Living in Edinburgh
The University is at the heart of the city of Edinburgh. Scotland's inspiring capital will be the backdrop to your studies and is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world.
Edinburgh is for students
- 2nd - Edinburgh is ranked the second-best student city in the UK*.
- 12th - Edinburgh is ranked the twelfth best student city in the world*.
Open your heart to Edinburgh
Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city with a diverse multicultural community.
Well known for its friendly people, its safe, green environment and its compact size, Edinburgh is easy to get around and get out of - wherever you are in the city you are never far from open countryside.
Virtual visit
Now you can take a Virtual Visit of the University of Edinburgh! Our new interactive platform can take you on a guided tour around Edinburgh city or help you explore campus for yourself.
Take the virtual tour and find out what it's like to study and live in Edinburgh.
You can discover our city's landmarks, our campuses, accommodation, facilities and get video tours all in one place.
A student city
Around 100,000 students call Edinburgh home, giving the city a unique buzz and ensuring you'll be in good company. The friends you meet, places you discover and the lasting memories you create will contribute as much to your university experience as your formal learning.
Edinburgh is home to the most varied and dynamic calendar of international events and festivals in the world, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city's culture. Edinburgh boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland.
Edinburgh also offers an exciting and varied social scene, with hundreds of bars, clubs, cinemas, and music venues throughout the city, there's something for everyone here.
Edinburgh's shops cater to all tastes and budgets, from high street favourites to independent boutiques, and with more restaurants per head than any other city in the UK, whatever you are looking to eat after a busy day adventuring around the city or studying in the library, Edinburgh has it.
Getting to and around the city
Edinburgh's International Airport puts the city within the reach of the rest of the world thanks to direct flights from most major cities in Europe and a host of destinations worldwide.
Within the UK, Edinburgh is easy to reach and makes an ideal location from which to explore. London is just four hours away by train while a two-hour jaunt north puts you at the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Within the city limits, Edinburgh is one of the UK's greenest cities with an extensive cycle route network, with bikes available to hire across the city, plus reliable and affordable bus and tram services.
Edinburgh's compact size makes it ideal for exploring on foot too!
Accommodation
We offer a range of catered and self-catered options and most are close to key University buildings and facilities.
University-owned and -managed accommodation typically includes:
- all heating, hot water and electricity costs
- internet facilities in every study-bedroom and Wi-Fi in the vast majority of study-bedrooms and common areas
- contents insurance
- secure bike storage
- laundry facilities