Student Housing in Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital city is a beautiful and enchanting place to study. From the historic Edinburgh Castle to the natural beauty of Arthur’s Seat, this city has so much going on for students! Edinburgh is the perfect place for students who want to be part of a vibrant student community without the hecticness of other large cities.

Home to four major universities and an art school, Edinburgh has a student population of over 60,000. Stroll through the gorgeous cobblestone streets in the New Town, wander down the famous Royal Mile, or head to Portobello Beach in the warmer months when you need to escape city life.

Edinburgh Student Accommodation

From student studios in the New Town to spacious student houses in Marchmont, Edinburgh has plenty of different types of student accommodation on offer. Whether you want a modern student apartment in Edinburgh's New Town or prefer to be tucked away in a quiet area close to campus, it’s easy to find the perfect place for you!

Marchmont, Haymarket, and Newington are some of the most popular student areas, especially for students at the University of Edinburgh, as the campus is just a short walk away. Living in the picturesque New Town is also an option for students who love the quaint cobbled streets and beautiful Edinburgh Georgian buildings. However, the rents here can be higher than elsewhere.

If you’re looking for a quieter vibe, consider places like Morningside or Bruntsfield. These areas are a little further away from the Old Town but are perfect if you're attending Edinburgh Napier University or prefer a more peaceful neighbourhood.

Student Life in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is bustling with culture and history, vibrant nights out, and breathtaking views - there is no shortage of things for students to do!

Despite being a capital city, Edinburgh is fairly compact, and it's surprisingly easy to get around - most students get about by walking or cycling to campus. If you’re a fan of nature and gorgeous greenery, climbing up Arthur's Seat is a must! If hiking isn't your thing, relax in beautiful Holyrood Park or take a scenic stroll through The Meadows.

Most of Edinburgh's main museums and galleries are free - perfect for culture-loving students on a budget. If you’re still in Edinburgh over the summer vacation, checking out the famous Fringe festival is essential. The world’s largest arts performance festival draws millions of people to the city every year. If you're a culture vulture, check out our Edinburgh Content Ambassador (and current Edinburgh Uni student) Madelaine's guide to the top student arts and crafts activities in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh has an incredible pizza scene. Check out Dough - there are loads of veggie and vegan options, plus it won’t stretch your student budget too much! When it comes to nightlife, Edinburgh has something for everyone. If you’re on a budget, check out the clubs along Cowgate for a night out or the Southsider in Newington if the football's on.

In Edinburgh, you’re almost always in sight of a pub - Pear Tree and Three Sisters are near the University of Edinburgh and popular for their low prices. There are also plenty of live music venues, especially along Lothian Road. That said, if you don't drink, there's still plenty to do - see Madelaine's guide to the best alcohol-free student activities in Edinburgh for inspiration.

The University of Edinburgh Student Accommodation

The sixth-oldest university still operating in the English-speaking world, The University of Edinburgh is the biggest of the Edinburgh universities, home to around 50,000 students. Because of this, many of the most popular student areas in Edinburgh are centred around this university. This means you’ve got almost endless options for choosing where to live!

Just a ten-minute walk across The Meadows from campus, Marchmont has a vibrant student community and a lively social scene. Despite being close to the Old Town, rents are fairly reasonable, so you can’t go wrong if you choose to live here! Newington is another conveniently located area close to campus.

Queen Margaret University Student Accommodation

With its person-centred approach to higher education, Queen Margaret University offers Scotland's widest range of health degrees! Their campus is east of the city, surrounded by green spaces, and just around the corner from Musselburgh train station. Many students take advantage of this, living in the popular student areas near Old Town and taking a short train when they need to get to campus.

Edinburgh Napier University Student Accommodation

Modern Edinburgh Napier University has three campuses spread across Edinburgh, so the best place to live will depend on which campus you’re based at. Craiglockhart Campus, home to their business school, and Merchiston Campus are fairly close in the southwest of the city. If you want to be close to the Old Town for nights out, areas like Haymarket, Morningside, and Marchmont are great choices.

Dalry and Slateford are a little further out, but you’ll be a stone’s throw from campus, and the rent will likely be cheaper, too!

Heriot-Watt University Student Accommodation

Heriot-Watt University offers a wide range of courses spread across five campuses. The Edinburgh campus is located west of the city, fairly far from the city centre. Many students stay between the campus and the city centre to take advantage of the regular bus routes. Student areas, such as Haymarket, Gorgie and Slateford, are all great options.

If getting a bus to an early morning lecture sounds like your worst nightmare, check out Currie, Juniper Green and Balerno - these are all within walking distance of campus.

Why UniHomes?

If you’re looking for private student accommodation in Edinburgh, UniHomes should be at the top of your list. Our site makes it easy to find the perfect student house for the next academic year - you can filter by the number of bedrooms, area and budget to find the perfect fit for you and your housemates.

Best of all, all the properties on our site include household bills. This means you won’t have to stress about setting up utility accounts or arguing with your housemates about splitting the bills fairly.