The dramatic and romantic appeal of Edinburgh is endless, set atop its volcanic crags with medieval cobble-stoned streets, a majestic castle and a skyline of turrets, domes, and spires. It is easy to see where the inspiration for Harry Potter came from! The elegant Georgian facades of the New Town are a contrast to the winding, twisting alleys and hidden courtyards of the medieval Old Town. Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, is not just a historic city, it is also forward-looking, the seat of the Scottish Parliament and boasting a vibrant cultural scene of live music, performing arts, galleries and museums and plenty of buzz. It is a great place for students, who make up 20% of the population and is home to one of the largest arts festivals in the world. Overlooked by the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat, sitting in the open parkland of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh is one of the greenest cities in the U.K.
Students who study abroad in Edinburgh have two great options through API:
Heriot-Watt University dates back to 1821 and was a pioneer in equal opportunities in education. It has a reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research. They are a vibrant and forward-looking university, known for their ties to industry and potential employers and are one of the top UK universities for business and industry. The friendly and welcoming campus is set on a beautiful estate of parkland just 20 minutes from the center of Edinburgh. Transport links into Edinburgh are easy and frequent. There are excellent facilities on campus, including fantastic sports amenities, and the center of Edinburgh offers outstanding social, cultural and leisure opportunities. Heriot-Watt is often referred to as Scotland’s International University, as one in three students come from outside the UK.
The University of Edinburgh is considered one of the world’s top universities (17th overall according to QS World University Rankings). The university offers a varied curriculum, with specialties across disciplines such as arts, business, humanities, and the natural sciences. Some of the university’s most famous alumni include Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin, Gordon Brown, Peter Higgs, and Winston Churchill!