University of Edinburgh Acceptance Rate and Requirements

Nestled in the historic land of Scotland stands the famous University of Edinburgh, which has a rich academic heritage, revolutionary research footprints, and countless aspiring students dreaming of studying there. Ranked 27th by the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 14th by the Guardian Best UK Universities, it challenges students with its tough 9.2% acceptance rate and strict admission requirements. So what are those tough admission requirements and what does it take to get accepted? This blog is a go-to comprehensive guide for UK and international students and their parents wanting to study at the University of Edinburgh. It shares the latest acceptance rates, the easiest and most difficult courses to get into, and tips for your application.

Crimson Education’s UK Universities Admissions Success

Crimson Education is proud to have helped hundreds of students from the UK and Europe gain acceptance to the top UK universities including Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and more. Up to this day, we have helped 294 students secure places at Oxbridge and 2,370+ students gain acceptance to other Top 10 universities with our support, one of the highest success rates globally. This number grows and breaks new admission records every year proving our dedication to student success. Are you or your child aiming to study at one of the top UK universities and need support on your academic journey? Schedule a consultation with one of our academic advisors to explore our personalised, premium programmes. The earlier start means a lot more chances!

For updated annual acceptance rates and detailed breakdowns, we recommend reviewing the most recent University of Edinburgh admissions statistics on their website.

Do you think the University of Edinburgh will get a higher or lower number of applicants in the next admission cycle? And will you be one of them? Follow us on our Instagram to keep up to date with the latest UK university admission news!

The University of Edinburgh: Most and Least Competitive Courses

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of nearly 60 undergraduate programmes, including joint and single degrees allowing you to. With Medicine, Law and Psychology courses being the most popular and Chemistry and Physics courses the least, the acceptance rates tend to vary significantly. Let’s look at these courses and compare their competitiveness.

The competitiveness of these courses underscores the importance of tailored application support. Our team at Crimson can help applicants navigate the application process to increase their chances, even for the University of Edinburgh’s most sought-after programmes.

Admission Requirements for UK Students

To meet minimum entry requirements, UK applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic profiles and a strong passion for the chosen subject. The University of Edinburgh admissions office recognises a wide range of UK and equivalent International curricula. Below are the standard entry requirements for UK students:

1. A-Levels: Students are expected to meet the standard entry requirements of A*AA - AAB, however, for the most competitive courses only students with exceeded results might be considered. At least three upper-grade A-Levels must be presented of the required subjects for the chosen degree programme.
2. GCSEs: GCSE results at A or 7 are not mandatory, however, demonstrating a strong set of scores can be evaluated and strengthen your application.
3. Course Specific Admission Tests: Some courses require high performance in additional entrance exams, such as the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) for Medicine.
4. Outstanding super-curricular or work experience: To demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion for your chosen subject, the university will be looking for proof of what you have been doing outside of school to showcase your interest in the chosen subject. It could be a relevant work experience, competitions, voluntary activities or an academic research project. This could be your golden ticket demonstrating your commitment and suitability for the course.
5. Personal Statement: Writing a compelling personal statement should not be underestimated! Most of the applicants usually present strong grades, therefore, the personal statement is your perfect opportunity to stand out and showcase why you are a perfect candidate. It must demonstrate your skills, academic achievements and activities related to the subject you are applying.
6. Interview: If considered for Medicine, Nursing or Teacher Education, you will be invited to attend a half-day interview to prove your suitability for the course. There, admissions officers will have a chance to meet you in person and judge your problem-solving abilities, passion and fluency about the subject and the actual university.

For more precise admission requirements to your chosen degree, please check the University of Edinburgh’s degree finder tool.

Admission Requirements for International Students from Europe

The University of Edinburgh recognises and adapts to most of the UK and European qualifications. If the qualification is not listed, it is advisable to get in touch with the university directly to examine your possibilities. In general, European students must demonstrate the same academic standards as UK students with some additional requirements too:

1. International Baccalaureate (IB): The University of Edinburgh typically requires an IB score of 39 points with 666 at HL to 36 points with 665 at HL.
2. English language proficiency: If you are not a national of an English-speaking country, you will be required to prove your English language proficiency with one of the following qualifications: IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), Oxford ELLT (Oxford English Language Level Test). The university also accepts IB Standard Level at 5, IB Middle Years Programme English Language and Literature at 5 and many other international qualifications. The tests should ideally be completed no earlier than two years after the course start date to ensure results are current.

