The University of Edinburgh

Supporting you and your studies

We provide a range of support services to help not only with your academic needs, but also your personal needs.

Academic support

You will have access to academic support throughout your time with us. You will be assigned a personal tutor from within your School who will offer academic guidance and support. We also offer a peer support scheme, guidance on study skills, and a short courses programme to enhance your skills base.

Postgraduate students can also benefit from our Institute for Academic Development (IAD) which provides information, events and courses to develop the skills you will need throughout your studies and in the future.

Libraries and IT

You will have access to 10 libraries, including the third largest academic library in Europe, housing over 4 million printed volumes, E-books: 1.4 million, E-journals: 185,000, and 700 licensed databases. Many Schools also have their own subject-specific libraries.

We have one of the largest campus computing networks in Britain with more than 3,000 computers in a variety of open-access, School and specialised computer labs. You’ll benefit from 30 open-access computer labs with 24-hour access across key locations. Free laptop loans are available from our libraries and there is almost 100% WiFi coverage in our buildings. We also support various methods of remotely accessing university services, computers and file stores from outwith the campus, allowing you to work off-site and still stay secure.

Health, welfare and wellbeing

We care about the health and wellbeing of our students and offer a number of services to ensure you are fully supported.

Newly opened in 2020 is our Health and Wellbeing Centre - a dedicated hub for students. It houses the Student Counselling Service and Disability Services, the University Health Centre and the University Pharmacy.

The Advice Place is a free advice and information centre, which offers independent and confidential advice on any aspect of university life.

If you choose to stay in University accommodation, our Residence Life team are also there to support you 24/7.

Religious and spiritual support and guidance

The Chaplaincy is a safe and welcoming service for people of all faiths and none. Our Chaplain and team of honorary chaplains (encompassing all faiths and none) offer support and guidance to all students. They also run a number of events and courses throughout the year for Mindfulness Wellbeing and Yoga - as well as The Listening Service - for any who would appreciate “a good listening to”.

Childcare

We offer excellent childcare services, making it easier to juggle parenthood and study. We also offer advice on other nurseries, and the Edinburgh University Students’ Association provides support and advice for parents too.

Support for international students

The University’s international office – Edinburgh Global - provides support and assistance to all non-UK applicants and students on a variety of topics, such as visas and working in the UK, and offers appointments and drop-in sessions each week. They also arrange welcome and orientation activities and social events throughout the year.

International students can also take advantage of our interactive web learning tool, Prepare for Success, which contains learning resources to help you find out about academic life in the UK and the skills needed for effective study.

Our English Language Teaching Centre offers courses to improve your academic English in preparation for your studies and free academic English tuition during your studies.

We have five Regional Centres in Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America and East Asia, which support engagement with students, academics and alumni.

Accommodation 

Accommodation for postgraduate students is self-catered and can be found across a range of halls and flats. Flats vary in size, from four to six single study-bedrooms, and are located within easy reach of the University's buildings and the city centre.

The University guarantees an offer of accommodation to all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the EU. For taught postgraduates from within the EU, including the UK, we make every effort to offer University accommodation, but such offers cannot be guaranteed.

If you are a new, single postgraduate research (PhD) student from the UK, EU or outside of the EU, the University guarantees you an offer of accommodation.

Please note that there are certain deadlines to meet in order to guarantee your accommodation offer.

Visit our accommodation website to find out more.

Study with us and you’ll find a lively, close-knit community with plenty of opportunities to meet other students, build your networks and gain new skills and experiences.

Get involved

Edinburgh University Students’ Association has more than 320 societies covering a diverse range of interests. If not, we can help you set up your own. Societies provide a place to meet like-minded people, indulge in a hobby, or simply socialise.

EUSA also offers opportunities for volunteering in the community, so you may find yourself volunteering as a tour guide at a local heritage centre or playing football with local kids. These rewarding experiences will develop your skills and enhance your employability.

