University of Edinburgh

Visiting your child at the University of Edinburgh means flying into Edinburgh Airport (EDI); the city centre is about 30 minutes away by tram or Airlink bus. Plan the UK visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from EDI to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a UK Standard Visitor visa - one visa covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (there is no separate 'London visa'). It is applied for online and biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in India. Most are 6-month visit visas; frequent visitors can choose 2-, 5- or 10-year multiple-entry visas. India has a high (around 82%) grant rate.

• One UK visa covers all four nations - no separate visa for London, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Apply about 3 months ahead, especially for graduation - slots book out and graduations are fixed dates.
• A complete file with strong home ties, clear funds and a clear purpose drives the high approval rate.
• Frequent visitors should consider the 2/5/10-year multiple-entry visa to avoid re-applying each trip.

Just admitted to the University of Edinburgh? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Edinburgh (EDI) early for the best September fares.
• Tram or Airlink 100 from EDI to the centre (~30 min), then a short walk/bus to campus.
• Marchmont and Newington are the student areas - book housing early, the market is tight.
• Carry your CAS, passport, proof of funds and confirmation of your visa (eVisa share code) in your cabin bag.

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is the priciest Scottish student city - about GBP 1,150-1,600 a month all-in sharing and cooking, though still below London. A world-top university, a beautiful compact centre, and Lothian Buses plus the tram make it highly walkable; Scotland's student-visa work rules apply.

Monthly cost of living in Edinburgh (a student estimate)

That's roughly £13,000-18,500 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Edinburgh students share in Marchmont, Newington and Tollcross near the university; rents are higher than other Scottish cities.

• Lothian Buses and the tram offer student ridacards.
• Marchmont and Newington put you near the University of Edinburgh.
• Book housing early - Edinburgh's market is tight, especially around Festival season.

Working part-time

On a Student visa you can work up to 20 hours/week during term time (degree level) and full-time during official university vacations. The 20-hour cap is per week, not an average, counts all jobs combined, and you must be a payroll employee - no self-employment, freelancing or gig/delivery work. After graduating you can apply for the Graduate Route: unsponsored post-study work with no job-type or hour limits, currently 2 years (3 for PhD). Note: from 1 January 2027 the Graduate Route drops to 18 months for non-doctoral graduates, so 2026 graduates should apply by 31 December 2026 to get the full two years.

Safety & student support

the University of Edinburgh's areas are generally safe by UK standards; use normal city awareness at night.

• the University of Edinburgh has campus security and student-safety services - save the campus number.
• Main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• A compact, generally safe capital; normal awareness at night.

Indian community & food

Edinburgh has a smaller but established South Asian community, with desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian/Asian grocers around Leith Walk and the south side carry spices and staples.
• Quality Foods and specialist grocers serve the city; mainstream Tesco/Sainsbury's have world-food aisles.
• Selection is good for the city's size; students stock up on staples.

Student community

• The University of Edinburgh has active Indian/South Asian societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The city has a Hindu temple and gurdwara.

• A solid range of Indian restaurants across Edinburgh.

Cost & living figures for Edinburgh last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.