Ask an Edinburgh Uni Student!

hey! I was wondering if in the interviews you get asked about your GCSE grades and if GCSE grades actually matter?

Hi! I’m afraid I can’t answer that as I didn’t have an interview and I’m not aware of anyone who did have an interview as I don’t think they’re very common at Edinburgh.

Here’s a link to the university’s page on interviews. I’m assuming you’re applying to one of the select programmes that interview?

Oh thank you I wasn’t aware of that I was just wondering if GCSEs actually mattered when applying for the uni

Hi! I’ve read quite a bit about studying at Edinburgh Uni and most seem to think that the uni kinda neglects it’s undergrads and is a much better uni for postgrads; this often is what people blame the low undergrad satisfaction rate for. I was wondering how you found being an undergrad at uni? Were there times you felt isolated and/or neglected by the uni? Is there really a student community? How’s teaching, feedback and support?
Thanks in advance

Hi,
Thanks for your question. I’m just finishing up my medical sciences degree so I don’t have anything to compare to. I would say that I think a lot of people have different experiences and it varies between the different schools. I’m not sure what you’ve applied for but in terms of the biomedical sciences I would say the teaching is really great and a lot of the professors and lecturers are leaders in their field. I’ve loved the content of my course and haven’t regretted picking Edinburgh for my undergrad. There has always been good discussions and lectures have been interesting.

Student community/feedback/support are where I find people’s experiences vary. I found feedback was inconsistent between some courses which was really frustrating (some courses great others not so). Student support also is a bit lacking, in my experience. I got along fairly well with my personal tutor (you meet with them regularly to discuss progress) but again I have heard some horror stories. I know friends who have waited a long time for mental health support etc but I know this is something they are working on improving. Saying that, I have had an amazing student experience overall. There are plenty of clubs/societies/events and I would say you do feel a part of a community.

Sorry this is so long. I hope that all makes sense this is just my own experiences. While I feel Edinburgh can improve in student support and feedback I have loved my time there and had no regrets.

Thank you so much, you’ve been unbelievably helpful! I know it must be hard to get a concrete verdict on stuff like student support and feedback as it’s all very dependent on the individual, but I’m glad you’ve had such a great time there and it’s nice to know they’re working on improving. Support is just a massive factor for me as I have had a bad time with my mental health and I suffer from a chronic pain condition...I wouldn’t run to the university for everything but it would be nice to know that if I needed them they’ll be ready to offer good support as I’ve had my fair share of horrible experiences when it comes to support! I haven’t applied yet but I will be applying this autumn for Philosophy. I’m unsure between St Andrews and Edinburgh so I’ve been trying to decide between the two but obviously I could always apply to both so we’ll see!
Could I also ask how you found living in Edinburgh financially? I’ve heard it can be quite decent but I’ve also heard that it’s prices are close to London prices. Also how did you find the housing process for getting a flat for second year and onwards? I know I shouldn’t worry about that now but I’d love to get an insight into the rent prices, how difficult it was and the quality of housing/flats.
Thanks again

Hi everyone!

I'm just finishing my fourth (final) year at The University of Edinburgh studying MA (Hons) Accounting and Finance.

I will do my best, along with the other users tagged in this post, to answer any questions you may have on the university, and hopefully point you in the right direction if we are unable to provide a definitive answer.

Hope this helps!

This AMA uses a tag system! You can either ask a general question or tag in one of our fantastic volunteers (listed below) if you are looking for something more specific.
@ROC10 - Fourth year, Accounting and Finance
@HeatherM12- Current student, Medical Science
@silkydon11- Offer holder, Law
---
This AMA is part of the 'Ask a University Student 2.0' initiative. If you want to find out more about other courses or universities, please check out the main list of threads:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6431108

No problem at all, I wish I had someone to ask these questions before I came. In terms of housing I actually live near Glasgow and have commuted but all my friends have lived in Edinburgh through our degree. Rent is pricey - they pay around £500pm for places which are really close to the uni and are really nice flats. Even though it’s pricey they’ve never had any problems finding flats. It might be worth mentioning though that I have lots of St Andrews friends and they have a NIGHTMARE securing accommodation every year (maybe worth asking their thread).

Also, if it is any help I suffer from anxiety disorder which can be quite severe. Edinburgh has been very accommodating and have put in extra measures for my exams and things (accessible study room/can leave the exam with an escort to breathe if I need a minute).

Good luck with your application any more questions just ask

Hi everyone!

I'm just finishing my fourth (final) year at The University of Edinburgh studying MA (Hons) Accounting and Finance.

I will do my best, along with the other users tagged in this post, to answer any questions you may have on the university, and hopefully point you in the right direction if we are unable to provide a definitive answer.

Hope this helps!

This AMA uses a tag system! You can either ask a general question or tag in one of our fantastic volunteers (listed below) if you are looking for something more specific.
@ROC10 - Fourth year, Accounting and Finance
@HeatherM12- Current student, Medical Science
@silkydon11- Offer holder, Law
---
This AMA is part of the 'Ask a University Student 2.0' initiative. If you want to find out more about other courses or universities, please check out the main list of threads:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6431108

No problem at all, I wish I had someone to ask these questions before I came. In terms of housing I actually live near Glasgow and have commuted but all my friends have lived in Edinburgh through our degree. Rent is pricey - they pay around £500pm for places which are really close to the uni and are really nice flats. Even though it’s pricey they’ve never had any problems finding flats. It might be worth mentioning though that I have lots of St Andrews friends and they have a NIGHTMARE securing accommodation every year (maybe worth asking their thread).

Also, if it is any help I suffer from anxiety disorder which can be quite severe. Edinburgh has been very accommodating and have put in extra measures for my exams and things (accessible study room/can leave the exam with an escort to breathe if I need a minute).

Good luck with your application any more questions just ask

What are your favourite/least favourite aspects about studying at Edinburgh university? Furthermore, apparently Edinburgh has a low student satisfaction rate, do you have any ideas why this might be? thanks!
(I’ve firmed Edinburgh uni for econ by the way)

Hey, I'm a current Physics student and happy to answer any Physics or Maths related queries :-) I'm on Mathematical Physics and just finished my first year. @ROC10 any chance you could add me to volunteer tags for physics?

Yes! Another commuter

I also commuted to UoE! Nice to see some fellow commuters on here as it's hard to find info geared towards commuters online. Whereabouts (roughly) do you commute from, if you don't mind me asking?