University of Edinburgh facts for kids
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| Latin: Universitas Academica Edinburgensis | |
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Former names
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Tounis College King James' College |
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| Type | Public research university Ancient university |
| Established | 1583 |
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Academic affiliation
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| Endowment | £559.8 million (2023) |
| Budget | £1.341 billion (2022/23) |
| Chancellor | Anne, Princess Royal |
| Rector | Simon Fanshawe |
| Principal | Sir Peter Mathieson |
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Academic staff
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4,952 FTE (2022) |
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Administrative staff
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6,215 FTE (2022) |
| Students | 41,250 (2021/22) |
| Undergraduates | 26,000 (2021/22) |
| Postgraduates | 15,245 (2021/22) |
| Location |
,
Scotland, UK
55°57′N 3°11′W / 55.950°N 3.183°W |
| Campus | Urban, suburban |
| Colours | Red Blue |
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The University of Edinburgh (Scots: University o Edinburgh, Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann) is a public university in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was started by the city council in 1582 and officially opened in 1583. It is one of Scotland's four oldest universities. It is also the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world that has been open non-stop.
The university was very important during a time of great new ideas in Scotland, called the Scottish Enlightenment. This helped Edinburgh get the nickname "Athens of the North". Today, top university rankings usually place Edinburgh among the top 40 universities in the world. It is part of several groups of universities that focus on research.
The University of Edinburgh is the seventh largest university in the UK by the number of students. It gets over 69,000 applications from students each year. The university has strong ties to the royal family. For example, Anne, Princess Royal has been its leader (Chancellor) since 2011.
Many famous people have studied at the university. These include the inventor Alexander Graham Bell, the scientist Charles Darwin, and writers like J. K. Rowling. Several heads of state and government, including three British prime ministers, also went to Edinburgh. As of 2023, 19 Nobel Prize winners have been connected to the university.
Contents
A Look Back: The University's Journey
How It All Began
In 1557, a bishop named Robert Reid left money in his will to build a college in Edinburgh. He wanted it to teach subjects like public speaking and poetry, which was unusual for his time. However, a big religious change in Scotland delayed these plans for over 25 years.
In the late 1570s, the Edinburgh Town Council worked to make the college happen. King James VI helped by granting a special permission (a royal charter) in 1582. This allowed the town council to create a university. This was new because other Scottish universities had been started by the Pope.
The university, first called Tounis College (Town's College), opened on October 14, 1583. About 80 to 90 students attended. It mainly taught arts and religious studies. Robert Rollock, a graduate from another university, was the first teacher and later the first leader (principal). He taught the first group of students all subjects for four years. In 1587, 47 students earned their Master of Arts degrees.
When King James VI visited in 1617, he said the college should be called "King James' College." Over time, it became known as the University of Edinburgh.
Growing Through the Centuries
The 1700s and 1800s saw the university grow. It added new departments for law in 1707, arts in 1708, and medicine in 1726. In 1762, King George III appointed the first professor of literature. This made Edinburgh the oldest place in Britain to formally teach English Literature.
During the 1700s, the university was a key place for the Scottish Enlightenment. This was a time when new ideas in science and philosophy were very popular. Many famous thinkers like Joseph Black (chemist), Adam Smith (economist), and David Hume (philosopher) taught here. People like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson thought Edinburgh was one of the best places in the world for learning.
In 1785, work began on Old College, the university's first building made just for it. The university's medical school became very famous for teaching anatomy and surgery. It was one of the best medical schools in the English-speaking world.
In 1838, students had a big snowball fight at Old College. It turned into a two-day "battle" with local residents. The army even had to be called in! This event was later shown in a painting.
In 1858, a new law gave the university full control over its own matters, after 275 years of being run by the town council.
The Edinburgh Seven were the first group of women to study at any British university. They started studying medicine at Edinburgh in 1869. Even though the university stopped them from graduating, their fight helped women gain the right to study at all Scottish universities by 1889. The university finally allowed women to graduate in medicine in 1893. In 2019, these women were given their medical degrees after all these years.
