2021 Undergraduate Guide - i - The University of Edinburgh
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Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh i Undergraduate Guide 2021
www.ed.ac.uk 01
Top We’re consistently
ranked one of the top
50
50 universities in the
world. We’re 20th in “You are now in a place where the best
the 2020 QS World courses upon earth are within your
University Rankings.
reach… such an opportunity you will
never again have.”
2 4
ND TH
Edinburgh is ranked We’re ranked
Thomas Jefferson
American Founding Father and President, speaking
to his son-in-law Thomas Mann Randolph as he began
his studies here in 1786
the second best fourth in the UK
student city in for research power,
the UK and 7th based on the 2014
in Europe.* Research Excellence
Framework.†
£10m
Our students accessed undergraduate
financial support totalling more than
£10 million in 2018/19.
Top 19 TH
10
We’re ranked in the
We're ranked
19th in the world's
most international
universities‡. Since
2010, we have taught
top 10 in the UK students from 160
and in the top 100 countries.
in the world for the
employability of our
graduates.§
* QS Best Student Cities 2019
† Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions
§ Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Ranking 2019
‡ Times Higher Education, The World's Most International Universities 2020
02 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 03
Open to
a world of
possibilities
We live in a complex, fast-changing
world and we’re honest about the
significant challenges facing us all.
As a leading global university, we
know education will play a vital
role solving those challenges and
relish our shared responsibility to
respond to them.
That’s why we’re open to everyone. We will widen participation
and bring people together from a range of backgrounds and
experiences. We welcome people with new outlooks and
perspectives into an international community that values each
individual and the contribution they make.
Together, we will be open to change. We will adapt and work in
new ways that disrupt the status quo or overturn established
ways of thinking. We will do this without boundaries, in open
facilities, where our students, academics and researchers come
together with commercial companies and the public sector to
breathe the same air, learn from each other and create solutions
side by side.
For more than 400 years, we’ve seen the benefits such
collaborations bring. Being open to the world today brings
greater potential and possibilities for tomorrow.
04 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 05
For you, the possibilities start with the
58 subjects and more than 400 degrees
we offer. Many of these are joint
honours degrees, offering innovative
cross-disciplinary subject combinations.
Some of our degrees let you study a single
subject in depth, developing a deep
understanding of one area. Others feature
an open and flexible structure with options
to tailor your own studies. This lets you
choose whether to experience a wide range
of topics before you specialise, or sample
multiple subjects in a broader degree.
Our global links offer you possibilities
for fieldwork, industry placements and
study abroad opportunities, and our
research-led, industry-informed teaching
incorporates the latest developments in
your field.
“My programme is
preparing me for
my future career by
addressing issues
from many different
perspectives, which
is necessary in our
globalised world, as
well as presenting me
with opportunities to
volunteer and go abroad.”
Manisha Thill
MA (Hons) Health, Science & Society
06 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 07 As one of Scotland’s four ‘ancient’ universities, many of our full-time degrees in the humanities and social sciences, are undergraduate masters qualifications that require four years of study. In science and engineering we offer four-year bachelors degrees or five-year integrated masters. We also offer a smaller number of other qualifications including LLB, as well as a few degrees with shorter or longer full-time study durations. These range from three to five or even six years (MBChB Medicine). If you have excelled at your studies so far, you may have the option to start in the second year of some of our science, engineering and art and design degrees. We also offer an expanding range of options for students on a Higher National Certificate or Diploma. Alternatively, if you’re considering a year out before you go to university, you may be able to apply for deferred entry.* *Applications for BVM&S Veterinary Medicine or international applications for MBChB Medicine will not be considered for deferred entry. Please contact us to check before you apply.
08 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degree-structure Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 09
Study in breadth My story
“Coming to the University has been
one of the defining moments of my
to travel to Israel and Jordan to visit
historical sites in the Middle East –
and in depth
life. The four-year degrees allow trips that I would not have been able
a great deal of flexibility and I have to afford otherwise.
been able to fully explore my interests
“Edinburgh has opened up many doors
in different subjects.
to me and although it is undoubtedly
“I applied to study MA (Hons) French & a huge learning curve, it is well worth the
Classics and took a linguistics option in journey. Through the flexibility of the
Year 1, alongside other history courses, four-year system, I have gained knowledge
then economics in Year 2. This offered in areas that a shorter structure would
me the opportunity to study courses not have allowed. This has given me a
that weren’t available at school and, in grounding in a variety of fields which, in
When you choose to study with us, you’ll find that particular, to explore periods of history turn, gives me transferable skills I can take
many degrees take four years to complete. This is to a greater extent. That led to my change
in programme to MA (Hons) Ancient &
into my career.”
an approach that’s common not just to Scotland Medieval History. Since then I have been Tabitha James,
lucky enough to receive a scholarship MA (Hons) Ancient & Medieval History
but across Europe and in the US.
Studying a four-year degree allows you As you move into Year 3, you’ll have the
to benefit from greater flexibility and confidence to say with certainty which
choice during your studies than might be area you want to specialise in for your final
offered in a shorter degree elsewhere. degree. You’ll also take up any option to
You’ll usually have the time to try different study abroad, or any industrial placement
subjects before you concentrate your offered on your degree, usually during Year
studies for your final degree. Some 3 before returning to the University for your
students find these experiences change final year. You’ll then focus on the in-depth
their mind about the degree or specialism studies required for your degree across
they want to qualify in and allow them to a series of Year 4 compulsory courses
take advantage of the flexibility to refocus. and a final project or dissertation. This
will allow you to graduate with a versatile
How it works combination coveted by prospective
On most of our degrees in the arts, employers – a specialist focus built on a
humanities, engineering, science, and broad base of interdisciplinary experience.
social sciences, you’ll be able to study a
range of subjects in Years 1 and 2 before Benefits at a glance
you decide which area to specialise in • Enhance your career prospects,
for your final degree. You’ll study the gaining a broad education that is
compulsory courses that are required for attractive to employers.
your degree and in addition will be able to
• Experience new subjects without the
choose a number of option courses either
need to commit long-term – discover
from areas related to your degree or from
new passions, take your career in a
different parts of the University.
