Starting at SPS

School of Social and Political Science - The University of Edinburgh

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Edinburgh Bucket List

18 things to do while living in Edinburgh

I have been living in Edinburgh for two years, but there is still so much I have not done and so many places I have not seen. Don’t be like me and make the most out of your time here!

1. Watch the sunrise from the top of Arthur’s Seat

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHboZaW1WBQ) 

2. Go to the Stockbridge Market  on Sundays

© Macumba at English Wikipedia

3. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden

By Ham via Wikimedia Commons

4. Go to Beltane Fire Festival

© 2010 Martin Robertson

5. Soak in the charm of Edinburgh’s peculiar second hand shops and bookstores

© Anne at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilike/5361213627/

6. Visit the Castle

7. Get lost and discover the hidden gems of this city

© Sir Gawain / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

8. Go for a walk on Portobello beach

© 2016 CODE Hostel Edinburgh

9. Enjoy the free museums and galleries

10. Go to a ceilidh

© Jonas Hickson 2014

11. Take a stroll down the Royal Mile

© Paul Zanre Photography

12. Walk along the Water of Leith  and find the Dean Village

13. Take a tour of Scottish Parliament

© Paul Dodds

14. Look for all the places of literary interest

15. Find the Union Canal

16. Try out Scottish cuisine

© Colin via Wikimedia Commons

Deep fried Mars bar? Haggis? Irn Bru? There is plenty of choice.

17. Enjoy the view of the city from Carlton Hill

18. Experience the Fringe Festival 

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Moving To University: Making Friends

It’s normal to worry about not knowing anyone at university. Expectations for Welcome Week are high, but the reality of leaving your room and go mingling with perfect strangers might be scarier than you’d anticipated. Here are 9 ideas on how to meet new people at university. 

1. Open doors

Confession: I spent the first few days in my room, decorating and avoiding any human contact.

If you live at Pollock and you feel too awkward to go talk to people, let them come to you: leave your door open while unpacking.

2. Housemates 

If you live in a self-catered accommodation, don’t hide from your flatmates: offer them some food, go shopping together, and team up for welcome week events.

In the end, they might turn out not to be your closest friends, but you can stick together for the first few weeks. And they will be around for the next 8 months, so it can’t hurt to get off on the right foot.

3. Stock up on tea and cookies 

This one is valid for any living arrangement. People love food, and it gives you an excuse to start conversations. 

4. Connect with people on your courses 

Top three most popular questions in Welcome Week: 

What’s your name? 

Where are you from? 

What do you study? 

After three days you’ll be sick of hearing them, but don’t underestimate their power. You will never see again most of the people you meet during Welcome Week. However,  if you meet someone your course make a mental note and look for them in lectures. 

It’s nice to have some lecture buddies to get through that one 9 am class.

5. Join societies 

They are an amazing way to meet people who share interests and passions!

6. Talk with random students  

Welcome Week has a wonderful atmosphere, where starting conversations with someone sitting next to you in the Student Union is perfectly acceptable - encouraged, even.

I know that it sounds scary, but remember that everyone is just as lost as you!

7. Go out even if you are alone 

Be safe, but don’t miss out on opportunities just because you have no one to go with. You won’t meet people if you don’t leave your room!

8. Don’t forget about day events

Welcome Week might seem unappealing to all those who are not big party-goers or drinkers because so much emphasis is put on the evening events. However, Welcome week is a lot more. Hundreds of events take place in one week, including tours, gatherings, meet-ups and taster sessions with different societies.

In my experience, the people you’ll meet during the day, when you’re sober enough to remember them, are a lot more likely to stick around. 

9. Branch out 

In the end, everyone’s experience of Freshers week is different.  If you are lucky enough to meet your new best friends during the first few days at uni, develop those friendships but keep expanding the social circle: the more, the merrier! 

If you didn’t, don’t worry: there are plenty of opportunities to meet people throughout the year.  Societies, tutorials, lectures and events are all full of potential friends. Be yourself and you’ll find your people. 

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15 Tips For Academic Success

Going to a school like the University of Edinburgh can be quite intimidating. It’s becoming real and you might be starting to worry about whether you’ll be able to do well academically. Don’t worry: if you made it so far, it means you are talented and amazing and have all the attributes you need to thrive here. Nonetheless, it might take some time to adjust to university-level education. To help you with the transition, I gathered some tips on how to succeed.

1. Meet With Your Personal Tutor

The first few weeks at university are unique experience: there is so much to see, so many people to meet and so much partying to do. It’s all very hectic and confusing, and dealing with all the academic stuff is the last thing on everyone’s mind. 

But don’t underestimate the importance of meeting your academic advisor. They can help you with stuff like course selection, degree change, fees payments and a lot more. 

