University of Edinburgh

Want to contact someone who's been to the Uni you're thinking of going to?
Old Blues - post here if you're prepared to offer advice/support to someone thinking of going to your Uni...

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
Max P
2nd Former
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 4:00 pm
Real Name: Max Priestman
Location: Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh

Post by Max P »

I finished at Edinburgh in June 2004 and am still here working at the university as a research assistant so if anyone needs any info drop me a line.....
Mary Clare
2nd Former
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:41 pm
Real Name: Mary Clare
Location: Edinburgh/Oxford

Post by Mary Clare »

I've just started my first year here, reading Classics, so I may be able to help with any questions too!
Ba B 97-03/Gr E 03-04

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
User avatar
Jude
Button Grecian
Posts: 1477
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:21 pm
Real Name: Jude Comber nee Kelynack 5.38 1975-1980
Location: Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

Post by Jude »

What's the Med school like? My daughter has applied - it's her 1st choice....
Jude Comber (nee Kelynack) 5's 5.38 1975-1980 Herts.
To Learn - read, to Know - write, to MASTER - Teach
Mary Clare
2nd Former
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:41 pm
Real Name: Mary Clare
Location: Edinburgh/Oxford

Post by Mary Clare »

The Med School seems to be really good - all the Medics I know really enjoy the course. It is pretty intensive though, but I suppose that's the same fro med everywhere!
Ba B 97-03/Gr E 03-04

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
tomday55
2nd Former
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:27 pm
Real Name: tom day
Location: Lancing, Sussex

Post by tomday55 »

I have an offer there from Sep 2006 to study economics, and I'm coming up mid April to see the place. I can't wait!! Hear so much positive news from there.
What is the rugby like up there?
Also, how expensive is cost of living for food and going out, as my other hoice is Birmingham or Loughborugh.
the main drawback I feel is the 4 years, but actually, how much difference does that make?
Sorry the spelling is crap
Look forward to hearin back froim you,
Tom
User avatar
Great Plum
Button Grecian
Posts: 5282
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:59 am
Real Name: Matt Holdsworth
Location: Reigate

Post by Great Plum »

4 years isn't a drawback - it's a blessing! And you will get an MA at the end of it!
Maine B - 1992-95 Maine A 1995-99
tomday55
2nd Former
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:27 pm
Real Name: tom day
Location: Lancing, Sussex

Post by tomday55 »

MA being better than a Ba?
User avatar
Great Plum
Button Grecian
Posts: 5282
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:59 am
Real Name: Matt Holdsworth
Location: Reigate

Post by Great Plum »

tomday55 wrote:MA being better than a Ba?
yes - it's a master's degree...

BA= Bachelor of Arts

MA: Master of Arts
Maine B - 1992-95 Maine A 1995-99
User avatar
jtaylor
Forum Administrator
Posts: 1880
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:32 am
Real Name: Julian Taylor
Location: Wantage, OXON
Contact:

Post by jtaylor »

You do have to balance though the career merit. Remember that an MA is usually longer, and hence costs you an extra year in fees etc. and also the lost earnings of not working for that year....

So, you have to be certain that either it will enhance your career/earnings potential, or that you're interested enough to do it purely for the fun of it.

From my experience recruiting, once someone's got business experience then the qualification becomes a "qualifier" rather than a "winner" (i.e. you're looking for someone of university calibre, but the real important thing is the experience), and hence the relevence of the MA vs BA decreases with time....this also then means that your cost equation is tighter
(Fees + Lost Year 1 earnings) <?> (additional salary earned due to having MA over xx years) OR (additional long-term career ceiling due to having MA)
where xx years may only be a few years, depending on the area you're working in...

Just my two-peneth...

J
Julian Taylor-Gadd
Leigh Hunt 1985-1992
Image
Founder of The Unofficial CH Forum
https://www.grovegeeks.co.uk - IT Support and website design for home, small businesses and charities.
User avatar
Great Plum
Button Grecian
Posts: 5282
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:59 am
Real Name: Matt Holdsworth
Location: Reigate

Post by Great Plum »

I suppose that's true Julian - I chose to do an MSc for 3 reasons:

1. I enjoyed the subject.
2. I didn't want to leave uni! ;)
3. I thought that lots of people have a BA/BSc and having a master's degree would make me stand out a little...
Maine B - 1992-95 Maine A 1995-99
User avatar
jtaylor
Forum Administrator
Posts: 1880
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:32 am
Real Name: Julian Taylor
Location: Wantage, OXON
Contact:

Post by jtaylor »

All three of which are excellent reasons in my opinion.

The worry is if people assume it'll immediately give them more money, or MUCH easier employment - it's just not always the case.

J
Julian Taylor-Gadd
Leigh Hunt 1985-1992
Image
Founder of The Unofficial CH Forum
https://www.grovegeeks.co.uk - IT Support and website design for home, small businesses and charities.
User avatar
Richard Ruck
Button Grecian
Posts: 3120
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:08 pm
Real Name: Richard Ruck
Location: Horsham

Post by Richard Ruck »

A big plus is that Edinburgh's a great place to spend a few years.

Plenty of decent rugby clubs, too, if you don't fancy university stuff. Heriot's, Watsonians, Stewarts-Melville etc. spring to mind (at least, they were quite good when I lived there).
Ba.A / Mid. B 1972 - 1978

Thee's got'n where thee cassn't back'n, hassn't?
User avatar
99yorkpj
Deputy Grecian
Posts: 207
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:43 am
Real Name: Philippa Yorke
Location: Edmonton, AB. Canada

Post by 99yorkpj »

I'm half way through my first year at Edinburgh- great city! And the fees are lower too... thanks scotland :)
2004-2006, Leigh Hunt B & Grecians' East.
Post Reply