Arrivals Information
Arriving on Campus
Most students will collect their keys and move into the residences from 2pm on Friday, 9 January 2026.
Please note your allocated room number will only be confirmed on your contract start date. Please check the eAccommodation portal on this date for details.
Before moving into halls, you should complete the online Induction, which you can access via the eAccommodation Dashboard. In this online induction, you will learn about the arrival process and what you can expect when you move in.
Once you have completed the online induction, you will then be able to book your arrival timeslot.
It will not be possible to arrive outside of your booked timeslot unless you have made prior arrangements with us.
Unfortunately, we do not have accommodation for family or friends who will be accompanying students on arrival, but we can suggest hotels and guesthouses in the local area.
If you are an International Student and your arrival is delayed, please let Accommodation Services know; otherwise, your room may be re-let.
Getting to QMU
Bus: Lothian Buses services 30 and 4 operate from the campus on a regular basis into the city. Timetables are available from Lothian Buses.
Train: The campus is served by Musselburgh Station (a few minutes’ walk away), which connects with Edinburgh Waverley Station in the city centre. Refer to the National Rail website for up-to-date train schedules and information.
Plane: Edinburgh Airport is the nearest airport to QMU. From Edinburgh Airport, you can catch the Airlink bus or Edinburgh Tram into the city centre and alight near Waverley Station (just off Princes Street), then take a bus or train to campus. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport directly to campus, costing approximately £40.
Car: Vehicles can access the campus via the A1 between the exit for Newcraighall/Craigmillar and the Old Craighall Roundabout. There are entry and exit slip roads to campus on both northbound and southbound carriageways of the A1. Drivers should note that access by car is not permitted via Whitehall Farm Road (by Musselburgh Station).
Sat Nav: Please do not use the postcode as it will take you to the wrong entrance to the campus, which is for buses only. Search for Queen Margaret University instead.
Your Flat
Though you will have your own study bedroom, you will be sharing a flat with other students. No cleaning service is provided, and all residents are responsible for keeping their room and the communal areas tidy, clean and hygienic.
There will be flat and room inspections throughout your stay, so it is important to maintain standards of cleanliness. You must also be careful and keep your door locked and not to let strangers into your flat. Please be considerate of your flatmates and other residents when playing music or making noise.
The first students arriving in a residence will find it cleaned and ready for occupation. People arriving later will be entering an environment that is already being lived in by earlier arrivals. While individual study bedrooms will all be cleaned, prepared and locked, communal areas will inevitably show signs of being occupied. Newly arriving students and their parents are asked to be aware of this.
If you are an early arrival, please remember to show consideration to other residents arriving after you by making a special effort to keep the residence in a clean and tidy condition for them.
Welfare & Support
The Accommodation Services team is on hand to give you advice and support whilst making sure that you are happy and settled in your new home. The team can provide mediation between flatmates, room moves and resolution of any complaints that are brought to their attention.
ResLife Assistants are on duty every evening and every weekend. They are here to help you and can provide advice on a number of issues and signpost to other services.
The University’s Student Services is a professional support department providing information, advice, guidance and opportunities necessary to support their successful experience and achievement whilst studying at QMU.
Campus Operations (Security) can be contacted 24/7 by dialling 07889075873 or 0131 474 0999.
Contact Us
Accommodation Services
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Student Residences
Musselburgh
East Lothian
EH21 6UD
Telephone: 0131 474 0020
Email: accommodation@qmu.ac.uk