Edinburgh is one of the favorite cities among international students. It is the capital of Scotland, UK. There are three universities in Edinburgh:
- The University of Edinburgh
- Heriot-Watt University
- Edinburgh Napier University
Both these universities are famous for providing world-class education to students. The University of Edinburgh is among the top 30 universities in the world. QS has given it 27th rank among 1503 universities in its 2025 rankings.
When international students come to Edinburgh, they need to take care of certain things. The major aspect is security. Security is a vital need of every person. Students are also not devoid of it. Here, you will get must-know security tips for international students in Edinburgh in 2024.
Check Security Features of Accommodation
When choosing accommodation in Edinburgh, check its security features. You can check it from online platforms or can ask about them via email or other online channels. The major security features that you may find in accommodations are:
- Security Staff
- CCTV cameras
- Secure door entry
- Key-card access
- Fire extinguisher
Among them, the first four features are for security from intruders and the fifth one is for fire safety.
Check Support Staff
Also, check the support staff in your student accommodation. This staff is meant to provide you support and assistance. This staff can guide you the best about the security in Edinburgh. It can tell you about the safe areas in Edinburgh and nearby cities.
Know About Safe Areas in Edinburgh
Every city has some safe and unsafe areas. To ensure your security, you should have knowledge about the safe areas in Edinburgh. As already stated, your accommodation’s support staff can guide you about this. Besides, you can talk about it with your friends from Edinburgh whom you may meet at your university/college. Similarly, some professors can help you in this regard. Some of the safest areas in Edinburgh are:
- Stockbridge
- Morningside
- Bruntsfield
- New Town
- Colinton
- Cramond
- Corstorphine
Avoid Going Alone to Unsafe Areas
Sometimes, you may have to go to unsafe areas in Edinburgh. In that case, avoid going there alone. It is good to keep your friends from college or housing property with you. Similarly, you can go with them when they have to go to unsafe areas.
Choose Accommodation in Safe Areas
To ensure your safety, you should choose accommodation in a safe area. You can get accommodation near your university or college. Areas near universities and colleges are safe. There, you can also get the support of the security staff of universities and colleges. In the case of other areas, you should do some research. You can also choose accommodation in one of the above-mentioned areas.
You Can Also Rent On-Campus Accommodation
On-campus accommodations are safeguarded by the universities’ security teams. So, you can also choose to stay in an on-campus accommodation. However, on-campus accommodations have some limitations. So, if you choose off-campus accommodation, you can follow the other tips about accommodations.
Keep Safety Numbers with You
Every city has some safety numbers including Edinburgh. You should keep the safety numbers with you to ensure your safety. In life-threatening situations, you can call 999. The emergency number of the City of Edinburgh Council is 01312002000. Similarly, you can get other safety numbers.
Register with Your Embassy
Ensure your country’s embassy knows you’re in the UK. This can be helpful in case of emergencies, providing assistance when needed.
Stay Safe at Night
The night is the time when you should ensure your safety. You are safe at night also when you are in your accommodation. But, you need to ensure safety while traveling at night. You can do the following to stay safe at night.
- Plan your route
- Use licensed taxis or rideshare apps like Uber or Bolt.
- Look out for your friends.
- Avoid walking alone at night.
Stay Aware During Festivals
In Edinburgh, you can enjoy the festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Hogmanay celebrations. A huge crowd comes to these festivals. At those times, you need to give special care to your belongings and cash.
Buy Contents Insurance
Contents insurance allows you to get compensation for the loss of any asset. So, you should buy a contents insurance policy in Edinburgh. Some accommodation authorities provide these policies. Otherwise, you may get them through some agencies.