“Edinburgh is one of the top new direction or enhance your CV.
Using your option course choice, you’ll
campuses that we target for be able to choose to study up to three
• Discover where your strengths lie and
recruitment. If you are looking tailor your degree accordingly.
subjects in Year 1, then continue those
for a university that will give subjects or swap some out as you • Nurture your talents, develop a broad
you the skills and experiences move into Year 2. It’s flexible, letting range of skills and grow intellectually
you try subjects without committing over a longer period of time.
to have a successful career, to them long term, and personal. You’ll
then Edinburgh is a good • Develop a global outlook –
develop academically and intellectually,
opportunities to study abroad are
place to start.” discovering which subjects suit your
possible on most of our degrees.
interests and aptitudes and which are
Proctor & Gamble the best fit for your career aspirations.
10 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/teaching Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 11
New
Research-led teaching
Our world-class academics are leaders in their fields, conducting
groundbreaking research that directly informs the teaching you
“Getting taught by lecturers receive. Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Higgs, for example,
ways of
who were carrying out their proposed the Higgs boson while he was still a lecturer here.
own research and would The principle of research-led teaching means your lecturers will
incorporate their latest research in the teaching you receive,
allow you to work alongside allowing them to share their discoveries with students. You may
learning
have the opportunity to get involved in research that will allow
them was a dream come you to delve more deeply into your chosen subject. This will
true to me.” not only develop your analytical skills, but will help you prepare
for the next steps in your career whether that’s in industry or
Brenda Mionki postgraduate study.
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
(Biochemistry) Industry placements
A number of our degrees offer you the opportunity to get involved
and sample life on the front line of your future career with an
industry placement. These can be short placements or in some
cases a full year out. They offer an unrivalled opportunity to hone
Choosing to study with us means more your skills and put theory into practice under genuine working
conditions, tackling live projects side-by-side with your peers.
than choosing to sit in our lecture theatres. In some cases, you will be required to find and secure your own
placement and in others you will be recruited competitively by
the companies offering the positions. Industry placements offer
For many of you, it will mean adopting a whole new approach to
you an opportunity to broaden your horizons, gain valuable
your own education that differs from what you experienced at
insights into the professional application of your chosen degree,
school or college.
and enhance your future career prospects.
You will become an independent learner, working collaboratively
with us to enhance and enrich your own education. You’ll need to Study abroad
be proactive, seeking out and seizing the opportunities we offer We’re one of the world leaders in international student
while managing your own time, learning new ways of studying exchanges, offering more than 1,400 opportunities to study
and developing independent learning skills to meet the demands abroad across 300 different destinations. Exchanges are
of your degree. We’ll work with you of course, providing help possible on most of our degrees and the exact options open to
and guidance on how to study most effectively and how best to you depend on what you’re studying. Our exchange partners
succeed in this new environment. We’ll nurture and support your include CalTech (the California Institute of Technology), the
development as a confident learner with the attributes required National University of Singapore, Seoul National University,
for success at the University and beyond. and the Universities of Auckland, Amsterdam, Copenhagen,
Hong Kong, Melbourne, Pennsylvania, and Toronto. You’ll gain
Our approach career-boosting international experiences, broaden your network
In addition to lectures and tutorials, you’ll experience a range of of friends, and develop new perspectives on your subject
other ways of learning when you study with us. and insights into a foreign culture. Securing a place can be
competitive – you’ll usually apply during Year 2 then study abroad
Practical and lab sessions are common in many of our science,
in Year 3 – and most of our students go abroad for the full year but
engineering and health-related degrees, giving you the
shorter semester-only options are available.
opportunity to put what you’ve learned into practice and conduct
your own live experiments and other bench work. Fieldwork is
a feature of our degrees in areas such as geography and Earth
sciences. It will take you away from the University, bringing theory
to life in the field as you study the natural world both here in “The freedom you’re given with projects to
Scotland and overseas. interpret briefs and tailor them to your own
Art and design students can also expect to spend a lot of time style, concept and imagination is one of the
in the studio. You will have your own studio space and will be things I’ve enjoyed most.”
expected to develop your own skills, responding to creative briefs
through project-based learning. You will also have opportunities Callum Miller
to exhibit. BA (Hons) Performance Costume
12 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 13
Decisions, A Ecology Chemistry Performance Costume
Degree index
Evolutionary Biology Chemical Physics Product Design
Genetics Chemistry Textiles
Accounting
Immunology
decisions…
Medicinal & Biological Chemistry
Accounting & Business
Molecular Biology
E
Accounting & Finance Chinese
Molecular Genetics
Agricultural Science Plant Science Chinese Earth Sciences
Agricultural Economics Zoology Chinese & Economics Environmental Geoscience
Animal Science Chinese & French Geology
Biomedical Sciences Chinese & German Geology & Physical Geography
Crop & Soil Science
Anatomy & Development Chinese & History Geophysics
Global Agriculture & Food Security
Biomedical Sciences Chinese & Linguistics Geophysics & Geology
Arabic & Persian Biomedical Informatics* Chinese & Russian Studies Geophysics & Geology with
Arabic Infectious Diseases Chinese & Spanish Professional Placement
Arabic & Ancient Greek Integrative Biomedical Sciences* Geophysics & Meteorology
Arabic & Business Neuroscience Classics Geophysics & Meteorology with
The following list shows you the wide range of degrees Arabic & Economics Pharmacology Ancient & Medieval History
Professional Placement
we currently offer. Open your mind to the hundreds of Arabic & French Physiology Ancient History
Geophysics with Professional
Arabic & History Reproductive Biology Ancient History & Greek
options available and find a degree that’s perfectly suited Ancient History & Latin
Placement
Arabic & Persian
to your personal interests and career aspirations. If you’re Arabic & Politics
Business Classical & Middle East Studies Ecological & Environmental
