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Looking for somewhere to live in Edinburgh? You’ll find a bit of everything here, from university halls to private student flats and classic house shares. Most first-years at the University of Edinburgh kick things off in halls, especially at Pollock Halls or in a flat from providers like Fresh.
If you’re at Edinburgh Napier, where you end up living depends a lot on your course and which campus you’ll need (Merchiston, Craiglockhart, or Sighthill). Picking where to stay actually matters here, since everything isn’t centred around one spot. It’s worth thinking about where you’ll spend most of your time (and how much you like buses!). Once they’ve survived the first year, most people start looking for private flats in neighbourhoods like Marchmont, Newington, Bruntsfield, Leith, or Tollcross. Renting in Edinburgh can feel like a sport. The competition is fierce, and prices are high, so it pays to start early. Most flats are those classic, slightly quirky tenement buildings with tons of character, but be ready for drafty windows, creaky stairs, and a bit of DIY spirit. The best places are snapped up fast, so house hunting can feel a bit like The Hunger Games!
Edinburgh Napier students are more spread out depending on campus and course, so accommodation choices often depend on whether you want to be near Merchiston, Craiglockhart or Sighthill. That makes location slightly more important here than in cities where one campus dominates everything.
Students usually find their groove in Edinburgh pretty quickly.
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Read MoreHistory runs deep, but the city keeps moving forward.
Leeds offers a range of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively Lenton to creative Hockley.
Leeds offers a range of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively Lenton to creative Hockley.
Leeds offers a range of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively Lenton to creative Hockley.
Leeds offers a range of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively Lenton to creative Hockley.
Leeds offers a range of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively Lenton to creative Hockley.
Where you decide to live in Edinburgh honestly shapes your whole student experience and probably more than you’d think, especially compared to cities with just one main campus.
Edinburgh’s got several academic hubs scattered around, so your day often means bouncing between lectures, libraries, shops, and hangouts. If you’re near George Square, life’s a lot easier, and many Edinburgh students love being able to walk everywhere. But if you’re based at King’s Buildings or one of the Napier campuses, you’ll get to know the bus routes (and probably wish for shorter walks in the rain).
Don’t trust the map. Those hills, the weather, and crowded streets can turn a short walk into a trek, especially in winter or rush hour. A 20-minute journey on paper can feel endless when it’s dark and freezing.
Where you live isn’t just about the accommodation, as it totally changes your social life too. Places like Marchmont, Newington, and Tollcross are buzzing with students and nightlife. If you end up further out, it’s quieter, but you’ll need to put in a bit more effort to stay in the loop.
Honestly, picking your place in Edinburgh isn’t just about the building. It’s about making your day-to-day life smoother. The easier it is to get to class, meet friends, and grab groceries, the less stressed you’ll be.
Accommodation options include:
The University of Edinburgh has a strong international reputation and a very visible presence across the city. George Square and the Central Area form the heart of student life for many courses, and the area around it feels busy, academic and well integrated into the city itself. The main library, careers support and many student services are concentrated there.
King’s Buildings has a different feel. It is home to the College of Science and Engineering, includes over 30 teaching and research buildings, and sits south of the centre. It's a 35-minute walk from the Central Area, and only 15 minutes by bike from the city centre, so students here often rely more on buses or bikes as part of daily life.
The university can feel quite dispersed compared with a classic single campus model. That works well for students who like being embedded in the city, but it also means your experience depends a lot on subject and location. Some students love that Edinburgh doesn’t feel like a bubble. Others find the split between accommodation, lectures and social life more tiring than expected.
Edinburgh Napier has a more multi-campus structure and a slightly more practical, professionally focused feel. Merchiston is the most obviously student-friendly site, set in Bruntsfield and close to independent cafés, restaurants and shops. It is home to computing, engineering and creative industries, so it has a lively day-to-day atmosphere and feels well connected to student neighbourhoods.
Craiglockhart has a quieter setting and is home to the Business School. It feels more separate from the city centre, with more of a contained campus atmosphere. Sighthill is larger again and serves the Schools of Applied Sciences and Health & Social Care, with facilities including life-like hospital wards, a clinical skills suite, sports science labs and the ENgage sports centre. It is well served by public transport, but it is definitely less central than Merchiston.
Napier suits students who don’t mind travelling between campuses, and who want a university experience that feels slightly more structured and course-specific. The main trade-off is that student life can feel more split by campus than at universities where everyone overlaps in one central zone.
