- Study by leading tutor platform GoStudent ranks Edinburgh 2nd and Glasgow 4th for cultural education across the UK, placing both Scottish cities ahead of every English city outside London.
Edinburgh, Scotland –  Edinburgh and Glasgow have been ranked among the top five cities in the UK for cultural learning, according to research by leading tutor platform GoStudent. Edinburgh secured second place nationally, behind only London, while Glasgow ranked fourth overall and first among all non-capital cities in the UK.The study analysed a range of indicators across UK cities including the number of museums and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the availability and quality of cultural tours, listed buildings, transport affordability and the proportion of young people in each area.Â
Edinburgh: UK’s #2 for cultural education
Edinburgh ranked second nationally, behind only London, cementing its position as a world-class destination for learning outside the classroom. The city boasts 141 museums and nearly 10,000 listed buildings, giving young people exceptional access to history and heritage. The city also remains accessible, with average one-way transport costs of £2.20 and free entry to many major attractions, including the National Museum of Scotland.
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Glasgow: UK’s #1 non-capital city for cultural education
Glasgow ranked fourth overall and first among all non-capital cities in the UK. The city is home to more than 90 museums and nearly 5,000 listed buildings. Many of the city’s best-known attractions, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Riverside Museum, are free to enter, which removes financial barriers for families. With highly rated cultural tours, Glasgow offers rich and varied opportunities for young people to explore the city’s history and culture.
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Edinburgh and Glasgow data highlights:
| Location & rank | Museums | Cultural tours (4★+) | Avg tour price | Listed buildings | % young people | Transport (one-way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Edinburgh | 141 | 601 | £32 | 9,898 | 18.16% | £2.20 |
| 4. Glasgow | 92 | 196 | £38 | 4,705 | 18.21% | £3.00 |
Cities were ranked by analysing multiple data points. Each metric was indexed to allow fair comparison, and the combined average of these scores determined each city’s final position. * Note: This reflects an average price of all tours available, but tours are available for a range of budgets
Why cultural access matters
Felix Ohswald, CEO and Co-Founder at GoStudent, explains why cultural access plays such a significant role in childhood learning.
“Every child learns in their own wonderfully unique way, and much of that learning happens outside the classroom. When young people explore museums, walk through historic neighbourhoods or join local cultural activities, they begin to understand themselves and the world around them in a deeper way. It is important to encourage children to engage with the culture and history that surrounds them, and luckily, Scotland is home to a wealth of these opportunities.”
“Culture should feel welcoming and accessible. When cities invest in cultural experiences that are easy for families to reach, they open the door for children to develop curiosity, empathy and confidence, which stay with them for life.”