Business & Economics Classical Archaeology & Ancient History Sciences
still nailing down exactly what you want to study, you Arabic & Social Anthropology
Business & Geography Classical Archaeology & Greek Ecological & Environmental Sciences
Arabic & Spanish
may prefer to start with the subjects we offer, which are Persian & English Literature
Business & Law Classical Archaeology & Latin Ecological & Environmental Sciences
Business Management
highlighted in bold. For much more detail on our subjects Persian & Middle Eastern Studies
Business with Decision Analytics
Classical Studies with Management
Persian & Social Anthropology Classics
and on the individual degrees we offer, please visit our Persian Studies
Business with Enterprise & Innovation Classics & English Language
Economics
Business with Human Resource Economics
degree finder: Classics & Linguistics
Archaeology Management Greek Studies
Economics & Accounting
Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations Business with Marketing Economics & Mathematics
Latin Studies
www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Archaeology Business with Strategic Economics Economics & Politics
Archaeology & Ancient History Finance & Business Cognitive Science (Humanities) Economics & Sociology
Archaeology & Social Anthropology International Business Cognitive Science (Humanities) Economics & Statistics
International Business with Arabic Economics with Environmental Studies
Architecture and Architectural Computer Science (Informatics)
International Business with Chinese Economics with Finance
History & Heritage Artificial Intelligence
International Business with French Economics with Management Science
Architectural History & Archaeology Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science
Architectural History & Heritage International Business with German
International Business with Italian Cognitive Science (Computing) Education
Architecture Computer Science Childhood Practice
International Business with Japanese
Art Computer Science & Management Learning in Communities
International Business with Russian
Art International Business with Spanish Science Physical Education
Fine Art Computer Science & Mathematics Primary Education with Gaelic
Intermedia Art C Computer Science & Physics (Fluent Speakers)
Painting Data Science (Graduate Apprenticeship) Primary Education with Gaelic
Photography Celtic Informatics (Learners)
Sculpture Celtic Software Engineering
Celtic & Archaeology Engineering
B Celtic & English Language
D Chemical Engineering
Celtic & English Literature Civil Engineering
Biological Sciences Celtic & French Design Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
Biochemistry Celtic & Linguistics Animation Electronics & Computer Science
Biological Sciences Celtic & Scandinavian Studies Fashion Electronics & Electrical Engineering
Biological Sciences with Management Celtic & Scottish History Film & Television Engineering
Biotechnology Celtic & Scottish Literature Graphic Design Mechanical Engineering
Cell Biology Illustration Structural & Fire Safety Engineering
Development, Regeneration & Stem Cells Interior Design Structural Engineering with
Jewellery & Silversmithing Architecture
*These degrees are based in China at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE). Visit: www.ed.ac.uk/biomedical-sciences
14 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 15
English Language German & Philosophy L O Russian Studies & Politics Sociology
Degree index
English Language German & Politics Russian Studies & Scandinavian Studies Sociology
English Language & Literature German & Portuguese Landscape Architecture Oral Health Sciences Russian Studies & Social Policy Sociology & Politics
German & Russian Studies Landscape Architecture Oral Health Sciences Russian Studies & Spanish Sociology & Psychology
English Literature & German & Scandinavian Studies
Scottish Literature German & Social Policy Law P S Sociology & Social Anthropology
Sociology with Quantitative Methods
English & Scottish Literature German & Spanish Law (Graduate Entry)
English Literature Law (Ordinary and Honours) Philosophy Scandinavian Studies Spanish, Portuguese & Latin
English Literature & Classics H Law & Accountancy Philosophy Scandinavian Studies (Danish, American Studies
English Literature & History Law & Business Philosophy & Economics Norwegian, Swedish) Portuguese
Scottish Literature Health, Science & Society Law & Celtic Philosophy & English Language Scandinavian Studies & Classics Portuguese & English Language
Scottish Literature & Classics Health, Science & Society Law & Economics Philosophy & English Literature Scandinavian Studies & English Portuguese & English Literature
Scottish Literature & History Law & French Philosophy & Greek Language Portuguese & Linguistics
History Scandinavian Studies & English Portuguese & Philosophy
Scottish Literature & Scottish History Law & German Philosophy & Linguistics
Economic History Literature Portuguese & Scottish Literature
Philosophy & Mathematics
F History Law & History
Philosophy & Politics Scandinavian Studies & History Spanish
History & Archaeology Law & International Relations
Philosophy & Psychology Scandinavian Studies & Linguistics Spanish & Business
French & Francophone Studies History & Classics Law & Politics
Philosophy & Scottish Literature Scandinavian Studies & Philosophy Spanish & Classics
French History & Economics Law & Social Anthropology
Scandinavian Studies & Politics Spanish & English Literature
French & Business History & History of Art Law & Social Policy Physics & Astronomy Scandinavian Studies & Social Policy Spanish & History
French & Classics History & Politics Law & Sociology Astrophysics Scandinavian Studies & Spanish Spanish & History of Art
French & English Language History & Scottish History Law & Spanish Computational Physics Spanish & Linguistics
French & English Literature Mathematical Physics Scottish Ethnology
History of Art Linguistics Spanish & Philosophy
French & German Physics Scottish Ethnology
History of Art Linguistics Spanish & Politics
French & History Physics with a Year Abroad Scottish Ethnology & Archaeology
History of Art & Architectural History Linguistics & English Language Spanish & Portuguese
French & History of Art Physics with Meteorology Scottish Ethnology & Celtic
History of Art & Chinese Studies Linguistics & Social Anthropology
French & Italian Theoretical Physics Scottish Ethnology & English Language Sport
French & Linguistics
History of Art & English Literature M Scottish Ethnology & English Literature Applied Sport Science
History of Art & History of Music Politics & International Relations Scottish Ethnology & Scandinavian Sport & Recreation Management
French & Philosophy
History of Art & Scottish Literature Mathematics International Relations Studies
French & Politics Sustainable Development
French & Portuguese I Applied Mathematics International Relations & International
Law
Scottish Ethnology & Scottish History
Sustainable Development
French & Russian Studies Mathematics
International Relations with Scottish Studies T
French & Scandinavian Studies Islamic Studies & Mathematics & Business
Quantitative Methods Scottish Studies
French & Social Policy Middle Eastern Studies Mathematics & Music