In PBSA and halls, bills included usually means electricity, heating, water, broadband, and often contents insurance. Always check if a TV licence is part of the deal. In private shared houses, housemates set up and pay for utilities themselves.
Fresh offers Edinburgh students a variety of room types across desirable, central locations with all bills included and a wealth of amenities at your doorstep. Whether you want your own space or a building with a strong communal feel, it is worth comparing what is in the building alongside what is in the lease.
Best places to live in Edinburgh as a student
Marchmont is one of the classic student areas in Edinburgh, and it feels like it. It sits just south of the Meadows and close to the University of Edinburgh’s Central Area, which makes it especially popular with second- and third-year students.
The big draw is convenience. You can walk to lectures, libraries, cafés and nightlife, and the area has a strong student presence without feeling completely dominated by it. Most housing is traditional tenement flats, which means high ceilings, shared stairwells and more character than modern blocks.
The downside is cost. Marchmont is popular for a reason, and rents reflect that. Flats also vary a lot in condition, so the nice exterior doesn’t always mean an easy winter inside.
Newington is practical, busy and heavily student-oriented. It gives easy access to George Square, Pollock Halls and central Edinburgh, and it has plenty of supermarkets, takeaways, cafés and bus routes.
It works well for students who want everything close by and don’t mind a slightly more hectic environment. Streets near South Clerk Street and Nicolson Street can feel noisy and crowded, especially during term time or festival season.
Newington suits students who prioritise location and convenience over quiet surroundings.
Leith has changed a lot over recent years and is now one of Edinburgh’s most talked-about neighbourhoods. It has more restaurants, bars and creative spaces than it used to, and it feels more mixed in age and lifestyle than the more traditional student zones.
It works well for students who want a bit more independence or a less obvious student area. But it is further from central university buildings, so daily commuting matters more. If you are based at George Square or central sites, that extra travel time adds up.
Tollcross sits between the city centre, the University of Edinburgh and Bruntsfield, so it is very well placed for students who want to be close to everything. It has bars, cafés, cinemas and supermarkets and feels lively without being as residential as Marchmont.
It can also feel busy and expensive, and properties vary from decent flats to quite tired rentals. Tollcross suits students who want to live centrally and don’t mind a bit of noise and footfall.
Student life in Edinburgh is shaped by more than just lectures and accommodation. It's about how the city works day to day.
Things like where you live, how you get around, the cost of living and the general pace of the city all play a role. Edinburgh has a strong sense of identity, and that comes through in everything from its cultural events and Pride celebrations to its transport system and green spaces. It’s a city that feels busy and established, rather than built purely around students.
At the same time, it’s not always the easiest place to navigate. Costs can be high, distances between campuses matter, and the city changes noticeably during peak tourist periods. But there’s also a lot on offer, from access to nature and coastal areas to a strong sense of community across different student groups.
Understanding how these different elements come together gives you a clearer picture of what living and studying in Edinburgh actually feels like, beyond just the university itself.
Edinburgh’s nightlife is strong, but it’s not all one thing. It has student club nights, pubs, live music and festival-season intensity, but it is generally less chaotic than somewhere like Brighton and less all-out ‘student-led’ than somewhere like Liverpool.
Cowgate is the best-known nightlife area for students, with bars and clubs concentrated closely together. It is central, easy to move around on foot and popular with undergraduates. The Grassmarket and surrounding streets offer more pubs and a slightly different pace, while George Street leans smarter and more expensive.
The city also has a strong live events culture. Bigger venues and festival activity mean there is usually something on, but that also means prices can rise during key periods and venues can feel very mixed between students, tourists and visitors. In August especially, nightlife blends into the wider festival city and the whole place gets busier.
Edinburgh works well for students who want variety rather than one single party district. The trade-off: nights out are rarely cheap.
But there are a few realities worth knowing:
The centre of student nightlife is the Cowgate. It sits underneath the Old Town and is effectively one long stretch of bars and clubs, all within walking distance of each other. It’s known for cheap drinks, packed dance floors and the ability to move between venues in one night.
Typical student spots include:
The big advantage of Cowgate is that everything is close together. You can easily do 2–3 places in one night. The downside is that it can feel crowded, messy and intense, especially on student nights.
Not every night out in Edinburgh is about clubs. The Grassmarket is one of the main pub areas, sitting below the castle. It’s busy, social and often where nights start before heading elsewhere.
Places students regularly go include:
If you want something slightly less hectic, Bruntsfield and Leith offer more relaxed bars and restaurants. These areas are less student-heavy and feel more local, especially as you move away from the Old Town.
