You get a top global university in a city that is essentially a living museum, with hills, history and festivals on tap. It is compact enough to walk yet packed with things to do year round.

• The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's oldest and highest-ranked, joined by Heriot-Watt and Napier.
• The Old and New Towns together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, is a 20-minute climb from the centre.

Student nights cluster around the Southside, the Cowgate and the Grassmarket, with a strong small-venue music scene. Every August the Fringe turns the entire city into a stage.

• The Southside, Marchmont and the Cowgate and Grassmarket hold the main student nights.
• Sneaky Pete's and The Bongo Club are staples of the small-venue scene.
• Steward at the Fringe in August to catch shows for free.

Edinburgh is pricier than most Scottish cities, especially rent and anything in August. A season bus ticket and the markets help keep costs sensible.

• Budget around GBP 950-1,500 a month, more during the August festivals.
• A Lothian Ridacard gives unlimited bus and tram travel for about GBP 63 a month.
• The Grassmarket and Stockbridge markets are good for cheap, good food.

Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Newington are the classic student flat areas near the university, while Leith is trendier and cheaper by the water. The market is competitive from spring, so start early.

• Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Newington are the classic student flat areas.
• Leith is trendier, cheaper and by the water.
• Ask the Studcasa Edinburgh group, as the market gets competitive from spring onward.

Lothian Buses are frequent and cheap, and the tram links the airport through the centre to the waterfront. The core is compact and best explored on foot.

• Lothian Buses are frequent and cheap; tap contactless or get a Ridacard.
• The tram runs from the airport through the centre to Newhaven.
• Waverley and Haymarket are the two main railway stations.

Several strong universities share the city, and the academic year follows the Scottish semester pattern. There is a big international and Erasmus community.

• The University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret are the hosts.
• Semesters run September-December and January-May.

Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.

What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.

• Exchange under 6 months, often Standard Visitor or Short-term study
• Full year, Student visa with a CAS from your uni
• Irish citizens, no visa needed under the Common Travel Area
• Budget for the immigration health surcharge on longer visas

Scottish classics are everywhere, from haggis to a full cooked breakfast. The festivals and Hogmanay are unmissable parts of the city's rhythm.

• Try haggis, neeps and tatties and a proper Scottish breakfast with tattie scones.
• The Edinburgh Farmers' Market on Castle Terrace runs on Saturdays.
• Do the August festivals and Hogmanay at New Year at least once.

The city divides into the medieval Old Town, the elegant New Town and the residential districts beyond. Leith by the water is the fashionable outlier.

• Old Town for history and nightlife, New Town for elegant Georgian flats.
• Marchmont and Newington for student life near the university.
• Leith for waterfront cool and great restaurants.

Scotland's other cities, coast and Highlands are all within reach by train. The scenic rail lines are half the fun.

• Glasgow is about 50 minutes by train.
• North Berwick's beaches are about 30 minutes, with Stirling and Loch Lomond close by.
• The Highlands, including Fort William and the Glenfinnan viaduct, make a stunning weekend by train.

August triples the city's size, so book early if you are staying. Dress for wind and grab a railcard for cheap escapes.

• Book August accommodation and travel months ahead.
• Dress in layers, as the wind off the Forth is no joke.
• Get a student railcard for cheap ScotRail day trips.