Renowned for its breathtaking architecture, premier shopping districts, and lush green spaces, Edinburgh is a world-class academic hub. With four major universities, 12% of the city’s population are students, giving it one of the highest student concentrations in the UK, rivaled only by Manchester and Bristol.
With such a vibrant academic community, you’ll find no shortage of student discounts and exciting events to fill your downtime. Need help navigating the capital? Read on for our curated guide on how to make the most of your student life in Edinburgh.
The great outdoors
One of the greatest benefits of living in Edinburgh is the abundance of free outdoor experiences. Whether it's a sunny afternoon or a crisp autumn day, the city boasts incredible green spaces to explore:
- Arthur’s Seat - get your steps in by hiking up to the highest point of the city and be rewarded with panoramic vies. It’s tradition for students to make the climb during Fresher’s week.
- The Meadows - the place to be if the sun comes out, bring a picnic, a book or a ball (and maybe some beers!) and feel right at home in this public park near the popular residential areas of Newington and Marchmont. You can even book onto the park’s tennis courts for some exercise.
- Carlton Hill - an easier climb than Arthur’s Seat, Carlton Hill is a photographer’s dream. Views of the city paired with historic monuments and lots of benches to take in the sights.
- Crammond Beach - if you want to escape the city’s bustle then look no further than this small sand beach full of dog walkers and brave cold-dippers.
- Local student tip: just as beautiful but much less busy, don’t miss Blackford Hill which also has stunning city views and the Royal Observatory.
Low-cost student activities
Mastering your budget is a core part of the university experience. Fortunately, Edinburgh offers a wealth of affordable activities that ensure you can enjoy the city without breaking the bank.
Start your journey at your university's Students’ Union or Association. These hubs are run by students for students, offering low-cost events, social mixers, and hobby groups. Beyond the social scene, they are often the most budget-friendly spots for a coffee or pint, and provide excellent quiet zones for focused study sessions.
- Dip into your creative side at Doodles Ceramics, the city’s first ‘paint your own pottery’ cafe. Book a table and enjoy a few hours of peaceful painting and then pick up your creation 2-3 days later. All materials included, this activity works out at £30 max per person. If you’re still in need of an art fix after this, spend a free afternoon at the Scottish Natural Gallery, finding some of Van Gogh’s and Rembrandt’s best work.
- Escape with the latest movies at Filmhouse, where their student membership deal is one of the best around. For just £30 a year you get discounts on all tickets, 3 free movies and 10% off food and drink. (Local student tip: The Brass Monkey is also a must-visit for film lovers!)
- Explore the quaint, picturesque streets of Edinburgh that have made it an architectural landmark: Leith is trendy and full of hole-in-the-wall bars, as well as cobblestone walkways by the docks; in the Grassmarket you’ll find lots of tourists and battling through the crowds to spot a hidden slice of history is half the fun; in Dean’s Village there’s a photo opportunity around every corner.
- Essential for any true Edinburgh student experience is attending a ceilidh. A traditional Scottish dance, ceilidh’s are loud, local and fun. There’s no better night than one spent dancing with your friends to live music. Bonnie & Wild’s White Heather Ceilidh Club is a free ceilidh, perfect for your first taste of a centuries old tradition!
Weekend trips
Just a quick hour-long train ride away, Glasgow offers a thriving cultural scene and its own massive student community. Spend your days wandering through the free Botanic Gardens or exploring the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. By night, enjoy stand-up comedy at The Stand or catch one of the city's 130 weekly live music gigs. For a nature escape, head to the stunning shores of Loch Lomond.
Other easily accessible day trips by train include:
- North Berwick - classic seaside town with a history of whaling and gorgeous walks along the bay
- Ochil Hills - catch the train to Dunblane or Bridge of Allen and walk to this wild range of hills
- East Neuk of Fife - another beautiful coastal area with a string of historical fishing villages
If you have access to a vehicle, don't miss the Pentland Hills (just 37 minutes away) for scenic hiking trails, or historic St Andrews (90 minutes away), the prestigious home of Scotland’s oldest university.
Cultural festivals for students
- The Edinburgh Fringe is world-famous and for good reason. With theatre, comedy, dance, children’s shows, musicals, opera, cabaret, spoken word and more, performers and audience members flock from everywhere to catch the August celebration of art. Unfortunately, this means that rental prices can skyrocket in the summer and there isn’t always protection for student tenants looking to secure accommodation over the holiday period. If you’re lucky enough to stay in the city during the festival you’ll have to make the most of the free daily shows and see if you can catch a Fringe Highlight.
- St Andrew’s Day is another staple of the Scottish calendar, celebrating the country’s saint in November. There’ll be all sorts of pop-up events, parties in bars, parades and concerts and traditional Scottish dances called ceilidhs.
- Hogmanay rings in the new year in style and you can’t miss the fireworks falling off Edinburgh Castle and the many street markets that celebrate December 31st (Local student tip: may students head to the open-air techno festival FLY on hogmanay to dance the night away)
Student hang outs
The joy of student life is discovering your own favorite corners of the city to study, socialize, and grab a bite. To help you find your feet, we’ve gathered some top insider tips from current Edinburgh students to get you started.
- Snax - a staple of the Edinburgh uni experience, Snax is a cosy cafe with a mouth-watering menu and student friendly prices. Expect a queue!
- More cafes: Ante, Little Fitzroy, Cairngorm Coffee Roasters, Love Crumbs, Low Down
- Most nights out start in a good pub and Edinburgh has plenty on offer - Blue Blazer, Cafe Royal, Oxford Bar (you might bump into famous author Iain Rankin here!), The Argyle, Golf Tavern (one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs), Caley Picturehouse
- Panda and Sons - a speakeasy cocktail bar, you might need to book for a chance to find out its secrets
- Hanging Bat - another popular cocktail bar
- Trivia nights are a great way to bond with new flatmates and lots of students head to the weekly pub quiz at The Southsider
In conclusion...
Whether you are captivated by Edinburgh’s dramatic gothic architecture or its profound literary heritage, you are bound to fall in love with this city. There is always something new to experience across every season, and while Edinburgh can be premium, there are plenty of student hacks to help manage your budget effectively.
Be sure to tick off the iconic tourist attractions, then carve out time to discover your own favorite hideaways in one of Europe’s most beautiful and student-friendly capitals.