Which are the best universities in Edinburgh for international students?

Universities in Edinburgh on our Top 50 UK list include The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University. Compare their rankings, fees and intakes in the table on this page.

How much does it cost to live in Edinburgh as a student?

For the Student visa you must show £1,171 per month for living costs (up to nine months) because Edinburgh is outside London. Actual costs depend on your accommodation and lifestyle.

What are the intakes for universities in Edinburgh?

September/October is the main intake. Many universities also offer January intakes for selected postgraduate courses.

What IELTS score do I need to study in Edinburgh?

Most universities ask for IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 overall depending on the course, and top universities can ask for 7.0 or more. PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are widely accepted.

How can GIEC Global help me study in Edinburgh?

GIEC Global offers free counselling, university shortlisting, SOP help, application support and Student visa guidance for universities in Edinburgh.

Top Universities in Edinburgh for International Students

Q: Can international students work while studying in Edinburgh?

Yes. Degree-level Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official holidays.

Q: Can I stay and work in the UK after my degree?

Yes. The Graduate Route visa lets eligible graduates stay and work — currently two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates (reducing to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027) and three years for PhD graduates.

Why study in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital, a UNESCO World Heritage city famous for its castle, its Old and New Towns and the world’s largest arts festival every August.

Edinburgh is home to 2 of the universities in our Top 50 UK list for international students, so you can choose between different teaching styles, campus types and fee levels in the same city.

Top universities in Edinburgh for international students

The University of Edinburgh — QS 2026: #34. Founded in 1583, Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s ancient universities and is known worldwide for research in informatics, AI, medicine and the humanities.
Heriot-Watt University — QS 2026: #287. Heriot-Watt traces its history to 1821, when the School of Arts of Edinburgh was founded.

Compare universities in Edinburgh

This table compares the universities on this page by ranking, approximate international tuition fee, intakes and typical English requirement. Fees and requirements change every year and vary by course, so confirm the latest figures on each official website.

University	Ranking	Tuition fee (international)	Intakes	English requirement
The University of Edinburgh	—	—	—	—
Heriot-Watt University	—	—	—	—

Entry requirements to study in Edinburgh

Undergraduate: good Class 12 / high-school results (top universities expect very high grades), or an international foundation year. Applications go through UCAS.
Postgraduate: a relevant bachelor’s degree — leading universities usually expect the equivalent of a UK 2:1, while many others consider around 55–60% from recognised Indian universities.
English: usually IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 overall depending on the university and course; PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and English waivers are accepted by many universities.
Documents: passport, transcripts, statement of purpose, references, CV, and a portfolio for creative courses.

Cost of studying and living in Edinburgh

International tuition at the universities listed here ranges from about £19,000 to £38,000 per year, depending on the university and course. Business and humanities courses are usually cheaper than laboratory, engineering, MBA and medical courses.

Cost	Estimate
Living costs for the Student visa (outside London rate)	£1,171 per month · £10,539 for 9 months
Tuition fee	See the comparison table above
Visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge	Paid with the visa application (check GOV.UK)

Edinburgh is outside London, but private rents here can be relatively high, so apply for university accommodation early.

Intakes and application deadlines

September/October is the main intake. Several universities on this page also offer a January intake for selected postgraduate courses. For most other undergraduate courses the UCAS equal-consideration deadline is in late January, while postgraduate applications are usually open on a rolling basis. Apply 8–12 months ahead for the best chance of offers and scholarships.

Work while you study and after graduation

Degree-level Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time in official vacations, and Edinburgh offers part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, campus roles and internships. After graduation, the Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work in the UK — currently two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates (reducing to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027) and three years for PhD graduates.

Student life in Edinburgh

You will find Indian groceries, restaurants and cultural events, plus easy rail links to the rest of the UK. Scotland’s friendly cities and dramatic landscapes make student life memorable.

How GIEC Global helps you study in Edinburgh

GIEC Global’s UK counsellors help you shortlist the right universities in Edinburgh, check eligibility, write a strong SOP, apply for scholarships, prepare for credibility interviews and complete your Student visa application — free of cost.