Living in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK), since 1922, comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, and Wales (which collectively make up Great Britain), as well as Northern Ireland

The purpose of this guide is to provide key information for those coming to study, work, or live in the UK, with specific focus on the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. Most of the things to consider about living in Edinburgh or Scotland are generally applicable to anywhere in the UK, for example, GP registration, taxation, and TV licensing. However, there are variations here and there. The links provided in this guide are relevant to Scotland.

You pay National Insurance (NI) contributions to qualify for certain benefits and the State Pension. Employers will usually ask you to provide your NI number when you apply for a job.

You are advised to register with “a local doctor – a General Practitioner (GP) – to care for your health conditions, keep your body healthy and to get help in case you get sick”. Follow this link to find information about the following:

  • How to find a GP and register
  • What you need to do as a patient
  • Where to get treatment in an emergency
  • How to change GP
  • What to do if you’re unhappy with your treatment

Here are other useful links:

Registering with a dentist is highly recommended. There are two types of dentists – private and NHS, the difference being in charges. Everyone is entitled to register with an NHS dentist. With an NHS dentist you get free treatments depending on your age and other circumstances, or you pay 80% of the charges, if not. The wait time to get a first appointment with an NHS dentist may be months. So, take action early. The dentist you register with does not have to be in your area. Follow this link for information on how to register with a dentist.

Note that not all dentists provide NHS treatment.

Here are other useful links:

If you live in Scotland, you may be liable to income taxes. You are to pay taxes on your wages, pension and most other taxable income. Follow this link for official information about income tax in Scotland.

“Council tax is a charge paid to your local council to pay for local services. It goes towards services like policing, street cleaning, park maintenance and the fire service, along with other local support in your community. It is paid to your local council, who will allocate the funds themselves.” More details here: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax 

Students are exempt but it is worth being aware of this as you plan for the future. 

Every household in the UK is expected to pay a fee for watching television, even if you are watching it on your PC or phone. Details here: tvlicensing.co.uk. 

You can check a comparison website like moneysavingexpert.com

Getting Around in Edinburgh

In general, the UK has an efficient public transport. You can easily get from one place to another in Edinburgh. In general, you can use buses, trams, or taxis. Buses are the cheapest and taxis are the most expensive.

Buses are available 24/7 but note that not all buses operate night service and the timetable can vary during weekends and holidays. It is best to plan your journey ahead using the online journey planner or the bus app. See more information below.

Note that bus drivers do not give change. So you must have the exact fare. If you have a contactless bank card, then you can use “Tap and Cap”, which means you can simply scan your card and the correct fare for your journey will be charged. This is the best way to pay for bus tickets, especially if you do not know in advance how many journeys you will make in the day. With “Tap and Cap”, you pay no more than for a day ticket on a single card used throughout all your journeys in the same day. See more information here: Contactless – Lothian Buses. Here are other useful links: 

For more information, visit Edinburgh Transport, Edinburgh Buses 

Edinburgh trams run 24/7 between Edinburgh Airport and York Place in the City Centre. At the time of writing, an extension to the tram line is under construction. For ticket prices and to plan your journey visit www.edinburghtrams.com.

For more information, visit Edinburgh Transport, Edinburgh Buses 

Taxis are the most expensive mode of transportation in Edinburgh. Uber can work out to be cheaper than most options but be careful, Uber prices can be higher at peak times when taxi demands are higher. Here are three popular choices other than Uber:

For more information, visit Edinburgh Transport, Edinburgh Buses 

Accommodation in Edinburgh

Scammers often take advantage of the anxiety and desperation that can often come with house hunting. In general, follow the guidance on the website you have found the accommodation listed.

Scammers have a few tricks up their sleeves. Here is a good read on how to avoid fake landlord scams.

In general, don’t part with your money until you have viewed the accommodation and you are absolutely sure. And if a listing appears too good to be true, it probably is. If the rent is way too low for the area or the type of accommodation being offered, the likelihood is that it is a fake listing.

Feel free to do your own research and as with everything, trust God for guidance.

Shared flats are the easiest to come by. You rent one or more bedrooms in a multi-room flat, with shared living room, toilet/bathroom, and kitchen. Sometimes, the living room is converted to another bedroom. Be on the lookout for this so that you know what you are getting into. Here are the best places to look:

If you recently moved to Edinburgh as a family, you will most likely be looking for houses or non-shared flats and apartments. Private landlords may be easier to rent with, especially if in urgent need of accommodation. You can start your search here:

Information for Students

If you are interested in working during your time as a student, you most likely will be considering a part-time job. However, not all recruitment agencies offer jobs suitable for the student life. The employment for student (e4s) website has a list of UK recruitment agencies that have a good range of part time, temp and seasonal work for students. Depending on your skillsets and interests, you should be able to find a job. All the best!

DISCLAIMER: The church has no affiliation to the websites or service providers mentioned. Moreover, as some of the provided details can change over time, the church or any of its officers will not be held responsible for outdated information. We will make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of information at all times, but we hold no liability for the information contained herein. If you are in doubt on anything, please, feel free to verify from other sources.