Starting university is an exciting experience, but many students have questions about making friends, joining societies, finding part-time work, and settling into a new city. Current students at the University of Edinburgh share how they made the most of university life and why getting involved outside the classroom made such a difference.

One of the biggest concerns for new students is meeting people. Many students say they built friendships through their academic courses, Welcome Week events, and university accommodation. Degree-related activities organised at the beginning of the semester provided a great opportunity to meet classmates, while living in catered accommodation made it easy to get to know others by sharing meals together.

For many students, joining societies was one of the best decisions they made. They explain that student societies helped them meet like-minded people who shared similar interests and quickly became some of their closest friends. Their advice to new students is simple: put yourself out there, join societies, and take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people.

Several students also connected with future classmates before arriving in Edinburgh. The university’s Facebook groups allowed incoming students to introduce themselves, find people from the same country, and even meet future flatmates before moving in. These online communities helped many students feel more prepared and less anxious before starting university.

Finding part-time work is another topic many prospective students ask about. According to current students, Edinburgh offers plenty of employment opportunities, particularly in cafés, restaurants, bars, and the hospitality sector. The university itself also provides student-friendly jobs, including Student Ambassador roles and positions within the Students’ Association, making it easier to balance work with academic studies.

Student societies play a central role in university life. Some students choose to become committee members and help organise events, while others simply attend activities whenever they have time. They emphasise that societies are welcoming and inclusive, allowing students to participate regardless of their previous experience. For example, language societies welcome beginners who simply want to learn about a new culture or language rather than already speaking it fluently.

Students also appreciate the facilities provided by the Students’ Association. The venues include meeting rooms for societies, larger spaces for events, cafés, study areas, and comfortable social spaces where students can relax between classes, study with friends, or simply spend time together.

The University’s sports facilities are another highlight of student life. Students have access to swimming pools, climbing walls, squash courts, volleyball courts, gyms, and many other facilities. Whether participating through sports clubs or booking courts independently with friends, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active throughout the year. During the summer, many students also enjoy outdoor sports on football pitches and tennis courts around the city.

Outside their studies, students enjoy making the most of everything Edinburgh has to offer. Some spend weekends exploring neighbourhoods such as Stockbridge, while others enjoy hiking in the Scottish Highlands, climbing at local bouldering centres, or simply walking around the city’s historic streets. Many also enjoy creative hobbies such as sewing and knitting, making university life about much more than academics alone.

Overall, current students describe the University of Edinburgh as a welcoming community where friendships, societies, part-time work opportunities, sports, and life in one of the UK’s most beautiful cities combine to create a rewarding and memorable student experience. Watch the video below to hear current University of Edinburgh students answer common questions about student life, making friends, joining societies, and getting involved on campus.

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Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_avU0COv20