Key Topics for All New Students

These key topics will provide you with information,videos and links.


☓Studying at Moray House School of Education at Edinburgh University

☓From Application to Arrival

☓Language Requirements

☓The Induction Period - "Freshers' Week"

☓University Life

☓Living in Edinburgh

  • What Is It Like Living In Edinburgh?

    Sagar, Current Postgraduate Student

    • What is it like living in Edinburgh?
    • What was unexpected about living here?
    • What advice would you give for living here?


    Carly & Heidi, Current Postgraduate Students

    • How have you found living in Edinburgh?


    Wei, Current Postgraduate Student (赵薇 在读博士研究课程学生)

    • Chinese Culture in Edinburgh (中国文化在爱丁堡)


  • Enjoying life in Edinburgh

    Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and is a very liveable city. Many of our students who come here for a year fall in love with the city and often end up staying longer than they intended.

  • What’s the weather like?

    Edinburgh has very unpredictable weather. At any time of year a beautiful sunny day can quickly change into damp, showery conditions or vice versa. Summers (June – August) are generally fine but are warm rather than hot. Winters are long and damp with many frosty days. December, January and February are the rainiest months. Snow in winter is not usually that frequent or that heavy although the winters of 2009 and 2010 saw the heaviest snowfalls for 30 years. Edinburgh is a very windy city which often makes it feel much colder.

  • Transport

    Transport in Edinburgh – see the section on this website called “Getting Around”

  • Cultural and Social activities in Edinburgh

    There is plenty to do in Edinburgh if you need a break from your studies. There are a large number of museums and historic buildings to visit. The city also has many parks and open spaces such as Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens, the Meadows. It has good public libraries, art galleries, theatres and concert halls.

    The List is a local magazine that is a what’s on guide for all that is happening in Edinburgh and Glasgow (which is 40 miles away).

    Alternatively, there are several websites that are entertainment guides for Edinburgh, for instance

  • Edinburgh’s Festivals

    Edinburgh is known as the Festival City as it hosts the world’s biggest annual arts Festival every August. This comprises several different festivals including:

    There are many other festivals in the city throughout the year. The biggest of these include:

    Edinburgh also hosts a huge New Year (Hogmanay) party every year.

    The Edinburgh Festivals website has information on all the festivals, large and small, that take place in Edinburgh throughout the year.

  • Eating out in Edinburgh

    Edinburgh has many different restaurant, cafes and takeaways. A few are very expensive but many are cheap enough for students’ budgets.

    The List publishes a helpful Eating and Drinking guide:

    There are also many special offers available online or via special student discount cards and other promotions. These include:

  • Shopping and other expenses:


    The International Office also has a guide on shopping in Edinburgh:

    This site helps you think about the cost of living and how much you need to budget for food and bills:

    Council tax is a charge made by local authorities for each property within the area and is used to pay for local services e.g. rubbish collection. You may have to pay Council Tax or you may be exempt. EUSA provides advice on this at:

    Everyone who installs or uses a device to watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on TV is legally required to be covered by a valid TV licence. TV devices include TV sets, video/DVD recorders, mobile phones, set-top boxes and PCs:

  • Bank accounts

    For information on opening a bank account see:

    There is further guidance for international students at:

  • Accommodation

    See the section “From Application to Arrival” for information on accommodation in Edinburgh

  • Doctors, Dentists, Opticians and Pharmacists

    You will need to register with a doctor (General Practitioner) in Edinburgh if you are studying here for more than 3 months.

    The NHS website will let you search for a doctors’ practice near where you are living. This site also allows you to search for the nearest dentist, optician and pharmacist.

    Many students living centrally choose to register with the University Health service at Bristo Square for convenience.

    EUSA has more information on healthcare provision

    Most supermarkets (Tesco, Asda, Scotmid, Sainsburys) and the high street chain Boots the Chemists sell over the counter healthcare products and remedies.

  • Religious centres

    The University Chaplaincy is a centre for the provision of pastoral and spiritual support for students and staff of all faiths and none.

    The Edinburgh Central Mosque and Islamic Centre is on Potterrow (beside George Square) -