Welcome to the beautiful city of Edinburgh, a place where history, culture, and modernity blend seamlessly. As you consider making this vibrant city your home, it’s essential to understand what life here might cost. We’re here to guide you through an authentic and trustworthy exploration of the cost of living in Scotland’s capital. Our goal is to provide you with a clear picture of the expenses associated with living in this charming city, empowering you to plan your future with confidence and vision. Let’s embark on this journey together, exploring the financial aspects of life in Edinburgh, from food, entertainment, transport and tuition to housing.
Cost of Living in Edinburgh: Daily Life
Edinburgh is known as Edinburgh, and it is the capital of Scotland. For students, living expenses can come from all directions.
Food
There are many supermarket chains in Edinburgh, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, etc., where you can buy the necessary ingredients. The price range for groceries is reasonable for essential items like bread, milk, eggs, and fruits. A loaf of bread costs around £1.00 to £1.20, a litre of milk is approximately £0.90, and a dozen eggs can be purchased for about £2.00 to £3.00. Fresh fruits like apples and bananas are priced at around £2.00 per kilogram. When it comes to dining out, A meal at an inexpensive restaurant would cost you around £10.00-£15.00, while a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant would be somewhere around £50.00-£70.00. Generally speaking, if you buy your food and cook daily in Edinburgh, you will spend about £150-£270 per month. Since students often have social needs, eating out costs about £150 per month.
Entertainment and recreation
Being a student in Edinburgh is about more than just hitting the books. The city offers many entertainment and recreational activities to make your student life more exciting and enjoyable. For instance, social activities such as movies, concerts, sports events or visiting local attractions can add up. You might spend around £50 to £100 per month on these activities.
Mobile Network
In Edinburgh, the mobile network is as trustworthy as it gets, with leading providers such as EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 offering their services across the city. Generally speaking, £10-£20 per month will cover your daily internet needs. Most operators require the SIM card to be tied to a UK bank card, so please prepare in advance.
Transport
Buses are the most popular mode of transport in Edinburgh, which has an extensive and well-connected bus network covering every corner of the city. Students who have yet to reach 22 can apply for a Young Scot card to travel free on public transport within Scotland. Students who are 22 years old and have frequent public transport needs can choose to spend 500 pounds between September and October to buy an unlimited number of Edinburgh Ridacard annual cards or a monthly purchase of 62 pounds per month for a single-month card. If you need less public transport, consider purchasing Edinburgh Citysmart Cards, which require top-ups and are charged per trip, by searching for the Citysmart Cards Edinburgh page and following the tutorials to buy the cards online or offline.
Cost of Living in Edinburgh: Tuition
Tuition fees are one of the most significant expenses when studying abroad. Tuition fees in Edinburgh are very different for different universities and specialisations, which are listed below for three universities. If you want to find out the tuition fees for your speciality, you can search for it on the university’s website.
The University of Edinburgh‘s undergraduate tuition ranges from £20,950 to £32,100 annually for international students. Postgraduate tuition fees for international students range from £23,500 to over £40,000, depending on the course.
Undergraduate tuition fees for international students at Heriot-Watt University start from £14,650 per year. For postgraduate students, the tuition fee for the MSc in Data Science course is £22,264.
Edinburgh Napier University‘s undergraduate courses start at £13,500 per year for most subjects. Postgraduate fees start at £14,000 per year for most subjects.
Cost of Living in Edinburgh: Accommodation
Apart from tuition fees, rent is a considerable expense that cannot be avoided. Edinburgh offers a wide range of student accommodation options, generally categorised into on-campus and off-campus accommodation.
On-campus Accommodation
On-campus accommodation is convenient, especially for international students unfamiliar with the city. It provides an instant community and easy access to university facilities. However, it is essential to note that these costs do not include personal expenses such as food, travelling, books and social activities. The cost of campus accommodation depends on the university you choose and the room type. Typically, student accommodation costs between £150 and £350 per week, with pricing varying for different types of accommodation. The average price of an en-suite student accommodation, which international students commonly choose, is around £200 per week.
Off-campus Accommodation
The cost of off-campus accommodation varies greatly depending on the type of housing you choose. If you’re considering renting a small studio apartment, you might need to budget anywhere from £650 to over £900 per month. But if you’re open to sharing a house with other students, the cost can be considerably lower, averaging around £225 per month. According to the data given by the uhomes rental platform, the ensuite type of flat, which international students commonly choose, is as low as £189 per week. The average cost of electricity is around £80 to £90 per person per month. As the water company in Scotland is a public company, the water fee in Scotland includes council tax, so if you rent a flat alone, remember to apply for a student council tax discount, which will exempt international students from this part of the fee.
FAQ
Is Edinburgh an expensive city?
Yes, Edinburgh is considered to be an expensive city when compared to other cities in the UK. However, it is still more affordable than in major cities like London.
How much does it cost to rent a flat in Edinburgh?
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Edinburgh city centre is around £800, while a three-bedroom apartment can cost upwards of £1,500. Prices may vary depending on the location and amenities.
What is the cost of public transportation in Edinburgh?
The cost of public transportation in Edinburgh varies depending on the mode of transport and distance travelled. A bus ticket costs around £1.80, while a monthly pass costs approximately £57.
Is it expensive to eat out in Edinburgh?
Eating out in Edinburgh can be relatively expensive compared to cooking at home. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant can cost around £45, while a fast food combo is typically around £7
