The lodge – which will be situated in Bristo Square, alongside the University’s historic McEwan Hall – is one of a number of covered structures, known as Student Villages, which will be assembled across the Edinburgh campus this month.

The spacious venues have been carefully designed to provide students with extra hospitality space, as capacity in buildings has been greatly reduced. This is part of a range of measures to safeguard the wellbeing of students, staff and the local community.

Student Villages are also being provided at King’s Buildings, Pollock Halls student accommodation and a courtyard near George Square. The University is also considering additional venues to ensure all students can benefit from the new initiative.

Each of the Student Villages will provide catering and will be professionally managed to ensure that safety measures are adhered to in line with Scottish Government guidance, both for universities and the hospitality sector.

As well as reducing building capacity to allow for appropriate physical distancing, a range of measures are in place to ensure students can safely return to the University’s campus this semester.

Changes students will see include ample access to hand sanitisation facilities, one-way systems, a booking system for study spaces and enhanced cleaning regimes.

A hybrid learning experience will be implemented, which means that students’ studies will include a mixture of in-person teaching and digital learning.

New students who have to self-isolate because they are arriving from countries on the Scottish Government’s quarantine list will be able to do so in their University accommodation. The University is also offering support to those who are self-isolating in private residences.

A range of societies, volunteer opportunities, peer learning and support schemes – either taking place online or in-person with appropriate safety measures in place – are also available to students this year.

Professor Colm Harmon, vice-principal students at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This has been an incredibly challenging year for students and we want to give those arriving with us this semester the best experience possible, while also ensuring their safety and the safety of the wider Edinburgh community.

“I am thrilled that we are able to offer our students these welcoming, covered areas to enjoy when they are on campus this year. As numbers within our buildings are greatly reduced, we felt that it was important to provide them with space in which they can safely relax and chat with friends in between classes.”