Answering your questions about the University of Edinburgh
Ever since I began sharing my experiences of living and studying in Edinburgh, I have been flooded with questions about the application process and life at the University of Edinburgh. Below, I’ve answered some of the most frequent questions I’ve received.
This is a brief introduction to the University, but if you are applying from abroad and looking for more in-depth information on applications, visas, housing, and adjusting to life abroad check out my University of Edinburgh Guide for International Students.
For context, I am American and studied from 2020 to 2021 to get my master's degree in Literature and Modernity.
How to decide if the University of Edinburgh is the right choice
The first step in this whole process is deciding if Edinburgh is a good fit for you. The main factors to consider are:
Does the university have the program you want to pursue?
Can you see yourself living in Scotland?
Can you afford the fees?
There are hundreds of degrees offered for undergraduate and postgraduate students. For a full list of postgraduate programs offered, check the University website here. For undergraduate degrees, check here.
Scotland is a beautiful country, but living there comes with its challenges. How you cope in rainy, gloomy weather is a huge factor in whether or not you’ll enjoy spending an extended period of time in Edinburgh.
Fees for international students are much higher than those for UK students. You can check the current tuition fees for each program here. I discuss this in more detail further in the blog.
How to apply to the University of Edinburgh
This is by far the most asked question, and I totally understand why prospective students might feel intimidated by this process. My main advice is to take it step-by-step and stay as organized as possible.
Your new best friend is going to be the University of Edinburgh website, where you can check things like academic requirements, tuition, housing options, and where you'll actually submit the application. Be sure to look at the right requirements based on your program and if you're applying from within or outside the UK.
My application involved collecting transcripts, academic recommendations, samples of my academic writing to submit along with my personal statement. When I got accepted, I then had to apply for the student visa separately.
For an in-depth guide on applying and student visas, I’ve mapped out the process in my International Students Guide.
Where is the best place to live at the University of Edinburgh?
I’ve made a lot of content about my accommodation at the University of Edinburgh and get lots of curious students asking for my opinion on the various halls. My only experience was with Mylnes Court, so I can’t give a personal insight into the other student residences. However, I do have some advice on what to consider when choosing your top places to live:
Location: being as close to Old Town and the Meadows as possible will make your commute to school easier, but also look out for proximity to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.
Catered or self-catered: do you want to have a dining hall or a kitchen to cook for yourself?
Accessibility: the more historic residence halls can be quite inaccessible for anyone with mobility needs
I loved Mylnes Court for the beautiful views of New College and Princes Street. The historic atmosphere of such an old building and being able to hear bagpipes from my window felt really unique to studying in Edinburgh.
However, because it was hundreds of years old, the wonky stone steps and narrow hallways made it quite inaccessible. Also, the novelty of being located on the top of Royal Mile quickly wore off when I needed to carry my groceries home!
You can find the full list of UoE accommodations here.
How to make friends at the University of Edinburgh
A huge part of feeling comfortable in Edinburgh is finding a sense of community. International students might feel nervous about making friends in a foreign country, but Edinburgh has students from all over the world who share your academic interests and desire to study in Scotland.
I would highly recommend finding or making a group chat for your program where you can get to know people a bit more casually. One of my closest friends is someone who answered one of my visa questions in our course WhatsApp group! Don’t be afraid to reach out because so many people at the University are going through similar experiences and want to find a community just as much as you do.
There are also plenty of student societies where you can find people with similar interests.
Is the University of Edinburgh snobby?
I got a few questions about the viral TikTok where students were asked about a culture of “snobbery” at the University of Edinburgh. What those students were referring to is Edinburgh’s reputation as a popular school for quite wealthy, posh students who keep to themselves in cliquey friend groups.
I did witness this behavior, but it didn’t affect my experience very much as there are plenty of other people who are excited to engage with their fellow students from all backgrounds. If you are approaching this experience with a genuine interest in Scotland and excitement to connect with others, you’re bound to find a community of authentic, friendly people.
How much are tuition fees at the University of Edinburgh?
This is another common question that is difficult to answer because it depends on your degree and where you’re applying from. You can check the fees here, but take into account that you also need to pay for housing.
There are some ways to manage the costs, which include:
Scholarships from the University - they’re quite rare, but worth researching
Financial aid from your home country - as an American, I was able to apply for FAFSA for my studies in Edinburgh
Part-time work - on the student visa, you’re allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during your studies
Where are the best study spots in Edinburgh?
There are plenty of amazing places to study throughout the city. My favorite libraries at the University were the Main Library, Old College Library, and 40 George Square. The New College Library was under renovation when I attended, but it looks absolutely beautiful and I’m very jealous of all the current students who get to study there!
For cafes, check out Black Medicine Coffee, Cairngorms Coffee, Soderberg Cafes, Fortitude Coffee, and Hideout Cafe.
If you’re interested in more of my favorite spots in Edinburgh, check out my recommendation map here. A link to this map is also included in the International Students Guide.
I hope I’ve answered your questions and made the process of applying to the University a bit less intimidating. I’m crossing my fingers for any prospective students to secure a spot at the University of Edinburgh!
If you have any other questions or want to share your journey at the University of Edinburgh please reach out on Instagram!
