Edinburgh College of Art - Student Life

Housing: Cowgate flats, central and cheap (usually for international students and those leaving home for the first time). Can also apply for Edinburgh Uni leased flats. Excellent college accommodation service; also look in The List, The Scotsman, Edinburgh Evening News.

Eats: Albertina's (SU cafe) has to be cheapest, meal £1.50-£2.40. Lots of lunchtime student specials in local pubs; plenty of good cheapish restaurants in town eg Ndebele (African), Banu's Vegetarian, Hello's Fountain.

Drink: Edinburgh has huge range of pubs (Hog's Head, K Jackson's are popular), lots licensed until late. Beer £1.70+ in SU bar. Popular brews Caledonian 80, Deuchars IPA, Coillespiel Stout.

Nightlife: SU runs clubs in Wee Red Bar. Many different clubs cater for all different tastes. Numerous cinemas and theatres nearby as well as cabaret and live band venues. Pigpen, guitar band spawned in art college.

Locals: Very friendly in general (Leith can be a bit rough at night).

Sports: Edinburgh University sports facilities available; numerous Edinburgh sports facilities, especially swimming pools. Leisure access cards give good discounts for council pools and gyms.

Travel: Travel scholarships given on merit. Various travel award schemes plus some organised outings and trips abroad.

Financial help: Little available except for short term emergencies.

Jobs: If you're determined, it's possible to find term-time work (50% do): cleaning, catering on campus, lots of pub work (£3+/hour). Holiday work available (majority find it necessary) especially during summer Festival; some find work at home. Informal name: ECA.

Best features: Small; easy to meet everyone.

And worst: Small; not many resources; sometimes lack of interest in events.

More info: Contact SU President at Tel: 0131 229 1442, email: src(at)eca.ac.uk

Past students: John Bellamy, John Houston, Gwen Hardy and Elizabeth Blackadder (painters); Suzie Wighton (primary healthcare worker Palestinian camps), Ron Brown and Roy Williamson (The Corries), Albert Mallard (comic).