Sports Calendar

For those wishing to get involved in university activities there are a wide range of societies from the pizza club to the ancient Diagnostics society who stage debates in black tie under candlelight. In recent years the student newspaper and Bedlam university theatre group have enjoyed particular success with both picking up national awards. For budding politicos the student union, EUSA, is generally heavily involved with the running of the university and, while much of the student populace favours apathy, left-leaning groups such as People & Planet stage regular sit-ins and the like.

For the sport-inclined, the university has recently unveiled a multimillion-pound new gym where students can buy membership for a fraction of the price of others. There is also a strong tradition of sporting achievement with the several teams currently being British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) champions and the Football First XI having reached the first round of the Scottish FA cup this year, a rare achievement for a university team.

Accommodation:

For first year students the huge catered Pollock Halls facility is available along side other smaller university owned self-catering flats. Pollock holds around 3000 people but there is a roughly even split between there and students opting for self-catering accommodation. The former is good for meeting a large amount of people but serves shoddy food and can often feel like living in a student ghetto, although for those seeking a "Van Wilder: Party Liaison"-style atmosphere it would greatly appeal. It is secure, with guards patrolling the area 24 hours a day, but can often become claustrophobic and many are pleased to leave it for their own rented flats come second year.

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Pollock tends to be dominated by boarding school and private school students who seem to enjoy the way in which it provides a similar environment to their previous educational establishments. The rooms also rarely come with their own kitchen so there is little choice but to eat the food they serve in the canteen or eat out.

Unless the above appeals, self-catering halls are recommended, particularly the buildings located on the Cowgate or in other areas close to George Square, the area where the vast majority of the university facilities and the library are situated. They do not have the same security as the gated Pollock enclave but are perfectly safe and allow far more flexibility and independence in terms of eating. You are also likely to meet a greater variety of people and have more personal space though the shared toilets can become stressful if someone had too much drink the night before or struggled to digest a dodgy curry.

Support:

Student support is strong with excellent facilities available for those suffering from learning difficulties and other disabilities, and hardship funds are available for those struggling financially. The careers facilitates are also efficient for advice and providing information on internships but are sometimes better for Scottish opportunities than those in other parts of the UK. However, all notable employers such as major banks and legal firms come regularly to careers fairs for those wishing to subject themselves to such fields.

For those looking to pay their way through their studies there are numerous opportunities to work in the union bars and cafes for a good rate of pay and during the summer hundreds positions become available as the Fringe Festival gears up for August.

For those with difficulties with mobility, most of the university buildings have adequate wheelchair access and university-owned student accommodation is required to have ground floor rooms reserved especially for those who need them. These students are also given the option to have accommodation for a carer if required and lecture halls are, for the most part, easily accessible.

There are also many opportunities for volunteer work both through the university and outside it. There are homeless shelters that are usually keen for help and a drive by the Scottish Executive has seen the establishment of new organisations such as the Volunteer Centre and the student specific Student Volunteer Centre.

What sets it apart

Edinburgh is a unique city to study in, mixing the stunning architecture of the New Town and the views of the surrounding mountains with the status of a major world city, complete with its own Parliament, press and, of course, the best arts festival in the world each summer.

Cheap haunts you should check out

The Mosque Kitchen

Brass Monkeys

The Human Be-Inn

Coffee Etc

Sandy Bells Pub

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