How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
Staying safe in Edinburgh: a complete guide for students
Thinking about studying in Edinburgh and wondering how safe it really is? The good news is that the city ranks highly for safety overall, and with a bit of everyday awareness, you can confidently enjoy student life in Scotland’s capital.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the essential information about student safety in Edinburgh, including the safest areas, personal safety tips and support services available to you as a student.
TL;DR: Edinburgh is one of the safest cities in the UK for students, with lower crime rates than other major cities. Student hubs like Marchmont and Bruntsfield are especially safe, as these areas are busy and well-monitored. Universities have active security around campus and offer dedicated support should you need it.
How safe is Edinburgh for students? 🤔
Compared with other big cities in the UK, Edinburgh is considered one of the safest places for students to live. According to data released for 2024-2025, there were 728 crimes recorded per 10,000 residents — considerably lower than most other major UK cities.
In comparison, recent data shows that crime rates per 10,000 people are around 1,556 in Manchester, 1,263 in Leeds, 1,181 in Birmingham, 1,064 in London and 829 in Glasgow, meaning all experience more crime than Edinburgh.
Edinburgh also fares well when it comes to safety perception, with reports revealing that 82% of residents feel safe living there – the highest score of any Scottish city. So as big cities in the UK go, Edinburgh is definitely one of the safest.
Edinburgh’s safest areas for students 📍
Most parts of Edinburgh are generally very safe, and this is especially true for the main student hotspots near the university campuses and city centre. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the safest areas for accommodation and exploring during your free time.
Old Town & Southside
Old Town, the historic heart of Edinburgh, is pretty much always busy – especially around the Royal Mile, Grassmarket and Princes Street. The constant footfall and regular police patrols keep things orderly, though some pickpocketing can occur with tourists and nightlife crowds.
Southside, south of Old Town toward Newington, is a lively area with lots of students and cool independent businesses, though it can feel a bit quieter in spots at night. As with the Old Town, the streets are well lit and there’s good CCTV coverage, so you’re likely to feel very safe here.
Marchmont & Bruntsfield
Marchmont and Bruntsfield are two of Edinburgh’s most popular student hubs, both being close to the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University. These areas are predominantly residential, with lots of student accommodation, cosy cafes and green space nearby.
They have low crime rates and score positively on safety perception, thanks largely to the big student presence, which creates a proper community feel. It’s worth noting, though, that some parts of The Meadows park are poorly lit, so avoid walking alone here at night if you can.
Haymarket & West End
Haymarket and West End are two neighbouring areas just west of the city centre that you’ll almost certainly pass through at some point. Haymarket is home to one of Edinburgh’s main train stations, while the West End is popular for its independent shops and has some of the city’s best hidden gems.
As a result, both areas tend to be busy throughout the day and into the evening, which makes them feel relatively safe. There’s also a lot of purpose-built student accommodation nearby, like our Arran House residence, with dedicated security measures like CCTV and keycard entry.
Tollcross & Fountainbridge
Nestled between the energetic Old Town and the quieter residential streets of Marchmont and Bruntsfield, Tollcross and Fountainbridge are two popular student areas near the University of Edinburgh offering the best of both worlds.
With several university campuses and secure accommodation like our Canal Point residence nearby, they’re generally very safe for students. It can get a bit noisy at night – particularly around Lothian Road and the Grassmarket – so it’s best to stay vigilant if you’re out late.
Abbeyhill & Holyrood
Abbeyhill and Holyrood are two neighbouring areas just east of the city centre, home to some of Edinburgh’s biggest attractions in Holyrood Palace, Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat, making them popular with tourists and walkers.
They do see some petty crime, but are generally regarded as very safe parts of the city. Abbeyhill is the more residential of the two, with lots of student accommodation like our Brae House residence in the area.
Personal safety tips for Edinburgh students 🔒
While the hustle and bustle of city life can be exciting, prioritising your safety is extremely important. There are many ways to keep safe in Edinburgh and stay vigilant, all while being able to enjoy what it has to offer.
Out and about
Overall, Edinburgh is considered to be a safe city. That said, universities do advise that you follow basic personal-safety habits when moving around the city (most of which you’re likely already doing) – that way, you’ll be able to explore all of Edinburgh’s top student attractions safely.
Always plan routes home in advance, stick to well-lit streets, keep phones charged and avoid walking alone late at night where possible. Staying aware of surroundings and keeping valuables out of sight helps reduce risk from opportunistic theft – the most common crime affecting students.
To go that one step further, you can make use of personal safety apps like WalkSafe to keep loved ones updated on your location and quickly access emergency contacts should you need them.
At home
Incidents can occur at home, too – typically through doors being left unlocked and unknown visitors being let inside buildings. To prevent this, remember to keep doors and windows locked, be wary of people tailgating when entering your accommodation and keep valuables out of sight.
For those looking for a little more reassurance, purpose-built student accommodation (like our Yugo residences) often has strong safety measures like controlled entry systems, CCTV monitoring and on-site teams in place, reducing many of the risks associated with break-ins and opportunistic theft.
Our Edinburgh residences are carefully designed with your safety in mind, reducing unauthorised access and putting your mind at ease, particularly when living away from home for the first time.
Nights out
When heading out for the night, there are several simple habits you can adopt to dramatically reduce your chance of being a victim of a crime. As the saying goes, there really is safety in numbers, so going out and sticking with friends is always best.
Planning transport home before heading out is advised and while partying is fun, avoid excessive alcohol consumption that may impact your awareness. Drinks should never be left unattended, and you should remain in populated areas if ever separated from friends.
Edinburgh’s nightlife is busy but generally well-managed, meaning risks are usually linked to personal safety choices rather than location-specific danger, so these small alterations can go a long way in keeping you safe.
Edinburgh’s university safety services 📞
All major Edinburgh universities operate dedicated security or safeguarding teams that provide 24/7 support, emergency response and wellbeing assistance across campuses. It's worth noting the resources available to you and saving the emergency numbers for your university.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is dedicated to keeping you safe, providing quick access to help both on and off campus through the following services:
- On campus, Campus Security is available 24/7 at 0131 650 2257 (or 2222 internally).
- If you’re stranded or lose your wallet, Central Taxis (0131 229 2468) lets students pay later.
- For wellbeing, harassment or safety concerns, you can use the University’s Report and Support service.
For a full list of the university’s support services and safety tips, click here.
Edinburgh Napier University
As a student at Edinburgh Napier University, you have access to the following support and safety services:
- All three campuses have their own dedicated security office – next to the Reception at Craiglockhart, in Room B5 at Merchiston and Room 1.A.02 at Sighthill.
- You can reach the university’s security team from any campus telephone using extension 6119.
- You can also use the SafeZone app to share your location with the university’s security team, access wellbeing services and report issues.
For a full list of the university’s support services and safety tips, click here.
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University has a number of security measures in place in and around campus to keep you safe:
- The university has a team of ‘SafeGuarding’ officers trained to deal with any situation. They’re based at both the Edinburgh campus and at Jean Muir Student Village in Galashiels and can be easily identified by their bright blue jackets.
- Like Napier, the university also uses the SafeZone app to send alerts and request emergency support from SafeGuarding officers.
For a full list of the university’s support services and safety tips, click here.
Edinburgh: a safe student city
Edinburgh stands out as one of the UK’s safest cities for students, and with some basic safety measures, you can feel confident navigating daily life in the city while enjoying everything Edinburgh has to offer.
Looking for somewhere safe to stay in the Scottish capital? Yugo offers a wide range of secure student accommodation in Edinburgh, with CCTV, keycard access and 24/7 support – take a look inside our residences below.
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