Edinburgh

STUDENT GUIDE 2022 | EDINBURGH Edinburgh is home to a host of educational institutions, all with distinct areas of speciality and campus cultures. We challenge student representatives from four of the city’s universities to answer some burning questions about student lifeRundown from the reps

Niamh Roberts, University Of Edinburgh

What’s the biggest misconception about

your university? That our main pull-factor is our reputation for being an ancient and world-renowned uni. I really think the best thing about the University Of Edinburgh is all the people you meet and the things you learn from your independent life here.

Go-to comfort food near/on campus? Over the years I’ve consumed tons of curly fries and nachos from Teviot. Baristo coffee (Potterrow) is also genuinely underrated, and I am now caffeine dependent.

What’s the funniest thing to have happened

at your student union? Beef-gate (a failed bid to ban beef on campus), and the fact that it was the most engagement we’ve seen in student issues for a long time. You laugh or you cry!

What will be the most exciting thing happening

on campus come September? Definitely all the free sober and non-sober events we’ll have on every night in The Gem in Bristo Square, and the amazing atmosphere that’s created by all the students getting out there and exploring Edinburgh again.

Vishal Khattar, Edinburgh Napier University Vishal Khattar, Edinburgh Napier University

What’s your ideal night out in Edinburgh? What’s your ideal Edinburgh night out?

The ideal night that I have experienced started The best night I’ve experienced started at Three at Three Sisters union bar, where we can get Sisters Union bar, where we can get student student discount on drinks and food before discount on drinks and food before heading to heading to a nightclub; my personal favourite a nightclub; my favourite is Why Not. is Why Not.

What piece of advice would you give to What piece of advice would you give to an upcoming Fresher? Embrace this new an upcoming fresher? Embrace this new and fresh journey of life! This is going to be the

and fresh journey of life! This is going to be the best rollercoaster ride, full of fun, knowledge, best rollercoaster ride, full of fun, knowledge, growth and ultimate success. growth and ultimate success.

Where’s your favourite study spot? Where is your favourite study spot? My My favourite spot is the Jack Kilby Computer

favourite spot is the Jack Kilby Computer Centre, which is open 24/7. Centre, which is open 24/7.

Aasiyah Patankar, Queen Margaret University

What piece of advice would you give to an

upcoming Fresher? Get involved as much as you can. At QMU, there are so many new things going on. My uni experience didn’t really start until I got involved in the women’s rugby team!

Which society would you most want to go on

a night out with? Definitely the Musical Theatre Society. They throw the best karaoke nights on campus!

What’s the funniest thing to have happened

at your student union? When Rocco (our resident therapet) started chasing the QMU swans.

Who, in your opinion, is the coolest

alumnus/alumna of your university? Jane McCarry and Mark Cox from Still Game. It was amazing seeing them receive honorary doctorates at this year’s graduation. However, I’m a sucker for Grey’s Anatomy so also Kevin McKidd who plays Owen Hunt in the show.

Sanjit Krishnakumar, Heriot-Watt University

What’s your ideal night out in Edinburgh?

The ideal night that I have experienced started at Three Sisters union bar, where we can get student discount on drinks and food before heading to a nightclub; my personal favourite is Why Not.

What piece of advice would you give to

Vishal Khattar, Edinburgh Napier University What’s the biggest misconception about your university? I think often Heriot-Watt an upcoming fresher? Embrace this new

is considered relatively small, but we are a and fresh journey of life! This is going to be the truly global university with five campuses best rollercoaster ride, full of fun, knowledge, around the world; three in the UK, one in growth and ultimate success.

Dubai and one in Malaysia.

Where is your favourite study spot? My What’s the wackiest society at Heriot- favourite spot is the Jack Kilby Computer Watt? All of our societies are great but we did Centre, which is open 24/7.

have a Garlic Bread Appreciation Society a few years back.

What’s the most common phrase uttered by a Heriot-Watt student? ‘You Watt?’ Describe your campus culture in three words Fun, inclusive, diverse.

STUDENT GUIDE 2022 STUDENT GUIDE 2022 | EDINBURGH | DAYBanging hangsWhether it’s a quiet corner to fi nish an assignment, a spacious spot to meet up with friends, or a place to caffeinate before a full day of lectures, having a solid list of hangout spots around the city is key to a successful student experience

Starting around the corner from Bruntsfi eld Links, Modern Standard is a charming café on Barclay Place selling delicious own-brand coffee and baked goods. It is also one of the few artisan spots in the city where you can get a fl at white for under £3 (you’re welcome).

Next up we’re headed to Marchmont Crescent to a small multi-hyphenate space called Ilium. Founded by an Edinburgh student as a welcoming community hub, this spot can be a place to sip on coffee while you study, listen or partake in local jam sessions, browse for clothing or shop for records. Stay up-to-date with their weekly events on Instagram @ilium_shop.

