Study Spaces, updates and opening hours
Information on the University's centrally managed study spaces, including opening hours, and any current and upcoming closures
Study spaces notices
Current:
| 19.04.24 |
The Study Break Scheme returns to the Main Library (LVL01), Law Library with New College Library joining participating sites. The scheme runs at these libraries during the exam period to encourage healthy breaks and make sure we're making the most of the space that we have available |
| 08.04.24 | Need a space to revise? Additional space are now available. From 08.04.23 additional study spaces will be opening up and New College Library and the Law Library will be extending their opening hours. See the Temporary extra study spaces webpage for more information. |
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05.04.24 UPDATED |
Study Hub at 40 George Square Pending completion of works there is some lighting ourages on ground floor of study hub . Other floors unaffected at this time. |
Availability of study spaces
The study spaces below are mainly for individual use. There are group study spaces available throughout the campus - details can be found on the Group Study Space web pages.
Central Area
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Standard opening hours |
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ECA Library (Evolution House)
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Hugh Robson Building
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(from 6pm swipe card & PIN required) |
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Law Library
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Main Library
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Moray House Library
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New College Library
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Study Hub at 40 George Square
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Student/ Staff card required for access. After 17:00 and for weekend access PIN required |
King's Buildings and Medical libraries
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Murchison House
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Murray Library
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Nucleus
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(from 6pm swipe card & PIN required) |
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Royal Infirmary Library
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Vet. Library
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Western General Hospital Library
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Download SeatEd - our dedicated study spaces app
SeatEd is required if you wish to pre book study space in the Main Library.
The official name of the app is:
SeatEd @ UoE
You can find the app in Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store.
A new version of SeatEd, the University of Edinburgh study space management app, has been released. The new version includes mapping functionality to show the location of all centrally managed UoE study centres along with live occupancy information for a limited number of sites at present. Live occupancy information for further sites will be added as it is made available.
More information on using the app as well as system requirements are available via the SeatEd App User Guide.
If you do not have a smartphone or cannot use the new version of SeatEd, you can still book in to a study space. To do this, enter the name of the desk (you’ll find this on the desk label under the QR code) into the study spaces booking form. If you do not have a personal laptop, phone or tablet to access the booking form with, you will need to use a study desk with a open-access computer.
- You do not need to book a study space in advance unless you are using a space within the reading rooms on Floor 5 (silent/PG areas) of the Main Library.
- Simply turn up at a study centre and find a free desk.
- You are responsible for cleaning your study space before and after you use it. Cleaning materials are provided at cleaning stations.
- Additional bookable rooms are available to book within a Resource Booker tile labelled ‘Student Exams Booking Space’: Central area - 72 rooms; Holyrood – 37 rooms; King’s Buildings - 15 rooms. Book via Resource Booker
- If you cannot attend your booked study space, please make sure you cancel your booking so that someone else can use the space. Please give as much notice as possible.
- Bookable study spaces are located within the the reading rooms on Floor 5 (silent/PG areas) of the Main Library. There are no walk-up desks available in these areas. There are 65 bookable spaces available to PG Students only, in the red zone on the 5th Floor and 104 bookable spaces on the 5th Floor, Blue zone.
- To make a booking in advance or on the day, use the SeatEd @ UoE app, or if you do not have a smartphone, you can book using the online webform. See our main study space webpage to find this form.
- Each student will be able to book a maximum of 20 hours a week, subject to availability. Bookings made on the same day will not count towards your 20 hour quota.
- Please remember to check in and check out of your booked study space by scanning the QR code with the SeatEd app.
If you’re having any issues booking study space, please contact our EdHelp team either online or if you are at the Main Library and King’s Buildings, visit the onsite team in person - they are more than happy to help.
Additional Questions
No, from 18th April 2022 face coverings are no longer mandatory in libraries and study spaces. However, health and safety remains our top priority. To keep us all safe we are still encouraging library users to:
- Wear face coverings
- Use our hand sanitising stations
- Use cleaning materials provided to clean desk surfaces and computer accessories
Yes. The Disability & Learning Support Service will communicate directly with students who have provision for accessible study rooms.
For more information, contact the Disability & Learning Support Service
The Carer and Child room at the Main Library offers those with childcare responsibilities to study alongside their children, following a mandatory induction.
Library users are welcome to make a short visit to the University Library accompanied by their children under the age of 16 for the purpose of making an enquiry, borrowing/dropping off a book, or similar task. A longer stay, for example, for the purpose of study, is not allowed, other than in the designated Main Library Carer & Child Room, or to attend a pre-arranged appointment with members of University staff based in the Library. As is stated in The University's Policy for child access to the University Library.