Edinburgh

Edinburgh Universities

Edinburgh has such a fine and respected history and tradition of higher education it is no surprise that you can find some of the greatest educational establishments in the city.

1. The University of Edinburgh – One of the largest universities in the country, dating back to 1583, the University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked in the top 20 universities in the world. For the last 400 years it has been home to over 21 Nobel Prize winners, and it is designed to help create the innovative thinkers and leaders of tomorrow (89% of students graduate with a 1st or 2:1 classification). Teviot Row House is the oldest Students’ Union in the UK that is purpose built, and there are nearly 300 clubs and societies to take part in during your stay.
2. Edinburgh Napier University – Our luxury Edinburgh student accommodation is also ideally located for students of Edinburgh Napier University, which has over 20,000 students from over 140 countries. The focus is on a perfect combination of straightforward academic teaching and hands on professional learning, to help students gain the knowledge and practical skills to help improve career prospects.
3. Queen Margaret University – QMU was relocated to a brand-new state-of-the-art campus in the South East part of the city back in 2007, and has gone from strength to strength since. Some of the finest minds in their respective fields teach at the university, ensuring that students gain insight and experience from the industries they are interested in, and fully prepared for work. QMU is recognised as having expertise in sustainable business, creativity and culture, and health and rehabilitation.
4. Heriot-Watt University – A global university with campuses located in Malaysia and Dubai, Heriot-Watt has a long and proud history and tradition dating back to 1821. It is renowned as a university that focuses on practical research and high levels of teaching, a commitment to detail and accuracy, and a desire to develop graduates who are ready for the real world. Heriot-Watt has extensive links within different business and industry sectors, offering courses in business, languages, engineering, and science, to name just a few.
5. Edinburgh College of Art – Founded in 1907, Edinburgh College of Art merged with the University of Edinburgh in 2011. The college has a deserved reputation as one of the leading art colleges in the country and is home to over 1,700 students studying art and design, architecture, landscape architecture, and many more varied art-based courses. The annual degree show is a fantastic event, showcasing original, innovative artworks for purchase.

Eating Out in Edinburgh

Edinburgh us a bustling capital city, and as you’d expect when you first move here as a student, you’ll want to find your familiar chain restaurants and big brand names. There are certainly plenty of those around, but dig beneath the surface and you’ll discover that your luxury Edinburgh student accommodation leaves you in the perfect location to sample some delicious dishes from all around the world, from independent Mexican restaurants, to quirky late-night takeaways, and hearty pub grub to warm the soul.

1. Café Piccante (Broughton St) – Open until 2am this is a late-night chip shop is like nothing else you’ve ever seen from a post night out takeaway. You can, of course, come in after a night out to pick up some chips on your way home, but you’d be missing the point here. Café Piccante offers the staple deep-fried Mars Bar and other Scottish chip shop favourites, but it’s also got an in-house resident DJ to set the mood of the perfect late-night treat!
2. The Three Sisters (Cowgate) – A lovely, comfortable spot where you can sit in a comfortable booth with your friends, or at a big table watching the live sporting action. The Three Sisters is a fantastic place to go for some cheap student food. You’ll find that there is a brilliant offer on here for 2-4-1 meals every single day of the week! It makes for a great lunch break during a hard day of study.
3. Illegal Jacks (St Patrick Square) – If you like a bit of spice in your life Illegal Jacks is the ultimate in Tex Mex cuisine. The portions are huuuuuge, with fresh and healthy Mexican food where you choose from steak, chicken, BBQ pork, vegetables, or even haggis, to create your very own bespoke burrito! It was the first Burrito bar in Edinburgh when it opened in 2009 and has continued to wow customers and win awards since.
4. Red Box (W Nicolson St) – If you love noodles Red Box is the place to go as an Edinburgh student. The prices are really, really good, considering that whatever dish you choose you’re handed a massive portion! With a DIY approach to the menu, you can also build the stir-fry of your choice, making it the most delicious meal of your day whether you are eating in or taking away. The meal deals are great for students to stock up on food that will last them a couple of days at a time.
5. Malones Irish Bar (Morrison St) – Near the University of Edinburgh campus, Malones offers students a few things that they are looking for. First, it’s just a great pub. You’ll find good drinks on offer, plenty of student friendly options, sport on the TV, and always a lively atmosphere. Second, it has a two-course lunch menu for just £6.50, which is exactly what students looking for some hearty pub grub want to hear!