French & Spanish Islamic Studies Mathematics & Physics Politics Social Anthropology Theology & Religious Studies
Mathematics & Statistics Politics, Philosophy & Economics Social Anthropology Divinity
G Middle Eastern Studies
Politics with Quantitative Methods Social Anthropology & Politics Divinity – Graduate Entry
Italian Medical Sciences Divinity & Classics
Psychology Social Anthropology & Social Policy
Geography Italian Medical Sciences Philosophy & Theology
Psychology Social Anthropology with Development
Geography Italian & Classics Medicine Religious Studies
Psychology & Business Social Policy
Geography & Archaeology Italian & English Language Medicine Religious Studies & English Literature
Psychology & Economics Government, Policy & Society
Geography & Economics Italian & English Literature Religious Studies & Scottish Literature
Music Psychology & Linguistics Government, Policy & Society with
Geography & Politics Italian & History Theology
Geography & Social Anthropology Italian & History of Art Acoustics & Music Technology R Quantitative Methods
V
Geography & Social Policy Italian & Linguistics Music Social Policy & Economics
Social Policy & Law
Geography & Sociology Italian & Philosophy N Russian Studies
Social Policy & Politics Veterinary Medicine
Italian & Politics Russian Studies
German Social Policy & Sociology Veterinary Medicine
Italian & Spanish Nursing Studies Russian Studies & Classics
German Social Policy with Quantitative Methods Veterinary Medicine (Graduate Entry
German & Business J Master of Nursing with Russian Studies & English Language
Russian Studies & English Literature
Programme)
German & Classics Pre-registration (Adult) Social Work
Nursing Studies Russian Studies & History Social Work
German & English Language Japanese
German & English Literature Russian Studies & History of Art
Japanese
German & History Russian Studies & Linguistics
Japanese & Linguistics
German & History of Art Russian Studies & Philosophy
German & Linguistics
16 www.ed.ac.uk/access-edinburgh Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 17
Open and Myth busting Your university community:
Only straight A students get into
Total students Undergraduates
the University of Edinburgh.
inclusive
43,380 26,770
We offer places based on a range of
grades, depending on the context in which
your results were achieved.
If I get in with minimum grades, Part-time UG
I will struggle to catch up. 4,290 (16%) Full-time UG
Our grades are set at the academic level 22,475 (84%)
you need to succeed. When you get in, it
will be because we believe you have the
ability to do well and we will give you the Male UG
time and support you need to settle in. 10,155 (38%)
I’m too old to go to university.
We welcome learners of all ages. If you
have already left school you can still apply.
We believe everyone deserves an equal Adults returning after a break of at least Female UG
opportunity to study at the University of three years in their formal education 16,585 (62%)
need to have undertaken some recent
Edinburgh. We welcome students from academic study. Find out more at:
www.ed.ac.uk/studying/mature
all over the world, who represent diverse Undergraduates studying in: Undergraduates
It’s impossible to go to university
experiences, backgrounds and cultures. if you have kids. coming from:
Lots of people juggle university life with
raising a family and we offer excellent Medicine &
The University is committed to widening access to higher
childcare services, support and advice. Veterinary
education, and admitting the very best students, who
Medicine Scotland
demonstrate the potential to benefit from, and contribute to,
Edinburgh isn’t for me. I’m not going 3,160 (12%)
the academic experience we offer. This means that no student 8,325 (31%)
to fit in.
is admitted on the basis of grades alone.
You will. We have a multicultural student Science &
body who join us from a wide range of Engineering Arts, Humanities &
What qualifications and grades do I need? backgrounds. They are roughly one third 6,925 (26%) Social Sciences
The qualifications and grades you need vary according to the
Scottish, one third international and one 16,685 (62%)
degree you apply for and may also depend on whether you are a Other UK*
third from elsewhere in the UK.
widening access student. Please check the specific subjects and 8,170 (30.5%)
grades we require for entry to the degree you are interested in
7,700
online: www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees
My story
Am I a widening access student?
“I was given the opportunity to visit the Academic staff
We consider you to be a widening access student if you are Overseas
University and talk to students because I More than 7,700 academic members of
in the UK and: 7,455 (28%)
attended a LEAPS [Lothians Equal Access staff are employed across our 21 Schools.
• live in a target postcode area, or Programme for Schools] high school. This
piqued my interest in the University and
160
• attend a target school or college, or Other EU
helped set a goal in mind. I began to attend 2,820 (10.5%)
• are studying on the Scottish Wider Access Programme events organised by the University’s widening
or the University of Edinburgh Access Programme, or participation team. I was able to interact Countries Undergraduate entrants aged:
• are care experienced, or
with students, learn about the University and Students from 160 different countries
facilities, and visit the law library. These events have studied here in the last 10 years. 17 or under 2,470 (9%)
• have refugee status or are an asylum seeker allowed me to form a better picture of what
18 to 20 19,895 (74%)
290+
life would be like at university. The staff and
You can find out more about all of these terms at:
www.ed.ac.uk/access-edinburgh
students were friendly. They made me feel 21 to 24 2,910 (11%)
welcome but were also realistic and honest.”
Societies 25 or over 1,490 (6%)
Find out if we will consider you to be a widening
access student, using our online checker: Anais Banag More than 290 societies and groups
https://admission-checker.is.ed.ac.uk LLB (Hons) Law you can join. Or start one of your own! * Includes Channel Islands and Isle of Man18 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 19
Open Making an application
to you
What you need to do and where to
find out more.
Contact us if you need more help
We're happy to support you at any point
during your application. See page 48
How to apply What you will need to apply International foundation for our contact details.
You should apply for full-time You’ll need your qualifications, a personal programme
undergraduate study at the University
via UCAS. You can find out more about
statement and a reference to apply. For
some of our degrees you may also need to:
If you’re from a country whose national
school-leaving qualifications are at a lower Step Find out more about
your degree
1
how to apply online: www.ed.ac.uk/ level than we require for admission, we Check what, and where,
• come to an interview, for medicine,
undergraduate/apply offer a one-year foundation programme you will study, how you
veterinary medicine, nursing, teacher
to develop your academic skills and will learn, your career
education, or oral health sciences;
When to apply English language proficiency. If successful, opportunities and more.
