Student Accommodation

Edinburgh

Edinburgh University

The University of Edinburgh is a large university that was founded in 1583. It continues to be ranked as one of the top universities on the planet (coming in at number 18 on the latest QS World University Rankings). It has been home to many of the world’s top scientists, politicians and philosophers over the last 400 years and more, and continues to shape the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow (21 Nobel Prize winners are associated with the university).

George Square Library

The university offers over 500 undergraduate courses across a diverse range of disciplines, with 89% of graduates leaving with a 1st or 2:1 classification of degree. Living and learning in such a beautiful and historic city is an inspiring factor for many students. The main university library in George Square is one of the largest of its kind in the world – home to over 2,300 study spaces – and counting all the libraries available to students, there are over 1.8 million books, 700,000 e-journals, and 700 licensed databases in storage at the university.

At the Students’ Association, there are over 290 societies and volunteering groups to help you take up a hobby or add to your CV whilst helping others, and there is an award-winning Careers Service aimed at supporting students to find part-time jobs at university as well as discover future careers and network with relevant industry professionals. Teviot Row House is the oldest purpose-built Student Union in the UK, and it is a truly spectacular building.

Edinburgh Napier University

Living at our student accommodation in Edinburgh also puts you close to Edinburgh Napier University, named after the 16th-century mathematician John Napier, who invented the decimal point and logarithms. The university is home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries.

At this university, there is a combination of professional, hands-on knowledge and an academic approach. The idea is to provide students with the practical tools that will take them into a chosen career and help them to be as effective and successful as possible. It has a heavy approach to research, aiming to help improve the quality of life for the people of Scotland and beyond.

The Edward Clark Collection

There is a full library facility and service on the three university campuses, with specialities linked to the academic schools, with extensive collections of both print and audio-visual materials to help with research and learning. The Edward Clark Collection is home to over 5,000 items and displays the development of the book from the 15th century on, as well as a War Poets Collection that exhibits poetry from the First World War alongside other documents, correspondence, and memories.

The Student Union

Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) runs the Union Bar at The Three Sisters in Cowgate, and it is here that the social heartbeat of the university sits. It is home to many society meetings, fundraisers, parties, and sports clubs’ events. Open till 3 am, it is an all-round unique bar within Edinburgh student circles.

Edinburgh is a brilliant city for students when it comes to food. The city centre has a strong selection of the chain restaurants you already know and love, including Prezzo Italian on George Street and Bella Italia on North Bridge, both solid choices for a familiar and straightforward meal out. Beyond the chains, though, there is a thriving independent food scene that is hard to beat anywhere in the UK, and plenty of it is well within a student budget.

City Centre Options

Right in the heart of the city, El Barrio serves up tasty Latino food with generous portions that will keep even the hungriest student going after a long day of lectures. Malone’s Irish Bar sits right next door to the main University of Edinburgh campus and is a popular lunchtime spot, with a two-course meal and a drink available for under a tenner. At The Three Sisters, you can take advantage of a 2-for-1 meal deal every day of the week at the ENSA-run pub, making it one of the best value options in the city for students.

Other great budget options nearby include The Mosque Kitchen, which offers a hearty curry and rice for under a fiver, Elephants and Bagels for solid lunchtime meal deals, and Café Piccante, a chip shop with an in-house resident DJ and the classic Deep Fried Mars Bar on the menu for those willing to embrace the full Scottish experience.

Cheap and Tasty

Edinburgh has embraced the foodie scene in a big way over recent years, and one of the best things about that is how much quality you can find at the cheaper end of the market. As a student, you can eat very well here without breaking the bank, and most of the best spots are easily walkable from Edinburgh student accommodation.

Cuisine Variety

Red Box is a fantastic noodle bar with massive portions at very reasonable prices. You can build your own stir-fry online and collect it as a takeaway, or simply grab something on the go. Ting Thai Caravan, based on Teviot Place, is one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated independent restaurants, offering brilliant Thai street food in a relaxed, canteen-style setting. The pad thai with your choice of vegetables, fish, or fresh meat is a firm student favourite.

