Welcome to Edinburgh! It’s one of the oldest cities in the UK with so much to explore. One walk around Edinburgh and you’ll realise it’s got all the style and charm of trendy London spots with the history of Bath and York. Edinburgh students have more bars, restaurants and club nights than they could ever want – you definitely won’t be stuck for things to do in the evening.

Before you jump into life at Edinburgh, you might want to think about opening a student bank account. The Royal Bank Student account* comes with an offer of £50 cash and four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways, cheaper cinema tickets and more. To find out more and apply click here to visit rbs.co.uk/students
*Student account eligibility criteria apply. Apply online only. Offer Terms and Conditions apply. £50 cash is a limited time offer until 5th November 2021. Offer can be withdrawn at any time.

The city is very walkable, so you can avoid overspending on transport and still enjoy the beautiful view of your surroundings. Get your camera roll cleared out and your student loan at the ready because here’s everything you need to do now you’re officially an Edinburgh student.

The best places to live

Marchmont

Price: £££      Noise level: ||       Supermarkets: Scotmids and Co-Ops

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This is a great choice for student housing but it is on the more expensive side. Marchmont is a stone’s throw from the Meadows (a popular outside hub for students) and is the epicentre of student life. It’s an easy walk from George Campus and is the go-to for student parties and pre-drinks – if you’re keen on hosting this is the spot for you.

The New Town

Price: £££       Noise level: |       Supermarkets: M&S, Tesco Express and Margiotta

The New Town is also on the upper end for property prices in Edinburgh. Although it’s quiet, The New Town is still lively as it has George Street and Princes Street on your doorstep and The Old Town just across the bridge. Do note, however, that The New Town is a bit further out from campus – around a 25-30 minute or so walk.

Bruntsfield

Price: ££       Noise level: ||       Supermarkets: Sainbury’s Local, Tesco Metro (Scotmid nearby)

Bruntsfield has lovely houses for cheaper than you’d get in Marchmont or Newington. It also has a good student community even though it’s slightly further away from the centre.

Newington

Price: ££       Noise level: |||       Supermarkets: Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s (Lidl and Farmfoods nearby)

Newington is ideal for students keen to get the most out of Edinburgh because the hub of the city is right on your doorstep. It’s less than a ten minute walk from uni, surrounded by pubs and shops, and right next to the Meadows.

Leith

Price: £       Noise level: ||       Supermarkets: Tesco, Asda, Lidl

Leith is described as the Shoreditch or Brixton of Edinburgh as it has loads of fun, trendy bars. It also has The Pitt which is an open street food market, and Teuchters Landing – a foodie pub with great outside space.

Want to keep your budget in check? The Royal Bank Student account* comes with an offer of £50 cash and four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. To learn more click here to visit rbs.co.uk/students

Food spots

On campus:

Teviot’s (the SU) – the nachos and curly fries are every students’ post-lecture snack

Ginger Restaurant on South College Street – tastecard offer available 

Nile Valley opposite campus

Mosque Kitchen in Nicolson Square – the cheapest and tastiest curries in the city

BRGR on Nicolson Street

Simpson Restaurant in Lauriston Place- tastecard offer available 

Ting Thai Caravan on Teviot Place

The Union of Genius Soup Van outside the Chrystal McMillan Building

Soul Sushi on Nicolson Street

Worth the journey:

The Dome on George Street – a great place to take your parents out to

Civerinos in Hunter Square

The Khukuri Nepalese on West Maitland Street – tastecard offer available 

Cold Town House in the Grassmarket

Checkpoint on Bristol Place – this is a favourite brunch spot for students

The Voodoo Rooms on West Register Street – tastecard offer available 

Harajuku Kitchen in Bruntsfield – students argue this is the best sushi in Edinburgh

Berties on Victoria Street – go here to try an Edinburgh favourite: “chips and salt and sauce”

Are you a big foodie? With the Royal Bank Student account offer*, you get £50 cash and a free four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. Open a Royal Bank Student account. Visit rbs.co.uk/students to read more.