You can submit your application for • submit a digital mini portfolio, for art, you’ll be eligible for entry to many of our
2021 study from 1 September 2020. design and fine art; degrees in our College of Arts, Humanities
We recommend you apply as soon as & Social Sciences.
• sit an admissions test, such as the Visit: www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees
possible. You must apply before the
relevant deadline:
University Clinical Aptitude Test
(UCAT) for medicine;
Immigration Step Check what
qualifications you
2
International students normally need will need to get in
• 15 October 2020 – deadline for all
• provide evidence of relevant work a visa to study in the UK. We offer Find the specific subject
applications to study medicine or
or voluntary experience, and meet online guidance to help explain which and grade requirements
veterinary medicine.
fitness to practice standards, for immigration permission you need: for your degree.
• 15 January 2021 – deadline for all professional programmes. www.ed.ac.uk/immigration/
Step
other UK and EU applicants. do-i-need-a-visa Find out how to apply
You’ll also need to provide evidence of
• 30 June 2021 – deadline for all your English language skills. We accept a
3
Our terms and conditions Read our advice on Visit: www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees
other international applicants. range of qualifications that demonstrate everything you need to
If you apply to the University and are
We recommend you apply by 15 your English language competency know, including personal
offered a place to study here, please read
January 2021 if possible as we may including SQA National 5, GCSE, and IB statements, references
our Terms and Conditions of Admission and deadlines.
have to close applications before Standard Level English. For international
online before you accept our offer:
this final deadline. applications, we will also accept: IELTS;
www.ed.ac.uk/terms-conditions
TOEFL – iBT; IGCSE English, First or Second
Step
Language; Cambridge CAE or CPE; Trinity Visit: www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply
Our privacy statement For help understanding
ISE; and others:
Before you apply, you can read our our entry requirements,
www.ed.ac.uk/english-requirements
2a
Privacy Statement online for information or if you can’t find your
about how we will use your personal data qualifications
Our entry requirements
from your application and who we will
Please check the specific subjects and Read our guidance on the wide
share it with: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/ range of UK and international
grades we require for entry to the degree
admissions/privacy-statement qualifications we accept.
you are interested in. You can look at the
detailed entry requirements online:
www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/
Contact us Step Make your application
4
If you would like to speak to someone You will apply online, Visit: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/
degrees via UCAS. entry-requirements
about admission to a specific degree
We accept lots of different qualifications and how to apply, you’ll find our contact
from around the world. Again, full details information on page 48.
are available online: www.ed.ac.uk/
undergraduate/entry-requirements
Please also see the information on page 16
Visit: www.ucas.com
for widening participation applicants.20 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-finance Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 21
Financial peace
of mind
Examples of
available funding
Access Edinburgh
The Access Edinburgh scholarship is for
full-time undergraduate students who live
in the UK. Awards are worth up to £5,000
depending on your circumstances and
household income.
Any student from a lower income
We appreciate that studying here is a significant financial household or who is care experienced
commitment and are dedicated to helping students of or estranged will receive an Access
Edinburgh scholarship. Your award will be
all ages and social backgrounds enter higher education, automatically assessed, based on your
household income when you apply for
regardless of your financial situation. SAAS or Student Finance England, Wales
or Northern Ireland funding.
We offer one of the most generous Working while you study Fees at a glance
financial support packages in the UK Working whilst studying is a great way What you pay and the assistance you may Lloyds Scholars
for students from the lowest household to earn extra money, take time out of receive depend on where you live. The If you’re a UK student from a below
incomes, as well as a number of University to meet others and learn new following information offers an overview average income family, a number of Lloyds
scholarships awarded on the basis of skills. However, it is important that you of indicative fee levels and funding for Scholarships worth up to £6,000 each
academic merit. only take on work that will not interfere 2020. Please check online for up-to-date over four years are available. Scholars
with your academic priorities. As a thriving information for 2021: also receive mentoring and internship
After fees, living costs will be your main
capital city with a year-round tourist opportunities and must undertake
expenditure so it’s important to know you • Scotland – for eligible students, fees
season, Edinburgh offers a wide range of community volunteering work.
can afford a life outside the lecture theatre will be paid by the Student Awards
job opportunities for our students.
enjoying Scotland’s inspiring capital city. Agency Scotland (SAAS).
Our award-winning Careers Service Undergraduate Mathematics
If you’re a student from the UK, you may • England, Wales and Northern Scholarships
offers an online portal that includes
be eligible for living costs support from Ireland – £9,250 a year reviewed on an The School of Mathematics provides a
part-time job opportunities. They also
your regional funding body in the form of annual basis. Eligible students receive number of scholarships worth £5,000 to
have a dedicated adviser who can
loans, bursaries or grants. When preparing a government-funded loan for fees that maths students of outstanding ability from
assist international students looking for
a budget for starting at university, it is isn’t repaid until they are in work and countries outside the EU.
employment – if you have a full UK Tier 4
important to understand what you expect reach an earnings threshold.
visa, you can work up to 20 hours a week
the cost of your necessities to be and The Royal (Dick) School of
during the academic year. • The rest of the EU – for eligible
ensure you will have enough money to Veterinary Studies International
students, fees are currently paid by
pay for them. Use our online budget Scholarship
SAAS but this may change depending
planner and money-saving tips to help There are two scholarships, each of £5,000
on the timing and terms of the UK’s exit
you plan ahead: a year, available to international students
from the European Union.
www.ed.ac.uk/students/living-costs studying BVM&S Veterinary Medicine.
• Outside the EU – international
students pay a fixed annual fee starting
at £20,950 a year. Laboratory- and Use our online tool to search for more
studio-based degrees cost £27,550 funding opportunities available to you:
a year, veterinary medicine fees are www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding
£32,850 a year, and medicine fees are
£32,100 in Years 1–3, then £49,900 in
Years 4–6.
