As the capital city of Scotland boasting 4 universities, it may come as no surprise that Edinburgh has been voted in the top 10 university cities in the UK and sits proudly at the number 2 spot.
Its popularity with students makes it a highly desirable area for landlords looking to purchase buy-to-let properties, as it has a high student population and therefore tenants aren’t generally difficult to find.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring why Edinburgh is a great city for investing in buy-to-let properties, including some information on specific areas within Edinburgh to invest and some data on property prices and the buy-to-let market. We’ll also give you a quick run-down of the top ten list of university cities in the UK to show you which other areas have made the short-list.
Top 10 University Cities in the UK
Here are the top 10 university cities in the UK, with 1st place being the best ranked.
London
Coming in at number 1 is the capital city of England, London. Home to 17 educational institutions, it’s not particularly surprising that London comes top of the list!
There are many attractions for students to see and do in London with over 400,000 students studying there from over 200 different nations, speaking many different languages.
Edinburgh
The city we’re focused on in this article is Edinburgh, and it comes in proudly at number 2 on this list.
There are 4 popular universities in the Scottish capital and there’s much for students to enjoy including a vibrant nightlife, great job opportunities, and plenty of culture to experience too.
Manchester
Manchester is in the top three university cities in the UK. Know for its culture and vibrance, Manchester is often described as the London of the north, offering new students a wealth of things to see and do in a diverse, metropolitan way.
Manchester boasts one of the highest student populations in Europe, with a staggering 100,000 students studying there as of 2017.
Glasgow
Another Scottish city has made the list of top student locations – Glasgow. Scotland’s largest city offers students 2 universities both close to the city centre and is ranked highly when it comes to its food/drink scene and nightlife.
Students in Glasgow are also proud to study in a cultured city, with historic sights such as Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and Glasgow Necropolis situated nearby the universities.
Coventry
Coventry is next up on the list, with over 5% of its population made up of students. Winning the UK City of Culture award in 2021, Coventry is no stranger to making a shortlist, and students travel far and wide to attend universities in this popular city.
Universities in Coventry include Coventry University, The University of Warwick, and Arden University, giving students in the midlands plenty of courses to choose from.
Nottingham
Next up in 6th place is Nottingham, a city famous for its connection to Robin Hood and two famous universities; the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.
Nottingham is a vibrant, popular student city and is well-known for its booming nightlife and food/drink scene.
Birmingham
Going back to the Midlands, we have Birmingham in 7th place. Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city after London, boasting an impressive 5 universities.
It’s highly regarded by students due to the wide variety of courses available, as well as an excellent shopping/nightlife scene.
Aberdeen
In 8th place is Aberdeen, a Scottish city that is very popular with students seeking a more rural city for their university experience.
Aberdeen is home to The University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University and provides students with a rural setting for their studies that is also known for being more affordable than other student cities on the list.
Newcastle
Students that love the Geordie accent will have Newcastle high up on their list of university cities, and it’s clearly a popular choice making it number 9 on the list of top university cities in the UK.
Durham University and Newcastle University are situated in Newcastle, giving students a range of different course options to enjoy. It also receives points for its welcoming nature and culture, standing out from other cities in this way.
Brighton
Last up on the list in 10th place is Brighton, a city known for its diversity and forward-thinking attitude when it comes to making students from a range of backgrounds feel welcome.
Brighton is home to the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, giving students a range of choices when studying in this vibrant city.
Where Is The Best Place To Live For Students In Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a large city and with 4 universities situated in the Scottish capital, there are many popular student areas to consider.
Here are some popular areas in Edinburgh that students tend to choose as their base while studying in this city:
- Edinburgh City Centre
- Fountainbridge
- Haymarket
- Old Town
- New Town
Where Should You Buy-To-Let To Students In Edinburgh?
The above areas are a great place to start when determining where you should purchase a buy-to-let property in Edinburgh.
Here is some more information on average property prices to give you a better idea of where you’d prefer to purchase your investment property:
| City | Average Property Price (2023) |
| Edinburgh City Centre | £360,268 |
| Fountainbridge | £420,000 |
| Haymarket | £341,375 |
| Old Town | £375,251 |
| New Town | £372,356 |
What Is The Buy-To-Let Market Like Right Now?
Edinburgh has a strong buy-to-let market, with rising property prices of 4% over the last year and a good rental yield of between 4% – 6%.
The average rental prices in Edinburgh are high, with a 1-bedroom property costing £1,450 PCM (Per Calendar Month) and increasing to as much as £4,058 PCM for a 5-bedroom property.
Is It Worth Entering The Buy-To-Let Market?
It’s clear from the above figures that Edinburgh is a good option for entering the buy-to-let market, with a high rental yield and rising property prices.
While it’s unclear what will unfold in terms of the buy-to-let market over the coming years, Edinburgh is growing as a student city which should ensure that there will be high demand for student accommodation in the future.
How We Buy Any Home Can Help
If your student days are behind you and you find yourself owning a student property in Edinburgh that you’d like to sell, look no further than We Buy Any Home. Selling a tenanted property may seem complicated but there’s no need to fear – here at We Buy Any Home, we have a wealth of experience selling Edinburgh properties with tenants in situ, and can ensure that you sell your property quickly, and at a great price.
As the UK’s largest cash property buyer, we’ve purchased many tenanted properties in Edinburgh, and a big benefit to how we work is that we don’t charge our property sellers a penny in fees/commissions. This is because we claim our fee from our property buyers, allowing you to keep the full sale funds from your property sale.
The cost of your legal representation and surveyors will be covered too, and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure everything goes smoothly – you could receive your property funds in as little as 7 days!
Get a free cash offer for your tenanted property in Edinburgh today and get things moving with your property sale.
