The Student Room Group
Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh

International fees worth it?

Hello,

I got a conditional offer. However, I don't know if it is worth taking it. I want to go to Edinburgh because it seems like a really nice place, but 20 thousand pounds per year for international fees seem ludicrously high. What are your thoughts?
Depends on how much you can afford and what you are studying. If its an employable degree than its more worth it, if it isn't then not really. If your family is rich then its not a big deal but if your family is scrapping together for you to do an art history degree I wouldn't recommend it.
Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
I have an offer for Animation, and the cost is affordable, but I am still a little reluctant. I have another offer from Falmouth University, and it is definitely more affordable than Edinburgh, so I am tied between the two universities.
Original post by vaticancamoos
I have an offer for Animation, and the cost is affordable, but I am still a little reluctant. I have another offer from Falmouth University, and it is definitely more affordable than Edinburgh, so I am tied between the two universities.


Edinburgh has a better worldwide reputation so take that into consideration

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Original post by frances98
Edinburgh has a better worldwide reputation so take that into consideration

Posted from TSR Mobile


Yes, I have considered that. I am mainly concerned about the cost, and whether the quality of the course in Edinburgh is similar to Falmouth, since the university specializes in creative subjects. Of course, I still want to go to Edinburgh since it is a very nice university, but I am wondering whether its reputation preceeds its course quality.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by vaticancamoos
Yes, I have considered that. I am mainly concerned about the cost, and whether the quality of the course in Edinburgh is similar to Falmouth, since the university specializes in creative subjects. Of course, I still want to go to Edinburgh since it is a very nice university, but I am wondering whether its reputation preceeds its course quality.


I've literally never heard of Falmouth Uni. So take that into consideration. How much cheaper is Falmouth, does it make a significant difference in the end?

Just looking at the campus it seems as if there is going to be much more to do in Edinburgh than in Falmouth.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Okorange
How much cheaper is Falmouth, does it make a significant difference in the end?
Just looking at the campus it seems as if there is going to be much more to do in Edinburgh than in Falmouth.


Falmouth is 12 thousand pounds per year, it is much cheaper. It's true that Falmouth is small, so there won't be much to do there, but I think I can adapt to either small or big town.

Is there any input on teaching method and course quality? This is the main thing I am concerned about. How does Edinburgh's animation course (or art courses in general) compare to, say, a university specialized in art?
Original post by vaticancamoos
Falmouth is 12 thousand pounds per year, it is much cheaper. It's true that Falmouth is small, so there won't be much to do there, but I think I can adapt to either small or big town.

Is there any input on teaching method and course quality? This is the main thing I am concerned about. How does Edinburgh's animation course (or art courses in general) compare to, say, a university specialized in art?


Are you going to be at the Edinburgh College of Art? http://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/school-of-design/undergraduate/animation-ba-hons

In that case, I think Edinburgh's animation course is going to be top notch because ECA was only recently merged into the uni. This means that all the facilities are essentially going to be that of a specialized art uni, but you will also have access and the name recognition of a top world uni. Its the best of both worlds in my opinion. I honestly think if you go to Edinburgh it might be worth the money, the website looks like they really care about what happens to the students.

It was ranked 1st in the UK in arts and design for 2012.
Original post by Okorange
In that case, I think Edinburgh's animation course is going to be top notch because ECA was only recently merged into the uni. This means that all the facilities are essentially going to be that of a specialized art uni, but you will also have access and the name recognition of a top world uni. Its the best of both worlds in my opinion. I honestly think if you go to Edinburgh it might be worth the money, the website looks like they really care about what happens to the students.


Alright, thank you for your advice! I am more comfortable with the idea of going to Edinburgh now. :smile: And yes, I will be attending Edinburgh College of Art.
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 9
Original post by vaticancamoos
Alright, thank you for your advice! I am more comfortable with the idea of going to Edinburgh now. :smile: And yes, I will be attending Edinburgh College of Art.


I have two flatmates currently at the art college (one does illustration and the other does fine art) and they love it! They really enjoy their courses and the teaching seems to be top notch. My illustration studetn flatmate gets talks from important people in the field of illustration and gets so many interesting projects to work on. She has said that the animation students work really hard, but they also get to do such a wide range of animation styles and they really learn a lot.

Edinburgh's Art College really is one of the best art schools out there, especially in the UK. They put on shows all the time and the work is really high calibre from every school I've seen, from fashion to concept art. Going to there will mean that you can meet really amazing artists from all over the world and learn from the best.

Additionally, it is so hard to get into so you must have impressed some people!
Original post by vaticancamoos
I have an offer for Animation, and the cost is affordable, but I am still a little reluctant. I have another offer from Falmouth University, and it is definitely more affordable than Edinburgh, so I am tied between the two universities.


