The City of Edinburgh, Coast and Countryside

Edinburgh and the surrounding area is an ideal location to spend your student years.

Edinburgh

As a student at QMU you will have easy access to Scotland’s beautiful and vibrant capital city, Edinburgh, and the stunning coast and countryside surrounding the campus.

The centre of Edinburgh is just six minutes by train from our campus. Edinburgh Situated in the central belt of Scotland, south of the Firth of Forth Estuary, Edinburgh is easily accessible from all areas of the UK and beyond. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and continues to rank high in opinion polls. It is a top tourist destination, particularly in the summer months when the city comes alive and plays host to the acclaimed Edinburgh Festivals. The Fringe Festival is particularly enjoyed by students in the city who embrace the month-long spectacle of comedy, music, drama and art. Late December is also a popular time for visitors to ‘Auld Reekie’ as they come to experience a Scottish New Year at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations — now one of the world’s biggest outdoor New Year parties!

With four universities and a large further education college, the city is highly populated by students and is very student friendly. Much of the culture and activity of the city is focused around student life. Part-time and graduate job opportunities are excellent and many students choose to remain in Edinburgh or the local area during holidays and after graduating.

Edinburgh is atmospheric and vibrant, with all you’d expect from a capital city: packed with shops, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, pubs, clubs, museums, tourist attractions, landmarks, art galleries, concert venues, parks and sports facilities.

The city is home to Edinburgh Castle. Dating back to the 12th century, the spectacular landmark sits in the city centre on top of a dormant volcano. Queen Margaret University is named after Queen (Saint) Margaret who died in 1093 at Edinburgh Castle. There, St Margaret’s Chapel was built in her memory by her son, King David I, in the 12th century. It is now thought to be the oldest building in Edinburgh.

If you are seeking culture or history, visit some of the major attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile, the Whisky Heritage Centre, Royal Observatory and the Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh is also home to various art galleries and museums, all of which are well worth a visit. 

The campus local area

The QMU campus is located to the east of Edinburgh city centre by the coastal town of Musselburgh, in the county of East Lothian. Musselburgh has a population of approximately 22,000 and offers a theatre, sports centre with swimming pool, supermarkets and shops, a racecourse, golf courses, a harbour and beach, restaurants and bars, a public library and a peaceful riverside. The campus is only a short walk or bus ride from Fort Kinnaird, a large outdoor shopping complex offering high street chain stores, restaurants and a multiplex cinema. There are also several supermarkets in the vicinity. 

Easy access to the wider world

East Lothian is a beautiful county with over 40 miles of stunning coastline, golden beaches, rolling countryside, historic sites, award-winning attractions, excellent food and drink and the world’s finest links golf courses. East Lothian enjoys the sunniest climate in Scotland, great local produce, spectacular natural beauty and year-round recreational opportunities including cycling, walking, golfing and watersports.

Transport links to Edinburgh are excellent. You can easily head north to spend a weekend skiing or hill-walking. You are only 45 minutes from Glasgow or 4 hours from London by train. In the city centre, the bus services are extensive, providing frequent links in and around the city. Air links are convenient and widespread, it takes just over an hour to get to Paris, Dublin or Amsterdam. Why not check out which destinations you can fly to from Edinburgh airport? 

 

Photos of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas: 

The iconic blue, pink, cream, orange, and other colourful buildings of Edinburgh's Victoria Street leading down to the Grassmarket area.
A group of four young people taking a seat on a bench inside the National Museum of Scotland
A crowd of people enjoying food and drinks in the sunshine in Edinburgh's Grassmarket
A wide shot of Portobello Beach
The promenade at Portobello Beach, filled with people enjoying the sunshine
A view of Edinburgh's cityscape, including Edinburgh Castle, the Balmoral Hotel clock tower, the Scott Monument, and the Dugald Stewart monument on Calton Hill
A group of people sitting down on a concrete bench in front of one of the market stalls in Edinburgh's Grassmarket
A group of four young women enjoying a picnic in the grass in the Meadows area of Edinburgh
A shot of Edinburgh's Princes Street, featuring some of the shop fronts and passing trams and buses. The street is filled with people.
A group of students walking around Edinburgh's Calton Hill
The iconic blue, pink, cream, orange, and other colourful buildings of Edinburgh's Victoria Street leading down to the Grassmarket area.
A group of four young people taking a seat on a bench inside the National Museum of Scotland
A crowd of people enjoying food and drinks in the sunshine in Edinburgh's Grassmarket
A wide shot of Portobello Beach
The promenade at Portobello Beach, filled with people enjoying the sunshine
A view of Edinburgh's cityscape, including Edinburgh Castle, the Balmoral Hotel clock tower, the Scott Monument, and the Dugald Stewart monument on Calton Hill
A group of people sitting down on a concrete bench in front of one of the market stalls in Edinburgh's Grassmarket
A group of four young women enjoying a picnic in the grass in the Meadows area of Edinburgh
A shot of Edinburgh's Princes Street, featuring some of the shop fronts and passing trams and buses. The street is filled with people.
A group of students walking around Edinburgh's Calton Hill

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