Edinburgh Napier University is a state university in Edinburgh, Scotland, recognized for career-orientated education and applied research. It has a total enrollment of about 20,000 students, including international students. Its admissions are moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of roughly 56%. Its popular programs are Business, Engineering, Nursing, Computer Science, and Media Studies. The graduation rate is around 72%, and the median salary of Napier graduates is around INR 37,80,000 (from converted £36,000 median earnings a decade after graduation).
The University of Edinburgh is a world-renowned public research university and Russell Group member, also based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's one of the top universities globally, with around 45,000 students enrolled. Admissions are extremely competitive with an acceptance rate of approximately 30%. Medicine, Law, Business, Computer Science, and Social Sciences are among the most popular majors. The graduation rate is approximately 85%, and the median salary at graduation is around INR 56,70,000 (equivalent to £54,000 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| Edinburgh Napier University | University of Edinburgh | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 6.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 94 The Guardian 2026 # 601 Times Higher Education 2026 # 851 QS World University 2026 | # 13 The Guardian 2026 # 29 Times Higher Education 2026 # 34 QS World University 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 301 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 41 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 58 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 24 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 20 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -41 PG Programs -49 | UG Programs -41 PG Programs -73 Doctorate Programs -8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 56.0 % | 10.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 PTE-56 TOEFL-80 | IELTS-7 PTE-73 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 15761.8 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 16417.7 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 1023 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 34713 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28380 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 5200 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and average salary are as follows: Other Degree: $55,000 Masters in Finance: $45,000 Masters in Science: $43,000 Executive Masters: $41,000 Bachelor of Arts: $40,000 Bachelor (Other): $38,000 | The University of Edinburgh is one of the top public universities in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is ranked #15 in QS World University Rankings 2023.Graduate Employability Ranking #49;Top recruiters: Tesco Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Avaloq Evolution AG, Scottish Government; Average Salaries by the degree:
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| application requirements | Check program specific requirements Submit English language proficiency scores | Transcripts; Proof of English Language Proficiency; Portfolio; Work experience; LORs; Resume; Standardized scores (Optional); Research papers. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 5.8/10 Read 1 reviews | 7.3/10 Read 29 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 501 for Sciences by Times Higher Education 2022 | # 24 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 56/90 | IELTS - 7/9PTE - 73/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| application dates | Jan 22, 2025 (UCAS Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | Mar 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) May 31, 2026 (Application Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Edinburgh Napier University | University of Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1965 | 1583 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 44% Male, 56% Female | 62% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | University has three campuses across Edinburgh offering state-of-the-art facilities for learning and research. Craiglockhart campus blends the old and the new. Engineering and built environment, computing and creative industries students are based at Merchiston. Sighthill campus serves more than 5,000 students and staff of the School of Applied Sciences and the School of Health & Social Care. | 5 campuses in Edinburgh- Central, King's Buildings, BioQuarter, Western General, Easter Bush; Comprises of 135 acres of land. |
| Library | The on campus libraries offer a wealth of resources, help and advice, as well as a great place to study. over 200,000 print and audio-visual learning and research materials; | Over 3.5 million books; 60 km of Special Collections; Museum and Art Collections; 85,000+ e-journals; 600,000 e-books. |
| Campus Life | Edinburgh Napier, offers you a wide range of support to help you fulfil your potential, keep healthy and make the most of your time here. Whether you feel like you’re already meeting the challenge or would like a helping hand, our dedicated student support teams will be here to listen, offer guidance and point you in the right direction. Edinburgh Napier currently houses 1,240 students over three sites in and around the city centre. University's accommodation is affordable, modern and supported by a dedicated team of University staff. | Over 290 clubs & societies; Exhibitions; Festivals; Open Days; Gifford Lectures; 10 gyms including- spin studio, Velo-city, Katherine Grainger Rowing Gym, 102-station cardiovascular gym, etc.; 60 Sports clubs; 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool; Multi-activity sports halls; Peffermill Playing Fields. |
