Founded by the city of Edinburgh in 1583, the University of Edinburgh was the first civic university in the UK and is one of the four ancient universities of Scotland.
The University of Edinburgh has influenced the world for more than 400 years – expanding the depth of human knowledge and improving the lives of people worldwide. Research conducted at the university led to the discovery of chloroform anaesthesia, the Higgs boson particle and in vitro fertilisation.
University of Edinburgh academics, students and alumni have discovered carbon dioxide, led Scottish Enlightenment, developed a genetically engineered vaccine against Hepatitis B, and identified the SARS Coronavirus.
The university is home of Britain’s oldest literary awards, the James Tait Black Prizes, and Dolly the sheep. Chrystal Macmillan, suffragist and founder of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, was Edinburgh's first female science graduate in 1896.
The University of Edinburgh collaborates with global partners, directly and through prestigious networks such as Universitas 21, COIMBRA, UNICA, LERU and Una Europa. Regional centres in Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America and East Asia, engage with students, academics, and alumni worldwide.
The university's interdisciplinary Edinburgh Earth Initiative and Edinburgh Futures Institute are tackling significant and complex challenges, including the climate crisis, poverty, the spread of epidemics and cross-border injustices.
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson
