Edinburgh university.... any useful information we should know? Any experiences to share?

[gerbo]

My daughter is hoping to study in Edinburgh from September, English Scottish Lit/Lang. We live in Hertfordshire, so it's a distance away.
I just wondered if anyone had any helpful information for her o(and/or us) about going to University there, halls recommendations, etc?
Thanks in advance.

There's a load of talk on here about is Edinburgh "posh" - to which I and many others say there is a small, posh crowd (who may also be very nice, people would be flamed for asking if Edin was chavvy) who keep in their own clique and most students don't encounter then except obliquely. The famously posh accommodation is Chancellor's Court within Pollock as it's the most expensive. My own dc (now older) was in Pollock first year and it was great for them in terms of meeting other students and being catered, right under Arthur's Seat, which was pretty spectacular - they couldn't cook, but those who can cook may want to be in self-catered, there are plenty of options.

Apart from that, my dc is having a blast and for third year is off to a pretty amazing university abroad as are many of their friends, Edin has good links internationally including with Ivy League universities.

They have a two semester structure, so a long autumn term and spring term and then break up very early (in most cases, it varies according to courses) for summer so there's a long summer break, which is great for work/internships/travel - dc earned some decent money and then spent it on having the equivalent of a gap year travelling in S America in their first summer break.

Travel there is not the huge issue some people seem to make out, trains are regular and fast - we used a shipping service to send up dc's stuff at the beginning and end of the year so we've never driven there. It was very reasonably priced. Buses in Scotland are free for under-26 - that's to go everywhere in Scotland so you can explore, also free dentists and hygienists, plus there's never any issue about things like getting a GP's appointment.

It's THE most beautiful city, there's loads going on, and I'm sure your dd will love it as much as my dc - and other family members have done.

Wow, that is all so helpful, thanks so much.

I went to Durham so understand about the student mix, but I'm sure there are plenty of friendly students of all backgrounds to mix with (we are not 'posh' in any way, shape or form), whomever they may be. That doesn't bother me at all!

The packing service sounds helpful (we had wondered about the drive) but yes, the trains from King's Cross are ok. And I hadn't yet gleaned about the 2 term system, so that's something to read about. She was excited by the offer of time abroad so it's good to hear it actually is doable!

Thank you, fingers crossed!

Thanks for starting this!

Free buses apply to Scottish under 21s I’m not sure they would apply to English.
Don't know if it is still the case but when I came from London to Edinburgh I faced anti English prejudice and bullying. Something to be aware of as you are a long way from home.

The free buses apply to everyone under 21 and under who is resident, didn't matter where they come from.
The talk in Edinburgh at the moment ( articles in student newspapers being picked up by Scottish press etc ) is of Scottish students being looked down on and teased by English students, there are a lot of them, especially in some subjects!

Interested to see the conflict is still going on!

If you'd get the chance to visit, walk around her accomodation shortlist to get an idea of areas (and travel to uni/gym etc). My DD liked the Meadows area but my other 2 (neither of whom went to Edi) would preferred livier halls.

If she's thinking on year abroad in 3rd year, its competitive (if you want a big name eg Science Po, Nanking etc) based on 1st year results as you apply early in 2nd year so don't just coast with 40% in 1st year.

If she's not sure on outside subjects then swot up now. The 25-26 drps should be available in draft form now. My DD snoozed and didn't get her 1st choice (and her friend ended up on a witchcraft option - but that got her a good internship so maybe not a bad choice!).

DD who has switched degree 4 times (once back to a previous option) would say if in doubt go to a introductory lectures for extra subjects as there is a period of grace at the beginning of a semester when you can switch modules.

Great tips, thank you so much.

DD is in her first year at Edinburgh and loving it. We live not far from you in Bedfordshire - EasyJet from Luton is often ridiculously cheap, particularly if they can cope with catching a very early flight. It makes coming home just for a weekend viable. All under 22s get a Young Scot card which gives them free bus travel throughout Scotland and free tram travel in Edinburgh - the trams run to the airport which is helpful. DD is in Mylnes Court, which is one of the cheaper options (flats with shared bathrooms) but in an amazing location on the Royal Mile.