2. Show Up To Lectures

No one likes mornings. Not even your lecturer, trust me.

But lectures are there for a reason. They familiarise you with the topics so even if you fall behind with readings and assignments, you will know where to start. 

3. Time Management

Basically, get a planner. As soon as the course handbooks are out, take note of the key dates for each course. Once you know what needs to be done and by when, keeping up with work will be a piece of cake. 

4. Planned Procrastination

When you’re making a study plan, be realistic: chances are you will not be able to to be actively focused for 14 hours a day, every day. Of course, it depends on the person: some of you work better with scheduled breaks, while I rely on “planned procrastination”.

I know that I regularly end up wasting time on my phone, but my concentration span varies a lot from one day to the next so I can’t really plan my breaks. So, when I make my study plan for the weekend, I include a couple extra hours that I can devote to some healthy procrastination.

5. Do Your Readings

First year is busy: you’re meeting new people, trying to figure your way around uni, discovering the city, partying. It’s easy to fall behind on readings.

That’s all part of the “uni experience”, but don’t forget that you are studying a Social Science, and that means you will be expected to read extensively. There is just not enough time to do that the night before an essay or the week before finals. Try to keep up, it’s worth it.

6. Understand The Marking Criteria 

One of the scariest things at uni is thinking you know how to do something and then discovering that it not what they are looking for at university. Entering higher education means having to up your game to new standards, but there is no need to panic: first year is all about gaining confidence in this new learning environment. 

The first step towards doing well in an assignment is to really understand what the markers are looking for. Your courses will provide a guide to the criteria they use: dedicate some time to understand what they mean and how that would look in terms of an essay, a policy brief or other forms of assessment.

7. Know your Strengths and Weaknesses

For instance, in my first semester at uni I discovered I am bad at exams. Like, really terrible. It takes me three time the level of effort to write a decent exam than to write a decent essay. 

First year is meant for you to learn what kind of a learner you are, and improving from there. Honestly, I don’t think I will ever get to the point in which I enjoy writing an exam the same way I enjoy writing an essay. However, knowing my weaknesses means I can focus my energies and time to improve them.

8. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

If you are struggling with a topic or if you are unclear about the assignments, don’t hesitate to ask your tutors for help. It is in everyone’s interest for you to succeed and it’s their job to help you finding the resources you need to move forward.  

9. Get To Know Your Lecturers And Tutors 

Lecturers are often perceived as some sorts of mystic and at times scary creatures. But they are actually super approachable and willing to meet up with their students.

Whether you are particularly interested in a certain topic or you need clarification on a lecture, make use of lecturers office hours. When will you, once you leave university, have the chance to chat with great academics that are often leading experts in their field? Exactly. 

10. Academic Support

As I mentioned above, is in the interest of the university for you to thrive here. Because of that, numerous forms of academic support are in place to help you through the rough patches. Among these, the Personal Tutor system, the Disability Office, Proofreading service for non-native English speakers and various forms of Peer support and Peer assisted learning. 

11. Feedback

Even if you don’t like to think about your mistakes, feedback on you previous work is one of the most effective way to improve in future. 

When you get feedback on a piece of work, don’t just check the grade but go through the comments and take note of any pattern you might identify. 

12. Be On Time

Showing respect towards the work academics put in the lectures and tutorials is a great way of contributing to a positive and happy academic community. And also don’t forget that those people are the ones who will mark your papers. It’s in your interest to keep them happy.

13. Keep A Healthy Lifestyle 

Sleep and eat well, and you are much more likely to survive the rounds of flu that takes over uni when midterms or finals come around. You are also much more likely to perform better. I myself have a tendency to procrastinate too much and then go for two weeks with no sleep and too many caffeinated drinks. And in my experience, that is never a good idea.

Doing a thousand readings and being sleep deprived will never, ever be better than doing 10 readings well, sleeping enough, and get to the exams well rested. 

14. Have Fun!

When academic deadlines are approaching you might end up not leaving your rooms for weeks, alternating between studying and procrastinating (while worrying about the fact that you are not studying).

Don’t forget that it’s ok to have fun once in a while. Taking your mind off work for a few hours can actually result in increased productivity.

15. Keep Things In Perspective 

In the end, Freshers year is all about finding your balance. Sure, we all want to do well and be successful. But five years from now, we will not remember the one assignment we got a 71% on or that one class we just could not seem to understand. We will remember the people we met, the things we learnt and the opportunities we took. 

