From its inception, the University of Edinburgh has been distinctively Scottish in character, yet internationalist in its outlook, with students coming from across the Europe and the globe. By the 18th century, the University of Edinburgh had established a world reputation, maintained to this day.

At the opening of the 21st century, Edinburgh is not only one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, but one of the most wide-ranging in its teaching and research activities. Edinburgh's academics are at the forefront of developments in medicine, micro-electronics, biotechnology, computer-based disciplines and many other subjects.

• Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions The University of Edinburgh
• Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics
• School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh
• University of Edinburgh, Department of Mathematics and Statistics