Making Edinburgh Home: Tips From a Student Abroad
Accommodation- Finding your Home
One of the first things I started to think about before moving to Edinburgh is where I am going to live. There were a few different options I could choose from, so I would recommend doing your research early and figure out what works best for you.
- One is university-managed student accommodation. These are usually situated close to campus, which makes getting to classes really convenient, and you will be able to meet other students from your university.
- Another option is private student accommodations that is managed by a private provider. They tend to offer a variety of room styles and building amenities, and you’d be able to meet other international students living there. I noticed there are quite a few private student accommodation buildings throughout Edinburgh, so there are plenty of options to choose from. However, demand can be quite high at the start of the academic year, so I would recommend looking and applying early. With student accommodation, all bills and Wi-Fi costs will be included in the rent, which makes budgeting a little easier.
- The other option would be to rent a private flat, either on your own or with other students. With a shared flat, you’ll typically split the cost of rent and bills between everyone, although your bills will depend on your monthly usage. In terms of location, I would suggest living close to major bus stops and public transportation links. Edinburgh is a very walkable city, but having convenient transport nearby makes getting to university, work, or exploring the city much easier.
Public Transportation- Getting Around Edinburgh
One of the things I love about Edinburgh is how convenient the public transport system is. There are major bus routes that will take you to all school campuses. I suggest getting the student bus card (Ridacard), which you can use to tap on and off public transport. Trams are my favourite way to get around as they run quite frequently, coming every 7 minutes. If you want to explore beyond Edinburgh, the ScotRail train system is a great option for travelling around Scotland and further across Great Britain. You can purchase an annual railcard to receive a discount when booking fares online and in advance.
Working While Studying
If you plan on working during your school semesters— try to apply to jobs early! From my experience and what I’ve gathered from coworkers, it may take a while to hear back from employers, and popular student jobs such as café roles and retail positions can be quite competitive. Personally, I work 2-3 days per week, keeping in mind that I can only work maximum 20 hours as according to my student visa regulations. If you’re hoping to work during your studies, make sure you understand the conditions attached to your visa and plan your work schedule around your classes.
Banking- Managing your Finances
I would look into opening a UK bank account once you arrive. Especially if you plan on getting a job, as employers will generally need a UK account to pay your wages. It’s also worth looking into cards that offer low or no foreign transaction fees, particularly if you’ll still be using money from your home country. I would also recommend looking into Wise, which can make transferring and converting international money easier.
Phone plan- Staying Connected in the UK
Another thing to do when you land is to look into a phone plan. Personally, I went for a no-contract monthly e-sim that would give me a reasonable amount of mobile data. I would still be provided with a UK phone number, but I had the flexibility to change or pause my plan if I decided to travel home or move somewhere else. Having a UK phone number is also useful for everyday things like setting up a bank account, applying for jobs, and receiving messages or calls from the UK.
I hope these tips are useful for settling into Edinburgh!
-Olivia