Whoa I've chosen Falmouth and Edinburgh to do animation too! But I'm not an international student tho :/ I've visited both unis so if u want to ask me questions, feel free to ask :smile:
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 11
Original post by meraki123
Whoa I've chosen Falmouth and Edinburgh to do animation too! But I'm not an international student tho :/ I've visited both unis so if u want to ask me questions, feel free to ask :smile:


Hey :smile: Could you tell me a bit more about Edinburgh? I'm an International student as well (from India). I'll hopefully be joining next year, September 2016. I want to major in Accounting
Original post by sanya98
Hey :smile: Could you tell me a bit more about Edinburgh? I'm an International student as well (from India). I'll hopefully be joining next year, September 2016. I want to major in Accounting


Hi! Edinburgh in general is very beautiful cos it's got quite a lot of shops and amazing architecture. I only spent a day there but it was busy in the city. Since I applied for arts, I only looked around the ECA building but my sister who applied for economic and accounting said the lecturers were friendly and the facilities were modern and not too big. Hope this helps and good luck for next year!
Original post by Ambry
Additionally, it is so hard to get into so you must have impressed some people!

Thank you. I have heard that Edinburgh will accept any international student though, is that true?

Original post by meraki123
Whoa I've chosen Falmouth and Edinburgh to do animation too! But I'm not an international student tho :/ I've visited both unis so if u want to ask me questions, feel free to ask :smile:

What a coincidence! Do you know about the teaching styles of both universities? And maybe general vibe of both communities (competitive, nice, etc).
Original post by vaticancamoos
Thank you. I have heard that Edinburgh will accept any international student though, is that true?


What a coincidence! Do you know about the teaching styles of both universities? And maybe general vibe of both communities (competitive, nice, etc).


I only visited each uni for one day and I was able to stay at Falmouth for longer so I'll have more to say and this won't include everything but I'll try my best!

I felt the teaching style was quite different when I went to the open days because Edinburgh seemed to teach more of the traditional animation such as stop motion. The lecturer, Jared Taylor, was quite against computer/ digital animation, he told us that 'ECA doesn't make the money making animation', he was very strong about the art method in making a film! In Falmouth you get to do both animation techniques in the first year to see which you like the most and then focus on one later. Also cinematography and life drawing is taught every week in the main uni cos Animation is taught in Penryn Campus.
Edinburgh seems very much working independently whereas Falmouth has the student work together, as in the roles will be separated i.e the director, character design, background design etc. they want to mimic the real life working conditions you would experience as a professional animator and it gets marked depending on the quality of the film. It really depends on what type of animation you want to do. If it's more traditional, Edinburgh might be better suited for you or if your not sure, then Falmouth.

Community wise I felt Falmouth had a more creative vibe since the whole university specialises in creative subjects, as I was going around the campus there were students protesting about a course being removed and they knitted banners across trees and had knitted signs on benches, it was pretty funny and unique! Everybody there were really friendly too, I got lost and asked a random student who walked all the way with me to the right place. Also as it's very close to the coast, a lot of water sports is done at a cheap price like surfing and wind sailing, if you like that kind of stuff. The buildings are new too, I think they have better facilities than Edinburgh as the whole uni is suited around creative students, whilst going around the tour the guide only realised a new recording studio had been built! I was told that Falmouth is very laid back, they have bbqs on the beach in Summer and themed ba;;s and parties etc although animation is the most time consuming course in the uni!
For Edinburgh I'm not so sure as what they do because I mainly went on the course tour and did not have a lot of time exploring the social side of the university. But the city was very beautiful and there were a lot of shops and restaurants to go to, the ECA building itself is very grand and has that prestigious atmosphere to it. The people were friendly too, the tour guides kept asking me if I needed help.The biggest difference was that Falmouth is a campus uni so everything you need is there and the community is probably closer whereas Edinburgh isn't contained within itself.
I personally chose Falmouth (as my first option) because in the first year you get to try out both traditional and digital and then in your later years you specialise in one of them. Also I could envision myself being a student there, athough I am still quite indecisive because of the reputation of the unis, Edinburgh is more well known but Falmouth was no.1 uni for Art & Design on Sunday Times University Guide, so it's really difficult for me to make up my mind! But I'm still more likely to go to Falmouth!

Sorry there's so much info and I'm not even sure if it's all relevant! If you have anymore specific questions, please ask again. ^ ^
Original post by vaticancamoos
Hello,

I got a conditional offer. However, I don't know if it is worth taking it. I want to go to Edinburgh because it seems like a really nice place, but 20 thousand pounds per year for international fees seem ludicrously high. What are your thoughts?


Hi, there, International applicant here.
yes we do end up paying nearly thrice the home rate (for the same equipment, study material and lecturers) but it is something practiced everywhere.
If you are eligible to receive scholarships apply to them and see what happens.
Did you hear we also have to pay an IHS surcharge ? comes out to be 225 pounds per student depending on start and end dates of course.
Anyway, with respect to your question. If you can afford the fee and It can help you further your career, go for it. Else choose the other uni (Falmouth is less expensive but its on the south coast, which is also an expensive area to live in from what I've read).

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