5 reasons to study at The University of Edinburgh

Edina! Scotia’s darling seat! All hail thy palaces and tow’rs,

Where once, beneath a Monarch’s feet, sat Legislation’s sov’reign pow’rs;

…

Here Wealth still swells the golden tide, as busy Trade his labours plies;

There Architecture’s noble pride, bids elegance and splendour rise…

Robert Burns, Address to Edinburgh

In April this year, Edinburgh, affectionately known as ‘Auld Reekie’ or ‘Old Smokey’, was voted best city in the UK for the third consecutive year, beating even the likes of London, in a Telegraph poll of 75,000 people.

Why? Says the respected publication: “From the history-soaked medieval tenements, vennels and wynds of the Old Town to the sweeping elegance of the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and compelling cities in the world.”

From lively, modern shopping streets to crooked, cobbled avenues, Edinburgh’s perfect blend of old-world charm and modernity contributes to its status as a stunning World Heritage Site. The iconic Edinburgh Castle looms over the city’s rustic skyline, and yet the quirky ‘Seat of Scotia’ stays charmingly enriched with a pure dynamism, hosting a wealth of beloved global festivals, quirky clubs and bars, avant-garde theatre shows and cutting-edge art exhibitions.

And you know what?

Students at the University of Edinburgh get to experience the best of it all…

Here are 5 reasons why you should study at The University of Edinburgh:

1. Umm…because it’s in EDINBURGH!

As if that lyrical intro wasn’t enough to get you packing your bags and hopping on a plane to the highlands, here are some pretty awesome facts to highlight how amazing the Scottish capital really is:

• Edinburgh castle is in fact built on the site of an extinct volcano
  

  A photo posted by Edinburgh Castle (@edinburghcastle) on Dec 8, 2015 at 8:59am PST

• The Scottish Enlightenment of the 18^th Century actually began in Edinburgh. As one of contemporary society’s defining intellectual and scientific movements, the Enlightenment produced a number of influential philosophical, economical and scientific figures, such as David Hume, James Watt, Frances Hutcheson and James Hutton.
• Edinburgh has more listed buildings than any other city in the world.
  

  A photo posted by This is Edinburgh (@thisisedinburgh) on Sep 12, 2016 at 1:33pm PDT

• J.K. Rowling penned the first of her blockbuster series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, in a quaint little Edinburgh café. While many name the Elephant House Café as the birthplace of HP, it was in fact largely written at a different Edinburgh café – Nicholson’s, now the Spoon restaurant on Nicholson Street. Rowling was a pretty frequent visitor at Nicholson’s, due to it being owned by her brother-in-law.
  

  
  Image courtesy of onlyinediburgh.com

   

• Edinburgh is home to a wealth of world-class, global festivals, including:
  • The Edinburgh Fringe Festival
    

    A photo posted by Edinburgh Festival Fringe (@edfringe) on Aug 29, 2016 at 12:02pm PDT

  • The Scottish International Storytelling Festival
  • Edinburgh International Science Festival
  • Edinburgh International Film Festival
    

    A photo posted by Edinburgh Int Film Fest (@edfilmfest) on Jun 15, 2016 at 5:22am PDT

  • Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
  • …and heaps more!!

2. Scottish undergraduate programmes are broad and extremely flexible…

So on top of living in one of the coolest cities in the world, Edinburgh students benefit from Scotland’s flexible, four-year undergraduate experience.

Scottish degree programmes are specially-designed to incorporate four years of comprehensive study, providing students with a world-class education that’s as flexible as it is precise. Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who knows exactly which path you want to take upon completion of your degree, you can still opt to pursue additional subjects to add valuable breadth and depth to your sterling education.

Advantages of the four-year degree:

• Enhance your career prospects with a broad education that’s in-demand by global employers
• Experience new subjects without the need for long-term commitment – discover new passions, take your career in a brand new direction or simply improve your CV
• Hone your personal strengths and tailor your programme accordingly
• Nurture your talents, develop a broad range of skills and expand your intellectual ability
• Broaden your horizons by spending a year overseas – an exciting opportunity available in the majority of Edinburgh’s programmes
  

3. All of Edinburgh’s courses are taught by leading researchers of the field…

Edinburgh students learn via a mixture of independent study, lectures, tutorials, and various other measures that are delivered by the institution’s expert faculty. As an outstanding, global Russell Group university, ranked 19^th in the world by the prestigious QS University Rankings, Edinburgh provides high-class, innovative teaching to help students unleash their full potential.

As a testament to the quality of teaching on offer at this institution, 80 percent of Edinburgh’s graduates qualify with a 1^st or 2:1 degree, a fact that’s validated by the Quality Assurance Agency.

 

A photo posted by The University of Edinburgh (@edinburghuniversity) on Jul 28, 2016 at 10:33pm PDT

4. The University of Edinburgh is research-intensive…

With an impressive history of invention, discovery and innovation, The University of Edinburgh uses its powerful research to improve the lives of the people.

In fact, Edinburgh’s research excellence ranks the institution top in Scotland, as well as a notable fourth within the United Kingdom. Research conducted at the university’s three Colleges: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Medicine & Veterinary Medicine and Science & Engineering, has extensive regional, national and global impact.

 

A photo posted by The University of Edinburgh (@edinburghuniversity) on May 20, 2016 at 6:24am PDT

5. Edinburgh boasts unparalleled graduate outcomes…

A study abroad experience at The University of Edinburgh will equip you with the skills, insights and perspectives needed to enhance your career and employment prospects, hence why the university ranked 23^rd in the world in the latest Global Employability Ranking.

 

A photo posted by The University of Edinburgh (@edinburghuniversity) on May 12, 2016 at 5:36am PDT

“I began at Edinburgh studying history but through outside courses I realised I wanted to be part of the Geography department,” says Grant Macdonald, a former Edinburgh student.

“…Importantly, the course gave me an opportunity not just to consume knowledge but create it. A highlight was my trip to Greenland to work with doctoral students and gather data for my dissertation,” he adds. “…This led me to work at the environmental institute in Chile following graduation, a fantastic experience that involved many weeks camping in the Andes.

“Now I am reading for an MPhil in Polar Studies at the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University and I hope to go onto do a PhD soon,” Grant concludes. “I believe I owe my current situation to the experiences, courses and personal support I received during my degree at Edinburgh.”

 

A photo posted by The University of Edinburgh (@edinburghuniversity) on Aug 29, 2016 at 10:03pm PDT

As the writer Robert Louis Stephenson once said, “Edinburgh is what Paris ought to be,” and we’d just like to add that the likes of London, New York, Berlin, Milan and other global cosmopolitan players are also pretty jealous of Scotia’s darling seat…

So if you want the best in the world of higher education, it’s time to submit your application to The University of Edinburgh – investing in your future with innovation and inspiration.

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