Potterrow is a Fresh Student Living-operated student hall at 16-18 Potterrow, Edinburgh EH8 9BL, sitting directly opposite the University of Edinburgh's Old College and a five-minute walk from George Square. It offers studios and en-suite shared apartments in 14 different room configurations, with weekly rents from approximately £365 all-inclusive. The hall is currently undergoing a refurbishment program that introduces what the operator describes as bespoke en-suite pods, unique to Potterrow. Reviews on StudentCrowd (14 verified) point to a boutique-feel hall with strong on-site team support.
The honest read on Potterrow, Edinburgh: this is one of the closest private student halls to the University of Edinburgh's main campus, with a premium boutique positioning rather than mass-market PBSA. Whether the price is justified depends on what you value, the rest of this guide unpacks.
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Potterrow at a glance
| Category | Detail | Notes |
| Address | 16-18 Potterrow, Edinburgh EH8 9BL | Entrance also on South College Street |
| Operator | Fresh Student Living | Privately-managed hall |
| Type | Boutique private student hall | Not university-owned |
| Room types | 14 configurations, including studios and en-suite shared | Multiple tier options |
| Price from | About £365 to £385 per week | All-inclusive of bills |
| Largest studio | 36 sqm (top-floor with king bed and kitchenette) | Premium tier |
| Distance to University of Edinburgh | 5-minute walk | Directly opposite Old College |
| Distance to Edinburgh College of Art | Short walk | Walkable |
| Distance to Edinburgh Napier University | 17-minute bus | Sighthill route |
| Distance to Heriot-Watt University | 49-minute bus | Riccarton route |
| Distance to Royal Mile | 6-minute walk | Heritage walking distance |
| Bills included | Electricity, water, heating, Wi-Fi, contents insurance | All-inclusive |
Where Potterrow sits in Edinburgh
The Potterrow address (16-18 Potterrow, EH8 9BL, with an entrance on South College Street) places the building at the academic heart of Edinburgh. You are directly across the street from the University of Edinburgh's Old College, the institution's most historic teaching building. George Square (the university's main central library, lecture buildings, and student union) is a two- to five-minute walk. Bristo Square is the immediate neighbor. The National Museum of Scotland is two minutes' walk. The Royal Mile is six minutes.
For most University of Edinburgh students, the daily commute from Potterrow is genuinely measured in feet rather than minutes. The hall sits inside what the university itself calls its central campus core.
For students at other Edinburgh institutions, Potterrow is reachable but less ideal. Edinburgh Napier University runs about a 17-minute bus journey. Heriot-Watt University in Riccarton is about a 49-minute bus journey. Edinburgh College of Art is a short walk.
Inside Potterrow: what the boutique positioning means
Potterrow markets itself differently from most Edinburgh PBSAs. The current operator-led refurbishment focuses on what is being described as "bespoke en-suite pods," which sit at a tier above the standard PBSA room with custom-designed bathroom and storage configurations. The dining room on the top floor of Potterrow 1 (residents only) provides views across the university and George Square.
Standard features across all rooms:
- Furnished bedroom with small double bed (4 ft x 6 ft or similar)
- Spacious work area with desk and chair
- Wardrobe and additional storage
- Pinboard and full-length mirror
- En-suite shower room with private toilet and sink (in all studios and en-suite rooms)
- Mini-kitchen in studios (with hob, fridge, microwave)
- Shared kitchen and living area for non-studio occupants (fully fitted)
- Communal bathroom with shower and bath in shared apartments
The 14 different room types span single studios, larger studios with more floor space, top-floor studios with kitchenettes and views, and en-suite rooms in shared apartments at various tiers.
Real prices and the value question
Potterrow sits at the premium end of Edinburgh PBSA. The current 2025/26 listings show rooms from approximately £365-£385 per week, with the top-tier 36 sqm studio reaching higher rates. By comparison, mid-tier Edinburgh PBSA studios typically run £200-£280 per week. The £100+ per-week differential reflects four specific things:
- The location directly opposite the University of Edinburgh's Old College
- The boutique positioning with bespoke design elements
- The smaller resident community (more intimate than 500+ room PBSAs)
- The on-site residents' team that delivers a regular events programme
A practical note on whether the premium is worth it: for first-year University of Edinburgh students who will commute to lectures multiple times daily for a year, the five-minute walk versus a 20-minute bus journey from a cheaper hall is meaningful in February weather. For postgraduates who will work mostly from their accommodation, the location premium becomes less critical.
Potterrow Edinburgh reviews: the StudentCrowd picture
Across 14 verified reviews on StudentCrowd and additional feedback on Amber and aggregator sites, the consistent themes are the following:
Praised consistently: location next to the University of Edinburgh; the on-site residents' team's events program; the room finish, particularly in studios; and the all-inclusive billing simplicity that removes utility headaches.
Praised at the next tier: Wi-Fi speed, the games room, the laundry facilities, and the dining room view (Potterrow 1 only).
Recurring caveats: the price relative to other Edinburgh PBSAs; building noise during heavy event weeks; the variability between Potterrow 1 (which has the dining room view) and other Potterrow blocks.
The honest summary: Potterrow earns its boutique reputation for residents who value the location and community feel. It is not the right answer for budget-focused students.
Who Potterrow suits
A direct read:
Strong fit: First-year University of Edinburgh students who want to walk to lectures; postgraduates valuing a quieter, smaller community; couples (Potterrow does not charge extra for sharing as a couple in studios).
Marginal fit: Students at Heriot-Watt or Napier; students on the strictest budget; students who want a high-density social PBSA experience over a boutique hall.
How to book
- Visit Fresh Student Living's Potterrow page or use a verified aggregator
- Confirm room type from the 14 configurations
- Confirm your guarantor (most properties require one) and prepare passport and offer letter
- Book with the advance rent payment to secure the room
- Note the cooling-off period (72 hours before 1 August 2026, reducing to 24 hours from that date)
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FAQs
What is Potterrow Edinburgh?
Potterrow Edinburgh is a private student hall operated by Fresh Student Living at 16-18 Potterrow, Edinburgh EH8 9BL, directly opposite the University of Edinburgh. It offers 14 different room types from studios to en-suite shared apartments.
Where is Potterrow, Edinburgh, located?
At 16-18 Potterrow, Edinburgh EH8 9BL, with an additional entrance on South College Street. The building sits opposite the University of Edinburgh's Old College, with the Royal Mile six minutes' walk away.
How much is Potterrow student accommodation in Edinburgh?
Rooms range from approximately £365 to £385 per week, all-inclusive of bills. The top-tier 36 sqm studio costs more. Aggregator listings sometimes show slightly different figures, so confirm with Fresh Student Living directly.
Is Edinburgh Potterrow part of the University of Edinburgh?
No. Potterrow is a privately operated hall by Fresh Student Living. It is across the street from the University of Edinburgh's Old College but is not university-owned or operated.
What room types are available at Potterrow Edinburgh?
14 different configurations including standard studios, larger studios, top-floor studios with kitchenettes, and en-suite rooms in shared apartments. The largest studio is 36 sqm.
Which universities is Potterrow, Edinburgh, near?
University of Edinburgh (5-minute walk, directly opposite), Edinburgh College of Art (short walk), Edinburgh Napier (17-minute bus), Heriot-Watt (49-minute bus).
Are bills included at Potterrow Edinburgh?
Yes. Electricity, water, heating, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance are all included in the weekly rent.
Can I share a Potterrow studio with my partner?
Yes. Fresh Student Living does not charge extra for couples sharing studios at Potterrow.