So don’t obsess too much about the grades and remember what bought you here in the first place: 

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Edinburgh Cafes Guide: 7 of the best coffee shops around university

As many students, I spend a substantial amount of time in cafes. If you have been following this blog, you might have picked up on my love for coffee. If not, well, this is me pretty much every day of my life:

Luckily, I ended up in a city that happens to be almost as coffee-obsessed as I am. But if you don’t like coffee, don’t worry: Edinburgh has something for every taste! Whether you want to enjoy a nice tea with a friend or to treat yourself to a perfect cake after an exam, whether you are looking for a place to study or need to satisfy your coffee craving, Edinburgh has a café that is perfect for you. 

I took upon myself the heavy task of trying out some cappuccinos and cakes around university. Here is a quick introduction to some student favourites, a starting point for you to discover yours.

1. Black Medicine Coffee Co.*

Black Medicine on Nicholson Street is my go-to place when I need to study, for numerous reasons. They have big tables, coffee (duh!) and a whole range of food to snack on when studying. They also make some amazing smoothies: remembering to get your 5-a-day is harder during exams season.

It’s a very cozy place, with wooden furniture and nice music. If you like their style but live all the way across the Meadows, do not despair: they have a second cafe on Barclay Terrace.

2. Brew Lab*

If you love coffee, you must pay a visit to the Brew Lab. The coffee is probably the best around campus, with meticulous research of coffee beans and super knowledgeable baristas. Because of this, the prices are slightly higher than what you would pay for your daily coffee, but I can assure you when you do go, it’s totally worth it. While coffee is their main gig, Brew Lab offers amazing food to complement you espresso and great teas alternatives. 

3. Spoon

Somewhere in between a cafe and a restaurant, Spoon is the perfect brunch place. Their food is amazing and affordable, with a lot of diversity to cater for all tastes, including great vegetarian and gluten free options. It’s very bright and spacious, and conveniently close to university. 

4. Peter’s Yard*

I have only discovered Peter’s Yard a couple months ago. This Swedish bakery is right next to the School of Social and Political Science, in the Quartermile. Its specialty is crispbread (knäckebröd), but everything they offer is amazing - from the open sandwiches to the coffee. My personal favourite? The cardamom bun. 

5. Elephant and Bagels*

Pretty self-explanatory: they serve amazing bagels in an elephant-themed shop.

This café is a bagel-lover heaven. They have all kinds of different flavoured bagels (and a gluten free option!) and countless tasty fillings. It’s a great place to grab lunch and a coffee on a short break between classes. 

6. Kilimanjaro

Another student fave. It might be because of the varied tea selection, the amazing scones or the mouth-watering cakes. However, in my opinion what makes it a great place to study is that is a no wi-fi area, providing a caffeinated but distraction-free environment.

Finally, special mention: Maison de Moggy

It is not actually close to university and I have not been there yet. However, I believe every student in Edinburgh should be aware of its existence. Maison de Moggy is a cat cafe. Yes, you read that right. Basically, you go in there and you get to play with cats of all shapes and sizes. I imagine it to be something like this:

Sure, entrance £7 per hour, but think of all the kittens! I haven’t been yet, but I heard that it is totally worth it. If you go before me, let me know what you think of it! 

*give you a discount if you bring you own cup! 

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Moving to University: Money Matters

Money is not something we like to worry about, but it is essential to think about it before starting university. 

Higher education is a great investment in your future and it’s worth every penny. But it is also the first time you will be fully responsible for you spending, from the house you live in to what you eat for dinner. Whether or not you qualify for loans, you need to be prepared in order to avoid bigger issues down the road.  

Here are some tips!

1. Make a Budget

In order to start off on the right foot, it is good to know what your income is, what you fixed costs will be and how much you will have left for all the extras. 

Financial matters differ significantly from person to person, so you will need to sit down and put some thought into it.

There are numerous tools you can use, depending on how detailed you want you budget estimate to be. Personally, I prefer the Brightside calculators: they are very straightforward, if  not very detailed. The thing I love about their International student calculator is the currency converter function. 

Student calculator

International student calculator

The government’s Money Advice Service offer a very intuitive, customisable and visual representation of you budget.  It has two version - one is more general, the other very detailed.

Budget Planner

Important note: be realistic.

It will benefit no one to underestimate your expenses. If you don’t know where to start, the University compiled a useful list of estimated living costs. 

2. Track your expenses

Now you know what your budget is, but the tricky part is sticking to it! In my first year I saw people blowing through their ENTIRE student loan during Welcome Week. 

While that might seem worth it at the time, please trust me on this one: not a good idea.

My way of tracking money is quite old fashioned: every month, I go though my bank statement and figure out where unnecessary spending is happening. Then I cap my budget the following month for that specific item.

 It doesn’t really matter how you go about it, but it’s important to keep an eye on you finances throughout the year.