Edinburgh has plenty of live music, comedy and alternatives which are a big part of social life, so it's ideal for those who are not drinking.
During the academic year, there’s always something happening, and during festival season, that multiplies dramatically. For many students, the Edinburgh Festival is a key reason to be here.
Edinburgh’s social life isn’t just about nightlife. Cafés, walks through the Meadows, climbing Arthur’s Seat, society events and university-led activities all play a big role. It’s a city where social life shifts depending on the time of year. It's quieter and more student-focused in term time and busier during festivals and summer.
Edinburgh works well for students who want variety rather than one fixed scene. There’s always something to do, but you usually have to choose your spots rather than having everything in one place.
Edinburgh’s food scene is broad and genuinely good, but it spans everything from quick student staples to expensive special-occasion restaurants. That means choice is not the problem, budget usually is.
Students around Newington and Southside rely on practical favourites: takeaways, cafés, supermarket meal deals and easy sit-down spots near university buildings. In Bruntsfield and Leith, the food scene becomes more independent and more polished, with plenty of brunch places, bakeries and restaurants that feel more grown-up than cheap.
Leith in particular has built a reputation for stronger dining options, and the city as a whole is good for international food. But Edinburgh is not a low-cost eating-out city. You can still find cheaper meals if you know where to look, but central locations and festival periods push prices up quickly. The good side is variety. The less good side, treating yourself or eating out as routine rather than occasional can get expensive fast.
You can’t walk through Edinburgh without bumping into history, literally! From the Castle and the cobbled Old Town to the Royal Mile, the past is everywhere you look. It’s not just for tourists; you’ll feel it in your daily life as a student, and it’s a big part of what makes Edinburgh feel so unique. As you'd expect in a capital city, there's always something going on here: Fringe shows, summer festivals, art exhibitions, theatre, and concerts. You get access to way more culture than most UK cities this size could offer. If you want a city that feels lively and connected to the world, Edinburgh is tough to beat.
The only catch? Tourists are everywhere, especially in summer. The city can feel less like a student town and more like a festival stage when August rolls around. Some people love the buzz, while others get fed up with the crowds by the end of the month.
Edinburgh has a well-earned reputation for being open, welcoming, and genuinely accepting, and you can really feel that as a student here.
There’s a vibrant LGBTQ+ community here, and it’s easy to spot. The Pink Triangle (around Broughton Street and Leith Walk) is packed with friendly bars, cafés, and hangouts where you can just be yourself. As a student, it’s a relief to know you’ll find spaces, whether it’s for a night out, an event, or just a coffee, where you can feel comfortable and seen.
Edinburgh Pride is a highlight every year; think marches, performances, and a whole city that comes alive with support. But what really stands out is that this feeling of inclusion isn’t just for one weekend; it’s woven into everyday life here. You don’t have to wait for a big event to feel welcome.
Both the University of Edinburgh and Napier have active LGBTQ+ societies, and they’re not just about awareness. They put on regular meetups, run campaigns, and host socials that help you find your people, especially if you’re new and looking to connect. It can make a big difference to have that support from day one.
Of course, like anywhere, your experience can depend on where you live and the circles you move in. The city centre and student areas usually feel the most inclusive, while quieter spots can be a bit less visible. But on the whole, Edinburgh is known as a city where you can find your crowd and be yourself, whatever that means for you.
For a lot of students, it’s the mix of an open community, regular events, and real support from the universities that makes Edinburgh feel genuinely inclusive without ever feeling forced or overwhelming.
Because student success starts with wellbeing.
Edinburgh is an amazing place to be a student, but let’s be real; student life is not always a breeze. Looking after your wellbeing is a big part of student life, and in Edinburgh, support comes from a mix of university services, your living environment and the wider city itself.
Because Edinburgh is more spread out than campus-based cities like Colchester, support isn’t all in one place, but it is there, and often more extensive. Both universities offer structured wellbeing services, while student communities, accommodation teams and local services all play a role in day-to-day support.
What makes Edinburgh different is that you need to be a bit more proactive. Support is available, but it’s less “built around you” than in smaller cities. Once you understand where to go and how things connect, most students find they can build a routine that works.
Edinburgh offers a student environment that feels established and well-supported, but not overly sheltered.
Both the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University provide access to counselling, academic support and wellbeing services, along with societies, peer networks and student-led communities. There’s a clear structure in place, and if you actively use it, support is there when you need it.