Head over to Chapel Street, and you will find yourself in the heart of student-town. The Nile Valley Café at number 6 is one of the standout options, with a Sudanese and Middle Eastern menu that includes tagines, falafel, and fish curry. It is genuinely hard to find a better budget lunch anywhere in the city.

Massive Portions

For those mornings when only a serious breakfast will do, Snax is the place to go for a full Scottish that will sort out even the most stubborn hangover, all for an average of under a fiver.

A Sunday Roast

If a proper Sunday roast is what you are after, The Antiquary, The Cumberland Bar, and The Queens Arms are all worth a visit for some excellent roasties and gravy. And for coffee, great bakes, and a browse alongside some world-class contemporary art, the Fruitmarket Cafe on Market Street is a wonderful spot to spend an afternoon.

The Biggest Student Night

Edinburgh is a city that genuinely knows how to have a good time, with options to suit every taste and budget. On campus at the University of Edinburgh there are bars and club nights to choose from right on the doorstep, and the wider city offers a rich and varied nightlife scene stretching across several distinct areas. As drink prices in Edinburgh tend to rise at the weekend due to tourism, many students find that the best value and most student-friendly atmosphere comes mid-week, when clubs and bars put on their cheapest offers and most dedicated student nights.

Just like neighbouring Glasgow, Edinburgh manages to blend old-fashioned pubs with modern cocktail bars and big nightclubs in a way that feels natural rather than forced. Club nights run regularly on George Street, live music venues line Lothian Road, and The Cowgate is the go-to destination for cheap drinks and a more underground atmosphere.

Music Variety

For indie music, The Liquid Room is one of the most popular student venues in the city. It hosts a wide range of music genres throughout the week and has a strong history of hosting touring indie bands. Mansion Wednesdays and Indigo Thursdays are two of the more popular regular nights to look out for. For a smaller, more intimate live indie experience, Sneaky Pete’s is well worth checking out.

For something more cheesy and danceable, Why Not on George Street is a reliable favourite among students, particularly on Love Wednesdays when drinks prices are at their most student-friendly. It sits beneath The Dome on George Street and features multiple bars, a large dance floor, and a well-known outdoor garden area. For Hip Hop and R&B, The Bongo Club on Cowgate is a great choice.

Whatever You Fancy

Where you choose to go really depends on the kind of night you are after. Victoria Street and Candlemaker Row in the Grassmarket and George IV Bridge area are home to some of the city’s most characterful old pubs, with great ale and a relaxed atmosphere alongside more modern cocktail bars. For late-night dancing there are plenty of underground options in the Old Town and on South Bridge, with more upmarket offerings on George Street and across the New Town. In Bruntsfield and Marchmont, you will find plenty of student-friendly local pubs, regular quiz nights, and club nights that are a bit closer to home.

Historic Football

A weekend in Edinburgh is full of sporting possibilities, particularly between August and May when the football season is in full swing. The Scottish capital is home to two truly historic football clubs, and from our Edinburgh student accommodation you will have both stadiums within easy reach. You can choose to watch Hearts play at Tynecastle or Hibs at Easter Road, just be sure not to confuse the two as it is a heated rivalry to say the least. Edinburgh is rightly regarded as one of the best cities in the UK for a football away day, with both grounds sitting close to the city centre and well served by public transport.

Rugby Union

If Rugby Union is more your thing, Murrayfield is the home of Scottish rugby and one of the great international stadiums in the world. During the autumn term, you can watch top visiting sides from the Southern Hemisphere take on Scotland, and from February each year Scotland’s home games in the Six Nations are played at Murrayfield. Home fixtures against each of the other five nations are spread across every two years, meaning there is always something significant to look forward to. Edinburgh Rugby also play at Murrayfield in the United Rugby Championship, one of Europe’s top club rugby competitions.

Stay Fit and Healthy

For many students, keeping fit and healthy at university is a real priority, and Edinburgh makes it easy to do so. CSE is the University of Edinburgh’s own gym, with some excellent sporting facilities including a swimming pool. You can sign up for a student membership covering a single semester or the full academic year. There are also plenty of other affordable gym options across the city for those studying at other universities or simply looking for something different.

