[bob247]

Yes, it's meant to be "do" instead of "to". Could someone please change it?

I've seen some very average (international) students get offers of BBB to study competitive courses at Edinburgh. I too am an international student and got a BBB offer but have a prediction of A*AA.

Was just wondering how smart the average person was? How competitive it is for (non international) students to get in? What are the lecturers like?

And what level of prestige is attached to the uni? Would employers generally be more impressed if I went to say, Durham or St. Andrews.

Edit: Oh and how much work does there tend to be in comparison to a place like St. Andrews? I hear the workload at Edinburgh is a lot higher than average.

[MartinMorrison]

It is extremely easy to get in as an international student. There is no limit how many people they can take and there are international students in my class who got direct entry into 2nd year comp ci without even doing 1st year comp sci at another university or doing IB. The uni needs the money and to be fair the fees are extremely high for internationals (I feel like I'm getting ripped off) so they'll just take you.

The lectures are okay. Some lecturers are good some are bad. They all know their stuff but sometimes they just cant communicate it at all. I've been to 4 universities now and I think Edinburgh had the worst tutors out of all the many tutors I have had. I think I just got unlucky.

I think the people in my informatics classes are smarter than average. However, in other courses I find people to be pretty much the same as people in the same fields are at other universities. I think the course determines how 'smart' someone appears to be. But overall I'd say people appear smarter.

There is prestige. But after actually studying there I can say most of it is a sham. It's a good university but when you're paying 16000 pounds a year it's hard to justify that when tutors literally cannot answer questions or speak english. The course content is advanced and contact time is minimal so it ends up being alot of self study when things arent clarified in tutorials...

[bob247]

(Original post by MartinMorrison)
It is extremely easy to get in as an international student. There is no limit how many people they can take and there are international students in my class who got direct entry into 2nd year comp ci without even doing 1st year comp sci at another university or doing IB. The uni needs the money and to be fair the fees are extremely high for internationals (I feel like I'm getting ripped off) so they'll just take you.

The lectures are okay. Some lecturers are good some are bad. They all know their stuff but sometimes they just cant communicate it at all. I've been to 4 universities now and I think Edinburgh had the worst tutors out of all the many tutors I have had. I think I just got unlucky.

I think the people in my informatics classes are smarter than average. However, in other courses I find people to be pretty much the same as people in the same fields are at other universities. I think the course determines how 'smart' someone appears to be. But overall I'd say people appear smarter.

There is prestige. But after actually studying there I can say most of it is a sham. It's a good university but when you're paying 16000 pounds a year it's hard to justify that when tutors literally cannot answer questions or speak english. The course content is advanced and contact time is minimal so it ends up being alot of self study when things arent clarified in tutorials...

Well, the thing with the tutorials is something you find in most top universities tbh... Oxbridge apart.

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of I don't want to be dumped into the pile of "you're not good enough, you're only here because you're an international student"

[Schlegel]

From my experience (I'm an international applicant), most people around me are unaware of Edinburgh's leniency on their int'l admissions. I don't know a single person who applied on purpose of taking advantage of the BBB conditions and is practically unable to achieve higher. I applied because Edinburgh is said to be a lovely city and, hell, I didn't know of their int'l policy until getting my offer! So no I don't think it'll be filled with "average" students. And don't forget the majority of students on your course still have to get in with AAA, and you'll certainly mix.

If still feeling insecure, check Edinburgh on unistats: most subjects have an average ucas points around 450 which is fairly decent.

[MartinMorrison]

(Original post by bob247)
Well, the thing with the tutorials is something you find in most top universities tbh... Oxbridge apart.

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of I don't want to be dumped into the pile of "you're not good enough, you're only here because you're an international student"

No, I have had much better tutorials at the other universities I attended. I have even repeated some content (ie done it at Edinburgh and done it somewhere else) and the method of explanation at Edinburgh is a joke (specifically talking about 2nd year maths here). Edinburgh was ranked lowest in the UK for student satisfaction (http://www.journal-online.co.uk/arti...tisfy-students). That was in 2008 I think but there is a real reason for that. My 2nd semester tutorials start tomorrow and I am really praying they will be more than a utter waste of time like they were last semester. We are still waiting to receive our marks more than a month since our exams were written...

