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Connect

December

2011

Thank you for making the

University one of your five UCAS

choices. We understand what an

important decision this is, and aim to

simplify what can be a daunting

experience. For those of you who

have applied early in the admissions

cycle, it can feel like a long wait

between submitting your application

and receiving a decision. While we

are considering your application we

thought it would be helpful to give

you a taste of what life at the

University will be like as well as an

insight into what some of our current

students have to say about their time

here.

We are featuring student profiles of

three of our seven Schools in this

edition in order to let you see what

our students have to say about their

time here. There are profiles from the

Schools of Mathematics, Physics &

Astronomy and Chemistry in this

edition and the Schools of

Engineering, GeoSciences,

Informatics and Biological Sciences

will feature in our January edition.

When you submitted your application

form through UCAS, you will have

received an e-mail from us with your

EUCLID login details. EUCLID is a

web based service to allow us to

communicate with you on all aspects

of your application, from initial

decision through to information on

accommodation and registration.

Keep checking your EUCLID inbox for

any communication from us but in the

meantime we thought you might like

some information on Edinburgh and

the University and why we think

Edinburgh should be your first

choice for the next important step

in your life.

Welcome to Connect

7the eZine for students who have applied to

the College of Science & Engineering at

the University of Edinburgh.

What happensnext?

We have received your application

which is currently being held by the

College until the UCAS deadline of

15 January. After this date, our

Admissions Officers will consider

your application alongside all other

suitably qualified applications and

we aim to make decisions as soon

as possible thereafter.

As you have met or are predicted to

meet our minimum entrance

requirements, your application is

now in ‘selection’. You can find out

exactly what we take into

consideration during this process at

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-

departments/science-engineering/

studying/undergraduate/applying/

selectionprocess/school-leavers.

If you receive an offer, one of the

next steps is to consider attending

one of our Post Application Visit

Days. Dates for these will be

available on the relevant School

websites by mid January.

These visit days will allow you the

opportunity to spend time in the

School you have applied to and

meet staff and students who will

give you a deeper insight into the

programme you have chosen to

study. It is also an opportunity to

visit the wider University and the city

to get a better feel for what it would

be like to study here. An invitation to

one of these days will be sent to you

by the School if you have been made

an offer.

Edinburgh, the capital of

Scotland, is a historic, cosmopolitan

and cultured city. One of the most

vibrant cities in Europe, Edinburgh is

safe, student friendly and is regularly

voted as one of the most desirable

places to live in the world. With a

population of around 480,000,

Edinburgh enjoys the social life and

convenience associated with a big

city while still managing to retain a

small town charm. It is easy to get

around on foot, on bicycle or by an

excellent bus service used by

business people, students and the

general public alike. Edinburgh is

also currently working on a tram

system which should be ready in

2013.

The city is famed for its ancient

castle, perched high above the city,

its medieval centre and Georgian

architecture. Historically nicknamed

the ‘Athens of the North’, the city’s

Old and New Towns are designated

UNESCO World Heritage sites.

There are numerous museums and

art galleries to visit as well as a great

selection of restaurants, bars and

clubs. There are several coffee

houses on or nearby each campus;

particularly popular with students is

the Elephant House Café, where JK

Rowling worked on her Harry Potter

novels.

Students can often be found in one

of Edinburgh’s many parks enjoying

a barbeque or picnic. The Meadows

and Bruntsfield Links parks are

The City of Edinburgh:Location, Location, Location

directly adjacent to the George

Square Campus and near most

student accommodation. Holyrood

Park offers 650 acres of grassland

and lochs and is home to Holyrood

Palace, the Queen’s official residence

in Scotland just across the road from

the Scottish Parliament. All this is set

against the stunning backdrop of

Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano.

A climb to the top is well worth it

for the spectacular panoramic views

of Edinburgh and beyond.

Every summer, Edinburgh plays host

to the largest arts festival in the

world. During the Festival the City’s

population doubles in size as visitors

flock to the city to enjoy everything

from comedy and theatre to film and

book recitals. Outdoor spaces are

transformed into bustling bars and

performers line the streets of the

Royal Mile. This all ends in

September with a magnificent

celebration of fireworks and music.

If you fancy getting out of Edinburgh

for the day, or longer, you could take

a trip north and enjoy the dramatic

Highlands of Scotland, just a couple

of hours from Edinburgh by train or

car, or why not spend a weekend

visiting Loch Ness, Loch Lomond

or the Isle of Skye.

