Living & Money

Find out about accommodation, fees, funding, exploring Edinburgh and health & fitness.
 

Accommodation

We provide homes for more than 1,200 students across our Edinburgh sites in accommodation that's affordable, modern and supported by a dedicated team of university staff.

Here you'll find information on all you need to know about living with us, from moving in and paying rent to what to expect during your tenancy and how to get involved with our Residence Life events programme.
Read more here
Students looking at a book in their student accommodation flat
 

Register to vote

To register to vote online, you need just five minutes and your National Insurance number. To find out if you’re already registered to vote, you can contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

If you're a student, you may be able to register to vote at both your home address and your term-time address, but you'll need to choose one address and vote in only that area.

If you're not able to make it to the polling place on the day, you can apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote (when someone you trust votes on your behalf).

Find out more about voting as a student
 
 
Student sitting at a window with a laptop

Tuition fees and Student Loans

Make sure there are no delays to you starting university. Read through our tuition fees page to discover all you need to know about fees and payment.

Government Funding

Students from the UK should ensure that they have applied for all applicable funding available to them. The Student Funding Team can assist if you are having problems sourcing the correct Government Funding.

 
 

Student Loan FAQs

Am I eligible for a Student Loan?

For most students studying a full-time undergraduate course, the main support for living costs is through a low interest student loan, which is partly income-assessed.To be eligible for a loan, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are studying on a full-time undergraduate course that qualifies for a loan
  • You meet UK residence eligibility conditions (for details contact the funding body applicable to your UK home country as detailed in section “How do I apply” below)

International and EU students

Unless you have been living in the UK for 3 full years before the start of your first course of study, you will not be entitled to a Student Loan. If you are not sure of your residency status you can confirm your situation with the Student Awards Agency for Scotland by calling 0300 555 0505 or email SAAS_4@scotland.gov.uk.

The British Council's Education UK website has a facility allowing international students, from both inside and outside the EU, to search for, and gain advice on, scholarships.

How do I apply?

 

When will I get my loan/bursary?

If your application has been assessed, your student loan should be with you on the first day of term (providing we have confirmed your attendance), or 2-3 days after we confirm your attendance –whichever date is later.

 

Has the university confirmed my attendance?

Please visit your eStudent records and the Financial Support section, which should provide you with the date notification was sent to the SLC.

 

What if I haven't yet received my first instalment?

If you have not yet received a payment you should ensure that you have fully registered, have signed your online declaration and ensured the SLC have a valid National Insurance number (NINO) for you.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of non-payment of your loan/bursary you should consider your eligibility to apply for help from the Discretionary Fund.  Full details of criteria and how to apply can be found under Discretionary Fund.

 

What if I don't qualify?

If you cannot get funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland or Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland you may be able to apply for other types of funding.

 
 

Other funding

Grants, Bursaries and Scholarships

We have a variety of scholarships, bursaries and grants available to support your studies at Edinburgh Napier University.

Student Funding

The Student Funding team offers information and access to sources of extra funding such as the Discretionary Fund, Childcare Fund Nursing and Midwifery Discretionary Fund, and a number of internally and externally funded scholarships and bursaries. They also hold regular drop-in sessions for anyone who needs advice and support with any money issues or worries and to help with any Discretionary/Childcare Fund application queries.

Are you eligible for extra Money?

  • Discretionary Funds
  • Childcare Funds
  • Access Bursary
  • Merit Bursary
  • Nursing and Midwifery Discretionary Fund
  • Other Trusts & Bursaries

You may be able to apply for some extra funding to help with money difficulties. Find out more on our Money page.

 

Health & fitness

Come along to train to get stronger, faster, fitter or just for fun! Whatever your goal is, we'll help get you there. 

We've got a fitness suite and sports performance gym and also offer a range of classes. You can use our sports hall for football, badminton, basketball and more. Our friendly gym staff and industry-leading instructors are always here to help.

We cater for all levels of fitness and our facilities are here for everyone to enjoy. Student memberships start at just £12 a month! 

Find out about the gym and sports facilities
Gym user working out using gym equipment

Explore Edinburgh and beyond

Vibrant, cosmopolitan and consistently voted one of the best cities in the world, Edinburgh is the perfect place to experience student life. It's big enough to have everything you need, yet small enough to feel like home. No matter where you're from, the Festival City is ready to welcome you.

From the student-friendly bars and clubs on the Grassmarket, to its historic city centre castle, Calton Hill and Holyrood Palace, the city blends old and new to create one of the most unique places in the world.

Learn more about Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Circus Lane

Events in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is as famous for its special events as it is for its culture and heritage. Each year, the city’s calendar is packed with events, most notably the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe

Every August, performers from around the world take over the city for a month of entertainment of all kinds. From food festivals to the Edinburgh International Film Festival, there are always exciting things happening, culminating with the Hogmanay celebrations on New Year’s Eve, where the entire city flocks to an outdoor street party to ring in the New Year.

Visit our students 50 favourite places
Group of international students walking in Edinburgh