What makes Edinburgh slightly different is that support doesn’t just come from the universities. The city itself plays a role. Student areas like Marchmont, Newington and Bruntsfield naturally create networks where people live close to coursemates and build routines around shared spaces like libraries, cafés and parks.
That said, it’s not a fully campus-led environment. You’re more responsible for building your own support system compared to smaller or more contained student cities. It’s easy to stay within your own bubble if you don’t engage, but equally, there are plenty of ways to connect if you do. Edinburgh tends to suit students who are comfortable with a bit of independence but still want access to structured support when it matters.
The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University both offer a wide range of wellbeing and mental health services.
These include confidential counselling, mental health advisers, academic support and workshops focused on stress management and study skills. Support is available across different campuses, though availability can vary depending on demand, especially during exam periods.
There are also strong student-led networks through societies and Students’ Unions. These regularly run wellbeing campaigns, peer support sessions and social events, which often feel more informal and easier to access than formal services.
Where you live has a big impact on how supported you feel in Edinburgh.
Student accommodation (particularly purpose-built properties like Fresh) often includes shared social spaces, study areas and on-site facilities that help balance work and downtime. In a city where travel and distance can add pressure, having a comfortable and well-located home base makes a noticeable difference.
Resident events, shared spaces and on-site teams can also help you connect with others early on. This is especially useful in Edinburgh, where students are spread across different neighbourhoods rather than one central campus.
Transport
Edinburgh’s a city made for walking (at least, when it’s not pouring rain or blowing a gale!). If you’re living centrally, you’ll find you can get to lectures, coffee shops, and friends’ flats on foot. That said, those famous hills and the winter chill can catch you out, so comfy shoes and a decent jacket are essential.
If you’re at the University of Edinburgh, Pollock Halls is about a 20-minute stroll from George Square, and King’s Buildings is a bit further - about 35 minutes walking or under 15 minutes if you’re on a bike. Buses are frequent and reliable (and a lifesaver on cold mornings).
For Edinburgh Napier students, your commute depends on which campus you’re at. Merchiston is close to Bruntsfield, so you might be able to roll out of bed and be in class in minutes. Sighthill is further out, but buses get you there with minimal fuss. Craiglockhart sits somewhere in between and usually means hopping on a bus.
Everyone in Edinburgh ends up using Lothian Buses at some point; they're the city’s public transport backbone, with more than 50 routes. There are trams too, and airport links run day and night. Ubers and taxis are easy to find, so getting home after a night out isn’t stressful. If you need to travel, Waverley Station has rail links to the rest of Scotland and London, perfect for weekend escapes or visiting family.
One thing to bear in mind: don’t just pick a place to live just because it looks nice in the listing. If your new place means three bus journeys or a giant hill every morning, it might lose its appeal pretty fast!
Staying active in Edinburgh is relatively easy, but what that looks like depends on your routine, budget and where you live.
The city offers a good mix of structured indoor facilities and accessible outdoor space, so most students find something that fits around lectures and social life.
Indoor Fitness Options
If you prefer structured workouts, there are plenty of gym and fitness options across the city.
The University of Edinburgh Sport & Exercise facilities at Pleasance are some of the most popular with students, offering a gym, swimming pool, fitness classes and sports halls right next to the Central Area. It’s convenient if you’re based around George Square and often becomes part of students’ weekly routine.
At Edinburgh Napier University, students have access to facilities like the ENgage sports centre at Sighthill, which includes gyms, sports courts and fitness classes. These tend to be more campus-focused, so they work best if you’re already studying there.
Beyond university facilities, you’ll find commercial gyms across the city such as PureGym Edinburgh and The Gym Group Edinburgh, which are often cheaper and open 24/7. These are popular with students living further from campus or with irregular schedules.
There are also smaller studios offering yoga, pilates and spin classes, particularly in areas like Bruntsfield and Leith, though these can be more expensive.
Outdoor Activity
One of Edinburgh’s biggest advantages is how easy it is to stay active outdoors, without needing to plan much.
Arthur's Seat is the most obvious example. It’s a short walk from the city centre and offers a proper hill climb with views across the whole city. Many students use it for early morning walks, runs or a break from studying.
The Meadows is another key space. It’s flat, central and widely used for jogging, casual sports and outdoor workouts. In warmer months, it becomes a social hub as well as a fitness space.
For something slightly further out, Holyrood Park and Portobello Beach offer longer walks, runs and even cold-water swimming for those who are into it.
Cycling is possible across the city, though hills and traffic can make it more challenging than in flatter student cities. Some routes, especially along the canal and quieter residential areas, are more manageable.