You won't do badly here but you'll have to work harder than if you went to another uni simply because you get almost no help with work and just very brief explanations in lectures.

[saachi]

(Original post by bob247)
Yes, it's meant to be "do" instead of "to". Could someone please change it?

I've seen some very average (international) students get offers of BBB to study competitive courses at Edinburgh. I too am an international student and got a BBB offer but have a prediction of A*AA.

Was just wondering how smart the average person was? How competitive it is for (non international) students to get in? What are the lecturers like?

And what level of prestige is attached to the uni? Would employers generally be more impressed if I went to say, Durham or St. Andrews.

Edit: Oh and how much work does there tend to be in comparison to a place like St. Andrews? I hear the workload at Edinburgh is a lot higher than average.

I'm international too, and I've firmed Edinburgh's offer of 34 IB points (what they equate to BBB), and I didn't know of the international policy before applying. In fact, I thought international students only had a very slight edge, and I ended up applying extremely cautiously. I had a predicted of about 38 points (which is very, very good for IB) and my highest offer was Durham, 38. The other offers were 34, 34, 34, and 30.

However, although me and my friend were both predicted 38 and 41, and generally do well in school, the other three people from my year who applied to Edinburgh (all international) got in very easy. It's like they make no distinction when it comes to international students. It's EXTREMELY competitive for non- internationals, especially Scots and those in the EU (the ones who go for free). I mean, it's bound to be, because Durham said in their offer letter, "Please note that if you are re-classified as a home student then the university may rescind the offer". :P

Oh, and I think outside of the UK Durham, St. Andrews and Edinburgh are more or less equally regarded. Durham's slightly less reputable than the other two, I think Edinburgh may beat St. Andrews by a small margin, but honestly you'd have amazing job prospects at any of those places, that shouldn't be a concern.

[tiffsays]

(Original post by saachi)
I'm international too, and I've firmed Edinburgh's offer of 34 IB points (what they equate to BBB), and I didn't know of the international policy before applying. In fact, I thought international students only had a very slight edge, and I ended up applying extremely cautiously. I had a predicted of about 38 points (which is very, very good for IB) and my highest offer was Durham, 38. The other offers were 34, 34, 34, and 30.

However, although me and my friend were both predicted 38 and 41, and generally do well in school, the other three people from my year who applied to Edinburgh (all international) got in very easy. It's like they make no distinction when it comes to international students. It's EXTREMELY competitive for non- internationals, especially Scots and those in the EU (the ones who go for free). I mean, it's bound to be, because Durham said in their offer letter, "Please note that if you are re-classified as a home student then the university may rescind the offer". :P

Oh, and I think outside of the UK Durham, St. Andrews and Edinburgh are more or less equally regarded. Durham's slightly less reputable than the other two, I think Edinburgh may beat St. Andrews by a small margin, but honestly you'd have amazing job prospects at any of those places, that shouldn't be a concern.

Hey! I was wondering what the predict scores for the other three people from your year who applied to Edinburgh were if you don't mind sharing? >_< As I'm planning to apply to the UK last minute and was wondering if I stood a chance! Once again, thank you so much in advance! Cheers! And congrats on all your offers!(:

[saachi]

(Original post by tiffsays)
Hey! I was wondering what the predict scores for the other three people from your year who applied to Edinburgh were if you don't mind sharing? >_< As I'm planning to apply to the UK last minute and was wondering if I stood a chance! Once again, thank you so much in advance! Cheers! And congrats on all your offers!(:

Thanks

I don't know what those other three were predicted, but as far as I know they generally keep in the range of 24-30 points ( I know this because our IB co-ordinator shows us everyone's grades sometimes to frighten us into working :P) so it was kind of surprising when we all got offers from Edinburgh indiscriminately. I think our school may have over- predicted, though.

But if you're international, I'd say go for it. If you meet the minimum entry requirements you're guaranteed an offer, it says so on their website. There's no harm in applying anywhere, though as an international student you're almost certain to get offers from everywhere

[winniey]

I didnt apply to Edinburgh for two reasons.
1. It is FREAKING COSTLY in architecture for an international students (2,3000 pounds for 2012 entry)
2. Almost all the friends who applied get a BBB offer in Edinburgh, seriously, I mean even in architecture or some other AAA subjects, that sounds to me that they are doing REAL business rather than teaching... Do they really NEED that much?