Check your fee status online:
www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/
fee-status22 www.ed.ac.uk/about Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 23
Stand on the
For more than 400 years, shoulders of giants
our students and staff Our notable alumni include:
have been influencing and Adam Smith
changing the world for the David Hume
Dugald Stewart
better. Now it’s your turn. Gordon Brown
Ian Rankin
Sir J.M. Barrie
Chrystal MacMillan
Julia Sebutinde
Eduardo Paolozzi
Viscount Palmerston
Peter Mark Roget
JK Rowling
Robert Louis Stevenson
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Chris Hoy
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Winston Churchill
Kirsty Wark
Charles Darwin
Joseph Black
Joseph Lister
Anneila Sargent
Zhong Nanshan
Sir James Young Simpson
The work done at the University is Our community has long enjoyed a spirit Sophia Jex-Blake
constantly expanding the depth of of innovation and continues to do so Alexander Graham Bell
human knowledge and improving the today. Working with our partners and Daniel Rutherford
lives of ordinary people. building on our strengths in data science, Sir Ian Wilmut
we’ve set out to establish our region as James Clark Maxwell
The University has laid the foundations
the data capital of Europe. We’re also James Hutton
of modern economics and sociology,
working towards other historic firsts Max Born
the Scottish Enlightenment, geology,
including new treatments for major Dame Elizabeth Blackadder
English literature, quantum mechanics,
diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Peter Higgs
electromagnetism, thermodynamics,
motor neurone disease and cancer; Piers Sellers
antiseptic surgery, nephrology and the
and doing innovative work to tackle Sir Michael Atiyah
theory of evolution.
climate change. William Rankine
It has led to the discovery of carbon Dame Katherine Grainger
Play
Join us and you’ll do more than follow
dioxide, latent and specific heat,
in the footsteps of Nobel laureates,
chloroform anaesthesia, SARS (Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and
Pulitzer prizewinners, Olympic
medallists, revolutionary thinkers and
Academic prizes
the Higgs boson particle, and it has
scientific pioneers. You’ll have the Pulitzer
your
developed the Hepatitis B vaccine, the
opportunity to lead – to transform your One Pulitzer Prize winner
hypodermic syringe, the kaleidoscope,
education here into your own mark on
the vacuum flask, the ATM, the diving Turing
our shared history, forging your path
chamber and in-vitro fertilisation. Three Turing Award winners
to the groundbreaking discoveries and
Nobel
part
It has advanced the public innovative research that will influence
understanding of how our behaviours tomorrow’s world. There are 19 Nobel Prize winners who
affect ageing, protected forest are alumni of the University or have been
ecosystems, and helped bring members of academic staff here.
broadband to remote communities.24 www.ed.ac.uk/about Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 25
1500 1687
Acquisition of Sir
Isaac Newton’s
Principia for the
University library.
This great work is still
1754
Alumnus and
lecturer Joseph
Black first discovers
‘fixed air’, which
we now know as
1900 1996
held in our Centre for Carbon Dioxide.
Sir Ian Wilmut clones
Research Collections
O 1964
1600
to this day. Dolly the Sheep, the
world’s first mammal
C Peter Higgs first
cloned from an adult
1583 O O proposes the
somatic cell.
existence of the
University founded. The sixth oldest C C Higgs boson.
university in the UK. O O O
1960 1980
1969 Sir Michael Woodruff, Sir Ken Murray, Head of
1776 1750 – 1800 Stephen Salter and Donald Michie,
Chair of Surgical Molecular Biology, develops a
Science at the genetically engineered vaccine
US Declaration of Scottish Enlightenment. Edinburgh alumni in the University’s Department
1700
University, performs against Hepatitis B.
Independence. including Adam Smith, James Hutton, David of Artificial Intelligence, develop
the UK’s first
Alumni James Hume, Joseph Black and William Cullen the first automated industrial
successful kidney
Wilson and John lead an era of radical thought and invention assembly robot.
transplant.
Witherspoon are making the city a ‘hotbed of genius’.
signatories.
1999 1958
1707 – 1726
First founding of the faculties of law (’07),
arts (’08) and medicine (’26).
1813
Our first
black
graduate,
Caribbean
1800 Graduation of Sir
Chris Hoy (Applied
Sport Science) who
goes on to become
the UK’s second most
decorated Olympic
medallist.
Journalist
and war hero
Elizabeth
Wiskemann
made the
first female
professor at the
2003
Alumnus Zhong Nanshan
1876 student
William
University. discovers the SARS
Coronavirus.
Fergusson
2000
Alumnus Alexander Graham Bell makes
the first telephone call, telling his gains his
assistant: “Mr Watson. Come here. I want MD.
to see you.” 2017 2019
Ambitious plans to Work begins to install £79m supercomputer ARCHER2
1869 make Edinburgh the at the University, boosting the UK’s capacity to run
1855 The Edinburgh Seven become the first female students
data capital of Europe
announced.
massive research simulations and remain at the
forefront of science and technology innovation.
Wong allowed to matriculate at any UK university.
Fun gains
his MD,
believed to
be the first
1884
1865 Chinese
graduate
Alumnus Sir John Murray,
the father of modern 2018
Alumnus and lecturer Joseph Lister first
uses an antiseptic treatment of carbolic
of any
European
oceanography, establishes the
UK’s first marine laboratory in
In a world first, Professor Evelyn Telfer
grows human eggs in the lab paving
2025 and beyond
acid to prevent infection. university. Granton, Edinburgh. the way for new fertility treatments. Over to you to play your part and write the next chapter.26 www.ed.ac.uk/news Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 27
The University has been
influencing the world
In the news In the lab
since 1583. We have a Edinburgh College of Art fashion students brought A heart monitor which attaches to the back of a
their cutting-edge collections to the catwalk with a smartphone or tablet could save the NHS time and
long history of making runway show that transformed the National Museum money after research showed it was up to five times
a difference but it isn’t of Scotland’s Grand Gallery into a slick fashion venue. more effective than standard tests.
one we take for granted. An innovative layout ensured everyone in the audience
had a front row seat, making the fashion show inclusive
Around 300,000 patients a year attend UK hospitals with
heart palpitations. These are usually harmless but can
To this day, we strive and accessible to all. be caused by serious, difficult to detect, underlying heart
rhythm disorders.
to deliver excellence Our fashion graduates have gone on to work for leading
industry names including Balenciaga, Gucci, Stella The AliveCor® KardiaMobile, a smartphone
and help address McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Calvin Klein. electrocardiogram, can be activated by someone
experiencing a palpitation to record their heart rhythm
tomorrow’s greatest and send it electronically to their doctor.
challenges, as these In the first controlled trial, funded by the British Heart
recent highlights show. Foundation and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland,
researchers led by the University and NHS Lothian
found the device contributed to quicker and less
expensive diagnoses.
