International Student Accommodation in Edinburgh: Your Complete 2026 Guide

Edinburgh is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and a global centre of academic excellence. Scotland’s historic capital combines stunning architecture, rich culture, and world-class universities in a compact, walkable setting. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live and study in the world.

Edinburgh is home to over 50,000 students across its four main universities. The University of Edinburgh ranks 34th globally and attracts students from more than 130 countries. The city’s academic heritage stretches back to 1583, making the University of Edinburgh the sixth oldest in the English-speaking world.

Student accommodation in Edinburgh is more expensive than in other Scottish cities, reflecting the city’s status as the capital and a major tourist destination. Weekly rents typically range from £150 to £320, with monthly budgets of £1,200 to £1,800 covering all living expenses. While costlier than Glasgow, Edinburgh remains significantly more affordable than London.

What makes Edinburgh special is its unique atmosphere. The medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline, the festival fringe transforms the city every August, and you are never far from hills, coastline, or countryside. The city consistently ranks highly in surveys for quality of life, safety, and student satisfaction.

The Best Neighbourhoods for International Students

Edinburgh is compact but hilly, with most student areas clustered south of the city centre near the University of Edinburgh’s main campus.

Marchmont

Marchmont is Edinburgh’s quintessential student neighbourhood. Located just south of The Meadows, it offers beautiful Victorian tenement flats within a 10-minute walk of the University of Edinburgh’s central campus. The area has a strong community feel with local cafés, pubs, and restaurants along Marchmont Road.

The neighbourhood is safe, leafy, and full of students year-round. Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows provide green space for studying outdoors, jogging, or socialising. Average weekly rent ranges from £160 to £200.

Newington

Newington sits directly south of the Old Town, making it one of the closest areas to the University of Edinburgh campus. Clerk Street and South Clerk Street offer a good selection of shops, cafes, restaurants, and takeaways catering to students.

The area is slightly more affordable than Marchmont while still being extremely central. Many purpose-built student accommodations are located here. It is well connected by bus routes running into the city centre. Average weekly rent ranges from £140 to £190.

Tollcross

Tollcross is a vibrant, central neighbourhood sitting between the Old Town and Bruntsfield. It offers excellent transport links, diverse dining options, and easy access to both the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier’s Merchiston campus.

The area has a more urban feel than Marchmont, with busy streets, independent shops, and popular student pubs. Tollcross is known for its international restaurants and late-night food options. Average weekly rent ranges from £150 to £210.

Old Town

Living in the Old Town puts you at the heart of Edinburgh’s historic centre. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and the University of Edinburgh’s Old College are all on your doorstep. Purpose-built student accommodation options are available in this area.

The trade-off is that the Old Town is touristy (especially during festival season) and can feel crowded. Accommodation tends to be more expensive, but the location is unbeatable for students who want to be in the thick of city life. Average weekly rent ranges from £180 to £320.

Leith

Leith is Edinburgh’s historic port area, located north of the city centre along the waterfront. Once gritty, it has transformed into a trendy neighbourhood with excellent restaurants, bars, and a creative atmosphere. Rent is generally lower than in central areas.

The trade-off is distance, as Leith is about 25 to 30 minutes away from the University of Edinburgh by bus. However, for students seeking affordable accommodation and a distinctive neighbourhood character, Leith offers excellent value. Average weekly rent ranges from £130 to £180.

Getting to Edinburgh as an International Student

The Scottish capital has excellent international transport connections.

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport, located 8 miles west of the city centre. It handles flights from across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and beyond.

The Edinburgh Tram runs directly from the airport to the city centre. The journey time is approximately 35 minutes, with trams running every 7 to 10 minutes from around 6:30 am to 11 pm. A single ticket costs £7.90, with an open return at £9.50.

The Airlink 100 bus is cheaper at £6 single (£8.50 return) and runs 24 hours a day, taking approximately 30 minutes to reach Waverley Bridge in the city centre. Buses depart every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Taxis from the airport to the city centre cost approximately £35 to £45.

London Connections

Edinburgh is well-connected to London. Direct trains from London King’s Cross take approximately 4 hours 20 minutes via the East Coast Main Line, with advance fares from around £30. LNER and Avanti West Coast operate these services.

Domestic flights from London airports take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Budget airlines often offer competitive fares if booked in advance.

National Express coaches take approximately 8 to 9 hours but can cost as little as £15 to £20 if booked early.

