It feels like every time I begin a new year at the University of Edinburgh, a new controversy arises. From staff striking due to pay and conditions, to Peter Mathieson receiving another astronomical salary rise, I am disappointed to say that I am not surprised that Edinburgh Uni continues to drop down the university league tables.
When I applied to Edinburgh, way back in 2021, we stood firmly in the top 10 universities, according to The Times. As of September 2024, we’ve been reduced to 17th.
On the surface, the university remains relatively on par with the rest of the top unis: high entry standards, high graduate prospectus, approximately 90% of students receiving Firsts and 2:1s, and a relatively decent staff-student ratio. If that’s your main concern, you have nothing to worry about.
As for teaching quality and student experience, the University of Edinburgh stands at a measly 70-75% satisfaction.
Perhaps it’s the extra two weeks it takes to mark an essay on top of the already painstakingly long 14-day deadline, or maybe it’s the inability to find a seat in the library. I’m certainly not the only student who feels they commit 110% to their assignments, only to get nothing in return. If I counted every time I received a piece of useless commentary on a paper, we’d be here all day.
For a Russel Group university (you know, the universities that specialise in maintaining the best research and teaching), Edinburgh’s research quality stands at a measly 61.5%. This laughs in the face of the students who studied hard to attain the grades asked for during applications. It mocks those who’ve travelled from abroad, leaving family and friends behind, to pursue, what is advertised to be, a top-quality education.
But maybe education at the university isn’t entirely to blame. With the cold and miserable winter months, no wonder mental health resources are overwhelmed (alongside being underfunded). Edinburgh is also one of the most expensive student cities and student homelessness remains a big issue. Whilst the university could certainly provide extra aid, there is little to be done about rising rent costs.
Despite all these issues, I doubt this ranking will have much impact on the way Edinburgh treats its students; a drop of 4 places is hardly a dent in the ego of a university that’s stood for over 400 years.
“edinburgh university courtyard” by stusmith_uk is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.