Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a popular destination for international students due to the availability of prestigious universities and lively culture. The major universities in this city include Edinburgh Napier University, Heriot-Watt University, and the University of Edinburgh. The University of Edinburgh is a major University, which has been ranked #27 out of 1503 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The city is known for its academic excellence and a large number of international students visit Edinburgh every year to get higher education.
After reaching Edinburgh, students need to manage their expenses on their own unlike their hometowns where they have their parents to manage everything. For this purpose, it is necessary for them to understand the cost of living in Edinburgh for international students, which you can read below.
Student Accommodation Costs
Accommodation is a major requirement of students after enrolling in Edinburgh. There are different student accommodation Edinburgh options available for students in Edinburgh about which you will learn below.
University-managed accommodations: These are preferred by many international students because they provide the student’s comfort and security particularly to those in their first year of study. Accommodation costs for each room type vary from £400 to £1,200 per month depending on room type (shared, ensuite, or studio) and its location. Normally it entails expenses like heating, electricity and use of the internet which is along with the Wi-Fi signals.
Off-campus student housing: Off-campus student housing is developed by the private developers keeping the needs and preferences of students in mind. In an off-campus student housing in Edinburgh, you get several high-end facilities like cinemas, games rooms, gyms, study rooms, etc. Besides, basic facilities are also available such as study desks with chairs, Wi-Fi, televisions, laundries, kitchen appliances, and more. CCTV cameras and other security features can also be found in off-campus student housing properties in Edinburgh. You can get an off-campus student accommodation Edinburgh at as low as £185 per week. A high-priced accommodation can be got at £500 per week or above. There are double-occupancy accommodations also available in which the rent is split between the two occupants.
Private rentals: Rent of a private apartment or flat may also differ depending on the location of the property as well as its size. An apartment in city center can be a one-bedroom or multiple-bedroom apartment and one bedroom may cost between £800-£1300 while in outskirts could cost between £600-£900. Some students may decide to live in flats which they share with other students in order to cut costs and the cost of shared accommodation ranges between £400 and £700 per person. The lowest-priced private rental accommodation can be acquired at £231 per week whereas you can get a high-priced private rental at £10,596 per month and there are several price ranges in between.
Homestays: You can also live with families in Edinburgh, known as homestays, and immerse yourself in the Scottish culture. Homestays can be rented from £30 per night to £80 per night.
Utilities and Bills
In on-campus and off-campus student accommodations, utility bills are usually covered under the rents but if you live in private apartments, you may need to pay for them on your own. On average, it can range between £100-£200 monthly but they may differ from student to student since the size of accommodation and energy usage varies. Internet services costs vary between £20 and £40 every month.
Food and Groceries
The cost of food depends on individual’s eating habits and whether a student opts to cook his/her own food or else subjects himself/herself to eating in restaurants. The average expenditure of the international students on the food items can be estimated up to £150 to £250 per month. With larger outlets such as Tesco, Lidl and Aldi, a range of products is reasonably priced while in local markets and shops, you are bound to find some products expensive.
Eating out on the other hand is always costly. Whereas eating at an inexpensive restaurant, a meal will probably cost £10 to £15, whereas dining in a moderately priced restaurant, the charges are £20 to £40 per meal.
Transportation
Edinburgh is not a very extensive city and a number of pupils use their feet or bikes to get to the university. Still, for people using public transport, it will cost something different. Monthly bus pass often may cost something about £60-£65. A single ticket for adult within Edinburgh city center costs £2. A day ticket to travel with the city center in Edinburgh is £5.
Other Expenses
Study Materials: Books and other learning resources are other miscellaneous expenses that may cost £30-£50 each month. However, there are ways on how to minimize these implications such as the utilization of university libraries and purchasing second-hand book stores.
Leisure and Social Activities: As the visitors can easily see, there are a lot of cultural and recreational opportunities in Edinburgh. A cinema ticket is likely to take as little as £10-£15 and a gym membership costs £25 for a month. However, you can use the in-house gym if you are living in off-campus student housing or the university gym. Students may also go to museums, parks, and even festivals where some of these are either free or offer student friendly prices.
Total Monthly Estimate
An international student in Edinburgh requires as much as £1,500 or as low as £900 per month for rent, food, transport, and other expenses. It can vary depending on students’ lifestyles, the type of housing they opt for, and their spending patterns.