Your student lifestyle
City of Edinburgh , coast and countryside
Edinburgh and the surrounding area is an ideal location in which to spend your student years .
As a student at QMU you will have easy access to Scotland ’ s beautiful and vibrant capital city , Edinburgh , and also the stunning coast and countryside surrounding the 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 , see page 41 . 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 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 parties !
With four universities and a large further education college , the city is highly populated by students and is very student friendly . Most of the culture and activity of the city is focused around student life , with students able to share some facilities , such as student unions and libraries , that each institution has to offer . Part-time job opportunities 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 would expect from a capital city ; packed with chain and independent shops , cinemas , theatres , restaurants , pubs , clubs , supermarkets , museums , tourist attractions , landmarks , art galleries , concert venues , parks , sports facilities , and a zoo . The city is home to Edinburgh Castle . Dating back to the Twelfth century , the spectacular landmark sits in the city centre on the top of a dormant volcano . The Scottish Parliament is situated in Edinburgh .
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 several supermarkets in the immediate vicinity .
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 .
A hop , skip and jump to the wider world
Transport links to Edinburgh are excellent , you can easily head north to spend a weekend skiing or hillwalking . You are only 45 minutes from Glasgow , or four 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 , and it takes just over an hour to get to othe European cities such as Paris , Dublin or Amsterdam . You can check out the destinations you can fly to from Edinburgh airport at : www . edinburghairport . com / flights / destinations-and-airlines .
MORE INFO : Edinburgh : www . edinburgh . org /
East Lothian : www . visiteastlothian . org / home
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