OH
Curated and written by
Olivia Holdcroft
AFS City Guide Content Creator
Studying at University of Edinburgh
The complete student guide to Edinburgh
8 min read·Last updated: 8 April 2026
“The history, the architecture and the feeling that the city combined old and new. Also the fact my university campus was split across the city (made me feel like a proper resident).”
Why study in Edinburgh
Great atmosphere
Every August, I love going to the city during The Fringe – an arts festival full of wacky shows and big-name performers, there are loads of free shows and the atmosphere is incredible! I also highly recommend Beltane Festival, an event that takes place during the winter and summer solstices. Think fire, drums and red paint, this is a quirky highlight event often held on Calton Hill. Royal Mile is popular with tourists (and for good reason) the strip almost always has buskers performing traditional Scottish music, particularly bagpipes.
Explore for free!
To get to know your university city, you don’t even have to spend any cash – you can learn about its history and culture for free at the National Museum and National Gallery. After that take a walk through the beautiful Princess Street Gardens, take in the architecture of the Scott Monument and some of the beautiful streets like Victoria Street, and visit Greyfriar Bobby’s statue. To learn some more, entrance to The Writer’s Museum, Museum of Childhood and St Giles’ Cathedral is free (donations are encouraged.)
Stay in touch with nature
With walks up famous hills – Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat – you can see views of the city for miles. Edinburgh is also just a 15–minute drive to the seaside, Portobello Beach is only three miles from the city centre. Highland cows are also a staple of the Scottish landscape, hop on a bus and then take the short walk to Swanston farm (free to enter but there is a great cafe where you can enjoy some views of the Pentland Hills Regional Park.
Students feel safe here
Despite being a large city, Edinburgh is quite well-known for being safe – research from Reolink says that 82% of people living in Edinburgh reported that they felt safe. A general consensus also classified the area as student-friendly. The image of safety is promoted by a visible police presence; they can often be found patrolling in busy crowds or high-traffic areas and on weekends. Good street lighting in main areas and services like the night bus all help to ensure safe journeys home for students.
Key facts about Edinburgh
Student life in Edinburgh
Life in the city: Student highlights
Cost of living in Edinburgh
Wondering how much it costs to live in Edinburgh as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.
| Expense | Edinburgh average | National average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (monthly) | £1192 | £907.91 | £284.0931% more |
| Utilities (monthly) | £94 | £111.91 | £17.9116% less |
| Bus pass (monthly) | £63 | £62.64 | £0.361% more |
| Groceries | £15.80 | £15.26 | £0.544% more |
| Gym pass (monthly) | £36.77 | £35.63 | £1.143% more |
| Takeaway coffee | £3.94 | £3.62 | £0.329% more |
Rent (monthly)
- Edinburgh average
- £1192
- National average
- £907.91
- Difference
- £284.0931% more
Utilities (monthly)
- Edinburgh average
- £94
- National average
- £111.91
- Difference
- £17.9116% less
Bus pass (monthly)
- Edinburgh average
- £63
- National average
- £62.64
- Difference
- £0.361% more
Groceries
- Edinburgh average
- £15.80
- National average
- £15.26
- Difference
- £0.544% more
Gym pass (monthly)
- Edinburgh average
- £36.77
- National average
- £35.63
- Difference
- £1.143% more
Takeaway coffee
- Edinburgh average
- £3.94
- National average
- £3.62
- Difference
- £0.329% more
"Visit all the museums (most are free). Also explore the areas which are less touristy. There are plenty of beautiful walks in Georgian areas which are not as famous, but which are quieter and still really pretty.”
Universities in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Napier University
Taking its name from 16th century Scottish Mathematician and philosopher John Napier, this university is located in the heart of Edinburgh.
Read guide →
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University was established in 1821 as the School of Arts in Edinburgh. It was the world’s first mechanic’s institute and was later granted university status in 1966.
Read guide →
Queen Margaret University
With a service to help you become employed both before and after graduation, Queen Margaret University aims to provide students with outstanding opportunity and job prospects.
Read guide →
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is one of the finest Universities in the UK and is located in one of the country's most dramatic and student friendly cities.
Read guide →Getting around Edinburgh
The whole city is considered walkable but if the many winding streets and hills put you off then rest assured that the bus links are great.
Buses
If you are aged 5-21 and live in Scotland, you can travel for free on most bus services with a Young Scot card. Stagecoach also offers the UNIRider pass for discounts on certain routes.
Offers specific student tickets, such as the UNIRider, which provides discounted travel for students on specific routes. Students also get discounts with MegaBus and National Express.
Offers specific student tickets, such as the UNIRider, which provides discounted travel for students on specific routes. Students also get discounts with MegaBus and National Express.
Cycling
Biking is a great option especially along the canal path and around the Meadows. The bike scheme has recently been introduced to Edinburgh, with Voi hires being added to the city in 2025. The bike company has liaised with universities to ensure there are enough zones on campuses for students.
Walking
The whole city is walkable, distance-wise most things are within a local proximity however the hills around the city may add a little bit extra to your ETA. With all campuses situated rather central, the University of Edinburgh’s main campus is just a 15-minute walk from Waverley Station.
Metrolink
The tram route runs all the way from the airport to the city centre, Leith and Newhaven. Students can purchase Ridacards which provide a discount for unlimited travel on buses and trams.
Trains
Edinburgh Waverley Station is the most central station but Haymarket is also another main station, located in the West end of the city. Trains are the more reliable form of transport for those looking travel further out of Edinburgh. With ScotRail you can purchase a 16-25 Railcard for £35, this will give you a third off your rail expenses for a year.
Life after uni
Students studying in Edinburgh will experience strong links between their chosen industry and university. There are job roles available locally or globally for students in this city, due to the education focus being set upon skills and employability.
Global opportunities
For students interested in an international career, Edinburgh is the perfect place to study – graduates here work in 100+ countries worldwide. There are competitive global sectors for finance, consulting, and tech. Employability reputation
The city itself has a good reputation for education with many available institutions. However, the University of Edinburgh is ranked especially high; top 10 in the UK for graduate employability and ranked 33rd globally by employers. Key industries
Edinburgh is known as the ‘data capital’ of Europe with strong technology, science and creative sectors available.
Some of Edinburgh's biggest graduate employers
Accommodation for every student
halls
29 properties
Avg. £246/week
houses
0 properties
Avg. £0/week
flats
87 properties
Avg. £231/week
studios
194 properties
Avg. £310/week
Latest properties in Edinburgh
OH
Curated and written by
Olivia Holdcroft
AFS City Guide Content Creator
Studying at University of Edinburgh
Olivia is in her fourth-year studying for her MA (Hons) History at the University of Edinburgh. During her time as a student content creator for AFS, Olivia used her love of Edinburgh to write a helpful City Guide so that prospective students could get the same enjoyment of the student experience here.
