A change of scenery to refresh your mind

There are many cozy study spots on campus, but sometimes you just need a complete change of scenery to get that productivity boost! 

While some students like to rotate between the Library and Grid -both open 24/7 during term- and the open study places in Learning Commons and the Postgraduate building, others enjoy going off campus and turning a study day into a cute day trip.

Here are some of the most popular and productive spots below:

Black Medicine Coffee Co

This cozy and warm Café with wooden furniture and vintage décor is near Old Town, and offers a large range of hot drinks, cakes and paninis- perfect to fuel a long day of studying. It is mainly frequent by students, so you will fit right in. We recommend getting a nice spot in the downstairs floor, where you will find outlets and less traffic.

📍Address: 2 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DH.

Opening times:

Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am - 7 pm

Waterstones

The Waterstones bookshop on Princes Street also has a café on the upper floor. From 9 am to 7 pm you can enjoy a hot drink and work with the pretty view of Princes Street Gardens and the Castle.

Pick a book to read during your study breaks, you might find something you will end up wanting to purchase and finish later!

📍Address: 128 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AD

Opening times:

Monday to Saturday, 9 am - 7 pm

Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm

Edinburgh Central Library

You can find this library right in front of the National Library of Scotland near the Royal Mile. Although it has no café inside, it is has many study spaces and a very quiet, focused environment which can boost productivity for some.

📍Address: 7-9 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG

Opening times:

Monday to Wednesday, 10 am - 8 pm

Thursday to Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm

Sunday closed

Mavyn

This café looks on George Street as part of the Eden Locke Hotel, but is open for anyone to go. It is known as a "late night café" as it is open every day until 9 pm or later, and offers a warm environment. Please note that one potential downside is the limited amount of charging ports here, but it still is a lovely spot.

Address: 127 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4JN

Opening times:

Monday to Friday, 7:30 am - 9 pm

Saturday and Sunday, 8 am - 9 pm

University of Edinburgh Library

Thanks to the SCONUL Reciprocal Access scheme, as a student of Heriot-Watt University you can access the Library of Uni of Edinburgh. Beforehand, you will have to apply for this permission on the website access.sconul.ac.uk . Finally, when you head there make sure you have your student ID and SCONUL confirmation email in hand!

📍Address: 30 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LJ

Opening times:

Monday to Sunday, 24 hours- just like our Heriot-Watt library!

P.S.:

Please note that, especially for the cafes, different establishments might introduce different rules and restrictions as to how long you can occupy a table.

Make sure to order something, and keep in mind that there is a possibility of being asked to vacate if there too long. In that case don't fret: as most of these places are in town, you will usually find alternatives nearby!