Universitas 21

A leading global network of research-intensive universities.

All U21 member institutions work together to foster global citizenship and innovation through research-inspired teaching, student mobility, networking and advocacy for internationalisation.

Collectively, its 30 members enrol over 1.3 million students and employ over 220,000 staff and faculty.

All U21 member institutions are research-led, comprehensive universities, providing a strong quality assurance framework for the network’s activities.

The network’s purpose is to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between member universities and create opportunities for them on a scale that none could achieve by operating independently or through traditional bilateral alliances.

U21 provides opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of areas, including education, research, equality, diversity and inclusion, global health and sustainability. Staff and students can engage through activities such as working groups, communities of practice, leadership development and collaborative projects, connecting colleagues and institutions across the global network.

The University of Edinburgh was a founding member of U21 and participates in a number of its activities.

Visit U21 website:

For University of Edinburgh staff: