Arrivals FAQs

For information on the allocation process, please look here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/applying/ready-to-apply/.

Our accommodation is located in different areas across the city with many different outlooks, including city views or open spaces. We are unable to provide this level of detail for each room but there are many open spaces in Edinburgh where you can enjoy the outdoors and take in the beautiful city. The Scottish weather is temperamental and sunshine is not guaranteed.

Yes, our teams will be available and able to allow you into your room 24/7. If you are arriving after 11pm, please contact the Community Support Team on 0131 667 1971 who will be able to attend and help out of hours.

You can find your full address on your tenancy agreement which you can access on your MyAccommodation Hub (myEd)

For information on the support available to disabled students, please look here: Disabled Students | The University of Edinburgh Accommodation & Catering | UOE Accommodation

For more information on our pets policy, please look here: Disabled Students | The University of Edinburgh Accommodation & Catering | UOE Accommodation

Unfortunately, we do not issue keys to anyone but the legal occupier of the room. If you require us to give access to your room, we kindly ask that you provide the details of the person who needs access, the date and time of their arrival, and your written permission to do so. We will then be able to provide limited time access with staff supervision.

Your arrival pass will give you information on key collection location.

For the latest travel and parking information visit Transport & Parking | The University of Edinburgh

Parcels will only be accepted if you are in-house, therefore please plan deliveries carefully as anything arriving before you are here will not be accepted at our reception centres. For more information on mail and parcels, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life/living-with-us/residence-guide.

Unfortunately, we are not able to share personal information of other residents due to Data Protection legislation.

We encourage you to start having conversations with your future flatmates and plan what items you can agree to buy communally, to lower living costs and be sustainable. The best place to start is joining your accommodation Facebook page; you can find the link to that on your Accommodation Hub under myEd. Feel free to join, introduce yourself to your future neighbours there, and meet the Residence Life staff working at your site!

To find out more information about the Residence Life service and keep up to date with useful information and activities, please remember to ‘like’ the Residence Life Facebook Page.

Moving to a different country, city or home can be a challenging transition for some students. It also comes with amazing opportunities to learn from others and experience a different culture. To hear more about what to expect, please look here: Adapting to Edinburgh | The University of Edinburgh

You can find guidance and advice from our staff at The Accommodation Advice Room.  This pop up will be at Buccleuch Place Common Room between 10am and 2pm from 29 August to 13 September.
In addition, please take a look here for information that can help you find accommodation: https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/adviceplace/accommodation/lookingforaccommodation

The parking during arrival times is limited to drop off or on-street parking around the accommodation sites. We strongly encourage you to move your car off site as quickly as possible to allow everyone to move in comfortably.

• Repairs: Log in to MyEd, access your MyAccommodation Hub and click on the Report Repairs button.
• If you are staying at a site operated by one of our accommodation partners, repairs should be reported to the reception desk
• Cleaning: speak to the Operations staff on site when you arrive.

No guests are allowed to stay in University accommodation over the arrivals period until the end of September.

The University offers year-round hotel accommodation which your guests can book online via The University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection

For more information on the Guest Policy, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life/living-with-us/residence-guide.

The Residence Life team organise a series of welcome events and continued events throughout the year, both large and small, in person and online.

Your Resident Assistants on site will be able to provide you with information via the Facebook group, posters, and email about all the events that will be taking place at your site and across the University after you have arrived. We encourage you to introduce yourselves to your neighbours as positive relationships can be formed early and can make a huge difference to your experience while at University. Don’t worry if it takes a while to meet new people, everyone will be in the same position as you and sometimes connecting with others can take more time for some students than others – prioritise your needs and take a break from socialising when you need it!

It is mandatory that you attend your accommodation induction, or welcome talk. Residence Life staff in your accommodation will cover critical information relating to student life, support, and facilities that will help you settle in and become an active member of your residential community. The welcome talks usually take place at the start of the welcome week.

Specific information about your welcome talk will be posted on the accommodation Facebook group, on posters around the site, and will be included in the welcome letter you will receive from your Residence Life team over the summer and when you arrive in your room.

Volunteers from the University and the community run a Swap Shop open to all in the city, plus regular upcycling and bike maintenance workshops and educational events, with many volunteering opportunities.
Based at 22 Bread Street, just off Chambers Street, SHRUB is a community co-operative and social enterprise run by volunteers which allows local people to swap and re-use everything from clothes and books to kitchen equipment and bikes.
For more information, please take a look here: shrub coop | The University of Edinburgh

Once you have checked in, you will be able to access this and download from the Myed Accommodation Hub. 
You can use the proof of address letter to open a bank account, register with a GP, purchase a mobile contract, or any other service that requires proof of your permanent Edinburgh address.