3. Bank Accounts

Once you get here, you will need to open a bank account (if you don’t have one in this country already). I know it’s a hassle, I myself tried to postpone all this bureaucracy as much as possible and tried to use my Italian account for as long as possible. But they charge you a lot more for taking out cash, and if anything goes wrong you will need to spend hours (and money) on international phone calls. 

Don’t underestimate the importance of your bank account. Try to find the best match for you needs. If you’re an EU or International student, check how much they charge for international money transfers; if you travel in the UK a lot, look for banks that offer free railcards; if you tend to forget things easily, perhaps it’s worth choosing a bank that has a branch on campus. 

You can start with this comparison table of the main banks in Scotland.

4. Career service 

Despite all that, you might find yourself needing or wanting a job. Luckily, the University has this great thing called career service.

I only started using this service a few month ago, so don’t follow my example. They can help you through the whole process of finding a job, from writing a resume to practice interviews. 

They also offer a selection of the best employment opportunities for students, checking for quality of employers and working hours compatibility with university commitments.

5. Emergency plan

Finally, it is probably worth noting that if things go wrong and you find yourself short on money, the University has a system of support to guide you through it. While borrowing parents and friends can be an option, the Advice place offers guidance for this kind of situation.

EUSA Advice Place 

It’s important to know you budget so that you can plan the practicalities of next year, but don’t worry too much about the details: everything will become clearer once you get here in September. The university offers great money and job guidance throughout your degree, and you will be have the chance to identify these resources during Welcome Week.

Any question? Inbox me!

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11 Best Places on Campus

We asked current students to tell us their favourite place to hang out on campus. Here is what they told us!

1. Old Medical School

Clara, Archaeology and social anthropology

2. The International Student Centre Lounge in the winter...

... and George Square in the summer! 

Lindsey, Sociology and Psychology

3. The Library

T.O., Chemical Engineering

4. David Hume Tower Cafe

Lilian, Politics

5. Potterrow and the Chaplaincy

Larissa, Social Policy and Politics

6. CMB on the weekend

Elizabeth, International Relations

7. Teviot 

Kristyna, Philosophy & Economics

Old College Quad

Steph, International Relations

The Meadows

Dylan, History

What will yours be?

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8 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the University of Edinburgh

1. Our university has been around for a long time. A really long time. 433 years, to be precise.

...I KNOW!

2. Speaking of old things: UoE also has the oldest student union in the world, Teviot Row House… 

By Sydney Mitchell, via Wikimedia Commons

3. …. and the UK’s oldest student newspaper, The Student 

It was started by Robert Louis Stevenson (author of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) in 1887. 

via Wikimedia Commons

 4. The School of Social and Political Science is the second  largest School in the university

You're going to be one out of 1,100 undergraduate students. So many people to meet! In addition, there are more than 800 postgraduates, some of which will be guiding your tutorials. But don't worry, you won't be ignored: with over 220 academic staff, the school has an excellent staff-student ratio.

5. In 2008, SSPS defied the tradition of naming the University building after influential 18th century men and named it after Chrystal Macmillan, the first woman to earn a degree in sciences from the university in 1896. 

She later became a lawyer and a key figure in the suffragette movement. 

 6. The University gives you puppy sessions during exams.

“Therapets”is a scheme that has been running for a few years now, in which therapy dogs from Scottish charity Canine Concern visit the Uni during exam season to help students relax. 

 7. UoE has over 240 Societies

You'll find groups catering for all interests, from the Allotment & Permaculture Society to the Cocktail Society to the Doctor Who Society. You'll find plenty of opportunities to further you interests or discover new ones.  

8. We have many notable alumni, including:

Writer Robert Louis Stevenson, who you might remember from ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' or ‘Treasure Island’.

Athlete and missionary Eric Liddell, often referred to as the ‘Flying Scotsman’. His life inspired the Oscar-winning 1981 movie Chariots of Fire. 

And novelist J M Barrie, the father of our favourite eternal child Peter Pan.

These are just a few of the inspirational figures that walked down our hallways over the centuries. The University of Edinburgh fostered talents in all areas, and helped philosophers, doctors, presidents, scientists, artists and change-makers of all sorts to reach their full potential. 

Think of what you could do!

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24 of the Best Things About Studying at UoE

We asked current students to tell us their favourite thing about being here. 

1. The independence. 

2. The facilities available to students.

3. All the activities and events that the university organises.

4. The variety of clubs and societies.

5. The way the city feels safe.

6. The international atmosphere.

7. The fact that the university is integrated into the city, while there are still students absolutely everywhere. It has all the best features of both a campus university and a city based university.

8. The wide range of courses available, and the fact that you are able to take subjects from outside the school you have matriculated into.