Edinburgh Nightlife

As you would expect living in your luxury student accommodation in Edinburgh planning a night out, there is plenty to explore and enjoy in this cosmopolitan city. Much like neighbouring Glasgow you can expect to find plenty of weird and wonderful nights out under the surface, some amazing traditional pubs, and great student-friendly clubs and club-nights. As Edinburgh has become quite an expensive night out on the weekends, where drinks prices can rocket to make the most of tourism, students in the city have become attuned to midweek nights out instead.

1. University of Edinburgh – With two clubs and 13 bars to choose from you’ll find something every night of the week here, as well as the biggest student club night anywhere in the city. It is easy to see why so many students stick to the Students’ Union at the university, when there is plenty of choice, cheap drinks prices and promotions, great events, and expensive weekends in the city centre.
2. The Liquid Room (Victoria St) – For fantastic alternative nights and indie music dreams the Liqui Room is one of the student hotspots in the city. With two massive student club nights in Mansion Wednesdays and Indigo Thursday expect to hear different genres throughout the week, live music from some up-and-coming bands, and just a great night out! Mention to Sneaky Pete’s as a cosy live music venue that’s great to see new bands play live.
3. ATIK (W Tollcross) – The largest nightclub in Edinburgh, ATIK regularly hosts some of the best DJs around, as well as some of the finest acts. You can treat yourself to a VIP night with private booths, or just get on the dancefloor where you can choose between 3 different themed rooms, and 6 bars.
4. The Bongo Club (Cowgate) – An institution in Edinburgh, The Bongo Club is a nightclub, plays host to big events, is a live music venue, artistic hub, and all-round creative venue. It has some of the most notorious club nights in Scotland on a residency, including the weekly ‘Midnight Bass’ for all your DnB, Grime, and Jungle needs, as well as a whole host of other regular club nights. Drinks promotions are always great, and entry a reasonable price.
5. Wee Red Bar (Edinburgh College of Art) – A great little find for students living in Edinburgh. It suits a student budget well, allowing you to go in for a quiet drink, make new friends, chat away with the bar staff, and have a look at the latest exhibitions. They also have regular live music on, so keep an eye out for the events page.

Sport in Edinburgh

There is so much sport to enjoy as either a spectator or to take part in when living in your luxury Edinburgh student accommodation. The capital of Scotland is home to a stunning world-class rugby stadium that hosts international tests, has two of the biggest football clubs in Scotland playing here, and is also home to many varied sports clubs and teams to join through your university.

1. Football in Edinburgh – If you are a lover of the beautiful game you won’t be disappointed in Edinburgh. The fiercely contested derby between Hearts and Hibs can be a bit tasty each year, and it is best to be careful who and where you show your allegiance, but as students new to the city there is a welcoming fanbase, whether you choose to go watch Hearts play at Tynecastle or Hibs at Easter Road.
2. Rugby Union – Murrayfield is the home of Scottish rugby and every year you get the chance to see some of the finest international teams in the world. The Autumn tests welcome some of the Southern Hemisphere nations each year, such as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, and home games in the 6 Nations take place against England, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy every two years. Edinburgh Rugby also play their home games at Murrayfield, in the Pro 14 League.
3. CSE @ the University of Edinburgh – The gym at the University of Edinburgh is stacked full of amazing sports equipment and facilities (including a swimming pool). What this means is that even in the cold depths of a Scottish winter you’ll have access to facilities that keep you fit and healthy. Why not join a university sports team and compete against other universities?
4. A Range of Sporting Endeavours – It isn’t just the traditional sports teams that you can enjoy when living as a student in Edinburgh. If you fancy paddling on the Union Canal, joining an American Football team, playing Ice Hockey, or Roller Derby, there is a wide range of every weird and wonderful sport you can think of.
5. Golf – Scotland is highly regarded as a mecca for golf enthusiasts and there are some truly stunning courses within Edinburgh and in the surrounding areas of the city. Braid Hills is a great place to start, with a mixture of amateurs and seasoned golfers, with amazing panoramic views of the city.