“This is an easy, cheap way to diagnose heart rhythm
Image shown for illustrative purposes only
problems that usually see people attending emergency
departments several times. For those with harmless
palpitations, this can quickly give reassurance whilst for
those with serious underlying heart conditions it can act
as a lifesaver.”
Dr Matthew Reed
Emergency Medicine Research Group
In culture
Our team pipped St Edmund Hall, Oxford, to the University
To
Challenge title, becoming the first Scottish university to win
a series of the popular television quiz show since 1983.
Students Matt Booth, Marco Malusà, Max Fitz-James and
Robbie Campbell Hewson took a close fought and thrilling
this
victory over the series favourites by 155 points to 140.
“It’s a huge tribute to the students involved to have beaten
off very tough competition from some of the sharpest
minds in UK universities and won the final. Everyone
day…
associated should be justifiably proud of what the team
has achieved.”
Professor Peter Mathieson
Principal & Vice-Chancellor28 www.ed.ac.uk/news Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 29
In business In practice
Student-launched startup company Touchlab History graduate Nick Doman is working “In under a year of selling bottles, we have
has developed a human-like electronic with partners in Haiti, the Philippines, funded collection of ocean-bound plastic
skin (e-skin) for robots that will allow them Indonesia, and Brazil to spearhead the equivalent to more than 26 million plastic
to ‘feel’ a range of sensations including clean-up and recycling of plastic from their bottles and hope to be collecting three
texture, slippage and pain. This could allow waterways and coastlines. billion a year by 2025.”
such robots to more effectively work on the
He co-founded Ocean Bottle, a
International Space Station or build habitats Nick Doman
company that produces sustainable, MA (Hons) History
on other planets before human colonization.
reusable drinks bottles from stainless Co-founder of Ocean Bottle
Laura Garcia Caberol, a product design steel and ocean-bound recycled
postgraduate at Edinburgh College of Art, and plastics then directly funds the collection
Zakareya Hussein, a PhD student in the School of ocean-bound plastic and the creation of
of Engineering, can wrap their e-skin around recycling infrastructure.
any robot, whether its surface is hard and rigid
For each bottle Nick Doman sells, a
or soft and squishy.
contribution to the company Plastic
Their technology will allow robots to detect Bank ensures 11.4kg of ocean-bound
and respond to a range of tactile sensations plastic – equivalent to more than 1,000
from light stroking to the ‘pain’ of sharp discarded bottles in weight – is collected
objects. They now aspire to send e-skin on a for recycling. This partnership puts a value
future mission to Mars. One possibility for this on plastic waste, supporting local jobs
is to equip NASA’s Valkyrie robot, currently by paying collectors up to three times
being tested at the University, with e-skin on market rate and exchanging gathered
its hands and elsewhere. plastic for products, medical insurance
and even education.
In sports
World-class rower and alumna “I didn’t pick up an oar until my first year
Maddie Arlett claimed her first world at university. When I went to freshers’ fair
championship medal for Team GB, having I made a beeline straight for the rowers.
started as a total novice when she took up They didn’t even properly look at me
the sport at university. because I was short and they were looking
out for tall people but I went for the sign-
Lightweight sculler Maddie has become a
up sheet and that was that!”
regular for Team GB since her senior debut
at the 2017 World Cup regatta, where her
Maddie Arlett
team won a doubles bronze and silver in BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science and
the lightweight quad class. MSc Strength & Conditioning graduate
Her solo bronze medal win in the
lightweight single scull class at the 2019
World Rowing Championships saw her
hold her nerve to move through the field
over the final kilometre.30 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 31
Our worldwide reputation for teaching Edinburgh Imaging is one of Europe’s
“Edinburgh is renowned for biomedical and research helps attract some of the foremost clinical research imaging
international research community’s facilities. It sits alongside one of the UK’s
research and I like that lecturers incorporate sharpest minds, which in turn means largest state-of-the-art teaching hospitals
the latest developments into their teaching world-class teaching for you. and the world-leading MRC Centre for
Regenerative Medicine, where we’re
material. It keeps you up to date with what You’ll learn from people who are leaders in
their fields, who conduct groundbreaking
studying stem cells and developing new
issues are facing scientists today.” research with global implications and
treatments for cancer, heart disease,
liver failure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
use it to directly inform the teaching
Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease.
Lewis Green you receive. Join us and be part of our
BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences enthusiastic community of pioneers, Our new Bayes Centre brings
visionaries and scholars, studying the together world-leading mathematical,
latest developments in your subject with computational, engineering and natural
the prospect of working on life-changing sciences expertise in a data science and
research yourself. artificial intelligence innovation hub to
work across disciplines applying data
Your studies will take place in our
technology to solve real-world problems.
cutting-edge facilities and remarkable
historic buildings – an invigorating
Facilities at a glance
environment in which ideas can be
• State-of-the-art laboratories and
researched, tested, developed and
world-leading analytical facilities
refined. Here are a few highlights:
including a 1.5km deep subsurface
Our Main Library is one of the largest biology laboratory and an Eco
and most important academic libraries Diamond HK36 small aircraft for
in the world and is open to you 24 hours measuring trace gases at 3,000 metres.
a day, seven days a week. In total, our 10
• £100m invested over the last five years
libraries hold more than two million printed
on our Easter Bush campus, creating
volumes and provide access to almost
a European centre of excellence in
700,000 electronic journals and databases.
animal services and food security.