9. All the amazing opportunities this city offers.

10. The students.

11. Always being able to get dominos 50% off snap fax. 

12. The educational environment and the excellent teaching.

13. The student life.

14. The fact that it allows to alternate a relaxed University life with intense periods of studying. 

15. Making some of the closest friends.

16. The many ways to enrich oneself with interesting courses and work experiences.

17. The diverse student body.

18. The chance to explore the city and Europe. 

19. The student union.

20. The academic support, especially the Personal Tutor scheme and Peer Learning.

21. The people.

22. The freedom.

23. The great community. 

24. The memories.

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Moving to University...Areas of Edinburgh

Looking for accommodation in a new city can be daunting, especially if you don’t know the city.

Sure, Google Maps can help giving you an idea of the distances, but it doesn’t say much else. Here is a map followed by a quick description of the areas of Edinburgh that tend to be popular among students.

Take me to the interactive map!

I’ll try to outline the main features of each area. Disclaimer: my opinion is quite limited, as I have mostly lived in one area (Southside). If you have any question, feel free to inbox me!

Southside

© Richard West 

Southside is one of the main student areas. It refers to the area between the main campus and Holyrood Park. It's where the majority of the  University accommodations are located and it is predominantly populated by students. You will find pretty much everything you'll need: the university gym, nice cafes, bookshops, groceries stores, charity shops, cheap bars and pubs. It is the closest you can get to University, within a walking distance of 3 to 15 minutes. If you love the nightlife, this is definitely the right place for you. On the downside, it's pretty loud, busy and always quite chaotic.

Newington

Newington has a high student population. The University catered accommodation (Pollock Halls) is located here, as well as numerous private tenement flats.

It's fairly close to both the central campus (10 to 40 minutes, depending on which end you’re at) and sciences campus at the King's Buildings, which makes it is particularly convenient for people doing joint honours with a Science.

Marchmont

© Mike Pennington

Marchmont is a residential area separated from the university only by the Meadows, a big park that extends south of the main campus. There are plenty of nice shops and cafes but it's further away from the nightlife area - which makes it perfect if you like a quiet environment. The main campus is fairly close, only a brief walk across the park - between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on where exactly you are. It is very popular with students and this makes it quite pricey, but it is possible to find some good deals.

Tollcross

© Kim Traynor, via Wikimedia Commons

Tollcross is a vibrant area near the central campus, full of cinemas, clubs, bars, cafes, theatres and restaurants, but quieter than other areas such as Colgate in Southside. It is a bit further away from the university (10-20 minutes) which makes it slightly cheaper. It is also close to the castle and Princes Stress, the main shopping area, which can come in quite convenient.

New Town

The New Town is definitely one of the most expensive areas of the city, but it is possible to find some affordable options. The pros are numerous: it is a beautiful area, right in the heart of the city, close to the train and bus stations, as well as the shopping area, and many of the nicest pubs, clubs and restaurants. However, it is further away from university (20-30 minutes).

© Copyright Jim Barton

Bruntsfield

Bruntsfield is another predominantly residential area, but has plenty of nice shops and cafes. You can find quite good deals here. It takes around 20 minutes to get to the central campus, going through or around the Meadows.

© Max Allan, via Wikimedia Commons

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11 Must-Have Items for Life at UoE

We asked current students to tell us what is a must-have item to survive at UoE. Here is what they said.

1. Topped-up University Card

...for printing and getting discounted coffee at uni cafes. It also gives you access to the library and all kind of buildings - pretty essential. (Kristyna, Philosophy & economics)

2. Laptop

... the library has plenty of computer workstations, but it can get quite busy. If you don’t own one, the university provides a Laptop Loan service easily accessible to all students.

3. Warm clothes...

4... and a rain poncho

It doesn't rain as much as you expect it to in Scotland, but when it does it's super windy. When you're going to Uni and trying to avoid getting really wet, a rain poncho is great!  (Larissa, Social Policy and Politics)

5. Parents on speed dial

...because living as a adult is hard (Dylan, History).

6. Tartan scarf

...because we’re in Scotland after all (Gaia, International Relations).

7. Something to join both taps 

...so you can have a normal tap like in the rest of the world, and not two separate taps - one that spews water from the depths of hell, another straight from the centre of Antarctica. I've seen these on pictures on the internet - if they really exist, then one is a definite must-have (Ivan, Ecological and Environmental Sciences).

8. Social skills...

...because you’ll meet a LOT of new people.

9... and food

...because it makes life better  (T.O., Chemical Engineering). 

10. Patience

Things might get tough, but please - don’t be this guy:

(Lindsey, Sociology and Psychology)

11. Caffeine

...for all the all-nighters followed by 9 am lectures (Clara, Archaeology and social anthropology).

Despite all this amazing tips, just remember - be your amazing self and you’ll be fine!

CAN’T CONTAIN THE EXCITEMENT? Neither can we!