Further north, just off Leith Walk on Dalmeny Street, is Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, a community space hosting artist residencies, fl ea markets, practice rooms and performance spaces. With indoor and outdoor tables dotted around the spacious building and a café operating between 10am and 5pm, this versatile destination is perfect for your next group project meeting, band practice or Saturday morning coffee.

PICTURE: SEAN BELL Let us know your favourite Edinburgh hangout spot by using the hashtag #BangingHang on Instagram and tagging @thelistuk State of the artArts and culture students, appreciators and obsessives alike, are spoilt for choice in Edinburgh with so many different galleries and museums to choose from. Check out our top picks to fi nd your perfect match

Top to bottom: National Museum Of Scotland, Jupiter Artland, Scottish National Portrait Gallery

PICTURE: ANDREW LEE

Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art, free

The home of modern and contemporary art in Edinburgh, the Modern One and Modern Two buildings are located just next to picturesque Dean Village and house works by the likes of Joan Eardley and Barbara Hepworth.

Surgeons’ Hall Museums, £4.50

Great for any medics, gore-lovers and biology enthusiasts. Expect to learn about Edinburgh’s fascinating medical history while walking past lots of gruesome stuff in jars.

National Museum Of Scotland, free

A great crowd-pleaser with sections dedicated to engineering, space, natural history and fashion, as well as constantly changing, expertly curated temporary exhibitions.

Talbot Rice Gallery, free

Part of University Of Edinburgh, this gallery champions artists of the future in its exhibitions, as well as established names. Its central location and free admission make it an accessible destination for contemporary art lovers.

Jupiter Artland, £6

If a day trip out of the city is what you need, jump on a bus to this artistic mecca immediately. Boasting marvellous outdoor and indoor exhibitions from international and local names, this place is as culturally nourishing as it is Instagrammable.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, free

Marvel at the intricate interiors of this Victorian building as you discover a blend of old and new artworks. Photography exhibitions are often housed in the temporary space while the permanent collection of portraits, immortalising numerous famous Scottish faces from the sixteenth century until today, is a timeless classic.

Fruitmarket, free

A spot for all modern art lovers, this city centre gallery regularly hosts wonderful exhibitions by a range of international artists in its newly renovated and expanded space. The cafe and bookshop by the entrance are also well worth a look.

spend the day: edinburgh

Napier University student Robyn Bell takes on our Spend The Day challenge, where she enjoys an actionpacked day visiting some of her favourite Edinburgh spots while trying to keep the cost as low as possible

9.30am Throat Punch Coffee Co, Haymarket, filter coffee, £1

I bought my usual, a black filter coffee. The staff are super lovely and knowledgeable, and the aesthetics of the place are perfect for those who feel obligated to share on Instagram. The place also doubles as a cocktail bar in the evening. Oh, and they have the biggest and fluffiest dog called Bear. Worth the visit for him alone!

10am Culture fix at Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art, free

Due to being slightly out of the way, these galleries can easily be forgotten. Made up of two buildings just a 10 to 15-minute walk from the city centre, these are free to visit (if you avoid the paid-for exhibitions) and have such lovely grounds to have a picnic or even sunbathe when the elusive Scottish sun shows itself. With displayed works spanning from the 1900s to now, and featuring artists like Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol and Douglas Gordon, these galleries are treasure troves for students.

Noon Burrito from Tortilla and doughnut from Krispy Kreme, St James Quarter, £6.08

Plenty of places do Mexican food but this has been my go-to recently. They do a 10% student discount, and if the medium or large burrito is still a bit much for your lunch or snack, they actually make a small/kids’ size for £3.90. While you’re in St James Quarter, if it’s ‘Hot Light’ hours at Krispy Kreme (indicated by their ‘Hot Now’ sign lighting up red), you can get a free and hot original glazed doughnut, no purchase required.

3pm Watching a movie at VUE Omni, £2.49

Just over the road, I cash in a discount code from a family member to get two-for-one cinema tickets (available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) for myself and a friend. The tickets come in at £2.49 each and we bring snacks and drinks from home to avoid extortionate popcorn prices.

6pm Sunset at Wardie Bay beach, Newhaven, free

To end this lovely sunny day, I head down to Wardie Bay beach in Newhaven. This is a quiet gem of a beach where you can go wild swimming, barbecue with friends and enjoy the sunset. Aren’t we lucky to have this right on our doorstep?