Are you worried about your grades or test scores? There is nothing that our expert tutors and mentors couldn’t help you tackle! We offer comprehensive academic tutoring and development of your application to increase your chances of acceptance. You just need to book a consultation with our academic advisors to discuss the right support for you.

Crimson Education Premium University Admission Support

Crimson Education offers premium personalised admissions support programmes led by former admissions officers from top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, the University of Edinburgh and more. Our network includes 2,400+ expert tutors, mentors, and strategists from the top 25 UK universities. We provide premium comprehensive guidance tailored to each student and designed to maximise success in the competitive admissions landscape. Here’s a closer look at the services we offer:

Strategy & Application Support for UCAS Applications
We begin with an Initial Consultation to set your goals and assess your needs. In the second week, we develop a personalised Roadmap outlining each step of your journey, with regular strategy meetings to keep you focused and on track.

Our support includes:

• Customised Roadmap: Our in-platform roadmap keeps every step of the UK application process organised and focused, with real-time updates to track your progress.
• Candidacy Positioning: We assess your profile and develop an application strategy to emphasise your strengths and distinguish you from other international applicants.
• University Selection: Our advisors recommend the best universities based on acceptance rates, personal preferences, location, and overall fit.

Personalised Essay Support & Strategy
Our Essay Mentors offer dedicated support in crafting your UCAS Personal Statement, with access to a database of over 1000+ sample essays and personalised one-on-one brainstorming sessions to shape your narrative.

Tailored Interview Preparation
For students applying to courses with interview requirements, our Interview Mentors provide targeted interview preparation. This includes taired mock interviews with subject-specific questions, developed by mentors who have passed Oxbridge or medical interviews, as well as personalised feedback to help you present your ideas confidently.

VIP Personal Statement Review
Our VIP Personal Statement Review service brings an extra level of insight from a senior Crimson Strategy team member, such as a former Oxbridge admissions officer, senior tutor, or current Oxbridge supervisor, to refine and polish your statement.

Academic Tutoring and Supercurriculars Development
In addition, our academic resources offer personalised tutoring for essential entrance exams, such as the UCAT, MAT, PAT, and ESAT, tailored to your target universities and subjects. We also help students engage in relevant supercurricular activities that deepen their knowledge in their intended field of study.

Research Opportunities through a Summer Programme
Through Crimson’s Summer Research Programme, students engage in a six-week intensive research course to produce publication-ready papers, supported by over 30 hours of instruction from PhD fellows in small online classes. Students can select from fields like International Politics, Artificial Intelligence, Economics, and more, working with university professors from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.

Comprehensive UCAS Application Guidance
We offer end-to-end UCAS application support, from test prep to personal statements, and extracurriculars to interview prep. We also provide strategic advice for reference letters and support with post-application communication, supplementary information requests, and additional university choice consulting for those admitted to multiple universities.

To get more information on how we can help you, please visit our UK admissions support page or Book a consultation with one of our Academic Advisors to see how we can elevate your journey to Cambridge.

Is the University of Edinburgh right for you?

Choosing the right university is a significant decision that should be based on multiple factors. The University of Edinburgh offers a rich academic experience in a vibrant city, but it's essential to consider your academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences.

Life after the University of Edinburgh

Being a student at the University of Edinburgh can open up many doors for you in the future. Renowned global organisations such as Google, Goldman Sachs, and CitiGroup often consider graduates from this prestigious university as potential employees. The University of Edinburgh is also recognised for its high graduate earning potential, a testament to the quality of education it provides.

Moreover, as an Edinburgh alumnus, you become part of an elite network of accomplished individuals across various fields. This network can prove invaluable as you navigate your professional journey. Some of the notable alumni of the University of Edinburgh include:

• Charles Darwin: Naturalist, Geologist, Biologist
• Sir Walter Scott: Historical Novelist, Poet, Playwright
• Robert Louis Stevenson: Author of 'Treasure Island' and 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'
• Gordon Brown: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• J.K. Rowling: Author of the 'Harry Potter' series
• Piers Sellers: Astronaut and Climate Scientist
• Julius Nyerere: First President of Tanzania
• Chris Hoy: Olympic Gold Medallist Cyclist

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Join Our Free Webinars on UK University Applications
• The Ultimate UK University Admissions Guide
• How to Choose the Right UK University
• Extracurricular Activities in UK University Applications
• Follow us on Instagram for more UK university admission news and tips!