The Student Room Group
Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh

Official University of Edinburgh Accommodation Thread for Entry 2011/2012

PART 1: OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH ACCOMMODATION THREAD

Applications have now opened. If you are coming to Edinburgh in September (or using it as your insurance offer) you should apply asap! Apply here.

For details about private accommodation in Edinburgh, see post #2. For links to other threads discussing accommodation in Edinburgh see post #3.

Before posting questions in this thread please read through post #1, post #2 and post #3 to ensure your query has not already been answered!

The University of Edinburgh owns a vast array of accommodation throughout the city. All properties are managed by Accommodation Services. They are based in the Reception Centre at Pollock Halls, and can be visited in person as well as contacted in a number of ways. See here for contact details.

You can view various maps to see where this official accommodation is located throughout the city here.

You can download the university’s official accommodation guides for September 2010/January 2011 entry here. No guide has yet been published for September 2011, although it’s fair to assume that little will change. Do note that any prices quoted below will refer to the current academic year, 2010/11.

Will I be guaranteed accommodation?

Spoiler



Issues with first year accommodation guarantee

Spoiler



Applying

Spoiler



Accepting an offer of accommodation

Spoiler



Room Sizes

Spoiler



Internet and Phone

Spoiler



On site support

Spoiler



Leaving at the end of your tenancy

Spoiler



Catered or Self-Catered?

Spoiler



Twin Rooms in Pollock Halls (Thanks to fwapper for this)

Spoiler



Food at Pollock Halls (Thanks to fwapper for this)

Spoiler



Pricing

Spoiler



Payment

Spoiler



Insurance

Spoiler



Car Parking

Spoiler



What does the accommodation look like?

Spoiler



Postgraduate accommodation

Spoiler



Council Tax

Spoiler



University accommodation after first year

Spoiler



See post #2 for details on private accommodation in Edinburgh. See post #3 for handy links to other threads about accommodation in Edinburgh.

Disclaimer:

I do not work for the University of Edinburgh or its Accommodation Services in any capacity whatsoever - I am merely a student here. Any advice given in this thread by me (or any of the other Edinburgh students) is not given as a representative of the university or AS. Therefore, what we say is not given in an official capacity and you are advised to check with the University and Accommodation Services directly if in doubt at any point during your application for accommodation.
(edited 13 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

PART 2: PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION IN EDINBURGH

Living in university managed accommodation may not suit you, or there may be issues with the supply of accommodation once again this year. So do remember that you do not have to accept the offer of accommodation if you do not want to and there are plenty of alternatives - Edinburgh has a lot of very good flats on offer to students. The following advice is also fully relevant if you are a continuing student looking for new accommodation.

The university’s Accommodation Services offers a fairly handy overview and guide to private student accommodation in Edinburgh here.

EUSA also provide some advice on their webpage, along with a flatfinder. EUSA’s Advice Place is also happy to offer impartial advice on accommodation in Edinburgh.

What do I need to do first?

Spoiler



I want to join an existing flat

Spoiler



I want to live in private halls of residence

Spoiler



Landlords and Letting Agencies

Spoiler



Finding a flat

Spoiler



Where should I live?

Spoiler



Pricing

Spoiler



Payment

Spoiler



Council Tax

Spoiler



Insurance

Spoiler



Car Parking

Spoiler



What are the properties like?

Spoiler



See post #3 for handy links to other threads on Edinburgh accommodation.
(edited 12 years ago)
Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
PART 3: Conclusion and Useful Links

Conclusion

So there you have it, hopefully the full and comprehensive guide to accommodation, both university owned and private in Edinburgh, that you were looking for. It is quite possible that some important points have been missed out from these posts, so if there is anything that has been forgotten or skimped on, then please go ahead and ask a question below. Edinburgh students past and present will be more than happy to try and answer as best as they can, and share their experiences of living and renting in Edinburgh with you. Many thanks to oxymoronic for her original accommodation thread for entry in September ’09, which is linked above.

And remember, to discuss anything relating to application/entry to the University of Edinburgh in September 2011 apart from accommodation, head over to our stickified and officialised discussion thread.

Here are some handy links that we’ve compiled over the years to other threads - if your question isn’t answered in this thread then maybe it’s in one of these:

Official accommodation thread for entry 10/11

Official accommodation thread for entry 09/10

Official accommodation thread for entry 08/09

Why did you apply for your accommodation/where did you apply 08/09


Where is the best place to live in Edinburgh?

Price of accommodation, artorscience's post in particular

UNITE at Edinburgh

Where to live/prices for after first year

Edinburgh is my insurance choice, do I still apply?


Self catered accommodation = single sex (in general)

Last year’s postgraduate accommodation discussion thread


Detailed stuff:


Pollock meal times

Mini fridge? What to and what not to bring!

