How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
Cost of living in Edinburgh for university students
Thinking about moving to Edinburgh for university? The Scottish capital has it all — history, festivals, shopping, and streets you’ll actually want to explore. But, life here (unfortunately) isn’t free, so it helps to know what the student cost of living is before you move.
To help you plan, we’ve broken down all the typical student living costs in Edinburgh, from rent and bills to transport and nights out. Plus, we’ve compared the average cost of living in Edinburgh with other UK student cities, so you can see how far your money will really go.
TL;DR: Edinburgh is a more premium student city, with costs similar to London. A typical student budget ranges from £1,300 to £1,700 per month, depending on lifestyle and accommodation choice.
Expense | Monthly cost |
Accommodation | £500-£1,400 |
Utilities | £80-£125 |
Groceries | £120-£240 |
Transport | £30-£50 |
Leisure | £150-£300 |
Total | £880-£2,115 |
Student living expenses in Edinburgh 💰
Ready to learn more about Edinburgh student living costs? Here’s a breakdown of what you'll likely be spending your money on while living in the city and studying in one of Edinburgh’s universities.
Accommodation 🏠
When it comes to budgeting, rent is usually your biggest monthly cost. Luckily, Edinburgh has options to suit pretty much every budget, with the average student rent ranging based on the style you choose.
First-year students often opt for university halls, which offer a built-in community, are close to campus and usually have bills included. Private housing is popular from the second year onwards – but keep in mind that bills usually aren’t included, so you’ll need to budget for those on top.
Purpose-built student accommodation (like our Yugo residences!) is another great option for freshers and returning students. You’ll get your own en-suite, plus access to study zones and social spaces with bills included. It’s perfect if you want to focus on your studies (and your student life) without dealing with utilities or awkwardly chasing housemates for cash.
Accommodation type | Monthly cost | Amenities |
University halls | £500-£1,100
| Ensuite or shared facilities, typically bills included, on-campus location |
Shared student housing | £700-£1,300 | Shared kitchen and bathroom, usually bills not included |
Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) | £800-£1,400 | Ensuite room, modern facilities such as gym or cinema, bills included |
In Edinburgh, location matters too. Areas like Old Town or locations near the University of Edinburgh are super convenient but are often pricier. Neighbourhoods like Fountainbridge and Abbeyhill still give you easy access to the city, but help to keep rent a little lower.
Yugo’s purpose-built accommodation gives you a choice of location, covers all your bills and packs in modern facilities you’ll actually want to hang out in, so you can focus on your studies (and everything else that makes student life fun) — take a look inside our residences below!
Edinburgh
Arran House
Arran House is one of three residences we have in Edinburgh. It’s just a 20-minute walk from the University of Edinburgh and Napier University, and a 25-minute bus ride from Heriot-Watt University. Wherever you’re studying, getting there will be a piece of cake.
Edinburgh
Brae House
Brae House is right on the cusp of the famous Royal Mile in the Old Town, close to Princes Street (great for big-name shops), Edinburgh Waverley train station and minutes from the Omni-Centre, which has great places to eat and a Vue cinema.
Edinburgh
Canal Point
Canal Point is in a convenient city-centre location, putting you within easy reach of everything. Less than 15 minutes away, you'll have easy access to the University of Edinburgh, The Meadows, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, Cameo Cinema and The National Museum of Scotland!
Bills 🧾
Most PBSA providers like Yugo include bills with your rent, which simplifies your student living costs (and avoids awkward conversations about putting the heating on in winter). However, if you rent privately, utilities and other bills can silently add up.
Below, we've broken utility costs down into energy, internet and your mobile contract, but you may want to add a TV license for a monthly cost of £14.54 per household if you plan on watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer.
Utility | Monthly cost |
Energy | £50-£80 |
Internet | £15-£20 |
Mobile | £15-£25 |
Total | £80-£125 |
If you’re studying full-time in Scotland, you don’t need to pay water bills, which keeps living costs lower than in other UK cities. Plus, full-time students in the UK are exempt from council tax, adding another nice chunk to your savings.