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By the late 1800s, Old College was too small. New buildings were planned, including a new Medical School, which opened in 1884. The beautiful McEwan Hall was built for graduations and given to the university in 1897.
The Students' Representative Council (SRC) was started in 1884. In 1889, the Edinburgh University Union (EUU) was created and moved into Teviot Row House. This is the oldest building in the world built just for a student union.
The 20th and 21st Centuries
After World War I, the university needed more space. In 1919, it bought land south of the city to build a new campus for science. This campus, opened in 1920, was named King's Buildings after King George V.
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New College, which opened in 1846, became home to the School of Divinity in the 1930s. This allowed Old College to be used by the Law School.
During World War II, the Polish School of Medicine was set up in 1941 for Polish students and doctors. It taught in Polish and awarded Polish medical degrees. It closed in 1949, after helping many students graduate.
In 1951, the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College became part of the university. In 1955, the university opened the first department in Europe for studying nursing.
By the late 1950s, student numbers had doubled. The university built modern buildings like Appleton Tower and the Main Library in the George Square area.
In 1998, the Moray House Institute of Education joined the university, becoming its School of Education.
In the 2000s, the university continued to grow. A new hospital and medical campus, the BioQuarter, opened in 2002. It includes the new Edinburgh Medical School. Author J. K. Rowling helped fund a research clinic there in 2010.
In 2002, a fire destroyed some university buildings. These were replaced by the Informatics Forum in 2008. Also in 2002, the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre opened.
In 2008, the Roslin Institute, famous for cloning Dolly the sheep, became part of the university's veterinary school.
Edinburgh College of Art joined the university in 2011. In 2014, the university started a joint institute with Zhejiang University in China, offering degrees in biomedical sciences.
Since 2016, the university has had a "Wikimedian in Residence" to help with Wikipedia projects. In 2018, the university joined a big project to bring economic benefits to the region through data innovation.
University Campuses and Buildings
The University of Edinburgh has five main locations in the city:
- Central Area
- King's Buildings
- BioQuarter
- Easter Bush
- Western General
The university owns many important old and new buildings. These include St Cecilia's Hall, Scotland's oldest concert hall, and Teviot Row House, the world's oldest student union building.
Central Area: The Heart of the University
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The Central Area is the oldest part of the university. It is mostly used by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Many university buildings are found around George Square. This includes the Main Library and Appleton Tower. Near Bristo Square are the McEwan Hall and the old Medical School.
Old College houses the Law School. New College is home to the School of Divinity. Some of these buildings are used for big festivals in Edinburgh every summer.
Pollock Halls: Student Homes
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Pollock Halls is the university's largest place for first-year students to live. It has over 2,000 students and many buildings with green spaces. Some of the buildings are old, from the 1800s, while others are newer.
Holyrood Campus: Education and Sport
The Holyrood campus is near the Royal Mile. It used to be the Moray House Institute for Education before joining the university. This campus has modern sports facilities. It also has O'Shea Hall, a living space for postgraduate students, opened by Princess Anne in 2017.
King's Buildings: Science and Engineering Hub
The King's Buildings campus is in the south of the city. Most of the science and engineering teaching and research happens here. It has many buildings named after famous scientists, like the Alexander Graham Bell Building and the James Clerk Maxwell Building. It also has the Royal Observatory.
BioQuarter: Medical Research and Care
The BioQuarter campus is where most of the university's medical facilities are. It is next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh hospital. This campus includes the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and the Centre for Regenerative Medicine.
Easter Bush: Animal Science and Veterinary Care
The Easter Bush campus is seven miles south of the city. It is home to the Roslin Institute and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
The Roslin Institute is famous for cloning Dolly the sheep in 1996. This was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.
Western General: Genetics and Cancer Research
The Western General campus is near the Western General Hospital. It has research centers for genetics and cancer.
- Modern architecture at the University of Edinburgh
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Appleton Tower
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Business School
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Centre for Regenerative Medicine
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Erskine Williamson Building, King's Buildings
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Informatics Forum, School of Informatics
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Roslin Institute
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Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
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How the University is Run
University Leaders
The university has three main leaders: the Chancellor, the Principal, and the Rector.
