University Secretary's Group

Student centre

Have your say on proposals for an ambitious new Student Centre at the University.

Following feedback from the first public consultation held in June, amended architectural designs for a new Student Centre are being made available for comment.

Design sketch for Bristo Square student centre

Significant changes have been made to the original proposals, with Teviot Row House garden being preserved and additional facilities being created along Charles Street Lane.

The ambitious scheme will form a new dedicated hub for students, bringing together student services from the University and the Students’ Association side by side for the first time.

Teviot Row House, the oldest purpose built Students’ Union in the world, will be completely refurbished and made fully accessible, keeping its unique character but improving and expanding the range of services offered. Connections will also be formed with a brand new student services building on George Square.

These new proposals enhance the much-loved Teviot while creating vibrant new spaces for all students to access. What our students tell us matters – we’ve adjusted the designs based on comments from the first consultation and look forward to people letting us know what they think.

Gavin Douglas Deputy Secretary Student Experience

Wider investments

The new Student Centre is part of a series of enhancements being made to the Edinburgh experience.

Further improvements are being made across student counselling and disability services, as well as developments to sporting facilities.

Major investments are being made to improve library and study facilities, to increase teaching spaces, to enhance spaces for student societies, and to develop award-winning student accommodation.

The new designs endeavour to keep Teviot as a place students can be proud to call our own for generations to come. We worked closely with the University and the architects to lobby for the changes students wanted to see from the first consultation and made sure we had this consultation during term time so students’ voices were listened to; this project is for students and we can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

Patrick KilduffStudents' Association President

Have your say

Students, staff, alumni and the wider public can view the proposals and speak to the architects on Tuesday 21 November from 12-7pm at Teviot Row House, Debating Room, and have the opportunity to comment.

If you can’t make the Open Consultation event, you can view the plans below. The online feedback form has now closed.