Study in Edinburgh, The United Kingdom

About Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and, after Glasgow, its second-largest city. National Records of Scotland estimates the population of the City of Edinburgh council area at 530,680 in mid-2024, after growth of 6,540 people in one year. The historic Old Town and the Georgian New Town are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is home to the Scottish Parliament.

For international students Edinburgh combines research universities with a busy market for English courses. Many students come for a full degree; others come for a few weeks or months of English in a compact, walkable city.

Studying in Edinburgh

SpainExchange lists seven schools in Edinburgh: two universities, several English language schools and a private college. Teaching is in English. Scottish bachelor's degrees usually take four years, and colleges award Higher National Certificates (one year) and Higher National Diplomas (two years). Examples:

• The University of Edinburgh is also listed in our directory.
• Heriot-Watt University traces its roots to 1821, when the world's first mechanics' institute was founded in Edinburgh. Besides its Edinburgh campus it teaches in the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia, and online.
• Basil Paterson College, founded in 1929, is at 66 Queen Street in the New Town. Under one roof it has an independent school and senior college for the Scottish National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications, the Edinburgh School of English and a test centre for IELTS and Cambridge English exams.
• ECS Scotland is an independent English school accredited by the British Council that teaches only adults aged 30 and over, in groups of up to five students.
• Edinburgh School of Language teaches General English, IELTS preparation and the Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency exams, in groups of no more than seven students.

Chemistry, biology, psychology, economics, mathematics, physics, information technology and language courses are the subjects most often listed by the Edinburgh schools in our directory.

Cost of living for students

Housing is the largest cost for students in Edinburgh, and demand for short-term rooms is especially high in August, when the festivals fill the city. No official figure for typical student rents is published, so check residence prices on your university's website and look for a room early. As an official benchmark, a Student visa applicant studying outside London must show £1,171 per month (for up to nine months) for living costs, in addition to the course fee for one year.

Transport is easy to budget. On Lothian Buses a single adult ticket costs £2.40 and a city day ticket £6.00 (£5.70 when you pay by contactless card with TapTapCap). With TapTapCap, a week of travel in the city zones is capped at £26.50. Students under 22 who live in Scotland can travel by bus for free with a National Entitlement Card, under the Scottish Government's Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme.

The Student visa costs £558 from outside the UK, plus the immigration healthcare surcharge. For an English course of up to six months at an accredited institution, a Standard Visitor visit can be enough; the Short-term study visa covers English courses of up to 11 months.

Getting around and daily life

The centre is compact, and most students walk or take the bus; Edinburgh Trams link the city centre with the west of the city and the airport. The Airlink Airport Express bus runs 24 hours a day between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, for £6.00 one way. Edinburgh Waverley station has direct trains to Glasgow and to London.

Cultural life peaks in summer with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival and other August festivals, and the year ends with Edinburgh's Hogmanay. Winters are cool, dark and often windy, and summers mild, so pack layers and a waterproof jacket.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Edinburgh?

Our directory lists the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University. Scottish bachelor's degrees usually take four years.

Is Edinburgh a good place to learn English?

Yes. There are several English schools in the city, with options for adults over 30, small groups, and preparation for IELTS and Cambridge exams. Courses of up to six months are possible as a Standard Visitor.

How much does public transport cost in Edinburgh?

A Lothian Buses single costs £2.40 and a day ticket £6.00, and contactless travel is capped at £26.50 a week in the city zones. Under-22s who live in Scotland travel by bus for free.

How do I get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

The Airlink Airport Express bus runs 24 hours a day and costs £6.00 one way; the tram is another option.