How to Get Student Accommodation in Edinburgh | Complete Guide

One of the biggest problems new students face is accommodation, especially when they can’t find their preference.

As a student in Edinburgh, your situation might be similar. And you probably don’t know how to figure it out.

Searching from street to street and paying agents to help you is time and money-consuming.

Why don’t you opt for the easy way?

Let us show you how to quickly get student accommodation in Edinburgh without spending much money.

You might doubt the possibility, but specific findings will change your mind.

According to Save the Student, noisy housemates, dampness, and lack of water are the three biggest student accommodation problems. Break-ins, disruptive building work, and rodents also form part of the long list.

You would want to avoid all these issues when seeking student accommodation in Edinburgh. So, we want to help you achieve it.

The whole idea this article wants to communicate is how you can get cheap student accommodation in Edinburgh. The table of content will reveal in detail what you can take away.

Table of contents

Why Pick Student Accommodation in Edinburgh?

England initially owned Edinburgh before it was moved to the Scottish. Today, this city remains the seventh most populous city in the United Kingdom and the second-most populous city in Scotland.

They have been a long-term center of education, attracting some of the world’s brightest minds to their institutions. They have some of the best medical, engineering, literature, philosophy, and law professionals.

The University of Edinburgh, their most popular university, is placed 20th in the QS World University Rankings for 2024. The other universities in the city are Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University.

When you gain admission into any of the universities listed above, you can fully understand how picking suitable accommodation can help you. And why Edinburgh is a fantastic city for students.

Read more: Study in Scotland: Tuition Fees, Cost of Living, Student Visa

What Should I Look Out For Before Picking a Student Accommodation?

Before you pick any student accommodation in Edinburgh, you must check them to ensure they fit your requirements. There is quite a list of things you should look out for when choosing this accommodation which includes;

  • Distance to School
  • Access to the Internet
  • Peacefulness & Safety
  • Space
  • Price
  • Leisure

Distance to School

It’s important that you find accommodation that is close to your school. Most times, you might need to fulfill certain responsibilities on campus, and you wouldn’t want to be taking long distances at every time.

Accommodation close to your school is highly advantageous and beneficial.

Access to Internet

The internet is our plug to access a wide range of information. When you want to get accommodation in Edinburgh, you must ensure you find a place with internet access.

Peacefulness & Safety

When you live in a noisy and safe neighborhood, it’s usually very uncomfortable. You always need to be alert at every point at a time as you even have to restrict your movement.

Although Edinburgh is a relatively safe city, it doesn’t stop people from causing problems. So, you must protect yourself by living in a safe and peaceful environment.

Space

Space is important. You can use the space within your environment for certain practical sessions. So, when looking for good accommodation, ensure it is spacious.

Price

A good number of accommodation places in Edinburgh are not cheap per se. You may need to pay through your nose, especially when you’re not under any U.K. scholarship.

So, you must consider the accommodation price to see if you can keep up with the rent.

Leisure

Finding comfortable accommodation is important. You must ensure any place to plan to reside in has the right facilities. Additionally, you can check the types of accommodation they have, which we will discuss in the latter part of this content.

Read more: How to Get Student Accommodation in Liverpool

How Much Does a Student Accommodation in Edinburgh Cost?

As a student living in Edinburgh, you must keep up with specific fees. The cost of rent and other utility bills will help you choose a place.

According to The University of Edinburgh, a broad estimate of the funds needed to live to a reasonable standard in Edinburgh is currently estimated at approximately £8,500 – £11,000 a year for living costs, in addition to tuition fees (please note that price increases and unexpected expenditure should be taken into account and students arranging initial short-term accommodation on arrival in Edinburgh need to budget for this).

They have estimated overall living costs at an average (lower-range) of £695 per month.

What are the Types of Student Accommodation in Edinburgh?

Before you can choose the best type of accommodation in Edinburgh you need, you would need to find out the available accommodation types.

These accommodations include;

  • Private Halls
  • Self Contained Flat
  • Flat
  • Bedsit
  • House
  • Homestay

1. Private Halls

A private hall is the property of a third party and not the institution. The institution can often decide to partner with a third party to run the hall.
As a student, you pay your rent, which also covers the utility bills. You can share studio rooms and communal spaces in a private hall. A lot of students love private halls because of the distinct features they offer.

2. Self-Contained Flat

A self-contained apartment or room is a single room with a toilet, bathroom, and kitchen. Although it doesn’t usually afford you much space, it offers you privacy.

3. Flat

A flat is a housing unit similar to a self-contained, but it has just one difference – more rooms. A flat can have about two or three rooms in addition to a sitting room, kitchen, and bathrooms.

