Campus visit

During our academic semesters the campus visits are hosted in slots of approximately 1 hour on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays:  

Central Campus:

• 1200-1300  

• 1230-1330  

• 1300-1400  

• 1330-1430  

• 1400-1500  

King’s Buildings Campus: 

• 1400-1430  

• 1500-1530  

Central Campus Tour: 

You should check-in at the University Visitor Centre at 2 Charles Street (EH8 9AD) around 10 minutes prior to your campus visit start time.  

The tour gives you an overview of the University of Edinburgh from someone who knows it best: one of our current students. We will take you around George Square and the surrounding region, referred to as the central campus. The tour will give you an insight into what life is like as a student here.   

The tour does not include visits to specific Schools, departmental buildings or student accommodation, however, your guide will share their experience of studying and living in Edinburgh.   

King's Buildings Campus Tour (self transfer):

 Please check-in at the bus stop next to Murchison House (EH9 3BF) around 10 minutes prior to your campus visit start time .  

This tour is specifically aimed towards students who will be  studying degree programmes in the College of Science and Engineering who will likely split their time between both central and King’s Buildings.  Please note this does not include School of Informatics. They are based in the Central Area. 

The tour does not include visits to specific Schools, departmental buildings or student accommodation, however, your guide will share their experience of studying and living in Edinburgh.   

Climate Conscious Travel  

We highly encourage climate-conscious travel for our staff, students and visitors and would ask that you consider low-carbon travel options where possible.  Specific details about how to travel to the city of Edinburgh and our campuses can be found on the University's "Travelling to the University" webpages.

Public Transport  

The city of Edinburgh and has excellent public transport connections  and it's possible to walk from city centre to the central area campus.  

• Train  - Edinburgh Waverley Railway station is walking distance from our central campus. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes  to walk to the University Visitor Centre.

• Bus   - Edinburgh has an excellent bus network  . If you're coming directly from the Airport, the Airlink airport buses operate their services from the airport directly into the city  centre where you can transfer to local Lothian bus routes to either the central campus or the King's Buildings campus. We'd recommend using the Lothian Buses journey planner to help you navigate your way. Typical bus routes from city centre to the cental campus include the 27, 41 and 42. Typical bus routes from city centre to the King's Buildings campus include the 30, 37 and 47. 

• Tram  - Direct route from Edinburgh Airport to Princes Street however this is approximately a 20-25 minute walk away from central campus. From the Princes Street tram stop you can choose to continue your journey to our campus via walking, bus or taxi.  

• Taxi  - Taxis are widely available throughout the city. There are designated taxi ranks located outside Waverley train station's Market Street exit and outside Edinburgh airport's Arrival area. 

Personal Vehicles  

• There is extremely limited parking around the campuses for visitors so we would strongly advise you to plan parking in advance should you drive to visit us . Please see the University's Parking webpages for more details.  

Travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic

For the latest advice on staying safe whilst travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic, please see the Transport Scotland website: www.transport.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/transport-transition-plan/advice-on-how-to-travel-safely   

1. Watch the pre-recorded information session – which you can also forward to your guest to watch. This will give you a great basic knowledge of the university and general logistics of being a student at the University of Edinburgh. 

2. This is an outdoor walking tour so wear appropriate footwear you feel comfortable walking and standing in. 

3. Our weather is beautiful but unpredictable so be prepared for rain, hail, snow or shine!  

4. Plan your travel route in advance and add in extra time in case of any unexpected circumstances . 

5. Read our student blogs for our students' favourite places to eat around campus. Why not plan to have your lunch at one of their favourite locations while you are visiting?

You will receive access to the pre-recorded information session, hosted by a staff member from Student Recruitment and Admissions,  in your booking confirmation email. This presentation will provide you with:   

• an introduction to Scotland and the city of Edinburgh  
• an introduction to the University of Edinburgh   
• an overview of Edinburgh undergraduate and postgraduate degrees   
• an overview of the application process   

When you book a campus visit your tour will be for the Central Area - George Square campus. 

If you intend to study a subject that is taught at our King’s Buildings campus (KB), which houses the majority of the College of Science and Engineering,  you will be prompted on the booking form to indicate that you would like to add this to your visit.  For those who wish to attend the King's Buildings tour, we would suggest booking your Central Area campus tour time for noon - 13:00 which would allow you to travel to KB for the 14:00 tour start time, or the 1230 or 1300 tours which would allow you to travel to KB for the 1500 tour start time. 

At this time the campus visit does not include:

• Easter Bush - home to our Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
• Edinburgh BioQuarter - based in the "Little France" area of Edinburgh and the location of many medical research locations including: the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the Queen's Medical Research Institute, the Chancellor's Building - University of Edinburgh Medical School, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Centre for Dementia Prevention, Edinburgh Imaging, NINE - Life Sciences Innovation Centre, and the Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility. 
• Holyrood Campus - home to Moray House School of Education and Sport and the O'Shea Postgraduate Student Accommodation complex.
• Lauriston campus - home to our  Edinburgh College of Art
• New College - home to our School of Divinity

Undergraduates

If you have already applied to, or are currently holding an offer from the University for an Undergraduate Programme, our Offer Holder Days would be the most suitable visiting option for you.   You will be emailed information about our Offer Holder Hub and events which typically take place in the Spring. 

Postgraduates

For 2021-2022 postgraduate specific events continue to be hosted virtually. If you will be travelling to Edinburgh and wish to visit your potential supervisor or programme team please email them directly to ask if this can be arranged. 

For bookings of more than 5 people please email us:  visits@ed.ac.uk