Scotland’s epic history, vibrant cities and incredible natural beauty make it a prime destination, whether you’re more at home scaling a cliff or curled up with a good book.
Scotland also has a reputation for excellence in education, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. It has the monopoly on Britain’s share of ancient universities too. Four of the top five universities in Scotland were founded before 1600, with the oldest, St Andrews, dating back to 1413.
Its capital is Edinburgh, where the hill of Arthur’s Seat overlooks the cobbled streets and shopfronts of the old city. Once the epicentre of the Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh maintains a reputation for intellectual and creative passion.
Every August, the capital hosts the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. Thousands of theatre and music performances take place over the three-week event.
Best universities worldwide
Best universities in the UK
Best universities in Europe
Best universities in Ireland
Best universities in Italy
Best universities in Germany
Best universities in the Netherlands
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, has benefited from intense redevelopment in recent years. Buzzing modern music venues and shopping centres now mingle with Victorian buildings. Glasgow’s West End is a prime location, with boutiques, cafes and parks all within easy reach.
It’s worth leaving the comfort of the cities for Scotland’s untamed countryside. The rugged Highlands are open to adventurers looking for a challenge. Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, is a short trip from Glasgow. Further afield, Scotland is surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands, only a fraction of which are inhabited. These mysterious and isolated places have kept their traditional ways of life and are full of charm.
At the end of the day, there is always the option to warm up with a glass of Scotch whisky in a local pub. Whisky may be called “Scotch” only if it’s made in a Scottish brewery according to strict instructions.
Top 5 universities in Scotland
1. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is Scotland’s most prestigious institution. It is ranked as one of the best universities in the world for arts and humanities, but also for law and psychology. Students have the privilege of studying in some of the oldest and most enchanting buildings in the city.
The university has inspired some of the greatest minds in Scottish history, such as the philosopher David Hume and Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle. It’s also the place where Dolly the sheep became the first successful example of animal cloning.
2. University of Glasgow
Glasgow’s lively cultural scene and nightlife owe some debt to the presence of the University of Glasgow. As one of the top research universities in the UK, Glasgow produces a vast quantity of internationally recognised papers. Glasgow rivals Edinburgh for its architecture, with more than 100 listed buildings.
Seven Nobel prizewinners and three prime ministers have studied at Glasgow. Unusually, there are two students’ unions at the university. This tradition dates from the time when male and female students attended different institutions. Glasgow University Union is famous for sports, while Queen Margaret Union’s music venue hosts internationally famous bands.
3. University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen is one of the leading universities in the UK for graduate employment. Its campuses are a fascinating mix of old and new, reflecting the subject departments they contain. Old Aberdeen campus has a 15th-century chapel and a state-of-the-art library, where arts and humanities students can find the perfect atmosphere to study.
Life sciences and medicine are mainly taught at the high-tech Foresterhill campus. The university also has a lighthouse field station and the Oceanlab research station, for studies specialising in marine ecology. Aberdeen itself is a wealthy city, thanks to its oil industry, with plenty of upscale restaurants and bars. It is sometimes known as the “Silver City” because of its stunning Victorian buildings made using glittering granite slabs from local quarries.
4. University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is the youngest of Scotland’s top-performing universities, established in 1967. Its mission is to “transform lives locally and globally through the creation, sharing and application of knowledge”.
The city of Dundee has a rich history of scientific innovation. This is reflected in the university’s consistently strong performance in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. Students can walk downtown to visit the RRS Discovery, berthed in Dundee harbour, which carried Captain Robert Scott on his first voyage to the Antarctic.
5. University of St Andrews
Scotland’s oldest university, St Andrews is located in the town of the same name on the east coast of Fife. It often tops rankings of Scottish universities, and is renowned for its academic rigour and excellent research.
Notable alumni include six Nobel laureates, a handful of ambassadors and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The university has a focus on sustainability, and has boosted efforts to become carbon neutral. To help achieve this, it runs initiatives such as an energy-saving competition between the student halls of residence and provides green spaces on campus where students can grow their own produce.
Student experience in Scotland
The 10 most beautiful universities in the UK
Where did UK royals go to university?
Experiencing student nursing in the UK and the US
Women in STEM: undertaking PhD research in cancer
How to choose a UK university
10 things international students should know about studying in the UK
Best universities in Scotland 2021
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results
| World University Rank 2021 | Scotland Rank 2021 | University | City/town |
| 30 | 1 | University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| =92 | 2 | University of Glasgow | Glasgow |
| =178 | 3 | University of Aberdeen | Aberdeen |
| 201–250 | =4 | University of Dundee | Dundee |
| 201–250 | =4 | University of St Andrews | St Andrews |
| 301-350 | 6 | University of Stirling | Stirling |
| 351–400 | 7 | Heriot-Watt University | Edinburgh |
| 401–500 | =8 | SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) | Edinburgh |
| 401–500 | =8 | University of Strathclyde | Strathclyde |
| 501–600 | 10 | University of the West of Scotland | Paisley |
| 601–800 | =11 | Edinburgh Napier University | Edinburgh |
| 601–800 | =11 | Glasgow Caledonian University | Glasgow |
| 1001+ | 13 | Robert Gordon University | Aberdeen |
Read more: Best universities in the world
Have your say