University College London vs University of Edinburgh: Key Differences & Comparison Guide

Table of Contents

This blog will discuss the differences between two of the popular UK universities: the University College London and the University of Edinburgh. This long-awaited comparison will discuss everything, from acceptance rates to career opportunities. Students planning to study at these top universities, or even outside the UK, must check out what these universities have to offer. Let’s get started and learn everything about the University College London and the University of Edinburgh

Highlights Table

Particulars	University College London	University of Edinburgh
QS Rank 2025	#9	#27
Acceptance Rate	63%	10%
Intakes	January/ September	January/ September
Established In	1826	1582
Campuses	UCL Bloomsbury UCL East	Easter Bush Campus Edinburgh BioQuarter The King’s Building Campus The University Central Area Western General Hospital
Popular Courses	Architecture Banking and Digital Finance Engineering Computer Science	Acoustics and Music Technology Accounting and Business Nursing Financial Computing
Annual Tuition Fees	£9,250	£13,000
Official Website	https://www.ucl.ac.uk/	https://www.ed.ac.uk/

About Universities

University College London (UCL) and the University of Edinburgh are among the top ranked universities in the world. These great institutions are centuries old and are known for their academic reputation with access to advanced research facilities. Here are some of the key differences between these two top universities.

University College London (UCL)

UCL is the 9^th best university in the world in the QS World University list 2025. Here are some of its highlights.

UCL is in the capital city of the UK; London and is surrounded by a vibrant environment. The city has popular museums, theatres, and job opportunities at top companies located there.
UCL is known for its strong academic reputation and is ranked #1 in multiple research and field programs. The university has a diverse student body with dozens of clubs in fields like sports, music, science, and more.
There are multiple academic courses in Engineering, Science, humanities and arts. UCL offers the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with some of the world’s best researchers and inventors, and access to cutting-edge technology.
UCL is one of the most diverse universities in the UK, with over 43,800 students from over 150 countries. It’s a great place to meet people from all around the world.

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is ranked #27 in the QS World University List 2025 and is the #1 University in Scotland.

Most students like Edinburgh more than London due to its stunning architecture, attractive hills and vibrant festivals, including the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The University of Edinburgh might not be listed in the top 10 universities in the world, but its legacy is older than most UK universities. This great institution was established in 1583, and today, it is a leading research institute in science, medicine, and arts.
Just like UCL, it is also known for strong research activities and offers the opportunity to learn from top experts in their fields.
While Edinburgh is smaller than London, it offers a rich student experience with plenty of festivals, historical sites, and outdoor activities, including hiking, anyone.

Popular Courses and Tuition Fees

UCL and the University of Edinburgh are globally known for their career and research-driven courses, affordable and flexible fee structure, and scholarship opportunities. Students planning to study at these top universities must know all about the popular courses available, their annual tuition fees, and duration.

University College London

UCL offers over 400 undergraduates, dozens of postgraduates, and multiple research programs. The table below highlights the popular courses and annual tuition fees at the University College London for domestic and international students.

Courses	Annual Tuition Fees (Domestic)	Annual Tuition Fees (International)
BSc Architecture	£9,250	£33,000
MEng Civil Engineering	£9,250	£39,800
BSc MBBS Medicine	£9,250	£53,400
BSc Computer Science	£9,250	£41,000
MEng Computer Science	£9,250	£43,500
LLB	£9,250	£29,800
BSc Astrophysics	£9,250	£39,800

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in humanities, arts, and social sciences, science and engineering, medicine and veterinary medicine, and more. The table below highlights the popular courses and annual tuition fees at the University of Edinburgh for domestic and international students.

Courses	Annual Tuition Fees (Domestic)	Annual Tuition Fees (International)
BA Animation	£9,250	£24,500
BSc Anatomy and Development	£9,250	£24,500
BArch	£9,250	£32,200
BSc Biological Sciences	£9,250	£32,200
BEng Chemical Engineering	£9,250	£32,200
BSc Earth Sciences and Physical Geography	£9,250	£32,200
MA English Language	£9,250	£24,500

Affordable Student Accommodation

Living in London or Edinburgh is a unique experience in itself. The cities offer a luxury lifestyle with access to modern housing facilities. For students, there are private student accommodation in London and Edinburgh, located next to the universities and popular attractions. What’s more, these private properties are exclusively built for students to offer a supportive academic environment. Below we have highlighted some of the most affordable student housing in London and Edinburgh.

London Student Accommodation

House rent in London can cost between £550 to £2500, and this too depends on factors like the type of accommodation, facilities included, location, etc. Here are the ten affordable student accommodation in London.

Edinburgh Student Accommodation

An average student accommodation in Edinburgh can cost £400 to £1750. Again, the rent will depend on factors like the type of property, facilities available, and location from city center and the university. Here are some of the 10 affordable student housing in Edinburgh.

Top Scholarships

Domestic and international students can apply for a wide range of merit-based and need-based scholarships to study at these top universities. Merit-based scholarships are offered to students having an exceptional academic record and have a passion for the field. Here are some of the top scholarships to study at the UCL and the University of Edinburgh.

University College London Scholarships

Here are some of the best scholarships offered by the University College London and the amount offered.

Scholarships	Total No.	Amount
UCL Access Opportunity Scholarships	NA	£12,000
The Bartlett Promise Undergraduate Scholarship	10	£15,364
UCL Global Masters Scholarships	85	£15,000
Ruth Glass Scholarship	NA	1-year tuition fee and a 52-week living stipend
Aspire Award Scholarship	2	££20,000

University of Edinburgh Scholarships

Here are some of the best scholarships offered by the University of Edinburgh and the amount offered.

Scholarships	Total No.	Amount
Asylum Seeker Scholarship	4	£19,237
Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships	NA	£5,000
Robertson International Scholarships	5	£1,000
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies UK Graduate/ International Scholarship	NA	£5,000
Margaret Campbell Scott Scholarships	NA	£1,000

Conclusion

It’s a tough choice to make when deciding between UCL and the University of Edinburgh. Both these universities are top-rated for their academic excellence, teaching style, and career prospects. With the key differences discussed in this article above, students can decide which university fits them well.