• Attend the Principal’s Welcome: Principal's Welcome Ceremony | The University of Edinburgh
• The University of Edinburgh Events App is an easy way for you to browse all of the information and events for new students throughout your first year.
  Download the Events App here: Download the University of Edinburgh Events App | The University of Edinburgh
• Remember to complete the 6 essential tasks before you arrive or during your first week at University: https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/ready-university/top-6-tasks.
• As you prepare for the start of university, you will need to do some essential tasks including arranging your accommodation, getting connected to your student email, and browsing optional courses for your personal timetable. For the complete list, please take a look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/ready-university.
• As an international student, you also need to complete your international check-in: https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-administration/immigration/while-you-are-here/international-check-in
• Last but definitely not least, start exploring the amazing Edinburgh! Edinburgh is a safe and small city and easy to get around on foot or by bike. It’s full of green spaces; parks, squares, hills and gardens. There’s plenty of room to exercise, relax and study safely. For more information, please take a look here: Live in Edinburgh | The University of Edinburgh

For more information on how to register with a GP, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life/living-with-us/residence-guide

You can check here for updates https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-administration/immigration/while-you-are-here/police-registration

For information on how to collect your BRP, please take a look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-administration/immigration/applying-for-visa/your-biometric-residence-permit-brp

Almost all banks are now allowing online applications for all students. You can use the proof of address letter under the myAccommodation Hub on myEd and your ID or passport to complete your application.

Please see link: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/during-your-stay/finance/financial-difficulties/

• The first rent instalment is taken on the 1st of October (if paying in instalments). All changes can be done via this link https://www.payments.ed.ac.uk/instalments.
  Your instalment plan can be viewed on myEd. Once you are logged in, go to Finance channel – Services - View Account. Scroll down slightly and you should see a tab that says "View instalment plan". Here you will see the amount and dates for payment.
• For more information on payment options and changing your payment method, please look here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/during-your-stay/finance/.

• For information on advanced payments, please look here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/during-your-stay/finance/rent-payment-faqs/.
• You can submit a payment here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/during-your-stay/finance/how-to-pay/

If you are unhappy with your accommodation, please take a look here for more information on the transfer process.

Please choose your allocated accommodation site on Our Accommodation webpage, and check the Property Features, “view more” section for more information.  https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/our-accommodation/  

Edinburgh is a bike-friendly city and we encourage our residents to commute by bike where possible. Most accommodation sites and academic campuses provide access to secure bike sheds.

In order to use the bike sheds, you will need to register your bike using the online form, https://bit.ly/2X6G85p.  You will receive confirmation that your bike has been registered shortly after completing the form.  If you have any questions please ask your site office.

For more information on Cycling and insurance, please take a look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life/living-with-us/residence-guide.

For information on the JMCC please look here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/during-your-stay/catering/.

For information on TV licenses, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life/living-with-us/residence-guide.

Candles, over-door hangers, joss sticks, personal heaters, cookers, smoking and vaping are all prohibited in University accommodation.
For information on plug adapters, fire and health & safety in your accommodation, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life/living-with-us/residence-guide.

Between 9am-3pm you should go to your accommodation site office where staff will be able to assist you. At all other times you should contact the Community Support Team on 0131 667 1971.

There is a £30 charge for all lock-outs and if you have lost your keys and need a replacement there are charges of £26 per key and £7.50 per fob as well as a complete lock change costing from £120.

• Be wary of clicking on links or web pages especially links in unsolicited emails or texts messages.
• Never give out login details in an email or over the telephone, no matter how genuine you think the request is.
• Be wary of personal information being giving out on social networking sites or elsewhere, (e.g., contact details, dates of birth or passport information).
• Be wary of unexpected calls, even if allegedly from governments, their departments or law enforcement agency. If in doubt just hang up and never give out personal or financial information.
• Be aware that telephone numbers can be disguised to look genuine.
• Never transfer funds from your bank account even if instructed to do so unless certain to whom they are destined.
• Call Police Scotland (101), the UoE Security or the Advice Place if you are unsure or require advice.

If you have more questions for the Community Support Team, they will be available 24/7. For urgent support contact Security24-7@ed.ac.uk or (+44) 0131 667 1971 (option 9).

For non-urgent enquiries, get in touch here:  https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/get-in-touch/

• The Residence Life team supports students living in university accommodation. For information on our service, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/residence-life.
• For a complete list of support resources and more information, please look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/health-wellbeing.

For information on the support available to students as they transition to University, please take a look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/parents

• The University offers year-round hotel and summer accommodation for guests to the city.
• You can book online via The University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection
• For more information relevant to parents and supporters, please take a look here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/parents.

Reservations are also available on +44 (0)131 651 2007 (option 1) or email bed.breakfast@ed.ac.uk.