For joggers, The Meadows is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the city, particularly during the day. Through the university, you can also get involved in team sports at every level, from playing with friends purely for fun to competing at an elite level against other universities across Scotland and the wider UK.

From Ice Hockey to Golf

Beyond all of that, Edinburgh offers sport as diverse as ice hockey, roller derby, American football, and paddling on the Union Canal, so there is genuinely something for everyone. Golf lovers will also be well catered for, as you would expect from a country that has such a deep relationship with the game. Private courses such as Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society sit in beautiful surroundings on the edge of the city, while Edinburgh Leisure courses offer competitive rates of play for those on a budget. Braid Hills is a particularly good choice for beginners and seasoned players alike, with panoramic views across the city that make it a memorable round whatever your handicap.

The Finest Shopping in The Country

Shopping in Edinburgh is a real pleasure, even for those living on a student budget. From our Edinburgh student accommodation you are just a short distance from some of the finest shopping in the country, covering everything from independent boutiques and vintage clothing stores to the big brands and high street fashion that you find in every major city. The range stretches from the Gyle shopping centre to the west of the city centre all the way to the landmark St James Quarter at the east end of Princes Street. Edinburgh is a wonderfully vibrant city to live and shop in, with standout independent bookshops worth seeking out, including The Edinburgh Bookshop and Armchair Books, alongside strong record stores such as Unknown Pleasures on Canongate and Assai on Grindlay Street.

The Best High Street Brands

Princes Street and Waverley Mall are central locations and home to a wide selection of high street brands, including H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Primark, to name a few. Just one street north, George Street is home to more upscale fashion retailers, making it a worthwhile stop for students looking to put together something a little smarter for a night out. The two streets sit close enough together that it is easy to cover both in a single trip.

Popular Destinations

For a more independent feel, Stockbridge is brimming with boutiques, vintage stores, gift shops, and arts and crafts stores, all away from the bustle of the city centre. Nicolson Street is also a solid choice for students looking for a bargain, with charity shops sitting alongside practical essentials at Superdrug and Holland and Barrett.

A Vibrant City Centre

Whatever you are looking for in Edinburgh, you will find it. From upscale boutiques to charity shop treasure hunting, from independent bookshops to record stores, Edinburgh has the kind of retail scene that gives a city its character. It is a genuinely exciting place to live, and the independent shops and local businesses that line its streets are a big part of what makes it feel so full of life.

A Historic Capital

As you would expect from an historic capital city with such a rich vein of tradition, you’ll never be short of a sight to see, an attraction to visit, or an event to witness in Edinburgh. First of all, as soon as you arrive as a student moving into our student accommodation in Edinburgh, do yourself a favour and head up to the Castle and Arthur’s Seat. There is no better view in the entire city, and it is steeped in a history many centuries old.

The Stone of Destiny and Crown Jewels are both great attractions to visit when you first live in the city. The breathtaking views are worth the trip up to Arthur’s Seat alone, allowing you to see the entire span of the city from up on high. Another must-see attraction is the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions – a great thing to see with a group of new friends, as you encounter mind-boggling illusions and an exciting new world!

The Royal Botanic Garden

To get away from the stresses and strains of daily student life, the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is a tranquil spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature in all its glory. There are so many scenic walks and things to admire about Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is the famous street in the city, with many traditional Scottish pubs to explore with a pint or a whisky in hand, and Edinburgh Castle at the top.

Princes Street Gardens is another relaxing area to spend some time in after a day out shopping or drinking, whilst Edinburgh Zoo provides one of the best examples of a zoo in the whole of the UK. It has student-discounted prices for entry and continues to promote the safety and sustainability of rare and endangered animals, with conservation work at the zoo stretching back over 100 years.

The Fringe Festival

Of course, you can’t talk about events and attractions in Edinburgh without mentioning the Fringe Festival, and in the summer months, the city comes alive. The Festival is home to a variety of theatre productions, comedians, artists, musicians, and performances of all kinds, and it takes place in every nook and cranny within the city (from the smallest rooms above pubs to the biggest theatres). It doesn’t have to be an expensive visit to see some of the best work on offer at the Edinburgh Fringe; however, with free and heavily discounted shows on offer throughout the city, as well as plenty of free music and art exhibitions to explore.