Primary, secondary education in Edinburgh 2024

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, stands as a thriving educational and academic hub among European states. Schools in Edinburgh are regarded as some of the best in Scotland. With four universities within the city limits, Edinburgh is renowned as a superb incubator of ideas, second only to London in this regard.

Sarah Hicklin

Director of International Admissions at Oswestry School

What makes British schools special? Why are they chosen by parents from all over the world for their children?

Schools in the UK continue to be the gold standard of education and offer the highest quality teaching.

Edinburgh caters to a wide spectrum of educational needs, from an impressive array of primary schools to first-rate options for further professional education. This beautiful, historically rich city is home to world-famous festivals, events, architecture, and museums, offering the perfect blend of vibrant city life and breathtaking natural vistas. For three consecutive years, Edinburgh has been ranked as the second-best student city in the UK and is 18th in the QS World Rankings for the best student cities globally.

Public Schools in Edinburgh: Highly esteemed and tuition-free as they are funded through national taxes, Edinburgh’s public schools operate under a catchment area system. This means priority for school places is given according to residential areas, which is an important consideration for expat parents choosing where to live.

Independent Schools in Edinburgh: Known as private schools, these are not funded by taxpayer money or state institutions. Although the state-sponsored education system in Edinburgh is commendable, many expats opt for private schools due to their perceived higher and more rigorous academic standards. These schools typically have smaller class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and a broad range of extracurricular activities. However, admission can be competitive, often requiring entrance exams or interviews, and slots fill up quickly due to specific enrollment periods.

The quality of education provided by local institutions is high by both European and global standards. Despite its centuries-old history, the city’s schools, universities, and colleges take a modern approach to education. Edinburgh is also considered very safe for students due to its low crime rate. Regular excursions to attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the National Museum of Scotland, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Scottish National Galleries enrich the educational experience.

Edinburgh attracts thousands of international students from over 180 countries, offering local students the opportunity to make global acquaintances and learn about diverse cultures.

The academic year in Edinburgh's schools starts in September and ends in July, with a typical school day running from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Noteworthy subjects in Edinburgh's schools include computer science, social sciences, and humanities. Education in all public schools follows the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence, which is divided into two phases:

• Broad General Education: Includes a year in kindergarten, seven years in primary school (P1 to P7), and three years in middle school (S1 to S3).
• Senior Phase: Starts in S4 at age 16 and ends in S6 at age 18.

While there are no schools specifically for international students from certain countries, several offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, ideal for many expatriate students because it is standardized worldwide and widely recognized by universities globally.

The City of Edinburgh Council provides extra support for students with special needs, assessing individual needs that may range from disabilities and complex family situations to assistance with learning English as an additional language. This state support is particularly beneficial for expat families moving from non-English-speaking countries.

Home schooling is also legally recognized in Edinburgh. Parents must notify the city council if they withdraw their child from school; newly arrived children who have not yet attended school can be home-schooled without notifying authorities. Parents must provide an education suitable to the child's age and abilities, with local authorities entitled to conduct annual visits and assessments to ensure compliance.