| Hostel | #Living costs - $1023 | - |
| Famous Alumni | John Andrew Barrett, former Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Peter Hoffmann, author, athlete, fencer Shehzad Afzal, film director and screenwriter | 3 UK PM’s; 19 Nobel laureates; 3 Turing Award laureates; 1 Fields Medalist; 1 Abel Prize winner; 2 Pulitzer Prize winners; 2 currently sitting UK Supreme Court Justices; several Olympic gold medallists; Robert Edwards (pioneer of in-vitro fertilization); Daniel Rutherford; Alexander Graham Bell; William Wordsworth; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Charles Darwin; Ian Charleson (Actor); J.K. Rowling; Gordon Brown (Former PM of UK) |
| City Life | Vibrant, cosmopolitan and consistently voted one of the best cities in the world, Edinburgh is the perfect place to experience student life or build your career. It's big enough to have everything you need, yet small enough to feel like home. No matter where you're from, the Festival City is ready to welcome you. The city is bursting with cafes, pubs and clubs. There are museums and art galleries across the city, live music venues, hidden markets and more history than you can possibly imagine. Volcanic foundations frame medieval architecture, while mountains, valleys, lochs and jagged coastline envelop the city. The best part is how easy it is to get both around and out of the city into the countryside. Half an hour on the bus will see you on the edge of the North Sea, or up a craggy hill in the Pentlands. | Edinburgh- seat of the Scottish Government, Parliament and the supreme courts of Scotland; 2nd most populous city in Scotland; Known for National Museum of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh International Festival, Fringe (world's largest annual international arts festival), Palace of Holyroodhouse; Unemployment rate 2.9%. |
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Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Edinburgh
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
University of Edinburgh is among the top universities in the world and is ranked continuously among the top 29 in QS ranking 2026 . It is globally recognized for medicine, informatics, business, law, arts & humanities, and social sciences teaching and research.Edinburgh Napier University is more vocationally and professionally focused, ranked in the 601 band internationally (QS 2026), with the following strengths: business, creative industries, engineering, computing, and nursing. The university is renowned for applied research and strong industry connections.
General Information
University of Edinburgh is part of the Russell Group and research-led university with an international student population of ~50,000 students, including more than 15,000 international students.Edinburgh Napier University has approximately 20,000 students, with a high proportion overseas (140+ nations represented). It has a strong emphasis on employability and vocational education, with numerous industry-linked degrees.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
University of Edinburgh: Highly competitive, with a general acceptance rate of 40% but much lower for subjects like medicine, law, and business. Students should possess higher academic credentials.Edinburgh Napier University: Not so much, with an acceptance rate of about 56–65%. Requirements are less stringent, and it highly attracts international students seeking career-focused degrees
Research Impact & Facilities
University of Edinburgh: An R1-equivalent world-class research university, producing innovative science, medicine, AI, and humanities research. It has Nobel Prize winners as alumni and holds a central position in Scotland's innovation system.Edinburgh Napier University: Reputed for applied research, particularly in sustainable building, transport, renewable energy, nursing, and cyber security. It is highly linked with industry but produces less research than Edinburgh.
Cost & Financial Aid
University of Edinburgh: International undergraduate tuition fees range £25,000–£38,000 per annum, with medicine and lab courses higher. Merit-based scholarships and research funding for postgraduates.Edinburgh Napier University: Lower priced, with international fees around £15,000–£18,000 per annum, making it a good option for students looking for a lower UK tariff. Scholarships available for international students, but at lower levels.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
University of Edinburgh: Its global reputation ensures that its graduates are hot commodities worldwide, with superb results in academia, medicine, law, finance, technology, and the arts. Nobel prize winners, heads of nations, and visionaries are part of its alumni list.Edinburgh Napier University: It is famous for vocationally centered education, and its graduates do well in creative industries, computing, business, and nursing. It has high employment rates, particularly in the UK and EU labor markets, but it does not have international prestige like Edinburgh's.