- The Chancellor is the official head of the university. They give out degrees and help the university's reputation. Princess Anne is the current Chancellor.
- The Principal is like the chief executive. They are in charge of how the university runs every day. Sir Peter Mathieson is the current Principal.
- The Rector is chosen every three years by staff and students. They lead meetings and work closely with students. Simon Fanshawe is the current Rector.
Colleges and Schools
In 2002, the university changed how it was organized. It now has three main 'Colleges':
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS)
- Science & Engineering (CSE)
- Medicine & Vet Medicine (CMVM)
Inside these colleges are 'Schools' that focus on specific subjects. There are 21 schools in total.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
This College offers many different degree programs. It has the oldest English Literature department in Britain. It is the largest college by student numbers.
Some of its schools include:
- Business School
- Edinburgh College of Art
- Moray House School of Education and Sport
- School of Divinity
- School of Law
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Edinburgh Medical School was considered one of the best medical schools in the world in the 1700s and 1800s. Its graduates started medical schools all over the world.
Today, the medical school is still highly ranked. It is linked to 13 Nobel Prize winners. The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is also a world leader in animal health. This is the smallest of the three colleges.
Science and Engineering
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Science was taught at the university as "natural philosophy" in the 1500s. Over time, new subjects like Mathematics, Chemistry, and Engineering were added. In 1785, the world's first Chemical Society was founded here. This college has many students and staff.
Some of its schools include:
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Chemistry
- School of Engineering
- School of Informatics
- School of Mathematics
Student Life at Edinburgh
Students' Association
The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) is made up of the student union and the student representative council. EUSA runs buildings like Teviot Row House, which is the oldest student union building built for that purpose in the world. EUSA helps over 250 student clubs and groups.
Performing Arts: Music, Drama, and More
Edinburgh is a great place for student performing arts. The Edinburgh University Music Society (EUMS) is Scotland's oldest student music group. They perform concerts and charity events.
The Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) runs Bedlam Theatre, the oldest student-run theatre in Britain. Many famous actors have been part of this group. Other groups include the Edinburgh Studio Opera and the Edinburgh University Footlights for musical theatre.
Student Media: News and Radio
The Student is a student newspaper started in 1887 by writer Robert Louis Stevenson. It is the oldest student newspaper in the UK. Famous politicians like Gordon Brown used to write for it.
FreshAir is a student radio station that started in 1992. It is one of the oldest student radio stations in the UK.
Sport: Competing and Staying Active
Students at Edinburgh can join over 65 sports clubs. These include popular sports like rugby and football, and unique ones like korfball and mountaineering.
The Scottish Varsity is an annual rugby match against the University of St Andrews. It's one of the oldest university rugby matches in the world.
The Scottish Boat Race is an annual rowing race against the Glasgow University Boat Club. It is believed to be the third-oldest university boat race in the world.
Edinburgh athletes have won many medals at the Olympic Games. Famous winners include runner Eric Liddell, cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, and rower Dame Katherine Grainger.
Student Activism and Community
Students at the university are active in many causes. Groups like People & Planet work on environmental issues. There are also groups for social justice, equality, and political topics. Students often hold protests and demonstrations to share their views.
The university also has student-run co-operatives. These include the Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative, which provides affordable housing, and the Hearty Squirrel Food Cooperative, which offers local and organic food.