4. Bedsit

A bedsit is a one-room apartment with a bedroom and sitting room. More so, cooking facilities are within the space to make cooking easy.

5. House

A house offers you the space you need as a student in Edinburgh. This accommodation is important, especially when you’re moving with your family.

6. Homestay

A homestay is an excellent place to accommodate yourself, especially when staying for a short period. Furthermore, you also love the company of a family around you. Although homestays are nice, few students opt for them because of safety and lack of trust in the families around them.

Read more: Accommodation Cost in Canada for International Students

How to Get Student Accommodation in Edinburgh

When considering how to get the best student accommodation in Edinburgh, you must make many considerations. Your preference will significantly influence your choice of accommodation.

Generally, to get student accommodation in Edinburgh, you have to;

Leverage Student Home Websites

Walking through the streets of Edinburgh in search of student accommodation is unnecessary. You can leverage platforms that will give you the information you need regarding the available accommodation options.

Platforms like My Student Halls make it easy to find the right accommodation option quickly. There is a wide range of accommodation options you can choose from.

Find out the Accommodation Cost

As much as you might have your accommodation preferences, you must also ensure you have the proper budget. Furthermore, a lot of residential places might have the same features and very different prices for them.

So, it would help if you found out the cost of the accommodation type you prefer. This will help you get your student accommodation in Edinburgh faster.

Visit Residence Facility

Graphic and pictorial representations might not always tell the whole story. So, before you consider getting an accommodation space, you must tour the facility. In your tour, you must ensure basic amenities such as electricity, water, and internet are available.

You can always demand a tour from the property manager before you pay.

Complete Documentation

Immediately you sign the documentation with your Landlord; it legally binds the two of you. And you can move into your residence after then. Always ensure you read through the clauses before you sign.

What Scholarships Offer You Accommodation in Edinburgh?

There are a lot of scholarships in Scotland for students who can’t pay their tuition. And the students in Edinburgh can significantly benefit from them.

While some of these scholarships are fully funded, others are not. A few scholarships help students with accommodation fees and other fees.

According to The Scholarship Hub, some of these scholarships in Edinburgh that pay accommodation include;

Unite Foundation Scholarships

The Unite Foundation offers free student accommodation and a generous annual scholarship to young people in the UK who aspire to a degree – but face the most challenging circumstances.

The City Undergraduate Accommodation Bursary

£2,000 a year towards accommodation costs in City University’s nominated halls for students who are ordinarily resident in England and have a household income of less than £42,611.

Scotland Accommodation Bursaries

For students who are Scotland-domiciled but living away from home when studying at the University of Edinburgh; living outside the City of Edinburgh at the time of application to the University; eligible to receive a guaranteed offer of University accommodation; in receipt of a Young Students’ Bursary or an Independent Students’ Bursary

Accommodation Award

A discount of £3,000 per annum for the first two years of study at the University of St Andrews will be available to undergraduate and postgraduate applicants from September 2016. The award will be means-tested based on financial need. Household income below £34,000

Undergraduate Academic Achievement Award

£2,000 towards the cost of your accommodation at Cardiff Metropolitan University. However, before you become eligible, you must achieve results within the top 10 in your program.

FAQ On How to Get Student Accommodation in Edinburgh

What is a Student accommodation?

Student accommodation is where students of an academic institution are supposed to live.

How are student accommodations built?

Student accommodation has rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and relaxation rooms.

Can I stay in student accommodation if I’m not a student?

No. You can’t live in student accommodation unless you’re a student.

Are students’ accommodations on a first-come, first-served basis?

Yes. The first students who register for accommodation get places first.

Conclusion

Residents of Edinburgh are loving people. As an international student, you can quickly adapt to your simple and fantastic lifestyle.

Finding accommodation is easy when you have the right plan. After reading this article, I believe you know the next step to take.

References

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Ajah Excel is a team growth and performance expert with over nine years of experience in blogging and personal development. He leads a team of 36 crazy, restless innovators with an enviable work culture at Silicon Africa Technologies Limited – a fast-rising tech firm from the SouthEast. Excel is the founder of Kiiky.com and WriterGig. He is also the co-organizer of TEDx Ikenegbu and convener of Social Media Fest. He is a vibrant learner who yearns to share his knowledge to educate and inspire young Africans. He has a B.Tech in Information Management Technology with certifications in growth hacking, effective communication, leadership, team, and personal development, to mention a few. Ajah Anayochukwu Excel is a passionate public speaker, creative writer, and brand storyteller.

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