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Moving to University... Housing and Accommodation

Summer begins, exams end and you start to get a better idea of where you will be next year. It’s time to start thinking of *practical things* such as, you know, finding a place to live. 

While I am not an expert on accommodation matters, here are some questions that helped me while considering housing options:

1. What is your budget?

This is perhaps the most important factor to consider when looking for accommodation. If you are new to Edinburgh or the UK, it might be hard to predict what your expenses are going to be. Don’t worry! The International Office compiled a list of estimated living costs, as well as an international student calculator to help you determine what your budget will look like. 

Money saving tip: if you’re used to having a roommate or if simply privacy is not a top priority, sharing a room can spare you a lot of money.

2. What is included in the contract?

Are utilities and bills included? Things like Internet, electricity, water and heat might seem minor additional expenses, but over the course of the year they might pile up and become a problem. It’s better to avoid these unpleasant surprises. 

3. What do you want to be close to?

Before signing any contract, make sure to do some research about the city, the transport system and the way the University campuses are spread around the city.  If you want some more guidance on which areas of Edinburgh students usually live in, check out this entry.

You will probably spend most of your time in the central campus (George Square). However, there is a number of things to keep in mind. For instance, if you are a sports enthusiast you might want to consider how far the University gym is; if you travel a lot, may be worth it to look closer to the train and the bus station; and so on.

Flats that are further away from the central area tend to be cheaper and bigger. Furthermore, "far" in Edinburgh means a 20 minutes bus ride, which will make anyone coming from a big city laugh.

However, you should know that most students look for accommodation around the main campus and in the long run it might become tiring to be only one of your friends that lives far away. In the end, it's just a matter of what you prioritise.

4. When does the lease start?

If you are looking into private housing, make sure your contract extents for the whole period you are in Edinburgh, from Welcome Week to the end of exams in May 2017. 

For the year 2016/17, Arrivals Weekend is on the 10, 11 & 12 September and it is followed by Welcome Week, which is full of events that are important to get started at UoE.

More info on the 2016/17 Academic Calendar here. Don't be like Rory: 

5. What does the contract entail?

You are entering a legal contract - learn your rights and duties and read up about fire safety, pets policy, and noise complaints. At the same time, protect yourself from scams: is your landlord registered? Is the flat licensed? Familiarise yourself with the Edinburgh housing policies here. 

In case you don’t know where to start,  these are two of the best available resources for new students. 

University of Edinburgh Accommodation Services

On this website managed by the  University you will find a lot more than information about University halls. It contains useful material on a variety of topics and issues, including: 

Visiting and Exchange student living

Opening a bank account 

Private sector housing 

Sport and Exercise at UoE 

IT facilities

EUSA Advice Place

The Advice Place is one of the greatest services organised by our Student Association (EUSA). Aside from general tips on how to find accommodation,  their website contains amazing tools on housing law:

Identifying illegal administration fees

Recognising the scams

Signing Your Lease 

Students' Renting Experience

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13 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to University

We asked current students to tell us what they wish they had known before coming to study at UoE. Here are their pearls of wisdom.

1. It's okay to not go out every night - Dylan, History

There will be so much going on, especially during the first few weeks, and keeping a healthy lifestyle can be hard.

It's important to find a good balance between socialising and Uni work in first year. Take uni seriously, but also go to social events - you can manage both things at the same time! - Larissa, Social Policy and Politics

Study, Sleep or Socialise? You can do it all, it’s just a matter of learning how to manage the three S’s.

2. Learn how to cook - M.R., Philosophy and Politics

This is probably the first time you can eat pretty much all you want, whenever you feel like it. You might not realise it straight away, but surviving on Chinese takeaway and Domino’s late night deliveries is not sustainable for your liver (and your wallet)!’ - Anonymous, Politics

If you don’t know where to start, it might be worth investing in a cooking guide for students. Alternatively, the internet is full amazingly simple, quick and and cheap recipes.

3. There is no need for an umbrella: it's way too windy anyways - Gaia, International Relations

Edinburgh is famous for many things, and unfortunately a wonderful weather is not one of them.  

4. Schools have support networks to help you out - M.G., Chemistry

New school, new courses, new system... things are bound to get confusing at times. Don’t you worry! The University has so many ways of providing academic help. Looking for examples? 

The Personal Tutor System

Peer Support 

Academic Societies

And the most underrated form of support: Office Hours (weekly time slots that your lecturer sets aside for students to drop in with questions).

OK, I get it: it is intimidating to sit across the table from you lecturer. However, think about it: who better than the person deciding what is going on the exam can help you understand how to study for it? Plus, lecturers are not that scary - they are pretty cool, actually. Just go talk to them. 

