The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh is the top rated for teaching and research in Scotland. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise EaStCHEM is 4th in the GPA metric and first when staff volume is factored in (the power ranking), sitting above Oxford and Cambridge.

The Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews have formed EaStCHEM, which is the leading Chemistry research school in Scotland. Through continued collaboration between the two Universities EaStCHEM will become a driving force in a number of key research areas. EaStCHEM is also part of ScotCHEM, which strengthens links between the major Schools of Chemistry in Scottish Universities.