Accommodation
Learn more about the accommodation we offer and how and when to apply.
Your place in Edinburgh
Ready to explore accommodation options? We offer a range of catered and self-catered options all over the city.
There are lots of benefits to choosing University accommodation:
- all bills are included in your rent
- food is included (catered only)
- you do not need to pay a deposit or provide a reference
- payment plan options are available for rent payments
- free Wi-Fi available in all residences
- access to laundry facilities
- secure bike storage
You can find out where our residences are located, what kind of facilities they offer, and take a virtual tour via our accommodation website.
Explore your accommodation options
For more details on the benefits of catered accommodation, visit our website.
Discover the benefits of catered accommodation
Residence Life (Res-Life)
If you decide to live in University accommodation, you will have access to 24/7 Residence Life support.
Our Residence Life team helps to build a community within our University accommodation, including organising events and welfare programmes.
They offer ongoing support to help with your transition to the University and focus on improving wellbeing to help you settle into University life and make the most of your experience at Edinburgh.
Residence Life - further information
Where is our accommodation?
Edinburgh is a compact city so you are not far from the action, no matter where you live. Getting around is easy, with a great bus service and loads of cycle routes, you can get from A to B in no time. We have accommodation in a number of neighbourhoods in the city, from the Old Town to Leith.
Explore our accommodation neighbourhoods
Applying for accommodation
To apply for accommodation, you'll first need to receive an offer of study from the University of Edinburgh. Got an offer already? Congratulations, you're ready to go. Take a look at our step-by-step guide to find out what's next.
Step 1 - Accept your conditional or unconditional offer
Explore the Applicant website to help you decide if Edinburgh is the right choice for you and find out how to accept your offer.
Step 2 - Take note of our accommodation guarantee
We guarantee accommodation for all new undergraduate students, from outside the city of Edinburgh, who are studying for the full academic year and who apply for accommodation by 31 July 2024.
Our guarantee information in more detail
Step 3 - Consider your five preferences
Weigh up your options and think about what matters most to you, taking into account factors such as price, location and facilities. We treat all five preferences equally, so make sure you’re happy to stay in any room you list as a preference.
If you choose to stay in our university accommodation, you won’t need to provide any money up front, and we won’t ask for a guarantor.
Step 4 - Apply when you're ready
If you receive an offer to study with us, you’ll be able to apply for accommodation 72 hours after accepting your place at Edinburgh. Please note that if you hold a conditional offer, accommodation will only be allocated if your offer becomes unconditional firm.
Take your time to decide which accommodation will suit you best. We allocate rooms from May to September and we aim to give all applicants an equal chance of getting one of their preferences regardless of when they apply.
Private accommodation
You may also be interested in private accommodation and Edinburgh has plenty of different options.
You should read the impartial advice provided by The Advice Place, run by the Edinburgh University Students' Association, about renting privately. Information includes:
- deposit schemes
- when to start your tenancy
- rent guarantors
Private accommodation advice from the Edinburgh University Students' Association
Apply for accommodation
Find out how to apply for accommodation via our Accommodation website.