5. Budgeting is important - Alba (aka me), Philosophy and Politics

The day you get your student loan: 

Three days after you got your student loan:

Learn how to budget. Edinburgh can be quite expensive, especially in terms of housing and living costs. There are plenty of resources out there to give you an idea of what living here will actually cost you, as well as tools to manage your money.  

And remember: as student, you qualify for students discounts in so many places! When you’re out, get in the habit of asking whether they have special student offers. You might end up saving a lot of money! 

6. Less in class time does not mean less work - Steph, International Relations 

It is going to be *very* different from high school. Furthermore, if you come from abroad, you might find yourself in a completely new environment. 

The University system can be very different from your home system. It is important to understand early on how grading is done and what each mark means - Elizabeth, International Relations

You can find marking descriptions here.

7. Choose your outside courses (electives) wisely - Anonymous, Politics

There's a broad range from subjects you can take outside your main course - Clara, Archaeology and Social Anthropology

This is a chance for you to explore what’s out there, but make an informed decision - you do not want to get stuck for a semester in a course you don’t like.

You have to choose elective courses in your first weeks and you personal tutor may not know what each course entails, so it’s good to do some research beforehand. - Ivan, Ecological and Environmental Sciences

8. Wait before booking your flight home - R.S., International Relations and Law

We all want our holidays to start as soon as possible.

However, you should really wait until exam dates are published later on during the semester (even then, keep in mind they can change). Unless you’re booking a ticket for after the end of the exam period, try avoiding booking tickets now - you might end up wasting a lot of money. 

9. You can change your mind about your degree - L.N., Sociology and Psychology

I wish I had known I’d be able to change my degree if I cover the mandatory courses for whatever I want to transfer to -  Ivan, Ecological and Environmental Sciences

This is true, and is one of the great things about a four year degree in a Scottish university. However, keep in mind that is not always as simple: 

I wish I knew that certain courses and degrees (such as English Literature) are highly popular or capped in numbers - Anonymous, Politics

10. It doesn't *really* matter where you end up living - you will meet great people - M.G., Chemistry

Of course, your first year experience will be different depending on whether you live catered or self-catered accommodation, close or far from your campus, privately or in halls. Do your research and try to find the one that suits your needs better. 

However: 

In Edinburgh, finding suitable accommodation can be difficult (Kristyna, Philosophy and Economics). 

If things don’t go as planned and you end up in a different situation than you’d hoped for, do not despair. 

Nearly everyone lives in University accomodation in their first year. When you don't, it can be a bit more difficult to meet people. But you still can - Societies and Peer Support are great for that! - Larissa, Social Policy and Politics

12. Referencing will be the bane of your life - Dylan, History

You’ll write countless essays and you’ll lose track of where you read what. The sooner you learn how to keep track of your sources, the better it is. Just trust us on this one.

12.  Try new things and get out of your comfort zone! T.O., Chemical Engeneering

All the societies and their events can be overwhelming at the beginning, but try them out - go along and you'll meet lots of great people! - Larissa, Social Policy and Politics

 You might even discover a new passion for Pole Dancing, Whiskey tasting or Tai Chi!

 13. It isn't as scary as it sounds - Clara, Archaeology and Social Anthropology

After all, everyone is in the same situation as you. You will be fine.

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11 Awesome Facts About Edinburgh

1. Some places will look familiar. 

One of the most iconic scenes of Trainspotting, the 1996 award-winning movie based on Irvine Welsh’s novel, was filmed on Princes Street, Edinburgh's main shopping area. You'll probably recognise it on your Primark trip to get blankets and pillows during Welcome Week.  Other movies filmed here?  One Day, The Da Vinci Code and Chariots of Fire.

2. Athens of the North or Edinburgh's Folly? 

On Calton Hill (and numerous postcards) you will find the National Monument of Scotland, a national memorial to soldiers and sailors. It was modelled after Athens' Parthenon but the project was abandoned in 1829 due to lacks of funds. Because of its unlucky fate, it has gained some not-so-nice nicknames such as "Scotland's Disgrace" and "Edinburgh's Folly". Despite all that, this place is one of our favourites, offering one of the best views of the city.

3. The world's oldest encyclopaedia still in production was first published in Edinburgh. 

The Encyclopaedia Britannica is also the world’s second largest encyclopaedia, and it was highly controversial at the time it was first published (1768-1771) because of the content of its anatomy section, which was said to contain “unvarnished portrayals of the unmentionable parts of the human body”.

4.  There Are Pandas  

In 2011, Tian Tian and Yàng Guāng took up residence in the Edinburgh Zoo. The two giant cuties were the first pandas to move to the UK in over 17 years.

via Wikimedia Commons

5. Edinburgh hosts one of the biggest arts festival in the world.

The city's population doubles during the Edinburgh festival! Every year over 4 million people visit the city during the month of August. To give you a better idea, only the Olympics and the World Cup sell more tickets than Edinburgh's Festival events.