Getting Around Edinburgh

Most students walk or cycle to campus, particularly those living in Marchmont, Newington, and the Old Town.

Buses: Lothian Buses operates an extensive network covering the entire city. A single fare costs £2, with a day ticket costing £4.80. Students under 22 with a Young Scot card can travel free on all buses across Scotland, a massive money-saver.

Trams: A small network that is useful for reaching the airport but less relevant for daily student travel.

Bikes: Edinburgh has a bike-sharing scheme and reasonable cycling infrastructure, though the hills can be challenging. Many students cycle, mainly in flatter areas like Marchmont and the Meadows.

A Student Ridacard (for those over 22) offers discounted bus travel. A Young Person’s Railcard (£30 per year) provides one-third off rail fares for travel beyond Edinburgh.

Universities in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has four main universities with distinct strengths and characters.

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s great universities. Founded in 1583, it ranks 34th globally and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group. The university has produced 23 Nobel Prize winners, 3 UK Prime Ministers, and countless influential figures across every field.

With over 45,000 students from more than 130 countries, it is one of the largest and most international universities in the UK. The university is particularly strong in Medicine, Linguistics, Veterinary Science, English Literature, Philosophy, and Artificial Intelligence.

The main campus is spread across the Old Town, with the iconic Old College on South Bridge and newer facilities around George Square. The King’s Buildings campus in the south hosts science and engineering. The university also has medical facilities at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Most students live in Marchmont, Newington, Tollcross, Bruntsfield, or the Old Town.

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University is a leading technological university with strengths in Engineering, Business, Actuarial Science, and the Built Environment. Founded in 1821, it is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the UK. Heriot-Watt ranks 287th globally and was shortlisted for University of the Year 2025.

The main Edinburgh campus is located at Riccarton, approximately 30 minutes from the city centre by bus. The campus is set in beautiful parkland with all facilities on-site, including accommodation. Heriot-Watt also has campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, offering fantastic global exchange opportunities.

Heriot-Watt ranks 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for graduate employability, reflecting its strong industry connections and career-focused degrees. The university has approximately 27,000 students across all campuses, with around one-third being international.

Students at Heriot-Watt often live on the Riccarton campus or commute from the city centre.

Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Napier University is a modern, career-focused university known for practical, industry-aligned courses. It has approximately 20,000 students from over 180 countries across three city campuses. Merchiston (creative industries and computing), Craiglockhart (business), and Sighthill (health and applied sciences).

Edinburgh Napier consistently ranks as Scotland’s top modern university and has been rated 1st in Edinburgh for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey five years running. The university has strong links with industry and excellent graduate employment rates.

International students particularly choose Edinburgh Napier for courses in Film Production, Hospitality and Tourism, Nursing, and Business. The university offers a supportive environment with dedicated international student services.

Students at Edinburgh Napier typically live in Tollcross, Bruntsfield, Polwarth, or near their specific campus.

Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is a smaller, specialist university located in Musselburgh, approximately 6 miles east of Edinburgh city centre. The university was named Herald Scottish Higher Education Institute of the Year 2025.

QMU specialises in Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Media, and the Creative Industries. It has approximately 6,000 students from over 70 countries and is known for its person-centred approach to teaching and supportive environment.

The modern campus has excellent facilities and on-site accommodation. Students tend to commute from the city centre via regular bus services (approximately 30 minutes).

Cost of Living in Edinburgh for International Students

Edinburgh is the most expensive city in Scotland.

Accommodation (weekly)

Shared flat in Leith: £130 to £180

Shared flat in Newington: £140 to £190

Marchmont flat share: £160 to £200

University halls: £150 to £280

En-suite PBSA: £180 to £280

Old Town studio: £220 to £350

Food and Groceries

Budget around £150 to £250 per month for groceries. Aldi and Lidl offer the best value. Scotmid is a convenient local chain.

Edinburgh has excellent international food options, with Asian supermarkets and speciality shops across the city.

Transport

Students under 22 get free bus travel across Scotland with a Young Scot card. For others, a monthly bus pass (Ridacard) costs around £58.

Other Costs

Cinema tickets cost around £10 to £14. A pint of beer averages £5 to £6. Gym memberships run around £25 to £40 per month, though university gyms are cheaper. Festival Fringe shows in August range from free to £20.