Famous People from Edinburgh University
The university is connected to many important discoveries and ideas in history. These include:
- The idea of antiseptic surgery (Joseph Lister)
- The theory of Electromagnetism (James Clerk Maxwell)
- The theory of Evolution (Charles Darwin)
- The discovery of carbon dioxide (Joseph Black)
- The invention of the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell)
- The invention of the refrigerator (William Cullen)
Many other famous people have studied or worked at the university. These include:
- Actors: Robbie Coltrane and Kevin McKidd
- Architects: Robert Adam and Sir Basil Spence
- Astronaut: Piers Sellers
- Biologists: Sir Ian Wilmut (who cloned Dolly the sheep)
- Economists: Adam Smith
- Journalists: Laura Kuenssberg
- Writers: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, J. K. Rowling, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson
- Prime Ministers of the UK: Gordon Brown, Lord John Russell, and Lord Palmerston
- Olympic gold medalists: Eric Liddell, Sir Chris Hoy, and Katherine Grainger
- Notable Edinburgh alumni before the 20th century
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Robert Adam, famous architect
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J. M. Barrie, writer of Peter Pan
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James Barry, surgeon
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Thomas Bayes, statistician
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Joseph Black, physicist and chemist
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Richard Bright, doctor
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Robert Brown, botanist
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Thomas Carlyle, writer and historian
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Thomas Chalmers, economist
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Charles Darwin, famous naturalist
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Adam Ferguson, philosopher
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David Hume, philosopher
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James Hutton, geologist
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James Clerk Maxwell, physicist
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Richard Owen, biologist
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Macquorn Rankine, engineer
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Benjamin Rush, signed the US Declaration of Independence
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Walter Scott, famous novelist
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James Young Simpson, doctor
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Robert Louis Stevenson, novelist
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Dugald Stewart, philosopher
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James Wilson, US Founding Father
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John Witherspoon, US Founding Father
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Thomas Young, scientist
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Nobel Prize Winners
As of August 2023, 19 people connected to the university have won a Nobel Prize. These include:
- Max Born, a father of quantum mechanics
- Peter Higgs, a theoretical physicist
- Sir Fraser Stoddart, a chemist
- Peter C. Doherty, an immunologist
- Sir Robert Edwards, who helped develop in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Images for kids
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The east facade of Old College facing onto South Bridge, as built in 1827. A dome similar to Adam's original design was added in 1887 by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson.
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A Charter of Novodamus from King James VI of Scotland in 1582, to establish a college
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Snowballing Outside Edinburgh University (1853) - Samuel Bough
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Plaque commemorating the Edinburgh Seven at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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Buildings of the Old Medical School at Teviot Place, photographed in the late 19th century
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Exterior of the McEwan Hall
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Teviot Row House, drawn by architect Sydney Mitchell in 1888
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Facade of New College facing onto The Mound in 1910
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Plaque honouring the Polish School of Medicine at the old Medical School
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Atrium of the Informatics Forum
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Edinburgh College of Art
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The former principal Sir Timothy O'Shea signed an an agreement with Peking University in 2012.
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University of Edinburgh's national league table performance over the past ten years
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Edinburgh graduation ceremony in the McEwan Hall
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Playfair Library Hall in Old College
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The Pleasance, one of EUSA's main buildings, is a theatre, bar, sports and recreation complex.
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EMUS Symphony Orchestra, performing Mahler's Symphony No. 1 at Greyfriars Kirk
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The student-run Bedlam Theatre, home to the Edinburgh University Theatre Company
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Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club at the cairn on Ciste Dhubh, 1964
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Max Born, Tait Professor of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh from 1936 to 1953, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1954.
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Peter Higgs, faculty at Edinburgh since 1960 and Emeritus Professor after 1996, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013.
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Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister and consecutive 10-year-long Chancellor of the Exchequer, is an alumnus (MA '72, PhD '82) and former rector of the university.
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Robert Adam, neoclassical architect
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J. M. Barrie, novelist and playwright
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James Barry, surgeon
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Thomas Bayes, statistician
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Joseph Black, physicist and chemist
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Richard Bright, physician, father of nephrology
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Robert Brown, botanist, discovered Brownian motion
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Thomas Carlyle, essayist, historian and philosopher
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Thomas Chalmers, political economist
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Charles Darwin, naturalist and biologist
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Adam Ferguson, philosopher and historian
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David Hume, philosopher
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James Hutton, geologist, father of modern geology
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James Clerk Maxwell, mathematician and physicist
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Richard Owen, biologist, coined the term dinosaur
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Macquorn Rankine, engineer, founding contributor to thermodynamics
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Benjamin Rush, signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence
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Walter Scott, novelist and poet
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James Young Simpson, physician
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Robert Louis Stevenson, novelist and poet
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Dugald Stewart, philosopher and mathematician
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John Witherspoon, Founding Father of the United States
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