Edinburgh University - Russell Group/World-Class/Fant astic University (University of Edinburgh in general)

Member Name: edindave

Product:	University of Edinburgh in general
Date:	10/06/09 (183 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful city, lots of support from staff, fantastic teaching, world-renowned.

Disadvantages: The weather leaves a little to be desired during the winter months!

The University of Edinburgh's reputation goes before it. It is continually ranked in the top ten universities in the UK and is part of the elite Russell Group of universities - a marker that the university is renowned for its research and contribution to academia. Along with St Andrew's and Glasgow, Edinburgh University is one of Scotland's "Big Three" and a degree from this university is recognised as being world-class throughout the world.

Situated in the centre of Edinburgh, the main university buildings are found in and around George Square. This is next to the meadows part of the city and means that it is very green and relaxing. The buildings themselves are a little less beautiful - there are some prime examples of 60s brutalist office buildings, including the main library which bears more than a passing resemblance to a multi-storey car park.

However, alongside these concrete buildings, there are some traditional streets that have been bought be the university over time and are now used as classrooms. The George Square area is used primarily for Arts and Social Sciences degree teaching. There are lecture theatres behind the David Hume Tower as well as next to the main library all of which seat around 300 people.

The law school is in the historic Old College building on South Bridge. This is a few minutes from George Square and forms one of the most beautiful parts of the university. The tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the city and the Principal of the University's office in set within this building too.

The theoretical parts of Medical degrees are taught in the medical buildings off Bristo Square and these are, once again, some very beautiful buildings which back onto the historic McEwan Hall. The vet school is situated just off the meadows and the main science buildings can be found at King's Buildings (KB) which is a little distance along Mayfield Road - there is a free shuttle bus between the two main areas every 15 minutes or so.

The teaching and research at the university is continually ranked at world class levels and the standard of the academic staff is outstanding in most if not all departments. There is a strong sense of support throughout the university with every student being allocated a Director of Studies who is a first point of call for all problems and questions.

The student mixture is a healthy ratio of Scottish:Rest of UK students. There is a large number of English students which makes this university different from the University of Glasgow that has a large number of Scottish students and few English students. Class sizes and tutorial sizes are regularly kept low and lectures are usually at around 250-300 people in popular Arts/Social Science degrees but lecturers are happy to take individual/ personal questions following the lecture so that students do not simply feel like a number.

Graduations take place in the McEwan Hall which is an absolutely beautiful building and the ceremony of it all makes one glad that Edinburgh was one's choice at the time of making such a huge decision.

Socially, there are two main student unions, Teviot and Potterrow. Students are free to use both of them interchangeably and many do so. As well as these two places, there are countless bars and clubs which welcome students. There is little if any conflict with the local people unlike universities like Durham so the whole experience is somewhat more relaxed.

I am glad I chose to go to university in Edinburgh. As a graduate, I am able to use the library facilities for the rest of my life and the degree has given me skills that I can put to use in whatever walk of life I find myself. Everyone values an Edinburgh University degree and if you are about to make the choice of where to go, there are a LOT worse places that you could find yourself than Edinburgh. A lot of people come here for four years of university and find it impossible to ever leave!

Summary: World-class university with world-class teaching in a world-class city.