Learning resources Edinburgh's Library pre-dates its University by three years. Founded in 1580, its collection has grown to become the largest university library in Scotland with over 2 million periodicals, manuscripts, theses, microforms and printed works. Its computerised catalogue is accessible via local and international computing networks providing access for scholars worldwide.
Visitors can also apply to use the library facilities whilst in Edinburgh.
Within walking distance of the University Library are the copyright National Library of Scotland, the Signet Library, the specialist libraries of many scientific and professional societies and the main City Library, providing excellent access to a wide range of publications and manuscripts. As a major academic centre, the University of Edinburgh has also established one of the most advanced academic computing networks in Europe, extending throughout the University's main sites and linked through the Metropolitan Area Network to the Scottish academic community. The University's international reputation for excellence across all disciplines is reflected in the diversity of its student population. Of the 16,000 undergraduates and over 4,000 postgraduate students currently studying at Edinburgh, around 3,000 are from overseas. Of those, over 1,000 are from EU countries and the remaining 2,000 from some 100 countries worldwide.