Discover the 2025 cost of living for Heriot-Watt University students in Edinburgh. Explore rent, bills, food, transport & lifestyle expenses with tips.
Heriot-Watt University, based in Edinburgh, is renowned for its strengths in business, engineering, design, and research. Its main campus at Riccarton is located just outside the city centre, offering students the best of both worlds — a peaceful study environment with easy access to the vibrant city of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is one of the UK's most attractive student cities, but it is also one of the more expensive places to live outside London. For 2025, students at Heriot-Watt should expect higher accommodation and lifestyle costs than in smaller UK towns, but lower than London. Careful budgeting is essential.
This blog provides a realistic cost of living breakdown for Heriot-Watt students in 2025, including accommodation, utilities, groceries, transport, and lifestyle costs.
Accommodation is the largest expense for students. Heriot-Watt offers a variety of halls on its Riccarton campus, while private housing in Edinburgh is widely available.
| Accommodation Type | Weekly Rent (£) | Annual Cost (40 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Shared | 135 – 155 | £5,400 – £6,200 |
| En Suite | 165 – 185 | £6,600 – £7,400 |
| Premium En Suite | 190 – 210 | £7,600 – £8,400 |
| Studio (Self-contained) | 220 – 250 | £8,800 – £10,000 |
👉 Average student rent: £550 – £900/month
Heriot-Watt halls include bills, but private renters must budget:
👉 Total utilities (private housing): £90 – £140/month
Food costs in Edinburgh are higher than the UK average but manageable.
👉 Budget: £160 – £230/month
💡 Tip: Cooking in bulk with flatmates can save £40–£50/month.
Edinburgh has excellent public transport.
👉 Transport budget: £40 – £70/month
Edinburgh is a cultural hub with festivals, theatres, and nightlife. Students should budget extra for social life.
👉 Lifestyle costs: £150 – £250/month
| Category | Monthly Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 550 – 900 |
| Utilities (if private) | 90 – 140 |
| Food & Groceries | 160 – 230 |
| Transport | 40 – 70 |
| Lifestyle & Social | 150 – 250 |
| Study Materials | 20 – 40 |
| Total | £1,000 – £1,500 |
👉 Annual living cost (excluding tuition): £12,000 – £16,500
Studying at Heriot-Watt University in 2025 provides students with world-class academics, a modern campus, and the cultural richness of Edinburgh. While living costs are higher than in smaller UK cities, they remain manageable with careful planning.
Students should budget between £1,000 and £1,500/month, with accommodation and food being the largest expenses. By living on campus, using student travel discounts, and budgeting for social activities, Heriot-Watt students can enjoy the best of Edinburgh without financial stress.