Undergraduate admissions statistics

Admissions statistics for undergraduate UCAS applications made in the entry admissions cycles from 2019 – 2023.

To support you in making an informed decision about applying to the University of Edinburgh, we have provided statistics that show:

  • how many undergraduate applications we receive;
  • how many offers we make; and
  • how many students we accept.

Competition from well qualified applicants for places on most of our programmes is high and applications generally exceed the number of places available. So that you can gain a better understanding of application and offer statistics relative to the programme(s) you are considering applying for, and your tuition fee status, statistics for entry are also broken down by subject area and by tuition fee status.

Admissions statistics

Total number of applications received 2019 - 2023 UCAS admissions cycles

 

Cycle Applications Offers Offer rate Acceptances
2019 60,983 27,878 46% 6,346
2020 62,220 31,510 51% 7,344
2021 68,954 32,432 47% 8,083
2022 75,438 25,210 33% 6,111
2023 69,377 27,608 40% 6,409

Offer rates and tuition fee status

Fee Regulations in Scotland changed in 2021, as a result of the UK leaving the EU. Most EU students are now included in the Overseas fee status group, and Republic of Ireland students are now included in the Rest of the UK/Republic of Ireland fee status group.

These changes have had a significant impact on offer chances, and data for years prior to 2021 may not be a good indication of current offer rates within the new fee status groupings.

Scotland Fee Rate students 

Scotland fee rate includes UK nationals who are normally resident in Scotland, and EU nationals with settled/pre-settled status who are normally resident in the UK. The Scottish Government places strict limits on the number of Scotland fee rate students that Scottish universities can admit. This means that Scottish universities are limited in the number of offers they can make to Scotland fee rate applicants.

Rest of UK and Republic of Ireland (RUK/ROI)

There are no Scottish Government limits placed on the number of ‘Rest of UK’ students (students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Republic of Ireland students that Scottish universities can admit. However, due to limited capacity and the high volume of applications received, competition for places is often very high.

Overseas students

There are no Scottish Government restrictions on the number of places available to international applicants paying the full Overseas fee rate. Now that Britain has left the European Union, most applicants from the EU (excluding the Republic of Ireland) are considered as international applicants.

Selection process and offer rates

Applicants who have met, or are predicted to meet, our entry requirements, are entered into the selection process. However, due to Scottish Government policy which limits the intake of Scotland Fee Rate students, competition for places can vary across different tuition fee status groups. This can result in variations in the offer rate (the percentage of applications that receive an offer) for different tuition fee statuses to the same subject area.

Variations in the number of applications to different subject areas can also affect offer rates. Additionally, the number of offers that are accepted by applicants varies. While there are a number of reasons for this, acceptance is particularly impacted by where applicants apply from. This also has a bearing on why offer rates may differ between different tuition fee status groups.

Statistics for Undergraduate UCAS applications 2022-2023 admissions cycles

Overseas admission statistics (628.42 KB / PDF)

What is my fee status?

Viewing the statistics by the tuition fee status that is relevant to you, will give you the most accurate insight into patterns of application, offer and acceptance by your particular subject area(s) of interest.   

What is my fee status?

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