When it comes to student accommodation in Edinburgh, there are lots to choose from. If your halls in Edinburgh need to be near lots of green space, Potterrow could be for you. Right by Edinburgh Old Town and across the road from the incredible Edinburgh Castle, this contemporary Edinburgh student accommodation is just a 10-minute walk to Holyrood Park. This studio-only building has beautiful communal lounges, study spaces and weekly bathroom and kitchen cleaning included. It’s also close to Edinburgh train station for easy transport links.
27 King’s Stables Road is right in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town. This modern and contemporary student halls in Edinburgh is less than a mile from Edinburgh College of Art and only a 13-minute walk to the University of Edinburgh. Their studios come fully equipped with a small kitchen and private ensuite bathroom, as well as an onsite gym, cinema room, and reading room. It’s also close to the popular Grassmarket for that much-needed time away from your desk.
For accommodation in Edinburgh for students that are a little out of the hustle of the centre, check out Huxley Studios. This brand new accommodation (opening September 2022) offers so much to its residents, including smart TV’s in studios, an onsite gym with access to personal trainers, a free weekday grab and go breakfast and 24/7 coffee, free of charge washer-dryers located within the studios as well as a karaoke room, study room, lounges and a courtyard with outside dining. Located about a 15-minute cycle or 30-minute walk to the University of Edinburgh, this student accommodation is sure to be one of the most sought-after in the city.
If you’re after a student room in Edinburgh that’s right in the heart of it, look at Portsburgh Court. This modern accommodation is in the city just outside of the Old Town, right on the doorstep of Edinburgh College of Art and only a 12-minute walk to the University of Edinburgh. It offers a variety of rooms, including shared facilities and private rooms, as well as great communal spaces with fun games such as giant Connect 4 and table football, as well as an onsite gym, outdoor courtyard, and study spaces.
If your halls in Edinburgh need to be near lots of green space, Potterrow could be for you. Right by Edinburgh Old Town and across the road from the incredible Edinburgh Castle, this contemporary Edinburgh student accommodation is just a 10-minute walk to Holyrood Park. This studio-only building has beautiful communal lounges, study spaces and weekly bathroom and kitchen cleaning included. It’s also close to Edinburgh train station for easy transport links.
Edinburgh at a glance
Student travel in Edinburgh
There are two main public transport options to get around Edinburgh, the bus and tram networks. Both are reliable and easy and provide a much-needed break when you can’t be bothered to walk up another steep hill. It’s important to note, however, that many people opt to walk or cycle to get around from their student accommodation in Edinburgh.
By Bus
Buses run 24 hours in Edinburgh and are a fast and safe way to get around the city. The buses are run by several different operators with the main being Lothian and First. Ticket options are single journeys or day tickets charging reasonable prices. The bus is also the best way to get to Edinburgh Airport. Find information on tickets and timetables.
By Tram
Getting around by tram in Edinburgh is easy with over 15 stations helping you get to where you need to go. The line runs from York Place to Edinburgh Airport, and while it doesn’t have any major tourist attractions for temporary visitors, it can be useful for residents. Remember to buy your ticket before you jump on as there are no facilities once onboard. Check out the routes and timetables to see what stops are close to your student halls in Edinburgh.
Where do students live in Edinburgh?
City Centre
Due to its proximity to campuses, it’s not a surprise that the city centre is a popular spot for student accommodation in Edinburgh. With everything you need on your doorstep, including amazing shops, bars, restaurants, and iconic historical architecture, you’ll never be short of something to do in between lectures and study sessions. Why not catch a film at the popular Scotsman Picturehouse or get lost in visual illusions at Camera Obscura, Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attraction.
Marchmont
Marchmont is a popular area for student apartments in Edinburgh and is located just south of the city centre. It’s only a short bus ride if you ever need to go into the city, but the need isn’t there with everything you need already on your doorstep. Why not grab a coffee at Brew Lab, a gorgeous independent coffee shop, or take a walk in Marchmont Meadows. If that’s not your style, why not peruse the adorable independent shops that feature in the area?
New Town
New Town in Edinburgh is right near the city centre and has lots of new student accommodation popping up. It’s popular due to its location with easy walking or cycling to most university campuses. It also gives you the bonus of having everything the city centre and Old Town have on offer, with vibrant cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs to keep you occupied. It also has some amazing museums worth your time; you can spend an afternoon checking out the Scottish National Portrait Gallery or the Freemasons Hall.
Fountainbridge
Fountainbridge is an up-and-coming area, so it’s no wonder it’s becoming a popular area for student accommodation in Edinburgh. It’s a little further out of the city centre but has easy bus routes in, but there are plenty of things to do in the area with pubs, cafes and restaurants on Leven Street and Morrison Street. There’s also a great cultural scene in Fountainbridge, with old cinemas and playhouses (check out the King’s Theatre), showcasing Edinburgh’s creative soul.
Haymarket
West of the city is Haymarket, a popular area for students as it’s close to the city centre but also just far enough away for those who don’t want to live right in the heart of the city. It’s known for its gorgeous Edwardian architecture and has a great variety of pubs, shops and restaurants for the time spent away from the books.
Student accommodation in Edinburgh ranges from around £180 per week to £295 per week. This all depends on the areas you choose to live in and the type of room you choose to rent. Typically, those sharing communal spaces like kitchens and living rooms can expect to pay less than those in private studio accommodation.
Normally a student tenancy agreement lasts for 12 months. After that time you can usually either choose to stay on or move accommodation. Check out our guide to getting your deposit back to make sure you're ready to go when your tenancy agreement ends!
Edinburgh is a popular student city, which comes with a higher cost of living than other locations in the UK. Still, there are many affordable student halls in Edinburgh to suit any budget. Location is everything, and the further out you go, to suburbs like Fountainbridge and Haymarket, the more affordable the living cost.
Edinburgh is widely regarded as a very safe city for students, and is considered one of the safest cities to live in the UK. It has a low crime rate and Edinburgh universities often rank highly in satisfaction ratings for safety and security.
Most of our properties offer in-person or online viewings – you can even shortlist multiple properties and contact them all at once to keep your viewings organised!
Your chosen provider will be able to help you with queries about paying for your student accommodation in Edinburgh, but if you’re concerned about your cash flow, the best thing to do is check in with your university. They may be able to offer grants, bursaries or scholarships to keep you afloat.
Take a look at our blog post on how students pay for accommodation to learn more.
You can find everything from single rooms in Edinburgh to three-bed student apartments, so there’s something for everyone. Find the pros and cons of each different type of accommodation on our blog to help you make your choice.
It doesn’t get any easier than searching with Mystudenthalls.com; sort by budget or university, find your favourites and shortlist them to contact all your accommodation options at once. When you send our contact form, you’ll also have the chance to add any questions you might have.
Edinburgh is the attractive capital of Scotland and home to three universities, including the highly-rated University of Edinburgh, as well as Edinburgh Napier and Heriot-Watt University. Thanks to a high student population and plenty of tourist interest, there are abundant fun things for students to do in Edinburgh. Fret not if you don’t know where…
At Mystudenthalls.com we know that spending long hours studying in your Edinburgh student accommodation or university campus can be tiresome, lonely and often lacking the creativity and enthusiasm essential for arduous research and writing. Let us lighten up those hours by offering alternative places to study in Edinburgh that provide you with all the essential…
