The University of Edinburgh

Founded in 1583, Edinburgh University is not only a centre for excellence in teaching and research, but it also stands as one of the city’s most impressive architectural wonders. The best way to admire this majestic building is to book a stay in a luxury Edinburgh hotel, and take the time to explore both the remarkable building, and the surrounding area.

The university building has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, for its value as a fascinating and elaborate work of 16th century architecture. The institution has a long and illustrious history, and as the leading centre for education in Scotland, it boasts a story that is tied inextricably to the academic current of the country.

Presided over by Chancellor HRH The Princess Royal, the institution manages a vast budget of £634 million. In total the university boasts a staff of over 3000 lecturers, professors and research fellows, who between them attend to the education of nearly 30,000 students. With somewhere in the region of 47,000 applications each year, it is the third most popular university in the UK, and entrance is highly competitive.

Edinburgh University is commonly regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and played a crucial role throughout the Age of Enlightenment in Scotland. At the time, this earned the institution the nickname ‘the Athens of the North’, in acknowledgement of the university’s unrivalled academic successes. Some of the most important figures in modern history are included amongst the university’s alumni, including such prestigious names as Charles Darwin, Gordon Brown, Lord Hope and Alexander Graham Bell.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this illustrious university and its rich history, the best way is to see it for yourself. There are some great places to stay in the area, including the warm welcome offered at the nearby Murrayfield Hotel. So, wander the grounds, explore the surrounding Old Town, and take the time to immerse yourself in the colourful history of this fascinating university.