Education
Qualifications
About this topic
Qualifications records the highest non-school qualification completed by people aged 15 years and over. It describes post-school educational attainment such as certificates, diplomas, and university degrees.
This topic is a key indicator of skill level and socio-economic opportunity within an area. It is most useful when read with employment status, occupation, and income, which show how qualifications relate to labour market outcomes.
Interpretation notes
- This topic uses highest completed non-school qualification, so incomplete study and current enrolment do not count as attained qualifications.
- It applies to people aged 15 years and over and should be read with schooling for the full education profile.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, no qualification was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Edinburgh, accounting for 48.7% (183 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (49.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in no qualification, which increased by 58 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Edinburgh - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Edinburgh in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Edinburgh, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
52
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
52
13.8%
-0.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
29
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
29
7.7%
+4.8pp
Vocational
2021 count
95
% of total
25.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
95
25.3%
+0.7pp
No Qualification
2021 count
183
% of total
48.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
183
48.7%
+2.7pp
Not Stated
2021 count
17
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-7.6pp
17
4.5%
-7.6pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+13
-0.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+21
+4.8pp
Vocational
+28
+0.7pp
No Qualification
+58
+2.7pp
Not Stated
-16
-7.6pp
Data table
Qualifications for Edinburgh. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 52 | 13.8% | 15.0% | 39 | 14.3% | 11.6% | +13 | -0.5pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 29 | 7.7% | 7.3% | 8 | 2.9% | 7.0% | +21 | +4.8pp |
| Vocational | 95 | 25.3% | 21.6% | 67 | 24.6% | 21.8% | +28 | +0.7pp |
| No Qualification | 183 | 48.7% | 49.2% | 125 | 46.0% | 51.2% | +58 | +2.7pp |
| Not Stated | 17 | 4.5% | 7.0% | 33 | 12.1% | 8.4% | -16 | -7.6pp |
| Total | 376 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 272 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +104 | 0.0pp |