Edinburgh City Guide
Located in the heart of Scotland, Edinburgh is a popular destination for many students. With its vast mountain ranges, coastal walks, Georgian architecture and bustling city centre, there really is something for everyone. Boasting the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Queen Margaret University and Heriot Watt University, there are also plenty of educational options to choose from. Despite being the Scottish capital, its small size means it is a relatively safe place to live. It is also very walkable and has excellent rail and air connections to the rest of the UK and abroad.
Universities:
Every university in Edinburgh is unique. Situated in the heart of the capital, the University of Edinburgh is a popular choice for many. As a city university, its various faculties are spread across the city, with most being a 10-20 minute walk from the centre. Due to its prestigious nature as a Russell Group University, it consistently ranks well within the UK and internationally. It offers more than 400 undergraduate degrees, with some of the most popular including Law, Medicine and Veterinary Science. As a result of its size, there are also plenty of sports clubs and societies to get involved with.
In comparison, Edinburgh Napier is a much smaller, community university. Despite being a campus university, it is still located a walkable distance from the city centre, making it an ideal choice for those who want to experience the best of both worlds. It has very high student satisfaction rates and is best known for its degrees in Science and Nursing as well as more specific post-graduate degrees such as Publishing and Business.
Heading east towards the coast, Queen Margaret University can be found in the nearby town of Musselburgh. It is a short, six-minute train ride from Waverley Station meaning central Edinburgh is still easily accessible for those living on campus. It is well-known for its arts degrees, including Drama, Film and Media, but also has more tailored, vocational degrees. It has a more flexible attitude towards learning, providing online degrees to accommodate students who cannot attend campus.
Finally, the furthest from the city centre is Heriot Watt University. This is located next to the bypass, about a half hour drive from Princes Street. Although best known for Business and Engineering, it also offers a host of other degrees and has been recognised for its commitment to groundbreaking research. Its campus is also set amidst a beautiful parkland and boasts one of the best sports centres in the UK.
Student Areas and Accommodation
Many students at the University of Edinburgh favour areas such as Marchmont, Newington and Haymarket. The former is a popular choice due to its location next to The Meadows and the Main Library. As well as featuring plenty of independent shops and cafés, it is also a quieter area of Edinburgh, giving you some peace to complete your studies!
Even closer to the university, Newington can be found in a more urban, central location. With quick access to supermarkets, transport and the university itself, it isn’t difficult to see why many choose to call it home.
Finally, although a bit further out, Haymarket has excellent rail, bus and tram links and can be a cheaper alternative. It is also a good option for those studying at Edinburgh Napier, being approximately halfway between the university and the city centre. Notably, these locations are also popular for students at Heriot Watt University and Queen Margaret University, many of whom choose to live closer to the city centre and make use of the excellent bus and rail connections to commute to their respective universities.
Regardless of where they are studying, most first-year students tend to make use of university accommodation which is usually located near their campus. After this, students typically either live in shared flats or studios in their preferred location.
Getting around
Edinburgh is definitely a city where you should leave the car at home (if possible) and make use of the excellent public transport. There are over 50 bus routes which will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. In addition, applying for a Young Scot Card will give you free bus travel and discounted rail travel until you’re 22 years old. There are also CityLink buses with direct routes to Glasgow, Stirling, Dundee, Perth and Inverness.
The city’s main railway station is Edinburgh Waverley which can be found at the top of Princes Street and boasts direct trains to London, York, Manchester and Glasgow. Lesser known is Haymarket which also contains a railway station, tram stop and various bus stops. The trams are also a reliable and fun way to get around. Starting at Edinburgh Airport, they pass through the city centre and out towards the coast, terminating at Newhaven.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, it is also possible to hire e-bikes and scooters. Edinburgh is easy to access by car given it is well connected, and it is quick and easy to fly from the airport to many major UK and international cities.
Food and drink
Edinburgh is home to a lot of student-friendly cafés. These are particularly prominent in the areas around the University of Edinburgh such as South Bridge and Newington. Some of the best ones include Black Medicine Coffee, Coffee Angel and Café Kilimanjaro where students can study, socialise or simply enjoy a well-needed break.
There are a wide variety of bars and restaurants in the city. Some of the best cheaper options include City Restaurant, La Viola and the newly opened St James Quarter – a food court which is perfect to go to with friends. If you’re looking for a bargain, several chains offer student discounts. Although such discounts are rarer for independent cafés and restaurants, it is still always worth asking as many still have excellent loyalty cards or reward schemes!
Nightlife
Much of Edinburgh’s nightlife can be found in Cowgate. This low-set area contains all sorts of clubs and bars, from all out rave-spots such as Subway, Hive and Why Not to more aesthetic options such as Marlins Wynd and The Rowantree.
If you prefer bars to clubs, The Three Sisters and The Pear Tree might be more up your street. These venues also often show viewings of sporting events and other big celebrations which can make for a fun night out.If music is your thing, Sneaky Pete’s hosts live gigs and has become a popular spot for upcoming musicians. Of course, you can also make use of the student unions within each university.
Study spots
There are plenty of study spots to choose from in Edinburgh! For library-lovers, each university has its own library and study spaces. If you prefer a busier atmosphere, there are plenty of cafés around the city centre and suburbs. Some notorious student haunts include the Levels Café and Lounge, Union Brew Lab and Black Medicine Coffee. Chains are also dotted around the city. Often overlooked are the council-run libraries, such as the Central Lending Library, which also contain quiet study areas. Once you sign up for a free membership, you can study in any council-library in Edinburgh. Depending on your accommodation, you may also prefer to study at home – many halls of residence and private sites have spacious and quiet study areas. In addition, they give you the added benefit of being able to pop back to your room whenever you need a break!
Local amenities
There are plenty of supermarkets located throughout the centre and suburbs of Edinburgh. If you have a car or are willing to make use of public transport, bigger supermarkets can be found on the outskirts of the city. It may be possible to order online, but be sure to check whether your accommodation accepts food deliveries before doing so!
Edinburgh also has a variety of gyms and sports facilities. The most notable campus sports facility is the Oriam Sports Performance Centre which can be found at Heriot Watt University. As well as those associated with each university, there are also commercial facilities such as PureGym and Edinburgh Leisure. Signing up for a membership at the latter will allow you to use any of their gyms, swimming pools and other facilities across the city. Health-wise it should be possible to register with a university GP and dentist once you move to Edinburgh.
Insider tips
Edinburgh has a lot to offer. It can be tempting to just stick to the tourist areas, but there are so many beautiful (and quieter) parts on the outskirts. It is definitely worth visiting the museums in your spare time – a lot of them are free and some (including Edinburgh Castle) will let you in for £1 if you have a Young Scot Card. Explore and decide for yourself which area is your favourite!
