The University of Edinburgh is centuries old, having first opened its gates in 1583, making it the sixth oldest university in the UK. It plays a big part in city life and is famous throughout the world. It was here that Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired to create the character Sherlock Holmes (said to be based on his professor), and where Dolly the Sheep was cloned. Other notable ex-students include Charles Darwin and J. M. Barrie.
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4.3The university sits across several sites in and around the city of Edinburgh, which is seen by many as one of the most desirable cities in the UK to live in. King's Buildings Campus, Edinburgh BioQuarter and Easter Bush Campus are away from the centre. But many sites are right next to the Old Town, the oldest area of the city. Edinburgh Students' Association has hubs and shops throughout the campus, giving you convenient access to food, advice and spaces to relax.
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4.1At the University of Edinburgh, there's accommodation available for more than 10,000 students, with both catered and self-catered options. Most rooms are single occupancy, but there are twin-room options as well, which are slightly cheaper.
You're guaranteed student accommodation in your first year if you're an undergraduate student from outside Edinburgh. You must meet the eligibility criteria and apply by the deadline.
If uni accommodation isn't for you, you can find private rented accommodation in the city; contact the university for advice.
Most accommodation is clustered around the university, close to key buildings and facilities, providing an ideal location.
The Pollock Halls complex is the largest site, with around 2,000 rooms (around 50% en-suite) across a number of buildings. It's a 20-minute walk to George Square, where you'll find the main library and the Students' Association. The College of Science and Engineering at King's Buildings is a 35-minute walk.
Due to the range of student residences available, there's plenty of choice in facilities and price. Self-catered costs are from £151 to £266 per week and catered from £200 to £350 per week. For most options, your rent includes all heating, hot water and electricity costs. It also includes in-room internet access, contents insurance, bike storage and laundry facilities.
The Residence Life team will help you to settle in, creating a supportive community.
The University of Edinburgh provides funding to ensure that education is affordable for students from low-income households. There are also subject-specific funds offered by each college or school in the university. These scholarships and bursaries can help you with your living costs and won't need to be repaid. There are also prizes that you can enter during your studies.
Access Edinburgh Scholarship offers up to £5,000 each year if you're a care-experienced or estranged student, or you come from a low-income household. The amount you get will depend on your circumstances and household income.
Scholarships also support students who excel at sport, helping them with associated expenses and providing extra support.
You can find the details of every scholarship and bursary by using the university's scholarship search function, found on its website. Here you'll be able to view the eligibility criteria for each funding option to give you an idea of whether you should apply.
The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate courses. These include degrees in the arts, humanities, social sciences, science, and engineering. A top-20 UK university in the Complete University Guide, it also achieves a top-ten ranking in more than 20 subjects.
Most courses are flexible four-year degrees, in line with other Scottish degree programmes. They allow you to study a range of subjects in your first two years before choosing what to specialise in for your final two years. There are also some three-year degrees, and you may be able to enter a degree in the second year if you're qualified enough. If you study Veterinary Medicine or Medicine, you'll take between five and six years to complete your course.
Many courses let you study abroad through an exchange programme with over 300 destinations around the world. Most study abroad experiences last a full year, but there are some single-semester options too.
The University of Edinburgh uses a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid teaching. On campus, you'll have practical sessions if you study a science, engineering, or health-related degree. Fieldwork opportunities will allow you to apply your skills in subjects like Geography and Earth Sciences. Art and Design students work in studios, developing skills through project-based learning and exhibitions.
The uni's academics are leaders in their fields, conducting research that informs their teaching.
Edinburgh has semesters, and within those are teaching blocks.
Fees for Scottish students are £1,820 (apply to SAAS to have these paid). For other students from the ‘rest of the UK' or RUK, they are £9,535 for most full-time degrees. The fees for international students will be more and vary by subject.
As Scotland's capital, you'll find plenty to do in Edinburgh, both in culture and nightlife. An atmospheric buzz fills the city on a daily basis, reaching its peak in August and the start of the Edinburgh Fringe. The world's biggest arts festival, this attracts tens of thousands of performers and hundreds of thousands of visitors. Edinburgh also became the first-ever UNESCO City of Literature, thanks in part to having more libraries per person than any other city in the world. There are also many parks, making it one of the UK's greener cities.
It's a compact city, easy to navigate by foot and bike – although it's hilly in places. Public transport connections are good, and the two main train stations provide access to other major cities in the UK. An international airport makes foreign travel easily accessible.
The best way to get a feel for a university is to go to an open day or check out Edinburgh in Whatuni's City Guides.
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4.0The University of Edinburgh has a careers service to help its students improve their employability. Its advisers are there to help you reach your career goals, offering friendly advice, guidance, and useful information about careers for students and graduates.
The careers service has a website with helpful information. You can find details on how to identify your strengths and skills. It also covers building experience, finding internships, and graduate jobs. Plus, you can get tips for assessment centres and learn how to write CVs, cover letters, and job applications. Careers fairs and other events are held each year.
According to the Complete University Guide, graduate outcomes for University of Edinburgh students are good, particularly in Medicine and Nursing degrees.
The uni has connections with a global network of employers. It actively seeks quality internships for students and graduates. There are summer internships on campus or overseas, opportunities with local employers in various sectors, and work shadowing with alumni. Links with recruiters also provide employment opportunities for the uni's graduates.
While at uni you may have the chance to get involved in research, developing analytical skills and preparing for your career. Some degrees offer industry placements, where you'll work on live projects, developing skills and gaining valuable insights.
If you fancy setting up your own business venture, Edinburgh's enterprise team can help. It provides business advice meetings, start-up workshops, events, and networking opportunities.
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