Student Accommodation Edinburgh

About Edinburgh

With 43% of its student population being international, Edinburgh has the highest percentage of international students of any major city in the UK. This is due to the city's excellent educational reputation as well as its slightly low cost of living. Here is a breakdown of the proportion of international students by level of study in Edinburgh:

• Undergraduate: 34%

• Postgraduate: 47%

• Research: 54%

Four world-class universities are located in the city, including the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, and Queen Margaret University, contributing to its excellent higher education reputation.

Popular Student Accommodation Areas in Edinburgh

Popular Edinburgh areas among university students are Marchmont, Tollcross, and Haymarket. There are a few things to keep in mind while searching for the perfect student area to stay in, including location, transportation, cost, and amenities.

1. Marchmont

Marchmont is a student area in Edinburg. Purpose-built accommodation in Marchmont would cost around £180–£250 per week.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh: 

  • Walking - 10-minute

  • Cycling - 3-minute

  • Bus - 9-minute

• Distance to Edinburgh Futures Institute, The University of Edinburgh:

  • Walking - 14-minute

  • Cycling - 5-minute

  • Bus - 13-minute

• Distance to the city centre: 

  • Walking - 27-minute

  • Cycling - 10-minute

  • Bus - 15-minute

2. Tollcross

In Tollcross, student accommodation would cost approximately £160–£220 per week.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh 

  • Walking - 15-minute

  • Cycling - 4-minute

  • Bus -  8-minute

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University 

  • Cycling - 26-minute

  • Bus - 32-minute

• Distance to city centre: 

  • Walking -22-minute

  • Cycling - 7-minute

  • Bus - 10-minute

3. Haymarket 

In Haymarket, purpose-built student accommodation would cost around £160–£220 per week. 

• Distance to Heriot-Watt University:

  • Cycling - 29- minute

  • Bus - 29-minute

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University:

  • Cycling - 21-minute

  • Bus - 26-minute

• Distance to city centre: 

  • Walking - 10-minute

  • Cycling - 5-minute

  • Bus - 9-minute

These areas are great for students since they are near important colleges and provide a range of amenities and transportation choices.

Less Popular Student-Recommended Areas Near Universities in Edinburgh

1. Waterfront 

Waterfront offers a contemporary living environment, providing students in Edinburgh with a modern and dynamic atmosphere.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh: 16-minute cycling distance.

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University: 23-minute cycling distance.

• Distance to the city centre: 11-minute cycling distance.

Student Apartments in Edinburgh around the Waterfront:

• IQ Grove

• iQ Fountainbridge

2. Calton Road

Calton Road combines historic charm with easy access to university campuses, making it a prime choice for students.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh: 5-minute cycling distance.

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University: 12-minute cycling distance.

• Distance to city centre: 6-minute cycling distance.

Student studios in Edinburgh around Calton Road:

• Panmure Court Roost

• Brewer's Court

3. Fountainbridge

Fountainbridge is an ideal neighbourhood for students seeking both convenience and community.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh: 19-minute walking distance.

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University: 22-minute walking distance.

• Distance to city centre: 21-minute walking distance.

Student rooms in Edinburgh around Fountainbridge:

• The Bridge House

• Vita Fountainbridge

4. Sciennes

Sciennes offers a quiet yet connected environment for students looking for proximity to campus and local amenities.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh: 11-minute walking distance. 

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University: 25-walking distance.

• Distance to city centre: 30 minutes walking distance.

Student flats in Edinburgh around Sciennes:

• Salisbury Court Unite

• The Old Printworks Unite

5. Hillside Crescent

Hillside Crescent provides students with a blend of classic Edinburgh architecture and easy access to educational facilities, making it an attractive option for academic-focused living.

• Distance to the University of Edinburgh: 27 minutes by bus.

• Distance to Edinburgh Napier University: 24 minutes by bus.

• Distance to city centre: 12 minutes by bus.

Student halls in Edinburgh around Hillside Crescent:

1. iQ Elliott House

2. Norton's Student Living

Best Recommended Student Accommodation in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has various student room options, and students can explore different areas near their universities and budgets in Edinburgh. 

Best Recommended student housing in Edinburgh that provide almost every room type are Edinburgh College Residence, Westfield, Gorgie, Silk Mill, The Mont, and IQ Grove.