Shopping in Edinburgh

There are some amazing shopping options in this city, even if you are on a student budget. From your luxury student apartment in Edinburgh you’ll be just a stone’s throw away from some of the finest shopping centres and independent boutiques anywhere in the country. It is really hard to narrow down where you should head to first, so please feel free to just use our suggestions as a starting point, as you find your own perfect day of shopping in Scotland’s capital city.

1. Independents in Stockbridge – This area is full to the brim with independent boutiques, quirky vintage stores, and plenty of places to get your arts and crafts fix. It is also a pleasant environment, away from the bright lights and busy streets of the main shopping drag in the centre of the city.
2. Charity Finds – Nicolson Street is a fantastic place to be if you are a student shopping on a budget. It has loads of great charity shops along the route, vintage stores to buy some much needed threads, as well as cost effective options to stock up on your health and beauty essentials.
3. High Street Brands – Waverley Mall and Princes Street are two central areas where you’ll easily find the high street brands and big names that you know and love, such as Primark, Debenhams, and H&M. We all like to know where those comforting brands are; the ones that remind us of what you know from home.
4. Designer Fashion – Just one street over from the main high street, George Street is home to some of the finest high-end fashion stores in the city. Wander along and browse in French Connection, Jack Wills, Hobbs, and Karen Millen, to name just a few. This is a great area to shop for a special occasion or a big night out at the end of term.
5. Quirky Books and Records – The vibrancy, and magical nature of this historic city lends itself to some outstanding bookstores and record shops, that fit in nicely with the surrounding aesthetic. Armchair Books and The Edinburgh Book Shop are two great examples of book stores, whilst for your vinyl needs Unknown Pleasures is a fantastic spot to find some hidden gems.

Shopping in Edinburgh is exciting, with something for everyone. From your base at our luxury Edinburgh student apartments you’ll find it easy to head out for an afternoon of shopping, without having to worry about travelling too far home with your purchases.

Edinburgh Events

There is so much history around every corner in Edinburgh that you can find pretty much anything you can think of as an attraction or an event. It is a wondrous city to explore as a tourist for a long weekend, a lovely place to live, and provides plenty of surprises for those living at our luxury student accommodation in Edinburgh for a few years.

1. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Whenever anyone mentions Edinburgh the Fringe is brought up, and with good reason. It is home to a large number of theatres, comedians, artists, musicians, and all other kinds of artistic performance you can imagine. Whether you see a big stand up name perform in a tiny room above a pub, or a big theatre show, there is the chance to see free and discounted shows and exhibitions throughout the city if you are living on a budget.
2. Edinburgh Castle – Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat is well worth the trek up, as it provides the best view imaginable of the city. The Stone of Destiny and Crown Jewels are great attractions to admire, and a trip to the castle lets you explore the rich history of the city and the castle (which dates back to the 12th century.
3. Camera Obscura – Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is like nothing else you’ll ever experience. This gothic attraction is the perfect complement to the city’s old town, with a visual live ‘tour’ of the city using optical illusions, tricks, hologram collections, a light corridor, and a wide range of photographs on display that date back to the early days of photography.
4. Royal Botanic Garden – Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the stresses of student life, the Royal Botanic Garden is just a short walk from your luxury student accommodation in Edinburgh. It is a calm and peaceful spot, where you can marvel at nature and sit with your thoughts for a few hours.
5. Edinburgh Zoo – Another peaceful and tranquil place to visit when living as a student in Edinburgh is the zoo. It is one of the finest examples of a zoo in the UK, and for students there are discounted entry prices and promotions to keep an eye out for. The zoo focuses on conservation and the safety and sustainability of endangered and rare animals, and has a proud history that stretches over a century.

Living in our luxury student accommodation in Edinburgh allows you to have the perfect base from which to explore the many events and attractions the city has to offer. It is a beautiful city, full of history, tradition, live music, comedy, sports, great cuisine, and much more. There are fewer cities that are as great to live in as a student and we hope that our events and attractions guide gives you a good starting point from which to explore.