Student Accommodation

Edinburgh

Edinburgh has such a fine and respected history and tradition of higher education; it is no surprise that you can find some of the greatest educational establishments in the city.

The University of Edinburgh

One of the largest and most prestigious universities in the world, the University of Edinburgh dates back to 1583 and is consistently ranked in the top 20 universities globally. Over the course of its history it has been associated with around 20 Nobel Prize winners, and it is designed to help create the innovative thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. Teviot Row House, built in 1887, is the oldest purpose-built student union building in the world, and is currently undergoing a major £10 million refurbishment due for completion in spring 2026. There are over 250 clubs and societies to take part in during your stay.

Edinburgh Napier University

Our luxury Edinburgh student accommodation is also ideally located for students of Edinburgh Napier University, which has over 20,000 students from over 140 countries. The focus is on a perfect combination of straightforward academic teaching and hands-on professional learning to help students gain the knowledge and practical skills to improve career prospects.

Queen Margaret University

QMU relocated to a brand-new state-of-the-art campus in the south-east part of the city in 2007 and has gone from strength to strength since. Some of the finest minds in their respective fields teach at the university, ensuring that students gain insight and experience from the industries they are interested in and are fully prepared for work. QMU is recognised as having expertise in sustainable business, creativity and culture, and health and rehabilitation.

Heriot-Watt University

A global university with campuses in Malaysia and Dubai, Heriot-Watt has a long and proud history and tradition dating back to 1821. It is renowned as a university that focuses on practical research and high levels of teaching, a commitment to detail and accuracy, and a desire to develop graduates who are ready for the real world. Heriot-Watt has extensive links within different business and industry sectors, offering courses in business, languages, engineering, and science, to name just a few.

Edinburgh College of Art

Founded in 1907, Edinburgh College of Art merged with the University of Edinburgh in 2011. The college has a deserved reputation as one of the leading art colleges in the country and is home to students studying art and design, architecture, landscape architecture, and many more varied art-based courses. The annual degree show is a fantastic event, showcasing original, innovative artworks for purchase.

Feeling Hungry?

Edinburgh is a bustling capital city, and as you would expect, when you first move here as a student, you will want to find your familiar chain restaurants and big brand names. There are certainly plenty of those around, but dig beneath the surface, and you will discover that your luxury Edinburgh student accommodation leaves you in the perfect location to sample some delicious dishes from all around the world, from independent Mexican restaurants to quirky late-night takeaways and hearty pub grub to warm the soul.

Cafe Piccante (Broughton St)

Open late, this is a late-night chip shop that is like nothing else you have ever seen from a post-night-out takeaway. You can, of course, come in after a night out to pick up some chips on your way home, but you would be missing the point here. Cafe Piccante offers the staple deep-fried Mars Bar, deep-fried pizza, and other Scottish chip shop favourites. The staff are famously friendly, and it is the kind of place that ends up becoming a student institution just by virtue of being brilliant at what it does.

The Three Sisters (Cowgate)

A lovely, comfortable spot where you can sit in a comfortable booth with your friends, or at a big table watching the live sporting action. The Three Sisters is a fantastic place to go for some cheap student food, with regular food and drink deals that make it a great lunch break option during a hard day of study.

Red Box (W Nicolson St)

If you love noodles, Red Box is the place to go as an Edinburgh student. The prices are really good, considering that whatever dish you choose, you are handed a massive portion. With a DIY approach to the menu, you can also build the stir-fry of your choice, making it the most delicious meal of your day, whether you are eating in or taking away. The meal deals are great for students to stock up on.

Malones Irish Bar (Morrison St)

Near the University of Edinburgh campus, Malones offers students a few things that they are looking for. First, it is just a great pub. You will find good drinks on offer, plenty of student-friendly options, sport on the TV, and always a lively atmosphere. Second, it has a two-course lunch menu that is always well-priced and exactly what students looking for some hearty pub grub want to hear.

Explore The City!

As you would expect, living in your luxury student accommodation in Edinburgh, planning a night out, there is plenty to explore and enjoy in this cosmopolitan city. Much like neighbouring Glasgow, you can expect to find plenty of weird and wonderful nights out under the surface, some amazing traditional pubs, and great student-friendly clubs and club nights. As Edinburgh can be quite an expensive city to go out in at weekends, when drinks prices rise to make the most of tourism, students have become attuned to midweek nights out instead.

University of Edinburgh

With multiple clubs and bars to choose from, you will find something every night of the week at the Students’ Union, as well as the biggest student club night anywhere in the city. It is easy to see why so many students stick close to the Union, when there is plenty of choice, cheap drinks prices and promotions, great events, and expensive weekends in the city centre.

The Liquid Room (Victoria St)

Opened in 1997 and widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading venues for gigs and club nights, the Liquid Room is one of the student hotspots in the city. Based in a deep subterranean vault on Victoria Street in the Old Town, expect to hear different genres throughout the week, live music from up-and-coming bands, and just a great night out. Sneaky Pete’s is also worth a mention as a cosy, intimate live music venue that is perfect for seeing new bands play live.

ATIK (W Tollcross)

One of Edinburgh’s largest nightclubs, ATIK accommodates over 1,200 people across three themed rooms and six bars, with a VIP Luxe Lounge for private bookings. Originally opened as the Cavendish Ballroom in the 1940s, the venue has had many lives over the decades and was immortalised in a scene in Trainspotting 2. It regularly hosts great DJs and student nights throughout the week.

The Bongo Club (Cowgate)

An institution in Edinburgh, The Bongo Club is a nightclub, live music venue, artistic hub, and all-round creative space. It has some of the most respected club nights in Scotland on regular residency, including weekly DnB, Grime, and Jungle nights, as well as a whole host of other regular events. Drinks promotions are always good and entry is at a reasonable price.

