Top 5 Universities in Scotland

Scotland has one of the leading universities in the world which have made invaluable contribution in training, teaching and research. Scotland boasts of lower cost of living in United Kingdom and by extension Scottish universities are located in relatively cheaper neighborhoods whilst offering the very best like other world-class universities. The top universities in the country are ranked in terms of entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects. Top of the best universities in Scotland was prepared by team of bloggers from CustomEssayOrder.

University of St Andrews

As a university established in the 15th century it is rich in history and has made immeasurable contribution to science and research. The university which is also famed for golfing, has made an indelible mark in extra co curricular activities giving students an opportunity to explore their talents and experience a holistic development. The university boasts of many notable alumni in mathematics, science, theology, philosophy and politics. They include but not limited to Thomas Chalmers, Edward Jenner, John Knox, John Napier, John Pringle and James Wilson. The university has four faculties which encompass 18 schools in various fields headed by a dean. St. Andrew’s university jointly with Warwick university have the second highest graduate employment rate of any university in United Kingdom with their graduates in work in three and half years after graduation. University graduates from St. Andrews are chosen by recruiters and employed with the highest starting salaries in Scotland. It is also renowned for producing self-made millionaires and more directors of FTSE 100 companies in proportion to its size than any other university in Britain. The university has also established strong relationship with other educational institutions and created a productive exchange program with other universities within and without United Kingdom. Student body and societies within the institution which cover students’ interests and ensure conducive environment for learning.

University of Edinburgh

Founded in the 16th century, the university has grown to become one of the world’s top universities. It is situated in the heart of the historic capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. It has received global recognition for invaluable contribution in research, development, innovation and has continually provided its students with quality education for more than four centuries. The learning process is learner centered and encompasses traditional and modern teaching methods to impart knowledge. It encompasses three colleges namely humanities and social sciences, science and engineering and medicine and veterinary medicine. The three schools cumulatively have 20 academic schools. The structure of the university administration is fairly decentralized to these schools covering wide range of subjects and research specialisms. University of Edinburgh has the 9th highest entry qualification for undergraduates of any United Kingdom university averaging 483 UCAS points in 2015. Their competitive entry qualification criteria show how much the public trusts them and how their rigorous selection exercise is meant to pick the best. Some of the historically notable alumni in this university include Charles Darwin, David Hume, Alexander Graham Bell and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Additionally, the university has amassed 20 Nobel laureates in in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Peace, Literature and the Memorial Prize in Economic Science.

University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow is also one the top universities in Scotland. It is in the list of the four ancient universities in Scotland. The university was founded in the 15th century to mainly educate students from rich families. It is ranked as one of the best research universities not only in Scotland but also in the United Kingdom. The university is also one of the highest earning universities in the United Kingdom. It has four colleges with each college hosting several schools. The colleges are arts, science and engineering, social sciences and college of veterinary, medical and life sciences. Entry to the university is competitive. The student culture is vibrant with world class facilities for extra curricular like sports, music and clubs. Some of the notable alumni of the University of Glasgow are James Wilson who is one of the United States founding fathers, Adam Smith, James Watt, Lord Kelvin, Joseph Lister and Francis Hutcheson. The university boasts of seven recipients of Nobel prize and three prime ministers.

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University was established in the 19th century by Leonard Horner, a Scottish businessman. The university currently has campuses in several places outside Scotland like Dubai and Malaysia. It has programs for long distance learning for students worldwide. This is through partnerships with a number of approved educational partners. The university has consistently been ranked among the top 500 in the world. It is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom and is ranked as number one in research in Scotland. Six schools and an institute constitute the university. These are school of society, infrastructure, geoscience and energy; school of physical sciences and engineering; school of social sciences, school of computer sciences and mathematics; school of textiles and design and the Edinburgh Business School. The university is known for the high employability of its students. It has been named the university of the year severally by the Sunday Times. The university boasts of notable alumni in various fields like arts, business, sports and academia.

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee was founded in the 19th century as a public research university. The university in ranked top 300 worldwide and within top 30 in the United Kingdom. the University of Dundee is made of nine schools which contain a number of disciplines each. The schools are art and design, life sciences, social sciences, dentistry, medicine, science and engineering, education and social work, nursing and humanities. Campuses of the university are spread throughout Scotland. Some of the campuses are for specialized schools like the school of medicine. The university boasts of a vibrant student life and modern facilities. It has a significant collection of historical artefacts which are maintained by the museum services. Famous personalities in various fields boast of having attended this university. They are in various fields like business, politics, law, media, science, medicine and engineering. Several are Nobel laureates and others have made significant contributions to their field of expertise.