EmmaN
From: United States
7/11/2004 17:42 EST
Hello! My name is Emma. I am an American student seriously considering studying at the University of Edinburgh, either as a regular international student or as a study abroad student. From what I understand, university in Scotland is quite different from university in the United States. Could anyone explain to me what it is like? I am used to picking out four or five separate courses each semester, going to each class two or three times a week, taking exams throughout the course, and writing a few papers, depending on the class. How different is that from university in Scotland? What do the professors expect from their students? Would my experience be any different if I were a study abroad student rather than a regular student? I would like to know what I should expect before committing to go, so I would appreciate any advice and explanations you can give. Thanks!
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Curious
From: United Kingdom
7/12/2004 23:05 EST
Hi Emma,
My name is Garry I've been a lifelong citizen here in Bonnie Old Scotland. I was a mature Student (34) studying in the catering industry up until Sept. of last year. Scotlands uni's are pretty spectacular to say the least. I shant go into any detail about them as I'm hoping the links I give you will allow you to do this for yourself.
However I am curious as to why you've chosen Edinburgh to study in over Glasgow??
Glasgow as a whole has a far nicer culture -environment - class of people - layout especially transport wise & the arcitecture here has such much more to offer than that in Edinburgh.
I suppose as Edinburgh is after all the Capitol of Scotland this is what attracts so many people to it.
Don't be fooled by this however as for that very reason it's a much more difficult place to commute around & reside in than Glasgow.
Public transport will take an hour to commute between both places anyway, so touring whilst studying is not as difficult as one would imagine.
OK 'nough said... Simply come to Glasgow it's FAR nicer a place to be... After all our motto is... Glasgows
(S)miles Better!
Emma you will be able to get just about any information you require on the following...
Edinburgh University is viewable at...
http://www.ed.ac.uk/
or by calling +441316501000
Glasgow University is viewable at...
http://www.gla.ac.uk/
or by calling +441413302000
As a point of interest you may wish to add... visitors/index.html
after the back slash at uk in the Glasgow Uni address. There you will find all about Glasgow & it's 14th century built Uni.
I hope this information is of some use to yourself & if you have any other queries regading our cold damp but beautiful country you may contact me at...
itch2mitch2antithesis@yahoo.com.
Hope you find what your looking for Emma you'll LOVE Scotland if you decide to come over.
Take care & stay cool Emma from Sotias Shores.
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Mar78
From: France
7/12/2004 23:53 EST
Hi Emma,
My best friend spent a semester at the University of Edinburgh a few years ago. If you e-mail me, I will put you in touch with her. I am sure she would love to answer any questions you may have.
My e-mail address is Mar78@aol.com.
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leagal
From: United States
7/13/2004 04:01 EST
I am also an American studying in the UK. I am currently working on my Master's at Cardiff University. I don't know if you're an undergrad or a graduate student, but I can tell you from my experience that UK universities expect *a lot* more work from their studens, at least at the graduate level. My course is considered "full-time" and believe me, it takes up almost all my time, seven days a week. But I know that I will come out of it with a much better education than I would if I had studied for my Master's in the United States (and I think the academics here feel the same way). That said, the experience of living in the UK is worth all of it!
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EmmaN
From: United States
7/13/2004 15:29 EST
Thanks so much everyone for the quick and enthusiastic responses!
Garry, the reason I was thinking about Edinburgh is because I know some people who will be moving there soon. I also know other people who know other people who live there. I thought it might be a little less scary move if I already knew a couple people in the city. What are the main differences between Glasgow and Edinburgh? Why would Glasgow University be a better choice? Thanks for the links. I will definitely check them out. I will also look into Glasgow.
Mar78, did your friend participate in a study abroad program? If so, was it one through her school? I would really like to talk to someone who could explain what it is like. I am leaving town tomorrow for a week, but I will probably be emailing you within the next few.
leagal, I am an undergraduate student. What made you decide to study in the UK? I expected it would be a lot more work than in the US, but is it really *that* much more? I thought there would probably be a lot more writing. Am I correct? Also, do you know if American employers generally accept degrees from the UK?
Thanks again everyone for all the info.
~Emma
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cherimstar
From: United States
3/23/2005 16:34 EST
Hi Emma
I am not a univ student but spent all of 2003 living in Crieff, Scotland. My suggestion is to go no matter where you attend school. I spent 14 months in Jerusalem studying with the abroad program from San Diego State and it was probably the highlight of my life.
Scotland is truly beautiful. I couldn't presume to tell you where to go to school but be sure to check out the University at St Andrews also. St Andrews is an incredibly beautful city, more so than either Glasgow or Edinburgh. The gentleman is right about Glasgow's transportation being easier but Edinburgh is a more beautiful city. A few other things to consider--Glasweigans are way more friendly than the people from Edinburgh--really true. My recommendation is if you can get to Scotland to view these places for yourself firsthand before you make your decision would be a good idea. They are all so very different.
Be sure to get up into the Highlands as that is where the true beauty of the country is. Jaw-dropping and stunning beauty.
Happy Travels and Studying
Cheri
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jpswain
From: Colombia
7/1/2005 10:30 EST
Dear Emma,
My name is Patrick Swain; I'm from North Carolina and am currently a student UoE. Before I chose to go, I had already spent a year at another college in the U.S.; I only have good things to say about my time so far in Edinburgh. Yes, the course work is different; this past year, I had three year long courses, not the five a semester that I got in the U.S.- it was different to be sure, but I liked it alot. That said, I wasn't given credit for my work at the U.S. college because it had all been gen-ed type of stuff, and they don't do that at Edinburgh- I went strait into work in my major field, history. I had three lectures a week for each class and one tutoiral session either weekly or bi-weekly. The only exams I had were at Christmas and the end of the year- although I had to write a copious amount of essays for each class. Students at UoE are expected to take a pro-active approach to their learning and read heavily outside of class- the lectures are supposed to just be a starting point for each subject. Between lectures and tutorials, I spent 14-15 hours a week in class and probably the same amount outside doing reading or researching an essay topic. That may sound like a lot, but I felt that I learned alot more about my subjects than I ever had in the U.S. As to whether study abroad or direct enrollment is the way forward for you depends really on how far along you are in your studies and what you want out of them. Finally, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose, and hope to see you on George Square soon.
J.P.S
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