Wee Red Bar (Edinburgh College of Art)

A great little find for students living in Edinburgh. It suits a student budget well, allowing you to go in for a quiet drink, make new friends, chat away with the bar staff, and have a look at the latest exhibitions. They also have regular live music on, so keep an eye out for the events page.

Sport Clubs and Teams

There is so much sport to enjoy as either a spectator or to take part in when living in your luxury Edinburgh student accommodation. The capital of Scotland is home to a stunning world-class rugby stadium that hosts international tests, has two of the biggest football clubs in Scotland playing here, and is also home to many varied sports clubs and teams to join through your university.

Football

If you are a lover of the beautiful game, you will not be disappointed in Edinburgh. The fiercely contested Edinburgh Derby between Hearts and Hibs is always a tasty affair, and as a new student in the city it is best to be careful about who and where you show your allegiance. Both clubs have welcoming fanbases, whether you choose to watch Hearts play at Tynecastle or Hibs at Easter Road, and both compete in the Scottish Premiership.

Rugby Union

Murrayfield is the home of Scottish rugby, and every year you get the chance to see some of the finest international teams in the world. The Autumn Nations Series welcomes some of the Southern Hemisphere nations each year, such as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, and home games in the Six Nations take place against England, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy. Edinburgh Rugby also play their home games at Murrayfield in the United Rugby Championship.

CSE at the University of Edinburgh

The gym at the University of Edinburgh is stacked full of amazing sports equipment and facilities including a swimming pool. Even in the cold depths of a Scottish winter, you will have access to facilities that keep you fit and healthy. Why not join a university sports team and compete against other universities?

A Range of Sporting Endeavours

It is not just the traditional sports teams that you can enjoy when living as a student in Edinburgh. If you fancy paddling on the Union Canal, joining an American Football team, playing Ice Hockey, or Roller Derby, there is a wide range of every weird and wonderful sport you can think of.

Golf

Scotland is highly regarded as a mecca for golf enthusiasts, and there are some truly stunning courses within Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Braid Hills is a great place to start, with a mixture of amateurs and seasoned golfers, and amazing panoramic views of the city.

Go On A Shopping Spree

There are some amazing shopping options in this city, even if you are on a student budget. From your luxury student apartment in Edinburgh, you will be just a stone’s throw away from some of the finest shopping centres and independent boutiques anywhere in the country. It is really hard to narrow down where you should head first, so please feel free to use our suggestions as a starting point as you find your own perfect day of shopping in Scotland’s capital city.

Independents in Stockbridge

This area is full to the brim with independent boutiques, quirky vintage stores, and plenty of places to get your arts and crafts fix. It is also a pleasant environment, away from the bright lights and busy streets of the main shopping drag in the centre of the city.

Charity Finds

Nicolson Street is a fantastic place to be if you are a student shopping on a budget. It has loads of great charity shops along the route, vintage stores to buy some much-needed threads, as well as cost-effective options to stock up on your health and beauty essentials.

High Street Brands

Waverley Market and Princes Street are two central areas where you will easily find the high street brands and big names that you know and love. The St James Quarter, which opened in 2021, is also worth exploring, bringing John Lewis, Zara, Calvin Klein, and many more to a striking new development just off Princes Street.

Designer Fashion

Just one street over from the main high street, George Street is home to some of the finest fashion stores in the city. Wander along and browse in AllSaints, Jack Wills, Karen Millen, Anthropologie, Hollister, and LK Bennett, set against some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful Georgian architecture. This is a great area to shop for a special occasion or a big night out at the end of term.

Quirky Books and Records

The vibrancy and magical nature of this historic city lends itself to some outstanding bookstores and record shops. Armchair Books and The Edinburgh Bookshop are two great examples of independent bookshops, whilst for your vinyl needs, Unknown Pleasures is a fantastic spot to find some hidden gems.

Go On A Shopping Spree

There are some amazing shopping options in this city, even if you are on a student budget. From your luxury student apartment in Edinburgh, you will be just a stone’s throw away from some of the finest shopping centres and independent boutiques anywhere in the country. It is really hard to narrow down where you should head first, so please feel free to use our suggestions as a starting point as you find your own perfect day of shopping in Scotland’s capital city.

Independents in Stockbridge

This area is full to the brim with independent boutiques, quirky vintage stores, and plenty of places to get your arts and crafts fix. It is also a pleasant environment, away from the bright lights and busy streets of the main shopping drag in the centre of the city.

Charity Finds

Nicolson Street is a fantastic place to be if you are a student shopping on a budget. It has loads of great charity shops along the route, vintage stores to buy some much-needed threads, as well as cost-effective options to stock up on your health and beauty essentials.

High Street Brands

Waverley Market and Princes Street are two central areas where you will easily find the high street brands and big names that you know and love. The St James Quarter, which opened in 2021, is also worth exploring, bringing John Lewis, Zara, Calvin Klein, and many more to a striking new development just off Princes Street.

Designer Fashion

Just one street over from the main high street, George Street is home to some of the finest fashion stores in the city. Wander along and browse in AllSaints, Jack Wills, Karen Millen, Anthropologie, Hollister, and LK Bennett, set against some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful Georgian architecture. This is a great area to shop for a special occasion or a big night out at the end of term.

Quirky Books and Records

The vibrancy and magical nature of this historic city lends itself to some outstanding bookstores and record shops. Armchair Books and The Edinburgh Bookshop are two great examples of independent bookshops, whilst for your vinyl needs, Unknown Pleasures is a fantastic spot to find some hidden gems.