDCS Digital Research Prizes	Awarded for excellence in data-led projects across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, showcasing creativity and impact in digital research.
Arts Award - Trinity Champion Centre	Recognised for inspiring young people to develop leadership and creativity skills through various arts programmes.
Advancing Impact Award (Arts and Humanities)	Granted to individuals demonstrating significant contributions to arts and humanities, reflecting the university's commitment to societal impact through creative disciplines.

Curious about how these recognitions influence university rankings? The next section delves into the methodologies behind major ranking bodies.

Ranking Bodies Methodologies

Ranking systems weigh different factors. QS puts 30% on academic reputation, THE gives 32.5% to teaching, and U.S. News assigns 20% to peer assessment. You should know this to interpret the University of Edinburgh rankings accurately based on what each system values.

Start with how QS evaluates global universities to understand the foundation of its ranking model.

QS World University Rankings

QS evaluates universities using weighted indicators like Academic Reputation (30%), Citations per Faculty (20%), and Employer Reputation (15%). These three make up 65% of the total score. You should study this to understand how QS ranks global academic and research performance.

Here is a breakdown of the specific focus areas and their assigned weightage in the QS World University Rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research and Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability and Outcomes	Employer Reputation	15%
	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability	5%

Want to know how another global ranking body compares its evaluation criteria? Let’s move to the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings next.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

THE assigns 30% weightage to Research Environment and 32.5% to Teaching, making them the most influential areas. It also includes detailed metrics like citation impact and doctoral output. You should understand this to see how THE values academic depth and institutional scale.

Here’s a detailed table showing the indicators and weightage used by THE to evaluate global universities.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching Reputation	15%
	Staff-to-student ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio	2%
	Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio	5.5%
	Institutional income	2.5%
Research Environment	Research reputation	18%
	Research income	5.5%
	Research productivity	5.5%
Research Quality	Citation impact	15%
	Research strength	5%
	Research excellence	5%
	Research influence	5%
International Outlook	Proportion of international students	2.5%
	Proportion of international staff	2.5%
	International collaboration	2.5%
Industry	Industry income	2%
	Patents	2%

Wondering how a U.S.-based ranking system evaluates global universities differently? Let’s break down the U.S. News & World Report methodology next.

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

U.S. News places the highest weight on peer assessment (20%) and graduation rates (16%), with significant focus on student outcomes and faculty quality. You should understand this to see how the ranking prioritizes institutional reputation and student success.

Below is the detailed distribution of indicators used by U.S. News & World Report to rank global universities.

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

These methodologies reveal how each ranking system captures different dimensions of university performance. Use them to interpret the University of Edinburgh rankings with clarity and purpose.

Conclusion

The University of Edinburgh ranked 27th in QS, 29th in THE, and 38th in U.S. News in 2025, showing a stable position in global rankings. It placed 5th in Medicine, Veterinary Science, and Arts & Humanities, and 11th in Surgery and Law across various subject-specific lists. The university also ranked 6th among UK institutions in U.S. News, 7th in QS Sustainability Rankings, and 1st in THE’s Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure category.

These rankings, combined with national awards and a strong research profile, highlight why the University of Edinburgh remains one of the UK’s most respected institutions. If you are looking for a university that combines academic strength, international recognition, and a dynamic student environment, Edinburgh deserves your consideration.