Where to grab a drink

Cold Town Brewery on Grassmarket

McSorley’s on Forrest Road

Brass Monkey on Drummond Street – their movie nights make this a great spot for a cosy date

Pilgrim on Robertson’s Close/Cowgate – the TV and film pub quiz on a Tuesday is a must

Teviot’s Library Bar (the SU)

The Three Sisters on Cowgate – go here on a Friday or Saturday for outside clubbing vibes and sing alongs

The Standing Order on George Street

Pear Tree on Nicolson Street – their beer garden makes this a social hub in the summer

Finnegans Wake on Victoria Street

Bars for a big night out

Revolution on Chambers Street

4042 on Grindlay Street

Tonic on George Street

Eastside on a George Street

Boteco Do Brasil next to Potterow – on Friday and Saturday nights the basement turns into a club which plays Latin pop

The best clubbing spots 

Flare Mondays and Love Wednesday

Location: Why Not       When: Monday, Wednesday       Music: Hip Hop, RnB, House

JuJu

Location: Lulu       When: Monday       Music: House, Garage, Techno

Hive

Location: Cowgate       When: Every night of the week       Music: Anything from Cheese to Rock to Hip Hop

Tamagotchi Tuesday

Location: Subway       When: Sunday       Music: RnB, Hip Hop, Cheese

Rascals

Location: Bourbon       When: Thursday       Music: Hip Hop, RnB

You could save on late-night takeaways with the Royal Bank Student account offer* which gives you £50 cash and four year tastecard membership for free – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. Visit the Royal Bank Website to find out more and apply.

Garibaldi’s

Location: Hanover Street       When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday       Music: Cheese, Pop, Latin Pop, RnB

Heaters

Location: Sneaky Pete’s       When: Wednesday       Music: Techno, DnB

Transport

Taxis: Uber, City Cabs and Gett

Walking: Edinburgh is a very walkable city – students travel by foot for most journeys

Bus services: The bus is only £1.80 and there’s a tram that goes to some of the main spots, including Princes Street and St Andrew Square.

Edinburgh students’ top tricks and tips

“Get up to Edinburgh early, before term starts, so you can experience the Fringe Festival during August”

“Edinburgh is full of hills – be prepared to do some serious steps if you’re walking everywhere”

“Avoid The Old Town on the weekend and during summer if you can – it’s full of tourists and you can see it all pretty quickly”

“People don’t go out till quite late, and clubs open later than usual – prepare to start your night out at around midnight”

“Go to Garibaldi’s! It’s so bad it’s good”

“Keep an eye out for Hive til Five. It’s only open until 5am at certain points in the year and you have to do it at least once”

Make the most of the city. With the Royal Bank Student account offer* you could get £50 cash and a free four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways, cheaper cinema tickets and more. For more info and to apply click rbs.co.uk/students.

Your mini bucket list for the city

• Get a job at The Fringe during the summer and learn the true meaning of work hard, play hard

• Watch a performance at Bedlam Theatre (it’s BYOB too)

• Go inside Nelson’s monument on Calton Hill

• Have a plate of nachos and a Tennent’s at Teviot’s

• Have a BBQ on The Meadows

• Head to the Christmas Markets and enjoy the best Baileys hot chocolate ever

• Visit Dean Village and Stockbridge for perfect Instagram spots

• Climb Arthur’s Seat during Fresher’s Week or you’ll have four years of bad luck (it’s an Edi superstition)

• Go swimming at Portobello Beach if you’re brave enough

• Visit Murrayfield Stadium for the Six Nations or watch it at Pear Tree

• Get involved in the Edinburgh vs. St Andrews Varsity in September

*Student account eligibility criteria apply. Apply online only. Offer Terms and Conditions apply. £50 cash is a limited time offer until 5th November 2021. Offer can be withdrawn at any time.