Should I bring a TV?

Should I bring my bike?

Where can I buy a bike in Edinburgh?

Can I bring my dog to Edinburgh?

Are there mirrors in the rooms?

To access university account when not on university network - ie from home or private accommodation

Internet and gaming in university accommodation

Postgrad accommodation thread 2010/11

Does accommodation allow dogs?
(edited 13 years ago)
Hello

In addition to all the helpful information above, another option available to students in Edinburgh is iQ accommodation.

iQ is a private student accommodation provider, with two new sites in Edinburgh at Grove Street and Fountainbridge. iQ opened in September 2010 and our accommodation is open to all full-time students. We have a mixture of shared flats and studio apartments, and all our rooms are en-suite.

If it's possible to update the second post to include some information about iQ as another option for students, that would be great.

Thanks
iQ information added to the sticky post #2.

iQ Student Accommodation
x
I'm going to Edinburgh for a term starting January as an affiliate student. Currently, I'm completely confused on which House to choose. My friend told me to go with one of the EGBLT for a good social life, but the rooms look sub-par to be honest.

I'm going to be taking mostly Political Science classes and perhaps 1 Literature class so if the classification of the houses go by major, do tell.

Simply looking for socialbility, a good-sized room, ease of transportation, and a decent studying environment (and a nice cosy coffeehouse nearby would be a plus). Hope you guys can help me out a bit. (: Thanks!
(edited 13 years ago)
Thanks for the link! After reading through, I'd rather choose self-catered but do I have to be 18 in order to live in self-catered?
Reply 8
Original post by yingkettering
Thanks for the link! After reading through, I'd rather choose self-catered but do I have to be 18 in order to live in self-catered?


Nope. I was 17 when I moved into my self-catered flat (many moons ago now).
Unless you're some sort of prodigy, I can't see how you will be under 18 in January but able to come to Edinburgh on an exchange to take honours level courses.
I just went to college in the States early, is all.

What is the area for clubs and the music scene? Would it be near Pollocks?
Original post by yingkettering

Original post by yingkettering
I just went to college in the States early, is all.

What is the area for clubs and the music scene? Would it be near Pollocks?


If you're under 18 how do you think you're getting in a club? :s-smilie:

The going out/club areas of Edinburgh are around 15-30 minutes walk from Pollock, although there are a lot of pubs in the Pollock area but like I said, if you're not 18 then it isn't applicable to you anyway.
Hello,
I'm an international student coming over early next fall...
I'm hoping to go to private accomodations as the couples accomodation by the uni seemed a bit drab-- unless you guys have a suggestion for a house we could stay at?
My question is- and I spoke with Robbie Willis about this- would it be stupid to go head-first into private accomodation when I haven't even acquainted myself with the area? Should I put off going private until my second year?
Reply 13
nearlyheadlessian
It is really a fairly straightforward choice. Do you want to live in a flat or on a corridor? Do you want a kitchen or a pantry? Do you want a living area or a common room?
Which is which?
Original post by Kelz_26
Which is which?


:rolleyes: They're in respective order.
Original post by linguisticsforfun
Hello,
I'm an international student coming over early next fall...
I'm hoping to go to private accomodations as the couples accomodation by the uni seemed a bit drab-- unless you guys have a suggestion for a house we could stay at?
My question is- and I spoke with Robbie Willis about this- would it be stupid to go head-first into private accomodation when I haven't even acquainted myself with the area? Should I put off going private until my second year?


Hello

Have you considered private halls of residence? You get all the benefits of living in student accommodation (such as the social side of things, meeting other people etc) but sometimes you get a better choice of rooms, and more choice over the type of room available to you.

At iQ we have lots of apartments suitable for couples - a range of different studio apartments and one-bedroom flats. We already have lots of couples living with us this year who have decided this is the best option for them.

It's maybe something to consider?

Thanks
Original post by iQ Student Accommodation
Hello

Have you considered private halls of residence? You get all the benefits of living in student accommodation (such as the social side of things, meeting other people etc) but sometimes you get a better choice of rooms, and more choice over the type of room available to you.

At iQ we have lots of apartments suitable for couples - a range of different studio apartments and one-bedroom flats. We already have lots of couples living with us this year who have decided this is the best option for them.

It's maybe something to consider?

Thanks


How early can I get your accomodation? If I'm starting in September, when can I move in?
Of course, it's worth bearing in mind the cost of iQ accommodation too... Not everyone is made from money.
Original post by nearlyheadlessian
Of course, it's worth bearing in mind the cost of iQ accommodation too... Not everyone is made from money.


Is it the same prices for all private accomodation? Do you have any suggestions? :confused:
Go to Chancellor's Court in Pollock it's definitely the best!!!!! :biggrin:

Latest