Why Did I Choose Edinburgh?
By Ita, a European student, studying for a PhD in Archaeology.
I first came to Edinburgh to study an undergraduate degree in Archaeology and Social Anthropology. After four years, I embarked upon an MSc Human Osteoarchaeology, again at Edinburgh. After finishing my MSc, I took a year out to apply for a PhD, and surprise surprise, returned to Edinburgh University for at least another three years. My experience might not be a typical one, after all many people (all of my university friends included) move between various institutions at different stages of their student journeys. But whether we go away or stay, we all need to make decisions. Complex decisions of where to apply and, in the end, which offers to accept. So how do we go about making these decisions? Below I’ll tell you about my story, my personal experience, and share some (hopefully useful) tips on what to focus on when making this important choice.
Choosing My Undergraduate Degree
To be honest, I didn’t really know what I was doing when I was choosing my undergraduate degree. I knew I wanted to go abroad, preferably to the UK, and what I would like to (generally) focus on, but I didn’t have a clear “career plan” or a specific strategy. I felt confused, overwhelmed, and unsure – there were so many options, so many degrees, so many places… In the end, I decided to make my choices based on the degree structure.
How long would it be? I must say, the four-years degree in Scotland appealed to me immensely, it seemed to give me more time to explore the subjects I wanted to study and also to learn more about myself, to mature and realise what it was that I really wanted.
What exactly would I be studying? Another important question. I really liked the breadth of themes covered at Edinburgh, the different aspects of archaeology and social anthropology I could potentially explore. A bonus was the opportunity to choose an “outside” course per semester during my first two years (meaning I could also learn something completely unrelated to my degree if I wanted to). Being a person with a broad range of interests, this was really a significant factor influencing my decision.
I must admit that I did not pay much attention to non-academic aspects of the student life, such as the character of the place where the university is situated, extracurricular activities, social life, etc. I know now that I should have considered these things more as they have a huge impact on one’s university experience – if you do not enjoy your surroundings, you will not fully enjoy your course (at least I think so). Fortunately, Edinburgh proved a perfect fit for me, but I would encourage you to take all these factors into account and not leave things to pure chance (it’s better to be on the safe side after all 😉).
Choosing My Master’s
This was way easier. After four years, I knew more about myself, my needs and limitations. For me personally the choice was obvious. The degree offered at Edinburgh had the right balance of theoretical and practical components, was delivered by world-class experts, and I was already familiar with the workings of the University and the School of History, Classics and Archaeology.
Moreover, I fell in love with Edinburgh (as a place) during my first year as an undergraduate student and did not want to leave. The city itself is beautiful and its architecture is stunning. There is an abundance of easily accessible green spaces in the form of parks, nature reserves, and gardens within the city boundaries – a perfect combination if you like exploring charming localities.
Ross Fountain in Princess Street Gardens with the Edinburgh Castle in the background.
Additionally, the Pentlands Regional Park is also easily accessible whether on foot, by bike, or by bus. All of this was very important for me when making the final decision as I love long walks whether in nature or through aesthetically pleasing cityscape and hiking. As such, and very luckily for me, I could get everything I wanted and needed right where I was, in academic and lifestyle terms alike.
Choosing My PhD
This was trickier. Getting to that stage I knew I needed to consider the nature of my particular project. I had to think about its feasibility, logistics, and the support I could get from a chosen institution – and this time these would be the most important factors influencing my decision. Again, lucky me, everything was just right in Edinburgh. My project focuses on Medieval/Early Post-Medieval Scotland – well, where better to study this period than in Scotland? I also need access to skeletal remains and word-class bioarchaeological expertise – again, Edinburgh offered both. Additionally, I know the University and the people who make it pretty well, meaning I would not have to spend extra time familiarising myself with a new institution, its people, and its rules; thus, I could get on with my project without delay. Lastly, I have been (and still am) sure that if anything should not go smoothly, if obstacles were to arise, I would not be left in a lurch – quite the contrary, I would be supported by the people around me. These points proved decisive and so here I am, still at Edinburgh and still satisfied with my choices 🙂
A Few Tips
Just before I finish, let me share some advice with you. No matter where you are in your student journey, whether at the very beginning or in the middle of it, the most important thing is to take your time to make the final decision. Do not rush it. Consider everything carefully. Does the degree appeal to you? What is your reason for studying it? Do you like the structure of your chosen university (e.g. open-ended vs walled-off campus)? Can you imagine yourself living in a particular place for the next few years of your life? What do you want to get out of your university experience? These are just some of the questions I think are important to consider. Also, if at all possible, visit the universities you’re considering, chat to current students, ask questions (whether online or in-person), and take your time. By all means, ask for support and guidance, but in the end make the decision yourself – listen to your heart, acknowledge your needs and expectations, and then make the decision.
Disclaimer
University of Edinburgh Student Ambassadors are financially compensated to tell their stories.
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