If you’re studying at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, Heriot-Watt University or Queen Margaret University, your university will usually confirm your exemption automatically with the local council. If this isn't the case, you can apply online through the City of Edinburgh Council’s website.
Food 🛒
Your regular food shop is the foundation of your student budget. A well-planned shop is always the most cost efficient — no one wants bags of spinach going limp in the fridge, or milk turning before you remember it’s there. The trick is to grab only what you need, plan your meals in advance and be savvy with discounts and loyalty cards.
Shopping style | Weekly cost | Monthly cost |
Budget-conscious | £30-£40 | £120-£160 |
Average spending | £40-£60 | £160-£240 |
Regular takeaways | £60+ | £240+ |
Edinburgh has lots of budget-friendly supermarkets, like Lidl and Aldi, that help keep costs to a minimum, while Co-op and Sainsbury’s are handy for top-ups or picking up a few essentials on the go. With a bit of planning, you can save enough to treat yourself to an indulgent takeaway or a night out with friends — without feeling guilty.
Transport 🚉
Getting around Edinburgh as a student is manageable, even if you’re not in the city centre. Walking and cycling cover a lot of ground, but sometimes you’ll need buses, trams or a quick taxi – which all cost money.
Transport option | Cost |
Monthly bus & tram pass (Lothian 4-week Ridacard) | £68 with valid student ID |
Single bus ticket | £2.40 or free with an NEC card |
Day bus ticket | £5.70 or free with an NEC card |
Single tram ticket | £2.40 or free with an NEC card |
Return tram ticket | £4.60 or free with an NEC card |
16-25 Railcard | £35/year (save 1/3 on train fares) |
Train ticket (short trip) | £3.50-£5.50 |
Uber/taxi (short trip) | £7.50-£12.50 |
If you’re under 22, the NEC card is a gamechanger. It allows free bus and tram travel across Edinburgh, which can save you a lot over the year. For trains, the 16–25 Railcard is ideal if you want to take weekend trips outside the city.
Pro tip: combining walking, cycling and NEC travel is the cheapest way to get around – and it’s actually a great way to explore the city’s historic streets and hidden gems without burning a hole in your wallet.
Leisure 💃
Student life isn’t just about lectures and essays, you’ll want to enjoy the city too – and Edinburgh has plenty to offer. Whether you’re into nights out, museums or exploring with friends, there’s something to do for every budget.
Leisure activity | Typical cost |
Night out (entry + drinks) | £30-£50 |
Cinema ticket | £5-£10 |
Gym membership | £15-£30/month |
Subscription services | £10-£20/month |
Eating out | £15-£30 per meal |
Shopping | £30-£70/month |
Student discounts pop up everywhere, from cafés and cinemas to gyms and shops. Free or cheap stuff in Edinburgh is easy to find too: hit the city’s parks, check out museums or dive into the festivals calendar. Even a walk up Arthur’s Seat or wandering the Royal Mile is a solid way to soak up the city without spending a penny.
Edinburgh cost of living vs. other cities ⚖️
The living cost in Edinburgh ranks among the UK’s more expensive student cities, but it offers top-tier universities, culture and campus life that justifies the cost.
City | Average monthly cost* |
Edinburgh | £1,300–£1,700 |
London | £1,300–£1,700 |
Bristol | £1,100–£1,500 |
Manchester | £1,100–£1,500 |
Birmingham | £1,000–£1,400 |
Liverpool | £900–£1,300 |
Leeds | £900–£1,300 |
Newcastle | £900–£1,300 |
Nottingham | £900–£1,300 |
*Cost of living figures rounded to the nearest £400, provided for general guidance only.
Yugo offers premium student accommodation in Edinburgh with fully furnished rooms, inclusive bills, and modern facilities (like gyms and study areas) – ideal for students who want comfort, convenience and a clear monthly budget.
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