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CONTENTS

1. Why study in Edinburgh?

2. About Edinburgh

3. University of Edinburgh 

4. Heriot-Watt University

5. Queen Margaret University

6. Edinburgh Napier University

7. Living in Edinburgh 

8. Entry requirements 

9. Transport links

10. Getting around Edinburgh 

11. Things to do in Edinburgh

Why study in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is the historic capital city of Scotland. Famous for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it also has stunning architecture, museums, and art galleries. It offers the perfect mix of thriving city life and vast green spaces. 

About Edinburgh

Cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and classical buildings – Edinburgh is a city rich in history. You'll also find modern architecture, a thriving creative culture and friendly locals. It’s not hard to see why Edinburgh’s so popular with students.

In 2024 NatWest named Edinburgh as one of the top five most affordable student cities. This affordability, along with Edinburgh’s mix of city, countryside and coastline means students from both urban and rural areas can quickly feel right at home. 

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities; it has an outstanding history of discovery, invention and innovation. This includes the theory of the Higgs boson, which gained a Nobel Prize for Physics for Professor Peter Higgs in 2013. Another first was the cloning of Dolly the sheep at the university’s Roslin Institute.

Location

The university has five main campuses in the city of Edinburgh. Its buildings include many of historical and architectural significance, such as those in the Old Town. Most research and teaching activity take place at the King's Buildings Campus. This occupies a leafy 35 hectare site with beautiful views of Blackford Hill and Craigmillar Park Golf Course. It's located around 3km south of the city centre and approx. 1.5km from the central university area and main student halls of residence.

Facilities

Students get flexible access to a modern library, a sports and leisure centre, IT resources and study spaces. There's 24-hour computer access at the Main Library and several computer labs across the campuses.

See the  for an interactive map and more information.

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt offers a wide variety of programmes and specialist facilities. It scores well on the amount invested in student facilities which will no doubt help students reach their full potential.

Location

Heriot-Watt has five campuses, in Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Malaysia, and Dubai. It also runs distance learning programmes to students around the world.

Its main campus is in Riccarton in south-west Edinburgh, on 380 acres of beautiful parkland. There's a mix of academic buildings and student residences, including a postgraduate centre and several library collections. Student life centres around the main Students' Union premises, with live music and club nights.

Facilities

Oriam, Scotland's Sports Performance Centre, is on the Edinburgh Campus – and it's one of the best university sports centres in the UK. Facilities include sports halls, playing pitches, squash courts, gyms and fitness classes. There are also physiotherapy, podiatry, sports massage, and sports science testing services.

Other facilities on the Edinburgh campus include shops, childcare, healthcare and a chaplaincy.

See  for an interactive map and more information.

Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University is in East Lothian, close to beaches and beautiful countryside. Students have plenty of opportunities for outdoor pursuits, from surfing and wakeboarding to golfing and horse-riding. There's also easy access to Edinburgh city centre and all the attractions of Scotland’s capital city.

Location

The campus is near Musselburgh, east of Edinburgh city centre, with great transport links. It takes under ten minutes to reach the campus from central Edinburgh by train. The best way to access the campus is via public transport or walking or cycling. Musselburgh train station is very close and bus services stop on campus. On campus you'll find student residences, a Students’ Union, and landscaped gardens.

Facilities

Food outlets on campus include Guthrie's Kitchen and Maggie’s Bar and Cafe, plus a Starbucks coffee pod.

The campus is only a short walk or bus ride from Fort Kinnaird. This large outdoor shopping complex has high street chain stores, restaurants and a multiplex cinema. There are also several supermarkets in the immediate vicinity.

Keeping active won't be a problem. As well as an outdoor gym on campus, there's a sports centre with a fitness suite and weights room, exercise studio, and facilities for football and badminton.

See  for an interactive map and more information.

Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Napier University prides itself on taking a practical and applied approach to education. Work-related learning links academic study with professional know-how to help students succeed beyond university.

Location

The university has three Edinburgh campuses: Merchiston, Craiglockhart and Sighthill. All are easily accessible by public transport and home to diverse, international, collaborative communities. It has over 15,500 students in total. Many are on campus in Scotland. Others study around the world, on transnational programmes abroad and online.

Facilities

Home to the Business School, Craiglockhart campus blends the old and the new. Set within attractive grounds overlooking Edinburgh, facilities include 200- and 400-seat lecture theatres and language and multimedia labs.

The Sighthill campus serves more than 5,000 students and staff of the School of Applied Sciences and the School of Health and Social Care. Facilities include life-like hospital wards, a clinical skills suite, sports science labs and a sports centre.