The semester system means they have exams in December and again in late April / May. DD likes this as it means no studying pressure over Christmas. The academic year starts early (mid- September and a week earlier for freshers) and ends early (late May). The early finish does mean they only get short Christmas and Easter breaks. The uni website has a list of universities where they can apply for an exchange year in year 3. We were told that about 50% of those who apply for a year abroad will get a place, based mainly on their grades in Year 1 and a personal statement.

The most important thing to know about Edinburgh is that everywhere is always uphill.

My DD is in her third year now and loves it. She is very introverted so it took her a while to find her tribe but I really think that would be true anywhere.

In her first year she was in Warrender Park next to the Meadows which was fine, there were a relatively high number of foreign students (which includes English students) and there were lots of social activities laid on at the beginning of the year, not all alcohol-related. A lot of students go on to live in private flats in Marchmont which is the same area, so it worked for her.

We are in Hertfordshire too and I don’t think anyone has mentioned the Lumo - a direct train service which takes 4 hours from Stevenage to Edinburgh. Always go from Stevenage, much cheaper than from London.

And my hot tip for you as parents - we always stay in the Premier Inn Hub in Rose St (behind Princes St) - it’s pretty good value if you book ahead and has an excellent breakfast! if you are lucky you get a room with a view of the castle!

If you can, go and visit just to get a feel for the city/uni area/Meadows to see if she thinks it will be a good fit for her.

Mine is Glasgow not Edinburgh but the free buses/free prescriptions certainly apply to English students too. She also loves the 2 semester system. Exams before Xmas, could have a proper break then semester 2.
Scottish rental laws different so there isn’t that mad rush in autumn term to secure a yr2 flat.
Her friends from south all fly home it’s cheaper than train.

Amazing help, thank you so much.

We did visit and she loved it. It felt welcoming, not too large to be overfacing.

I'm guessing she would need warm clothes!

For sure. And good shoes/boots. Arrive with some winter clothes in September. DDs first year flatmate arranged for her mum to bring her warm clothes in late October. She was freezing for a month.

It is wet and windy rather than cold, so good waterproof/windproof coat and boots. There is a new uniqlo on Princes Street for thermals. Dd moved there in 2020 and is now doing postgrad. Apply for a A Young Scot card for u22 free bus travel throughout Scotland and a Young Person railcard. Join the Parents of … facebook group although most are from overseas, it can be amusing but useful info.

Hello! I’ve got a daughter about to go into third year in September, she stayed in chancellors court in pollock, (didn’t realise it was the ‘posh’ one 😁), we are semi local (Scottish Borders) and wanted her to have an en-suite room with catering. It was a great experience - next daughter is starting first year in the autumn, she’s applying for pollock too. Accommodation after halls is a bit of a bunfight, it’s expensive and hard to get but leases tend to be rolling so they can hang onto a good flat once they find it. I’m from Edinburgh- beautiful city, easy access to beach and countryside with all the perks of a big city too. You’ll all love it!

Don’t expect them home at Easter as exams are immediately after it - but the year finishes after exams so they may be home for the summer by the beginning of May.

Private rentals in Scotland are on a rolling contract - not fixed term. So Landlords don’t know if students will leave until a month before they do. This means you can’t fix up accommodation in a private rental flat until the summer when students start leaving. Any more than two unrelated individuals sharing a flat requires an HMO licence so sometimes it is easier to find a flat for two (though if you are a couple you count as one so I know a few flats where three are sharing with two claiming to be a couple). Choose your flatmates very carefully though - currently you can’t end a tendency unless everyone agrees, which sounds great until you realise one flatmate has disappeared home to Indonesia and now uncontactable, and you are a guarantor. This should (hopefully) change later this year to giving the other tenants four months notice.

Common for tenancies to be passed on. My DD took over the tenancy of a final year student and will pass on to another student this May. So can be useful to get to know some final year students who are in good flats.

Thanks all for such helpful information. Love mumsnet for these things!