Our Centre for Research Collections
• The Talbot Rice Gallery and
is unique, bringing together more than
Tent Gallery, which host public
400,000 rare books, from Shakespearean
contemporary art exhibitions
first editions to oriental manuscripts,
An inspiring
throughout the year.
as well as six kilometres of archives,
and museum-standard collections of • Small animal, large animal and equine
art and artefacts. hospital facilities at the Royal (Dick)
School of Veterinary studies, which
Our unique FloWave Ocean Energy
community
was founded in 1823.
Research Facility is the world’s most
sophisticated simulator of wave and tidal • Our Institute for Astronomy, based
current interactions. Its 25-metre diameter at Edinburgh’s historic Royal
circular tank holds 2.4 million litres of water. Observatory, is one of the UK’s major
centres of astronomical research, with
St Cecilia’s Hall, built in 1762, is
special strengths in survey astronomy,
Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert
cosmology, active galaxies and the
hall. It now houses our Collection of
formation of stars and planets.
You can’t plan on changing the world without Historical Musical Instruments – one of
the world’s most important collections • The University’s Anatomy Museum,
starting small. It takes inquisitive minds and of musical heritage with 5,000 objects first opened in 1884, has a wealth of
spanning 500 years. unique anatomical objects.
curious natures. It takes stimulating teachers
• One of the UK’s 10 Wellcome Trust
who have the passion and enthusiasm to light clinical research facilities.
the fire of a subject in your mind. It takes the
confidence to challenge and be challenged
instead of just accepting the status quo.32 www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/employability Undergraduate Guide 2021 The University of Edinburgh 33
Shape 94/100
High score
your
Our employer reputation rating in the
QS World University Rankings 2019
If you consider yourself something of an entrepreneur, you’ll be
15th
career
interested to know this is an entrepreneurial city, home to two
of the UK’s $1 billion-valued unicorn companies. We boast one
of the most entrepreneurial student bodies in the UK and have
Targeted
helped students launch nearly 100 startups in the last two years.
High Fliers research ranked us the 15th
One in five of those startups was a social enterprise. Edinburgh most targeted UK university by top
Innovations (EI), our commercialisation service, embodies our employers’ graduate recruiters.
strong enterprise culture providing free, confidential advice and
a programme of support during your studies and for up to two
95%
years after graduation: www.edinburgh-innovations.ed.ac.uk
All this combines to form an approach that has seen us ranked
in the top 10 in the UK and in the top 100 in the world for the Employment
employability of our graduates*. Employers from all sectors have Six months after graduating, 95 per cent
the confidence to consider the University an excellent training of our students are in employment or
ground for graduates with the intellectual ability and high level postgraduate study.
attributes needed to succeed and thrive in the global job market.
Our graduates are highly employable and Open to the world “I’d recommend students get
We reach out to partners worldwide, collaborating in fields as
we can help you stand out in a competitive diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences, involved with Edinburgh
job market. and arts and culture. Our global engagement plan ensures Innovations. They offer practical
world-class experiences are available to you as you study while support to make your business a
our partnerships ensure the teaching and research we deliver
You’ll need to take full advantage of the development
benefits communities worldwide. Our current partnerships with
reality. My sound design software,
opportunities open to you, both academically and beyond the Dehumaniser, is now used by
University. Your future employers will look for more than just leading universities include:
a qualification – they’ll expect you to have the skills, personal • University of Amsterdam
industry professionals, including
qualities and mindset to thrive in the working environment. • California Institute of Technology Hollywood film studios.”
That means studying here is about laying the foundations for • University of Copenhagen
your future success, whatever shape that takes. • University of Delhi Orfeas Boteas
MSc Sound Design graduate
We offer career-enhancing opportunities for you to develop new • University College Dublin
EI supported the development of his company
skills and abilities, learn more about yourself and your working • ETH Zurich
Krotos: www.krotosaudio.com
practices, and boost your confidence. We invest in your future • Fudan University
beyond the end of your degree, helping you to develop a unique • Heidelberg University
• University of Helsinki
set of graduate attributes that will be fundamental to your
development and long-term success: • KU Leuven My story
www.ed.ac.uk/graduate-attributes • Leiden University
“The Careers Service supported each “This self-belief gave me the confidence
• University of Melbourne
Our award-winning Careers Service provides tailored advice, stage of my development, provided me to pursue my masters with institutions
• National University of Singapore
individual guidance and personal assistance, internships and with confidence when I needed it, and that I was interested in. When it came to
• Peking University
networking opportunities with employers from local SMEs to top facilitated a change in career. By helping applying for graduate jobs, the Careers
• University of Pennsylvania
multinationals, and access to the knowledge and experience of me understand what employers are Service and the resources provided were
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
our worldwide alumni network. looking for and decode job descriptions, invaluable. They continued to help me
• University of Toronto
I was able to tailor my CVs and cover letters refine my CV and I was able to secure a job
A lot of what you do outside university also contributes to your We’re a member of the global research network Universitas 21 to particular roles. A key skill they helped straight after graduating! I recommended
development as a more rounded individual. This might include and of the European networks COIMBRA group, UNICA, LERU, me develop was self-reflection – to draw the Careers Service to friends who also
extra-curricular activities such as running a club or society night, and UNA Europe. We have five regional centres in Latin America, from my past experiences and apply it to received invaluable help. I would advise
volunteering or part-time work. The Edinburgh Award is our way Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America and East Asia that future roles. Through this I was able to gain students to go and try it out.”
of recognising, certifying and demonstrating to employers the support engagement with students, academics and alumni. two internships.
skills and attributes you’ve gained from your extra-curricular Olivia Sweeney
activities: www.ed.ac.uk/edinburgh-award *Times Higher Education Global Employability University ranking 2019 MEng (Hons) Chemical EngineeringYou can also read