Everyone loves Edinburgh, from

Charlotte Bronte “Who indeed that

has once seen Edinburgh, but must

see it again in dreams waking or

sleeping?” to the Black Eyed Peas

“Probably the most beautiful city we

have ever seen” to Christina Aguilera

“I’ve seen the castle, I’ve eaten in

fantastic restaurants, and the people

here are brilliant.”

We think you will love it too, so make

sure you make Edinburgh your first

choice.

You’re not alone

One of the most important

aspects of your studies will be your

accommodation. Whether you

choose self catered flats or Pollock

Halls of Residence there are staff to

help you move in and to offer you

opportunities to meet others and

make friends.

A popular option is to stay in Pollock

Halls of Residence within the

University of Edinburgh. Carla

McShane is part of the wardening

team at Pollock Halls and also a

member of the Recruitment &

Admissions Team within Science and

Engineering. She gives us an insight

into what you can expect!

Q. What can new students expect

when they arrive at Pollock Halls on

their first day?

A. Your key will be ready for you to

collect from the house you have

been allocated. You will get a

warm welcome from all the staff in

your house and your house assistant

will show you to your room. When

you have settled in you are

encouraged to come to the common

room area where there will be tea

and biscuits available and a chance

to meet the other students. You

should remember you are not alone

and that all other students are in the

same position.

Q. How quickly do new students

tend to settle into their new home?

A. New students get to know each

other very quickly. There is a

programme of events during

Freshers week which helps students

Living in EdinburghOne of the most important aspects of student

life will be your accommodation. There is a

wide range of accommodation to choose from,

including self-catered flats and halls of

residence with a full meal plan. Whichever you

choose, there will be staff to help you settle

in and a range of organised social activities

throughout your stay on campus.

meet each other. Particularly during

the first semester there will also be

lots of activities organised by their

house, such as BBQ’s, ceilidhs and

trips to Firbush – which is the

University’s outdoor activities centre.

Q. Would you encourage new

students to apply to live in Pollock

Halls?

A. Definitely, Pollock Halls is a good

choice for 1st year students as it is

catered and there are events

throughout the year so it’s easy to

make friends. Also, the cost of a

single room is inclusive of meals,

insurance for personal belongs and

all electricity & internet costs so it’s

easy to budget for the year. You will

also get your room thoroughly

cleaned once a week and have

the full support of the wardening and

security team.

Thanks Carla!

You are guaranteed an offer of

University accommodation if you are

a new student and you meet

the conditions below:

•Your online accommodation

application is received by 16

August in the year of entry to

University

•You are Unconditional Firm on

UCAS by 30 August in the year of

entry to University

• You reside outside the City of

Edinburgh

• You are studying at the University

of Edinburgh for the whole

academic year, starting in

September.

Accommodation Services provide

catered and self catered residential

accommodation for around 6500

students, together with a variety of

advisory and support services.

The accommodation options available

for 1st year students are explained on

the accommodation website.

For further information including a full

price list and details of how to apply

please visit the Accommodation

Services website at:

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-

departments/accommodation-services

University life is something

Fergus is enjoying very much. He

has joined the Physics Society and

intends to run for president next

year. The independence Fergus has

gained has been important to him.

“The freedom of living on your

own really cannot be understated.

Granted, juggling the workload of

an intensive subject like Physics

with a part-time job can be tiring

at times - but it forces you to

develop good working habits, and

the satisfaction that comes with

handling a lot of work is well

worth it.”

Fergus is enthusiastic about the

academic support he has received

so far. He says the lecturers are,

without exception, really

approachable and are always happy

to discuss material or answer

questions at the end of lectures.

Fergus notes that the labs within the

Physics department are well

equipped and lectures certainly have

not disappointed. Fergus remembers

one lecture in particular when a

practical demonstration of the law of

conservation of linear momentum

involved attaching a fire extinguisher

to an office chair and inviting

students to ride it across the lecture

theatre floor by firing the

extinguisher.

When asked whether he would

recommend the University of

Edinburgh to potential applicants,

Fergus replied “Absolutely! Especially

anybody intending to specialise in

Mathematical or Astrophysics, since

the University offers dedicated

degrees in both disciplines.

Additionally, for your first two years

the material on all Physics degrees is

the same, so there’s always the

option to transfer degree.

