Where to live as a student in Edinburgh
University journeys, shared lets, facilities and total costs.
For students, 'near the university' is only useful when you know which building you visit most often. Edinburgh campuses and teaching locations are spread across the city, so check your timetable and campus location before choosing a room.
Neighbourhoods worth investigating
Marchmont can be relevant for routes towards the Meadows and central university facilities. Newington is a broad south-side option with major bus routes. Old Town puts you in a historic central setting, but check tourism, noise, stairs and the cost of actual listings.
Dalry and Haymarket are worth comparing if travel connections are important. Leith may suit those happy to make a more deliberate journey to class in return for their preferred neighbourhood feel. None of these is a claim about average rents or the quality of accommodation.
Calculate the real monthly cost
Compare room rent, heating, broadband, electricity, transport, laundry and the amount you will actually spend visiting home. Ask whether council tax exemptions or discounts apply to your household; shared flats don't all qualify in the same way. Check Edinburgh council tax information and the relevant student guidance rather than assuming an exemption.
Questions for a shared-flat viewing
- How many people share the kitchen, bathrooms and common areas? Is there suitable storage?
- Who is responsible for internet and utilities, and what happened to winter energy bills last year?
- Does the landlord have the required registration, and does the property need an HMO licence?
- Is there a written inventory and an approved tenancy deposit scheme? Scottish rules generally require protection within 30 working days of the tenancy start. Official deposit guidance.
- Can you commute to lectures at the actual start time and get home later? Check the route on a map and current transit timetable. Lothian Buses.
Don't choose a room from photographs alone
Try a live viewing where possible, or a reliable live video call with the actual room and communal areas. Verify who is advertising the property before paying a deposit. Read your tenancy agreement and make sure you understand any shared-tenancy liabilities.
Finally, favour an address that supports your routine: a quieter place where you can study, an easy route to your campus, and somewhere you can afford through the academic year. Compare all 20 Boroughly Edinburgh neighbourhoods before you decide.