I have drunk more pints in the past month as a new student at the University of Edinburgh than ever before.
I expected this to some extent. I knew Scotland had a reputation for its drinking culture. What I didn’t expect was to be invited for a pint after — or sometimes during — almost every study session once the clock struck five.
Drinking has long been associated with Scottish culture. Whisky remains one of Scotland’s most recognisable exports, and popular stereotypes of Scots and alcohol are hard to escape. But how much does that reputation reflect reality today? And what does it mean for students arriving at university, where drinking can feel less like an occasional choice and more like an expected part of social life?
The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that adults drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week to keep health risks low. However, the Scottish Health Survey found that one in five Scottish adults drink at levels that are potentially harmful to their health. Alcohol also remains a major risk factor for ill-health, disability, and death in the UK.
In response to these concerns, Scotland has introduced measures aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm, including minimum unit pricing. Introduced at 50p per unit in 2018, the minimum price increased to 65p in September 2024. Evaluations suggest that the policy has saved lives and helped reduce overall alcohol sales through shops and supermarkets. Recent figures have also shown improvements in rates of harmful drinking and alcohol-related deaths compared with 2023.
Yet, while government policies can help reduce alcohol-related harm, our relationship with drinking is also shaped by social expectations, particularly at university.
For students, drinking can feel like an integral part of the university experience. We are constantly meeting new people, making friends and finding our place in an unfamiliar environment. Going to the pub offers an easy way to socialise, but when drinking becomes the default option, it can be difficult to recognise when it starts to become excessive.
According to a 2026 survey by Students Organising for Sustainability, most UK students view drinking as part of university culture and an expectation associated with being a student. When asked why they drink, 78 per cent said they did it for fun, while 50 per cent said it helped enhance social interactions.
These findings reflect a familiar experience. Alcohol can initially make people feel more relaxed or confident, helping conversations flow more easily. However, these effects are temporary. Students seem aware of this to some extent: three-quarters of those surveyed agreed that excessive drinking can ruin a night out.
The effects of alcohol also extend beyond the occasional hangover. Regular heavy drinking is associated with a range of physical health problems, while also potentially worsening mental health. For those experiencing anxiety, alcohol may provide a short-lived feeling of relaxation, but this can quickly disappear. Relying on alcohol to manage anxiety can create a cycle in which a person gradually drinks more to achieve the same effect.
As university students, it is easy to get caught up in a drinking culture that suggests a good time and good conversation can only happen with a pint. However, it is important to reflect on what the right amount of drinking looks like for each of us, regardless of social expectations or peer pressure.
I stopped by the Advice Place to familiarise myself with the support available to students at the University of Edinburgh. Alongside practical advice about drinking safely when going out, I discovered the Students’ Association Emergency Taxi Scheme. If you find yourself in desperate need of a taxi home, you can call Central Taxis and provide your name and student ID to access the scheme, with the fare paid afterwards.
Ultimately, drinking can be an enjoyable part of student life, offering opportunities to socialise and unwind. But it is worth asking ourselves why a pint so often feels like the natural next step after a study session. Perhaps the aim should not be to remove alcohol from university culture altogether, but to create an environment where socialising does not always have to revolve around it — and where choosing not to drink feels just as normal as saying yes.
Photo by Cordelia Murray-Brown for The Student.