TOTAL: £9.57

The social network Having regular events to drop in and out of is a great (and low-maintenance) way to organise mate dates in Edinburgh. Whether it’s a pub quiz, movie night or a bingo boogie, these weekly faithfuls will see you through the term

Let’s dance When the urge to hit the dancefloor in Edinburgh kicks in, there is only one thing for it: head straight to your idea of a perfect club where the vibes are impeccable and the music just right

If you’re partial to a pop hit, sprinkled with some classic club bangers, the New Town’s Why Not and Shanghai or Atik in Tollcross are solid choices. Down Leith Walk, CC Blooms is the longest-standing LGBTQ+ club in the city and always delivers top-notch floor-fillers as well as live drag acts. Over in the Old Town, The Hive’s weekly Trash Tuesdays are a pop-punk fan’s dream, with Blink 182 and Paramore making regular appearances on the playlist, while The Liquid Room and Wee Red Bar have nights to cater to indie lovers, as well as R&B, house and reggae events.

Those with a heavier musical persuasion can head down towards the night-time hotspot that is Cowgate. First on the list is Cabaret Voltaire which proudly waves the electronic music flag with their numerous resident DJ nights, while just a few doors down, Sneaky Pete’s and The Bongo Club put on an equally eclectic range of club events throughout the week.

Fans of live funk, soul and jazz should get themselves to The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street, and for those who love Latin rhythms, head to Boteco Do Brasil on Lothian Street or El Barrio on Hanover Street; all of these stay open until 3am.

Take your pick, start your engines and see you on the dancefloor. Monday The Stand’s Red Raw nights are a great way to see up-and-coming comedians test new material. For just £5 a ticket and with regular surprise appearances from more established names, it’s a high-risk, high-reward evening guaranteed to generate a few laughs. n The Stand, York Place, 8.30pm.Tuesday Sign up to the free 16–25 student membership at Filmhouse and Tuesdays will become your new £2 film night. Keep an eye on their socials to find out whether the pick of the week is a new release or an old classic. n Filmhouse, Lothian Road, times vary.Wednesday When being a student affords you the luxury of avoiding weekend crowds, head to one of the city’s classic pubs, Captains Bar, to listen to local folk musicians jam. In this place, toes are always tapping and pints are always flowing well into the wee hours. n Captains Bar, South College Street, closes at 2am. Thursday Put all of that higher education to good use at The Golf Tavern’s weekly pub quiz, where the top trivia team walk away with a bundle of extra cash or a bottle of wine. Book a table in advance to guarantee your spot. n The Golf Tavern, Wright’s Houses, 9pm.Friday

Head to Edinburgh’s former Corn Exchange venue for regular Bongo’s Bingo nights from now until the end of the year. Expect traditional bingo with a party twist and lots of audience participation. n O2 Academy Edinburgh, New Market Road, Fridays & Saturdays (dates vary), last entry 7.30pm.

Listen up

Student life involves navigating many new and confusing situations. Megan Merino discovers how Nightline provides Edinburgh students with a valuable resource to talk about anything

Founded 52 years ago at Essex University, after increasing reports of suicides and poor mental health, Nightline was introduced as a listening and information service run by students for students. Today, 36 branches of Nightline exist around the UK and Ireland, including an Edinburgh service open to all of the capital’s universities and beyond. ‘It was started as a suicide helpline,’ says Saaniya Desai, Edinburgh Nightline’s publicity coordinator. ‘In Edinburgh we started in 1973; as you can imagine, rising suicide rates and mental-health decline are a big part of why we’re here for students.’

Run entirely by specially trained student volunteers, Nightline offers a phone line and instant messaging service from 8pm to 8am every day. Sticking to overarching principles such as being non-judgemental, Nightline volunteers are not there to steer calls in any particular direction.

‘The main thing is that we don’t give advice at all. It’s a listening and information service. We don’t judge, we just listen, so wherever you want to take that space is up to you,’ explains Desai. Anonymity is taken very seriously; no caller or volunteer will ever be asked to disclose their identity. ‘That’s an assurance to the callers that you can really talk about whatever you want and be confident that nothing will leave the call.’

What kinds of things, then, warrant a phone call? ‘I can see why people may think, “I can only call this helpline if I’m in severe distress”. But what I like to say is that you can really talk to us about anything, from being homesick or lonely, to if you had a really good piece of pizza and you just wanted to share that with someone but your friends are all out. Call us and be like, “my mum sent me a picture of my dog and I miss my dog”. That’s totally fine. No problem is too big. Nothing is too small. You can talk to us about literally anything.’

For anyone interested in joining Nightline, once every two to three weeks is the general commitment required from volunteers. ‘It’s a long shift, but it’s worth it,’ says Desai. ‘Just to know that you’re there for someone is nice. It’s a really good way to give back. Personally, applying to Nightline was one of the best decisions that I made when I joined university. It’s just a really great community of people who all want to help. So if anyone out there is considering joining, I’d really encourage you to sign up.’

Find out how to contact or volunteer with Edinburgh Nightline at ednightline.com