Merchiston is the base of engineering, built environment, computing and creative industries students. You'll find cutting-edge technology at the Jack Kilby Computer Suite, gaming and networking labs. Media facilities include a newsroom, TV and radio studios, and soundproofed music studios.

See  for an interactive map and more information.

Living in Edinburgh

You’ll typically spend the first year in student halls provided by your university. Most unis guarantee a place in halls for first-year students who’re given an offer of study. The perks of student halls include 24/7 on-hand support, Wi-Fi, and communal areas to socialise. Residences may offer bike storage or access to facilities like gyms and learning centres.

From your second year onwards you’ll live in private accommodation. Most students begin looking for second-year accommodation in the latter half of their first year, to secure a flat or house early. Common student areas in Edinburgh include Marchmont, Newington, Haymarket, Morningside and Tollcross. These areas are affordable, connect easily to uni campuses and are filled with fellow students. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course. The best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our , where you'll find the entry requirements for each course.

Transport links

Average train journey times from Edinburgh

Getting around Edinburgh

You won’t find it difficult to navigate your way around Edinburgh. The city’s public transport system is easy to understand and offers discounts for students. Walking and cycling are both popular travel choices.

Edinburgh also has an airport that can be reached by tram and bus and has connections at both its main train stations.

Bus

Many students travel around Edinburgh via bus. Buses run often, with some even running 24/7. They’ll connect you throughout the city, to the airport, and beyond. If you're under 22, bus travel in Scotland is free. You'll need to sign up to the Scottish Government's scheme to make use of it. Otherwise, use your contactless card to tap on, buy a ticket before getting on, or get a ticket when you hop on. Check with your uni as to what student discounts you can access for the buses.

Train

Edinburgh has two mainline train stations – Waverley and Haymarket. The main station is Waverley, located in the city centre between the Old Town and the New Town.

You can easily reach Edinburgh by train from all over Scotland and the rest of the UK. Take the train if you’re looking to travel to other parts of Scotland or the UK. Invest in a 16–25 Railcard for discounted travel.

Tram

There are 23 tram stops scattered across Edinburgh, linking Edinburgh Airport in the west with Newhaven Harbour to the east. Tram stops will have machines where you can buy a ticket before boarding.

Cycle

Cycling is not only an eco-friendly means of transport, but it’s an effective way to get your daily exercise in. Edinburgh is a compact city so you can reach almost anywhere within 20 minutes on a bike. Check with your uni to see if they have any cycle schemes where you can loan or purchase a bike, or scout out any second-hand bike stores.

Walk

Travelling by foot is common in Edinburgh and a great way to explore the city. It’ll give you the chance to familiarise yourself with where you’re living, discover hidden gems and clear the head in between study.

Other transport

Central Taxis is Edinburgh’s main taxi service, while ride-hailing services such as Uber also available. Note that these will typically be more expensive than public transport.

Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a hub of activity, meaning there’s plenty to keep you entertained. You won’t run out of areas to explore, events to attend or places to meet up with friends for a bite or some drinks.

Food and drink

Make the most of Edinburgh’s independent food and drink scene. In New Town you’ll find street food options and a farmer’s market on weekends. When wanting to meet up with some friends for a few drinks, Grassmarket, George Street, Cowgate and Leith will give you plenty of options.

Arts and culture

Art is pivotal to Edinburgh’s identity. Head to the National Galleries of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art or the annual Fringe arts festival for creative inspiration. The city's West End oozes arty sophistication with its quirky, boutique stores run by locals.

History is also integral to Edinburgh’s identity. Check out Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood House, the National Museum of Scotland or the array of architecture lining the Royal Mile and Old Town.

Events

Edinburgh is famous for its festivals. As well as Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, others include the International Film Festival and the Foodies Festival. You’ll find spellbinding theatre performances at the Playhouse or the Traverse, comedy at The Stand or a good movie at Cameo Picturehouse. Local sporting teams include rival football clubs Hibs and Hearts, while world-renowned Murrayfield Stadium is the home ground of the Scotland rugby team.

Outdoors

Interspersed with Edinburgh’s stunning architectural landscape are plenty of green spaces. Take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens or Princes Street Gardens for a break from the books. Or you can scale Arthur's Seat at Holyrood Park if you're feeling energetic.

Further afield you can chill out at Kyoto Friendship Garden or Dr Neil’s Garden. If you fancy some really fresh air and a trip to the seaside, head down to Portobello Beach or catch the train to picturesque North Berwick.