With an academic tradition stretching back in time to over 400 years, Scotland’s pride hosts 13,000 international scholars from 160 countries among its 44,510 students – Summiya Yasmeen Once upon a time, best quality higher education in Britain, and indeed the Commonwealth, was synonymous with Oxford, Cambridge and London universities. But in the millennium, Scotland’s University of Edinburgh (UoE, estb.1583) has emerged as a formidable academic competitor to Sassenach higher education institutions of the south. According to the QS World University Rankings 2020, UoE, which is ranked #20 worldwide, is one of Europe’s most preferred universities. With an academic tradition stretching back in time over 400 years, Scotland’s pride hosts a massive contingent of 13,000 international scholars from 160 countries — among its 44,510 students. Over the past four centuries, the faculty and alumni of this venerated varsity have played a major role in shaping world history. Among its most illustrious alumni are philosopher David Hume; Charles Darwin, author of the Origin of Species; physicists Sir Edward Appleton and James Clerk Maxwell; Lord Joseph Lister who introduced antiseptics into surgery; Sir James Young Simpson, inventor of chloroform; surgeon Elsie Inglis; James Hutton, father of modern geology; and novelists Sir Walter Scott, J.M. Barrie, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Like most higher education institutions worldwide, UoE has been under lockdown for the past seven months to check the spread of the raging Covid-19 pandemic. Teaching and assessment is currently being delivered in the digital online mode. Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland, historic Edinburgh (pop.500,000) is one of the greenest and most architecturally splendid cities of the world, attracting over 2 million visitors annually. However, it is renowned not only for its scenic cityscapes but also for its rich social, cultural, learning and sports traditions. Its landmarks include several art galleries and concert halls; the Royal Museum of Scotland; the Royal Botanic Garden; Parliament House; and the spectacularly illuminated Edinburgh Castle. Sports facilities include a variety of golf courses, the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Meadowbank Stadium. And for students who want to get away for the weekend, Edinburgh offers easy access to the coastline, hills and rugged terrain of the scenic Scottish Highlands. Moreover, Edinburgh annually hosts a number of international literary and cultural events and has been rightly christened a ‘Festival City’. The only downside perhaps is its testing windswept climate. Temperatures range from sub-zero in winter to 25°C in summer. Campus facilities. As one of Britain’s oldest universities, UoE is renowned for its classical buildings which are the city’s best-known landmarks and architectural features. The majority of the university’s faculties are grouped in and around the central George Square near the historic Royal Mile in the city centre. Students can also expect to enjoy a vibrant social and cultural life. The students union offers food services and an extensive calendar of events including live bands and clubs. Known as the Edinburgh University Union, this association occupies seven buildings and administers on-campus catering and bars, games rooms, union…
