University of Edinburgh vs University of Glasgow

University of Edinburgh vs University of Glasgow

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The University of Edinburgh, situated in Scotland's capital city, is one of the top public research universities in Scotland. The university has about 35,000 students and is moderately selective, with a 10% acceptance rate. The university's strongest academic programs include Medicine, Law, Informatics, Engineering, and Social Sciences. The graduation rate at the University of Edinburgh is high at approximately 80-85%, and graduates earn early career salaries of about INR 36-40 lakhs per annum (33,000-37,000 GBP).

The University of Glasgow is also a top public research university located in the West End of Glasgow. The University of Glasgow has around 30,000 students and is similarly selective, with about a 15% acceptance rate. The University of Glasgow has flagship academic programs in Life Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Business, and Humanities. The graduation rate at the University of Glasgow is also strong at approximately 78-82%, and graduates earn early career salaries of about INR 34-38 lakhs per annum (31,000-35,000 GBP).

Overview Comparison
University of EdinburghUniversity of Glasgow
Collegedunia Score6.9 Out of 106.2 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 13 The Guardian 2026
# 29 Times Higher Education 2026
# 34 QS World University 2026
# 24 The Guardian 2026
# 79 QS World University 2026
# 84 Times Higher Education 2026
Subject Strength# 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
# 152 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 44 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -41
PG Programs -73
Doctorate Programs -8
UG Programs -30
PG Programs -78
Doctorate Programs -6
Acceptance Rate10.0 %28.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-7
PTE-73
TOEFL-100
GMAT-600
GRE-304
IELTS-6.5
PTE-59
TOEFL-110
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   34713
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  28380
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 5200 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   31510
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  33619
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 9623 Per Year
placement (average package)

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:

  • MBA: $129,000 
  • Bachelor (Other): $99,000 
  • Executive MBA: $93,000 
  • PhD: $80,000 
  • Executive Masters: $75,000 
  • Masters of Arts: $69,000 

Graduate Employability Ranking: #131-140, 
LLM: up to $86,000.
PhD: $81,000. 
BSc: $65,000 


application requirements

Transcripts; Proof of English Language Proficiency; Portfolio; Work experience; LORs; Resume; Standardized scores (Optional); Research papers.

International applicants must fulfill country-specific requirements,
Bachelors aspirants from India must have at least 75% average score. 
PG aspirants from India must have 1st division across all years of UG studies.

Campuses and B-SchoolsNAAdam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
CollegeDunia Reviews7.3/10 Read 29 reviews7.8/10 Read 42 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 6 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 73 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 121 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 38 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 99 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 134 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresGMAT - 600/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 73/90TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 90/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesOct 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Nov 26, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jan 28, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 4, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Apr 22, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jun 10, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Aug 21, 2026 (Application Deadline for September 2026)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of Glasgow
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1583
1451
Student:Faculty Ratio:1
5:1:1
Male:Female62% Male, 0% Female0% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

5 campuses in Edinburgh- Central, King's Buildings, BioQuarter, Western General, Easter Bush; Comprises of 135 acres of land.


It has three campuses Gilmore hills, Garscube, and Dumfries. The main campus is Gillmore hills located within Glasgow’s West End, three miles from the city center. Garscube campus is 4 miles from main campus and Dumfries campus is surrounded by gardens and parkland in Southwest of Scottland.


Library

Over 3.5 million books; 60 km of Special Collections; Museum and Art Collections; 85,000+ e-journals; 600,000 e-books.


2.5 million books and journals. 1,8532,00 ebooks and 50,00 journals. There is an additional archival collection as well. 


Campus Life

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.


There are over 200 student clubs and societies. It has 4 media groups including a magazine, a radio station, a newspaper, and a television. All of these have won some national awards. Wellbeing and fitness clubs along with over 50 sports clubs are offered to students. Two major student unions and one student representative council offer support and help to the freshman. 


Hostel-#Rooms - $7135
Famous Alumni

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)


Seven Nobel prize winners, Scotland’s first minister, and a prime minister are a part of the alumni community. Some of the famous names are Adam Smith (economist), Nicola Sturgeon (First minister of Scotland), Kenneth Calman (Chancellor University of Glasgow), Willson Thomas (mathematician), Gerard Butler (Actor), Henry Campbell (Former PM of UK), Edwin Morgan (poet), etc. 


City Life

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%.


The city of Glasgow offers botanic gardens, live music, museums, parks, theatres, and a lot more to explore. It is also considered as a shoppers paradise offering high-end brands to vintage wares. Finneiston neighborhood is the city’s food quarter catering to every foodie’s need and demand. It is UK’s first UNESCO city of music and offers a buzzing nightlife with pubs, bars, and ballroom. The unemployment rate is around 5,7%.    


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Edinburgh vs University of Glasgow

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both universities consistently place in the worldwide top 100 ranking. The University of Edinburgh has an excellent reputation particularly in areas like Medicine, Informatics (Computer Science & AI), Law, and Arts & Humanities. The University of Glasgow has an excellent reputation in areas like Veterinary Medicine, Life Sciences, Education, and Social Sciences. Generally, Edinburgh ranks higher again, without generally being preferred in any subjects, oppositionally, Glasgow ranks well specifically subject areas and both universities are highly regarded for research impact.

General Information

The University of Edinburgh, established in 1583, is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world and is located in Scotland’s capital city in an historic environment with an international feel. The University of Glasgow, established in 1451, is among the world’s oldest universities and is located in Scotland’s largest city that boasts a rich urban (city) and cultural context. Edinburgh is a larger city with over 40,000 students while Glasgow has about 35,000 and both universities offer diverse international communities. 

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

These universities are considered to be competitive; the entry acceptance rate at the University of Edinburgh is about 33-35% making them fairly competitive with Medicine, Law, and Computer Science being highly selective; the University of Glasgow’s acceptance is estimated at 40-45% again being highly competitive for Veterinary Medicine, Life Sciences, and Education. International students can expect to meet high entry requirements for both Edinburgh and Glasgow with Edinburgh being the more competitive of the two universities, generally.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both universities are in the Russell Group and identified as international research powerhouses. Edinburgh has a dominant presence in informatics, data science, and medicine, with globally recognized institutions such as the Roslin Institute. Glasgow has a high profile in biomedical sciences, veterinary, and social policy, with excellent research labs, hospitals, and teaching facilities. 

Cost & Financial Aid

Both universities charge international undergraduates between £23,000 - £32,000 per year for tuition fees, depending on the program. Living expenses are slightly higher in Edinburgh as it is a capital city, whilst Glasgow is more affordable. Both universities offer scholarships for merit-based study, enhancing the end-to-end student experience, as well as academic/research and international scholarships.

Career Destinations & Graduates' Success

Graduates from Edinburgh are in great demand across the globe, and commonly go into professions in medicine, law, technology, and international organizations; its reputation and presence across the globe also gives great career mobility. Glasgow's graduates also establish professional careers in health, veterinary science, education, and social sciences; alumni networks also support their graduates in the UK and abroad. Both have excellent employment rates, with Edinburgh being marginally more recognized globally, and Glasgow more recognized in some professions.