[tiffsays]

(Original post by saachi)
Thanks

I don't know what those other three were predicted, but as far as I know they generally keep in the range of 24-30 points ( I know this because our IB co-ordinator shows us everyone's grades sometimes to frighten us into working :P) so it was kind of surprising when we all got offers from Edinburgh indiscriminately. I think our school may have over- predicted, though.

But if you're international, I'd say go for it. If you meet the minimum entry requirements you're guaranteed an offer, it says so on their website. There's no harm in applying anywhere, though as an international student you're almost certain to get offers from everywhere

Hey for example if I'm off by like a few points for my SAT do you think it will matter? Because I saw that the requirement was 1800 but I scored a 1770 ):

[Nicck]

(Original post by tiffsays)
Hey for example if I'm off by like a few points for my SAT do you think it will matter? Because I saw that the requirement was 1800 but I scored a 1770 ):

The entry requirement for internationals are already too lenient.
I am quite sure that you have to meet them so as to receive an offer.

[saachi]

(Original post by tiffsays)
Hey for example if I'm off by like a few points for my SAT do you think it will matter? Because I saw that the requirement was 1800 but I scored a 1770 ):

Yup, apply. I'm sure you'll get an instant offer, lowest they can give. Missing 30 points in SAT is nothing.

[MrHappy_J]

As long as you can pay the fees universities will want you imo.

[TheyCallMeIshmael]

(Original post by MartinMorrison)
There is prestige. But after actually studying there I can say most of it is a sham. It's a good university but when you're paying 16000 pounds a year it's hard to justify that when tutors literally cannot answer questions or speak english. The course content is advanced and contact time is minimal so it ends up being alot of self study when things arent clarified in tutorials...

Sounds like Durham.

[Schlegel]

(Original post by TheyCallMeIshmael)
Sounds like Durham.

Excuse me? What's wrong with durham?

[TheyCallMeIshmael]

(Original post by Schlegel)
Excuse me? What's wrong with durham?

Well... exactly what he said. What do you want me to elaborate on?

[Schlegel]

(Original post by TheyCallMeIshmael)
Well... exactly what he said. What do you want me to elaborate on?

Erm... On what course have you found that the tutors 'literally cannot answer questions or speak english'? How much contact time do you have each week and what's the difference between that and your ideal amount?

[yothi5]

(Original post by bob247)
Yes, it's meant to be "do" instead of "to". Could someone please change it?

I've seen some very average (international) students get offers of BBB to study competitive courses at Edinburgh. I too am an international student and got a BBB offer but have a prediction of A*AA.

Was just wondering how smart the average person was? How competitive it is for (non international) students to get in? What are the lecturers like?

And what level of prestige is attached to the uni? Would employers generally be more impressed if I went to say, Durham or St. Andrews.

Edit: Oh and how much work does there tend to be in comparison to a place like St. Andrews? I hear the workload at Edinburgh is a lot higher than average.

Yeah you got an offer of BBB so you get in,and they take your money!

[AviG123]

Let me answer your question about prestige.

The fact that a prince (the future king) attented the University of St Andrew is evidence of it's prestige.

In terms of international rankings though, Edinburgh is miles ahead of both Durham and St Andrews. It consistently makes it among the top 5 in Britain as well as the top 25 in the world, according to QS Rankings.

I would personally choose Edinburgh, if not St Andrews and then Durham.

Keep in mind that they are all highly reputed universities. All three make it into the top 100 universities internationally. Here are my sources: QS Rankings and Times Higher Education.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[saachi]

(Original post by AviG123)
Let me answer your question about prestige.

The fact that a prince (the future king) attented the University of St Andrew is evidence of it's prestige.

Really? Then the fact that Charles Darwin and Gordon Brown attended Edinburgh is also evidence of its prestige.

Honestly, things like rankings and famous graduates have little to do with how good a university is, it's a qualitative thing that you can't really measure by 'who went there'. I bet 90% of all the famous alumni from all famous universities would still have been famous if they'd gone to some other university. It's what you do with yourself that counts, not which university you went to. Before the prince went there, St. Andrews was virtually unheard of.