Realistic Monthly Budget

The University of Edinburgh estimates students need £1,023 to £2,043 per month for living expenses. Most students spend between £1,200 and £1,800 monthly, depending on accommodation choices and lifestyle. Budget-conscious students can manage on £1,100 to £1,300 per month, particularly with free bus travel.

For visa purposes, you need to show £1,023 per month (the outside London rate) in savings.

Edinburgh Saving Tips

Apply for your Young Scot card immediately if you are under 22 for free bus travel. Get a TOTUM/NUS card for student discounts. Many museums (National Museum of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery) are free. August accommodation prices spike due to festivals, so avoid moving during this month. Cook at home and shop at budget supermarkets.

International Student Community in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a large and diverse international student community.

Student Societies and Support

The University of Edinburgh has over 300 student societies, including many nationality-based groups, cultural societies, and international student organisations. The Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) is one of the oldest and most active in the UK.

All Edinburgh universities have dedicated international student support services offering visa advice, orientation programmes, and ongoing support throughout your studies.

Global Food and Culture

Edinburgh’s diversity is reflected in its food scene. The Southside has excellent curry houses. Leith and the New Town offer diverse international dining. The city centre has restaurants representing cuisines from around the world.

International supermarkets and speciality food shops make it easy to find ingredients from home.

Where to Socialise

Student-popular pubs include the Pear Tree (with its famous beer garden), Three Sisters, and The Hive. Cowgate has most of Edinburgh’s student-oriented clubs. Grassmarket offers a more upscale bar scene.

Edinburgh’s café culture is excellent, with independent coffee shops dotted throughout the student areas.

What Makes Edinburgh Special for International Students

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Every August, Edinburgh hosts the world’s largest arts festival. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe alone features over 3,000 shows across hundreds of venues. The International Festival, Book Festival, and Art Festival run simultaneously. Living in Edinburgh during festival season is an unforgettable experience, though accommodation prices spike significantly.

History and Architecture

As we mentioned earlier, Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, and countless historic buildings create an atmospheric backdrop to student life, especially on the cities’ famous misty days.

Nature and Outdoors

Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, sits in Holyrood Park in the city centre and offers stunning views. Calton Hill provides iconic Edinburgh panoramas. The Pentland Hills are accessible by bus for hiking. Portobello Beach is a short bus ride away. The Scottish Highlands are reachable for weekend trips.

Scottish Culture

Edinburgh offers a distinctly Scottish experience. You will encounter bagpipe players, clan tartans, scotch whisky, and local traditions throughout the year, not just during tourist season. The Hogmanay (New Year’s) street party is one of the world’s largest. Scotland also has its own legal system, education system, and parliament (based at Holyrood).

Edinburgh FAQs

Is Edinburgh expensive compared to other UK cities?

Edinburgh is the second most expensive UK city after London, around 9% more expensive than Glasgow. The higher costs reflect Edinburgh’s status as a capital city and global tourist destination, but most students can live well with careful budgeting.

How is Edinburgh different from Glasgow?

Edinburgh is smaller, more historic, and more expensive than Glasgow. It has a more tourist-focused economy and a slightly more historic atmosphere. Glasgow is livelier, and known for its nightlife and music scene. Many students visit Glasgow for nights out (50 minutes by train). Both cities offer excellent student experiences.

Is Edinburgh safe for international students?

Edinburgh is considered one of the safest cities in the UK. Student areas like Marchmont and Newington have very low crime rates. Like any city, take normal precautions at night in the city centre, particularly during festival season when the city is crowded.

What is the weather like?

Edinburgh has a maritime climate with cool temperatures year-round. Winters are cold, but rarely too far below freezing. Summers are mild (15 to 20 degrees Celsius). The city is known for its changeable conditions, so pack for all eventualities.

Will August accommodation prices affect me?

If you are a new student arriving in September, the August festival prices should not directly affect you. However, booking early is essential as accommodation fills up quickly. If you need to arrive in August for pre-sessional courses, expect higher short-term accommodation costs.

Do I get free university tuition in Scotland?

Free tuition in Scotland applies only to Scottish and EU students (under certain conditions), not to international students from outside the EU. International students pay full tuition fees.

Ready to Book Student Accommodation in Edinburgh?

Now that you have seen all that Edinburgh has to offer international students, it is time to explore our range of Edinburgh student accommodation options.

If you have more questions relating to more general international student topics, check out our Ultimate Guide to International Student Accommodation in the UK.