Sports, Societies and Social Fitness
A lot of students stay active through university sports clubs and societies rather than independent gym routines.
Both universities offer a wide range of options, from casual weekly sessions to competitive teams. These can include football, netball, rowing, climbing and martial arts, as well as more social clubs like running groups or yoga societies.
For many students, this becomes a key part of social life as well as fitness, especially in first year when it’s one of the easiest ways to meet people.
Overall, Edinburgh offers a strong mix of indoor and outdoor fitness. Whether you prefer structured gym sessions, casual outdoor movement or social sport, there are enough options to build something that works around student life.
Cost of Living in Edinburgh (Compared to Other UK Student Cities)
Edinburgh is usually more expensive than Exeter and Colchester, and often comparable to or above Bath depending on neighbourhood and housing type. It is not London-level in every category, but it is firmly one of the pricier student cities in the UK.
Typical monthly student costs often look roughly like this:
The main pressure point is rent. Once housing is sorted, the rest is manageable… but accommodation is where Edinburgh really separates itself from cheaper student cities.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from people interested in living in the city.
The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top UK universities and is based around the historic Central Area, near George Square. Heriot-Watt has a self-contained parkland campus at Riccarton on the west of the city and is known for engineering, business and actuarial science. Edinburgh Napier is more vocationally focused, with campuses at Merchiston, Craiglockhart and Sighthill. Queen Margaret University sits just outside the city in Musselburgh and specialises in health, social sciences and performing arts. All four share the same city, culture and student community.
Yes. Edinburgh is compact and walkable, Lothian Buses cover the whole city, and the tram links the airport, city centre and Leith. Under-22s living in Scotland also get free bus travel. Very few students bring a car, and parking in the centre is limited and expensive anyway.
University of Edinburgh students tend to gravitate to Marchmont, Newington and Bruntsfield, all within walking distance of the Central Area. Heriot-Watt students often live on campus or in Gorgie and Dalry, which have good bus links to Riccarton. Napier students at Merchiston and Craiglockhart suit Bruntsfield and Morningside, while Queen Margaret students often choose Portobello or Musselburgh itself. Leith suits students from any university who prioritise independent food, bars and a creative scene over proximity to campus.
Rent is among the highest of any UK student city outside London, so it pays to plan early. Day-to-day living is more manageable, and many of the city's best experiences cost nothing: Arthur's Seat, the Meadows, Portobello beach and the national museums and galleries are all free.
Edinburgh is generally regarded as one of the safer UK cities. Residential student areas such as Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Morningside are quiet and well regarded. The Cowgate and Grassmarket get busy late at night, as nightlife areas do in any city. All the universities run safety and welfare support, and the standard advice about city living applies.
The city hosts the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world, alongside the International Festival and the Book Festival. The population swells, every available space becomes a venue, and the city runs almost around the clock. Most students aren't around for the whole thing, but those who stay find it an extraordinary time to live here, and there's plenty of seasonal work going.
Yes. Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a short walk from the Old Town and the main student areas. A sunrise climb is a rite of passage, and most students do it at least once in their first term.
Edinburgh was named the world's first UNESCO City of Literature. Robert Louis Stevenson, Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle and Muriel Spark all have connections to the city, and that heritage shows up in the bookshops, the Book Festival and a lively spoken word scene. Students who write, or simply read a lot, tend to find Edinburgh quietly inspiring.
Changeable, windy and cooler than the south of England. A proper waterproof coat matters more than an umbrella, which the wind will take. The trade-off is long, light summer evenings and crisp, clear winter days that make the city look spectacular.
Students who choose Edinburgh and stay for their degree tend to describe the same thing: a city that feels like it was built to be lived in, not just studied in.
The history gives it a character that no amount of regeneration could manufacture. The festivals mean culture isn't something you seek out; it arrives on your doorstep every August. Arthur's Seat, the Pentland Hills and the coastline at Portobello make it feel wild in a way capital cities rarely manage. And with four universities sharing one compact city, the student population is large enough to generate real energy without any single institution defining the place.
Students consistently say that Edinburgh becomes home faster than they expected. The city is small enough to learn in a term and deep enough to keep surprising you for years. With most Scottish degrees running for four years, there's time to properly settle in, and many graduates find they never quite leave.
Finding the right place to live in Edinburgh is one of the best decisions you will make before you arrive. Demand for student accommodation in the city is high, so the sooner you start looking, the more options you will have, particularly in the most popular areas close to campus.

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