Scotland is a popular choice for people seeking top-notch higher education from reputed international universities. From under graduation to higher studies, this country has plenty of great universities to offer quality education. The top universities in Scotland have well-maintained infrastructures and are welcoming to international students. Several universities in Scotland allow students to be a part of world-renowned research programs. The top universities in Scotland are responsible for some life-changing innovations, like the MRI scanner and keyhole surgery. The United Kingdom has always been the first choice of international students and being the second-largest country in the UK, Scotland lives up to the expectations. Many universities in Scotland have a rich history spanning decades. Learn more about the top universities in Scotland.
Best Universities to Study in Scotland
Let’s take a deep dive into the best universities in Scotland.
University of St Andrews
Established in the 15th century, the University of St Andrews is among the top educational facilities in the United Kingdom. It is the right choice for students searching for the best engineering colleges in the UK for computer science. The university is also known for its international relations and physics courses. Recently, the University of St Andrews was ranked second in the Times University Guide of 2023. It is a hub for international students as the university boasts of more than 9,000 international students from 130 different countries.
Professional courses at the university last four years, as any other Scottish degree. Students can choose between Arts, Science and Divinity disciplines at the University of St Andrews. Students at the university get a chance to specialise further in the final two years of the degree program. The acceptance rate at the University of St Andrews for UG and PG courses is 41% and 54%, respectively. You can submit your application and get a chance to study at one of the oldest universities in the UK.
University of Glasgow
Member of Russell Group Universities, University of Glasgow was established in 1451. It accommodates over 25,000 students from 120+ nations. Besides the top engineering colleges in Scotland, students also search for MBA courses. MBA courses at the University of Glasgow are the best in the country. International students also prefer it for its economics and law courses. The university has a research-active staff involved in varied domains. For its reliable educational services, the University of Glasgow earned eleventh rank in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
University of Glasgow has a total of three campuses and also offers accommodation to students. It also has a dedicated Accommodation Department for helping international students. The university also helps international students to find private accommodation facilities in Glasgow. With its excellent onsite facilities, it is among the best engineering universities in the UK. Aerospace engineering, electronic engineering, biomedical engineering, and many other sophisticated engineering courses are available at this university.
University of Dundee
Founded in 1881, University of Dundee is among the best universities in the eastern part of Scotland. Have you missed applications for Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, and other English universities? Well, you can always try getting into the University of Dundee, as it holds the same importance as other top universities in UK. It is best known for its School of Medicine. However, art, design, and dentistry courses at University of Dundee are also popular. For its excellent facilities, University of Dundee received the 32nd rank in the Times University Guide of 2023.
Did you know that the living cost in Dundee is around 14% lower than the average cost in the UK? Dundee is known to have lower living cost for international students.
Around 13% of students at the University of Dundee are from foreign countries. For international students, free English lessons are also available at this university. International students can also enrol in a pre-sessional English course before starting their degree course.
Heriot Watt University
According to Times Higher Education, graduates from Heriot-Watt University received the highest salaries in the country. Whether you are studying chemical engineering or electrical engineering, your future is secured with Heriot-Watt University. The university attained 45th and 57th positions in the Guardian University Guide and Times University Guide for 2023, respectively. The university also runs engineering research in partnership with the University of Edinburgh. In addition, extensive support is offered at Heriot-Watt University for international students.
University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583 and is among the world’s largest universities. Besides its popular engineering courses, University of Edinburgh has world-class MBA, medicine, and veterinary courses. Currently, there are around 6,000 international students (27.3%) at University of Edinburgh. For its excellent educational facilities, it has been ranked tenth in the Times University Guide for 2023. It also secured 15th rank in the QS World University Rankings for 2023. International students will also be provided with accommodation in any of the 25 available sites. To improve the experience for international students, University Edinburgh has special schemes for interaction with the locales.
University of Aberdeen
According to the NSS (National Student Survey) of 2022, University of Aberdeen is the second-best university in Scotland. The university follows a flexible approach to educating students. It is among the best universities for postgraduate courses in the UK. The university also offers several online professional courses for working students. Established in 1495, University of Aberdeen is the fifth-oldest university in the United Kingdom. It also hosts a diverse community with students from more than 130 nations. Like many other Scottish universities, it is best known for its engineering and MBA courses.
Final words
Are you planning to apply for a professional degree in Scotland? It is highly recommended to research the best Scottish universities before taking a decision. Institutions like University of Dundee in Scotland hold the same reputation as some other famous universities in the UK, like University of Manchester and the University of Leeds. However, the cost of education is much lower. Some critical factors to consider before choosing a Scottish university include accommodation, research, courses, and fees. You can always opt for expert guidance from study abroad consultants. Scotland has some of the best universities in the world for engineering, MBA, medicine, arts, and other streams. Submit your application to a Scottish university right away!