The principal of the University of Edinburgh, Sir Tim O¡¯Shea, is to step down next year.

Sir Tim will leave the institution in September 2017, after a 15-year term.

He said that he had ¡°every confidence¡± that the institution would ¡°continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come¡±.

¡°It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh and I am extremely proud of what we as an institution have achieved over recent years,¡± Sir Tim said.

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Prior to joining Edinburgh, Sir Tim was master of Birkbeck, University of London, and a pro vice-chancellor at the Open University.

Under his leadership, Edinburgh has maintained its pre-eminent reputation for research excellence, securing 24^th place in the most recent Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

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The institution also became a pioneer of online learning, becoming the first university in the UK to offer a massive open online course. Since 2013, 2.5 million students have accessed Edinburgh courses for free via the internet.

John Swinney, Scotland¡¯s deputy first minister and education secretary, paid tribute to Sir Tim.

¡°Under Sir Tim's leadership, the University of Edinburgh has built on its reputation as one of the world's great universities and is widely regarded as a powerhouse of ideas and innovation across the breadth of academic endeavour, bringing distinction and talent to Scotland,¡± the minister said.

Edinburgh said that it would begin the recruitment process for Sir Tim¡¯s successor shortly.

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The vacancy is the second prestigious academic role to become available in Scotland in recent times, with Sally Mapstone, currently pro vice-chancellor for education at the University of Oxford, due to become principal of the University of St Andrews in September. Louise Richardson, St Andrews¡¯ former principal, left to become Oxford¡¯s new vice-chancellor.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com