If you enjoy being active, or just want to try out a new sport, our Sports Union offers over 60 sports clubs in which to get involved. As one of the top five sporting universities in the UK*, our Centre for Sport and Exercise is regularly voted one of Edinburgh's best fitness facilities.

Venues and events

Edinburgh is home to the world’s oldest purpose-built Students’ Union building, Teviot. The Students' Association offers an array of bars, shops, cafes and entertainment venues. Regular entertainment includes club nights, live music and comedy, plus debates and regular club meetings. Academic schools and colleges, as well as Edinburgh Global, also hold regular student events, so you’ll have lots of opportunities for social activities.

Edinburgh the city

The University is at the heart of the city of Edinburgh. Regularly voted one of the most desirable places to live in the world, Edinburgh is large enough to offer something for everyone but small enough to feel like home. It is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city, with a diverse multicultural community and is ranked 2nd best student city in the United Kingdom, 7th best student city in Europe and 15th in the world**.

Well known for its friendly people, its safe green environment and its compact size – Edinburgh is easy to get around – the city has a great social and cultural life, a busy sporting calendar and a rich history. Edinburgh is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature

Edinburgh’s location is perfect for adventurers – there are few other places in the world with such diverse and readily accessible opportunities, from snowboarding to surfing. Scotland’s natural beauty is as little as a walk or bike ride away from the city limits – from the Pentland Hills to the south to the coastline along the Firth of Forth to the north.

Scotland offers one of the longest coastlines for a country of our size, so a visit to one of the city's beaches is highly recommended. A single day in Edinburgh could see you hillwalking in the morning, lazing on the beach in the afternoon, and enjoying the treasures of the medieval lanes by night.

Visit our city web pages to find out more about our stunning city.

(*British Universities and Colleges Sport 2018/19, **QS Best Student Cities 2019)

Applications for most of our postgraduate programmes are made online through our degree finder. To apply for a programme, look up your chosen programme in the degree finder. Entry requirements vary by programme.

Postgraduate Virtual Open Days

Our Virtual Open Days are ideal for anyone considering postgraduate study - taught programmes or research degrees, on-campus or online. These comprise subject talks and presentations, live chat with students and staff, and essential information on student life, support and services.

If you can’t see us in person or you would like further information, we offer prospective students a range of online information sessions:

- Postgraduate online information sessions

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:

Student Recruitment and Admissions
The University of Edinburgh
33 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9JS
Tel +44 (0)131 650 4360

Enquiry form

You can also ask questions via Facebook.

Follow the University of Edinburgh on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Highly employable graduates

The University of Edinburgh is ranked in the UK’s top 10 universities and in the world’s top 100 universities for the employability of our graduates*. 

We are committed to embedding employability into your teaching and learning experience. From offering access to volunteering schemes, to providing support via our sector-leading Careers Service the University provides many opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, giving you the edge in a competitive job market. We also offer a free service to students who are looking to set up their own business, through Edinburgh Innovations.

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service can offer practical advice and support. We encourage and support our students to plan and work towards their career goals. From online job boards and support tools, to face-to-face contact with employers and our trained staff, you can build networks, gain skills and enhance your employability.

We offer a wealth of guidance and initiatives to help take your career in the right direction, including:

• individual appointments with careers consultants
• access to staffed information centres five days a week
• talks and events
• online resources covering a range of topics from CVs and covering letters to selection tests and assessment centres
• advice and noticeboards for graduate vacancies, part-time vacancies, vacation job vacancies and internship opportunities

Industry links and Innovation

Edinburgh was one of the first UK universities to develop commercial links with industry, government and the professions. Edinburgh Innovations (EI), leads our activities in industry engagement, business development and enterprise support. It has helped launch more than 500 companies since 1967. EI can help you take your first step to market, whether through starting a business or through collaborative research, licensing your discoveries or providing consultancy services.

(*Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Ranking 2019)