Student Accommodation near The University Of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh was established in 1583 as the Town's College, making it one of the UK's oldest public research universities. It is a member of the ancient universities of Scotland and the Russell Group, ranking 24th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Around 39,015 students attend across three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Science; Medicine and Veterinary Medicine; and Science and Engineering, covering 20 schools in total. Undergraduates number approximately 25,790 and postgraduates 13,225. 

The five campuses spread across the city, with King's Buildings serving science and engineering students and specialist sites for medicine and veterinary medicine. Alumni and staff include 20 Nobel Prize winners, and researchers at the university contributed to discoveries including chloroform anaesthesia and the Higgs boson particle. The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports over 320 societies and 60 sports clubs across the university

Edinburgh gives University of Edinburgh students a city that runs well beyond the campus. The Central Area campus sits within walking distance of the city's main historic and cultural district.

Students' Association and Societies

EUSA is the Edinburgh University Students' Association, operating the oldest purpose-built students' union in the world. It supports over 320 societies covering academic interests, politics, social causes, arts, and more. 

The EUSA Sports Union runs over 60 sports clubs and the university consistently places in the top four in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) competitions.

Nightlife and Social Scene

The Old Town's Cowgate, Grassmarket, and Royal Mile carry a dense concentration of pubs, bars, and clubs within walking distance of the Central Area campus. 

Options range from centuries-old traditional taverns to modern venues with live music. Student nights run throughout the week across multiple venues.

Shopping and Everyday Needs

Princes Street carries major retail chains and sits a short walk from campus. The Grassmarket adds independent shops and boutiques. Several supermarkets operate across the Southside and Old Town areas, with options for all budget levels within easy reach of most accommodation zones.

Culture and Events

Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile sit beside the campus. The National Museum of Scotland is close to Old College and free to enter. In August, the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival transformed the city into the largest arts festival in the world, with performances running across hundreds of venues simultaneously.

Healthcare

Register with a local NHS GP practice at your term-time address when you arrive. Edinburgh has practices across the Southside, Old Town, and surrounding areas accepting new student patients. Do this in the first week of term

Edinburgh's student housing market is concentrated around the Central Area campus and the Southside, with more affordable options sitting further out but remaining connected by Lothian Buses. 

The zones below cover the main areas where students searching for private student accommodation near the University of Edinburgh typically settle.

Southside / Newington

A well-established student neighbourhood approximately 1.77 miles from the Central Area campus. Students reach Old College in around 27 minutes by transit or on foot along familiar student routes. 

PBSA here starts from £285 per week. The area has a concentrated mix of independent cafes, shops, and the day-to-day infrastructure of a student neighbourhood built up over many years.

Old Town / Salisbury Area

Approximately 2.33 to 2.42 miles from campus, with transit times of around 19 to 25 minutes. Properties here sit among Edinburgh's historic street layout, the Royal Mile, and the city's main cultural landmarks. 

Salisbury Court from £292 per week, Student Castle Edinburgh from £325 per week, and The Old Printworks from £284 per week are the main options. Students who want a historically distinctive neighbourhood and a short bus journey to campus tend to choose this zone.

Meadow Court Area

Approximately 3.31 miles from campus, around 20 minutes by transit. Meadow Court at £175 per week represents the most affordable PBSA option among the main neighbourhoods in this guide. The Meadows park sits nearby, providing open green space used by students across the university.

Edinburgh is Scotland's most expensive city for student living due to high demand for accommodation, though it costs less than London overall. Excluding rent, a realistic weekly spend sits between £130 and £170. 

The table below breaks down typical costs.

For international students on a Student visa, the UK Home Office minimum funds requirement for study outside London is £1,171 per month (approximately £270 per week) from November 2025. This is a visa maintenance figure, not an average spend figure.

Private student accommodation close to the University of Edinburgh covers four main room types, each with a different cost level, privacy level, and social setup.

Shared Room

A bedroom shared with one or more students, with all other facilities also shared. Less common in purpose-built student accommodation and more typically found in private houses. The lowest-cost option overall, suited to students who prioritise minimising rent above all other considerations.

Private Room (Non-En-Suite)

A private bedroom within a shared flat or house, with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Prices in Edinburgh's private rental market start from around £160 to £200 per week. 

Properties like The Bridge House sit at this level. Works for students who want their own sleeping space and are comfortable sharing communal areas. The most common room type in Edinburgh's private shared student accommodation close to the University of Edinburgh.

En-Suite

A private bedroom and private bathroom within a cluster flat, with a shared communal kitchen and living area. Prices in Edinburgh PBSA run between £250 and £350 per week. 

Mayfield Residences offers en-suite options in this range. Balances bathroom privacy with the social structure of flat life and is the most popular PBSA room type among first-year undergraduates.

Studio Flat

A self-contained unit combining sleeping area, living space, and kitchenette in one open-plan room, with a separate private bathroom. No shared facilities. Prices start from around £325 per week and rise above £450 per week for premium central options. 

Student Castle Edinburgh offers studio options at this level. Suits postgraduate students or those who need a quiet, independent environment for study

The properties below are the strongest options for shared student accommodation near the University of Edinburgh and private PBSA, selected for proximity and transit efficiency from the Central Area campus at Old College.

The Old Printworks offers the shortest transit time in this section at 19 minutes despite sitting 2.42 miles from campus. Mayfield Residences at £285 per week and The Old Printworks at £284 per week are the most competitively priced options among the top picks. Lady Nicolson Court at £419 per week is the highest-priced option in this section, reflecting premium facilities

The properties below offer the most competitive weekly rents for students at the University of Edinburgh. Several sit further from the Central Area campus than the options above, but Edinburgh's Lothian Buses network keeps transit times within a manageable daily range.

The Bridge House and Beaverbank Place both start at £160 per week, the lowest prices in this guide. Meadow Court at £175 per week stands out for combining a low weekly rent with the shortest transit time in this section at 20 minutes. Edinburgh Gorgie at £185 per week offers a 40-minute transit time, reasonable for the saving relative to the best picks section

The Central Area campus is compact and walkable, meaning students in nearby accommodation cover most daily journeys on foot. For those living further out, Lothian Buses provide the primary daily commute.

Walking and Cycling

Edinburgh's Old Town hills can make cycling more demanding in places, but the city has an expanding cycle-lane network. Flatter routes through the Southside and Meadows area suit students who cycle regularly.

Buses

Lothian Buses operate an extensive network throughout Edinburgh. A weekly pass costs around £21 and single fares run £1.80 to £2.20.

• Students at Mayfield Residences reach campus in approximately 27 minutes by bus.
• Meadow Court students reach campus in around 20 minutes by bus.
• The Bridge House at 3.9 miles involves a 34-minute bus journey.
• Edinburgh Gorgie at 6.02 miles connects in around 40 minutes.

The Airlink 100 bus connects Edinburgh Airport to the city centre in approximately 30 minutes.

Intercity Rail

Edinburgh Waverley station sits a short walk from Old College and serves as the city's main intercity hub. ScotRail reaches Glasgow in around 50 minutes. LNER services to London Kings Cross take approximately four and a half hours. These connections also make Edinburgh a practical base for students with placements or family in other cities.

Airport Access

Edinburgh Airport connects to the city centre by tram and by the Airlink 100 bus service, with journey times of 30 to 45 minutes. The tram runs from the airport to St Andrew Square in the city centre, a short walk from the Central Area campus