6. We love nature.

Edinburgh is a pretty green city, with 140 green spaces and more trees per person than any other centre in the UK. The protection of Edinburgh’s parks and the sustainability of the city are developed under the project Sustainable Edinburgh 2020.

8. We really love animals, too. 

One of the most beloved local celebrities is a Skye terrier known as Greyfriars Bobby who was allegedly awarded the Keys to the City by the Edinburgh Council. 

According to the legend, this loyal puppy is pretty much the best friend one can ever wish for. You can find his statue on your way from the University to Nando's, usually surrounded by tourists gathered to pay tribute to this furry hero.

via Wikimedia Commons

We also have a Library cat named Jordan who has its own library card, a Facebook page with over 17.000 followers, and a recently published book. The only thing missing? A Honorary Degree, which he should totally get. He is a very philosophical cat and, with all that time spent in the library, he is definitely more knowledgeable that all of us common people  (you can read his machinations and reflections here).

Via Library Cat

He recently went AWOL, perhaps looking for some privacy after his celebrity status peaked with the publication of his book. Come to UoE and you can be one of the many people on the lookout for this star!

7. Edinburgh's main train station is named after a novel.

Edinburgh Waverley railway station takes its name from the homonymous 1814 novel written by Sir Walter Scott, the author of Ivanhoe and numerous other novels and poetry collections.

Via Wikimedia Commons

9. You will fail your final exams if you visit the Castle before graduating.

Ok, this is not an official fact - to be honest, I have no idea about how this urban legend came to be. You will *probably* be fine, and you should totally visit the Castle if you want to. However, I thought you should know why other students might decline your invitation to come along.

10.  That Harry Potter vibe is pretty much everywhere.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you'll be happy to know that JK Rowling was inspired by the buildings and the atmosphere of the city.  This is not difficult to believe - you’ll realise in no time that Edinburgh truly is magical. 

You'll see many places claiming to be the one where JK Rowling first wrote the book. Is it true? We don’t really mind, it’s Harry Potter we are talking about!

Via Wikimedia Commons

If you're not really into Harry Potter, I am sorry - you won't be able to avoid it. The Harry Potter world is all around you. You might even run into JK Rowling (my inner child is still hoping for that to happen).

11.  Cool things were invented here.

Pretty useful things were developed here, like the telephone, the television, the modern steam engine, the adhesive stamp, logarithms, penicillin, hypodermic syringe, the HPV vaccine, the pedal bicycle and so many more. Safe to say, the world as we know it would not be the same without Edinburgh!

Are you excited yet?

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Welcome, class of 2020!

Ciao, and welcome to the School of Social and Political Science Tumblr.

My name is Alba, I come from Italy and I am a second year Politics and Philosophy student here at the University of Edinburgh.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You did it! You managed to keep up with the nerve-wracking experience of applying to university and now you have the opportunity to spend the next four years in one the most beautiful, inspiring and exciting universities in the UK.  

This summer I will try showing you through my eyes what it means to study and live in Edinburgh. 

To give you an idea, it is going to look something like this:

© Neale Smith Photography

I know, pretty uh?

The next few months will be busy, full of new information and things to do before getting here. Whether you had the chance to visit the University or not, the whole process can be quite intimidating. 

When I accepted the conditional offer from this University I had no idea what my next four years would look like. I had never even been to the UK. As I waited (impatiently) for my IB results to come out, I spent WEEKS looking at videos on Youtube, scrolling through the School's website and "walking around" on Google Maps. I had so many questions, and probably you do too.

Throughout the next few weeks I hope to offer useful information and fun insights on life in Edinburgh, on the University experience and in particular on our fantastic School of Social and Political Science. 

The School of Social and Political Science is based in the Chrystal Macmillan building in George Square, Edinburgh.

In case you haven’t seen them yet, here are the links for your subject area Facebook groups! It is a great way to get to know people in your class and to find answers to your questions.

Politics & IR 2016-2020

Sustainable Development 2016-2020

Social Work 2016-2020

Social Policy 2016-2020

Social Anthropology 2016-2020

Sociology 2016-2020

I hope you will find this Tumblr helpful and enjoyable. Please, feel free to post on the page or inbox me with questions or topics you would me to cover.

Let’s do this!

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The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival was officially launched last week. Our very own George Square campus has been turned into a set of amazing festival venues.

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you some lovely photographs of George Square and Bristo Square. 

Let’s see how it looks today!

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Such beautiful places can only produce beautiful people. 

[uoessps]

Such beautiful places can only produce beautiful people.