Although Fergus is only in his first

year he already knows that he wants

to study towards a PhD on

completion of his MPhys. After that

he intends to get a job although he

notes "instead of spending 40 hours

a week in an office, I’d be working in

Physics research towards the goal of

understanding the universe!”

PH

YSIC

S A

ND

ASTR

ON

OM

YFergus BoyleFergus is a Scottish student, currently in his first

year studying Physics. The University’s excellent

reputation in particle Physics research was

the main reason Fergus chose Edinburgh

over other universities. He was also attracted

by the option to be able to undertake an

undergraduate Masters degree in

Physics.

When discussing my choices,

Edinburgh was always recommended

to me,” says Erik, “not only because

of the academic reputation of the

University, but also because of how

beautiful the city is.”

Erik has now been here for six

months and has already settled into

university life.

“I spent the first few weeks getting

used to things like speaking another

language and the cars driving on the

opposite side of the road,” laughs

Erik, “but thanks to the friendly

people and the warm welcome I

was given by the University, there

was no problem fitting in.”

Erik is managing to combine both his

studies and his social life. He has

joined the Slavic and Baltic Countries

Society and the Maths Society, plays

the piano, and has even found time to

fit in some extra study.

“There are always possibilities to

study more than in the curriculum,”

says Erik, “lecturers and tutors are

very supportive and suggest extra

topics, books etc. I love that we can

ask questions on the material, either

during or after the lectures.”

To relax and take a break from his

studies Erik enjoys walking, especially

around Arthur’s Seat.

“It is very close to my

accommodation at Pollock Halls,”

says Erik, “and has a beautiful view

over the city of Edinburgh.”

It would seem that the

recommendations Erik received from

his fellow Estonians have lived up to

the hype, and now Erik is the one

urging his friends back home to come

to Edinburgh.

“Yes, they were all true,” he confirms,

“I would recommend Edinburgh to

anyone who thrives for knowledge,

loves cultural events or has an affinity

for architecture.”

Erik leaves us with one final piece of

advice for other students arriving in

Edinburgh.

“Don’t be afraid to try something new!

This is what the University is for – to

find out what you are good at, what

you want to do later in your life, and

to try things you might not get

another chance to.”MATH

EM

ATIC

S

Erik PaemurruErik is halfway through his first year of a Maths

degree. He decided to make the move from

Estonia to Edinburgh after hearing from other

Estonians who had already moved here to

study.

Currently in her fourth year

studying Chemistry with

Environmental and Sustainable

Chemistry, Samiko has relished all

opportunities thrown at her. In her first

year she was a member of several

societies including Tango, Japanese

Language Teaching Assistants and of

course the Chemistry Society. She is

also now president of the the

International Student Centre (ISC)

which aims to help make students’

time at the University of Edinburgh

truly unforgettable. “We organise

events, trips and pub nights every

week throughout the semesters. Our

trips in particular have been extremely

popular”. Having outside

commitments other than university

work are very important to Samiko

and the ISC has definitely kept her

excited throughout.

In Samiko’s first year she stayed at

Pollock Halls of residence. Samiko

feels this was a great experience

because her meals were provided but

more importantly because “it definitely

widened my social circle. The

number of freshers you are exposed

to in student residence is immense

and I met some of my close friends,

including my flatmates in Pollock

Halls.”

Samiko felt a little intimidated arriving

at such a big university. However

these worries soon disappeared.

“My Director of Studies has been very

helpful for the whole three years I’ve

been here and he is the one person

who has guided me through from day

one at university until now. Seeing him

always makes me happy”.

Samiko thinks the Chemistry facilities

are fantastic. “I was amazed when I

first saw so many machines, so

many modern and well-maintained

labs that were made available to

the undergraduates.”

Once Samiko graduates she

intends to go back to Japan to study

a Masters programme. She hopes she

will be able to make good use of the

skills she has gained so far.

CH

EM

ISTR

Y

Samiko TakahashiSamiko’s love for Chemistry began in middle

school when she experienced her first science

lesson in a “proper lab”. “Not only did the view

inside the laboratory make my heart beat faster;

what I encountered in that room simply

attracted my mind and has never let

go since.”

College ofScience andEngineeringWeb: www.ed.ac.uk

Email: sciengra@ed.ac.uk

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland,

with registration number SC005336.