Edinburgh Student housing near City Centre:

• Brewer's Court (9 Mins walk)

• iQ Elliott House (12 Mins walk)

• Sugarhouse Close Unite (13 Mins walk)

• Lady Nicolson Court Roost (14 Mins walk)

• Norton’s Student Living (16 Mins walk)

• The Old Printworks Unite(20 Mins walk)

• Huxley Studios (20 Mins walk)

• Straits Meadow (21 Mins walk)

Discover Student Room Types in Edinburgh (Approx. £200 – £1200/ month)

The purpose-built student accommodation in Edinburgh typically includes a variety of amenities included in the bills; it varies according to the provider's terms and conditions. But broadly, we suggest a student should consider budget, needs, and preferences while making decisions. 

Here, we have categorised the room types given below based on preference and budget to help you in your decision-making.

Type 1: Affordable student rooms in Edinburgh: 

These cost around £140–£220 per week on average and are recommended for students who are comfortable sharing space. Typically, such properties are houses or apartments. 

• Shared room

  • Amenities: Self-contained apartment with multiple bedrooms, shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £370 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £350 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £300/ month

• Triple/ Quadruple rooms

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £220 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £200 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £200/ month

• Entire place

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £700 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £600 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £600/ month

Type 2: Affordable student rooms in Edinburgh with privacy: These rooms cost around £200–£400 per month. 

• Student Single Room

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £400 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £350 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £320/ month

  • Recommended student single rooms are The Bridge House and  Iona Street.

• Student Shared Flats

  • Amenities: Private Bedroom in a shared house or flat, shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £400 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £333 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £350/ month

  • Recommended student-shared flats include Thistle St. Apartments.

• Student Twin Rooms

  • Amenities: One room with 2 single beds, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £400 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £350 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £375/ month

• Student Double Room

  • Amenities: One bedroom with double bed, shared bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £350 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £320 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £340/ month

Room Type 3: Edinburgh student rooms with privacy, quiet space, and near the City Centre cost around  £200- £500 per month. 

• Edinburgh Student Flats 

  • Amenities: Private bedroom, private bathroom, private kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £600 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £500 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £550/ month

  • Browse through Edinburgh student flats such as Edinburgh Queen Square, Queen Street Gardens, and Arthurs Seat Student Living.

• Edinburgh Student En-Suite Rooms 

  • Amenities: Single bedroom, Private bathroom, shared kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £500 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £450 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £500/ month

  • Browse through students' en-suits in Edinburgh, such as Portsburgh Court Roost, New Park, and iQ Fountainbridge.

• Edinburgh Student Studios

  • Amenities: private bedroom, Private bathroom, private kitchen

  • Marchmont avg. Rent: £550 / month

  • Tollcross avg. Rent: £450 / month

  • Haymarket avg. Rent: £450/ month

  • Popular student studios are Panmure Court Roost and Huxley Studios.

Room Type 4: Students who prefer amenities over budget

Student Penthouse in Edinburgh costs around  £500–£1,200 per month.

These are suitable for students who prefer to have private bedrooms, a private balcony, a terrace, privacy, spacious rooms, and a top floor that is more over budget.

International students in Edinburgh, UK also search for:

Cost of Living in Edinburgh for Students (Approx. £240 – £700)

It varies depending on students’ lifestyle choices, but overall, apart from your Edinburgh student accommodation rent, other expenses cannot be ignored. We have suggestions to help you save money while living in Edinburgh as a student:

• Food: £100–£250/month on average. 

  • We suggest buying groceries that cost around £100/month and cooking your own meals. 

  • Shop from grocery stores such as Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Lidl. They have some specific days for students' discounts.

• Transportation: £20-£52/month on average

  • Get a Lothian Ridacard for £57 per month and get unlimited travel on buses and trams.

  • Rent a bicycle from Edinburgh Cycle Hire worth £10-£15 per day for a daily commute.

  • Rent electric bikes and folding bikes for £20 per day from private companies for weekend commutes.

  • University bike schemes: Some universities, such as the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University, offer their students discounted bikes.

  • Buy a new bike for £200, easily available for students, which is equal to one month's rent and will benefit you for the entire year.

• Kitchen Essentials: Market worth around £120-£250. 

  • Some properties do not provide utensils in that case, student can check online where some websites provide student at discounted prices from market prices.

  • Former students generally leave their kitchen essentials on the property while leaving the city due to airport luggage weight restrictions. You can find someone in your friends circle and reuse the stuff.

• Bedding Essentials: Market worth around £80. 

  • Only a few providers provide bedding packs to their tenants included in bills or as an offer. Otherwise, after move-in, students have to buy on their own.

  • Former students generally leave their bedding essentials on the property while leaving the city due to airport luggage weight restrictions. You can find someone in your friends circle and reuse the stuff.

• Bathroom Essentials: Market worth around £30

  • Some properties do not provide bathroom essentials in that case, student can check online where some websites provide at discounted prices from market prices.

• Cleaning Essentials: Market worth around £40