Student life at the School of Divinity
by Katharina, from Germany, studying Theology (MA)
Among the most often asked questions I am asked on Open Days and Offer Holder Days is: What is student life like as a student at the School of Divinity? So, here are my top four reasons why I love being a student at the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh.
1. Small community
During my first Welcome Week, I was overwhelmed by the size of the university’s campus and the number of people that surrounded me. Luckily, when classes started, I met the people in the School of Divinity. Because we are among the smaller schools at the university, you automatically get to meet everyone fairly quickly. It is easy to make friends there since you are very likely to share classes and see each other around the building. Nevertheless, just because we are a small school, it does not mean that we are not diverse. Both staff and students are from all parts of the world and from a diversity of religions, traditions and communities. Moreover, you will quickly come to meet the staff. Class sizes, especially at Honours Level, are fairly small, which means that you can ask your professors questions more easily, and they are generally more accessible. However, if you ever get tired of Divinity people, then you also have the opportunity to meet people outside of Divinity. Divinity courses tend to be very popular among students at other schools as elective courses, so you also have the chance to meet new people in your courses or simply choose an elective outside of your degree.
2. Rainy Hall
This is the key socialising area in the School of Divinity, and among the most beautiful rooms of New College is the building hosting the School of Divinity. It is used by both staff and students alike for studying, eating, or just having a chat. Attached to it is the Rainy Hall Café, which is organised by the charity Grassmarket Community Project, which you support by buying food or drinks there. They offer toasties, hot drinks, soups, or hot meals at an affordable price. However, you do not have to spend any money to be in Rainy Hall, but you could also eat your packed lunch there with your friends or just study there. The great part about Rainy Hall, besides its stunning interior design, is that there is always a familiar face to whom you can talk when you go there since it is used by everyone. It is also the place where most of the socials in the School of Divinity are hosted.
3. Great socials
We know how to celebrate at the School of Divinity. Staff and students organise a variety of events, so there is always something fun going on. At the beginning of every academic year, the school organises an Away Day, a trip to a place or sight around Edinburgh. Last October, we went to North Berwick, which was also a great opportunity for me as an international student to discover Scotland. However, if you do not want to spend a whole day away, this year we also had other events such as the Burns Night Dinner, a true Scottish dinner with a ceilidh afterwards, or the weekly Café Connect, where you have tea and biscuits while getting to know other students and your lecturers. We also celebrate a diversity of religious festivals together, such as Christmas, Eid and Diwali. And if there is an event you would like to put on, then there is always a willingness to do it!
4. New College
While Theology has been studied at the University of Edinburgh since its founding, New College was first built in 1846. I would argue it is the university’s most beautiful building, but maybe I am a bit biased… On the most basic level, being a student at the School of Divinity is a delight simply because you get to walk into this stunning building on a daily basis and enjoy your classes there. I think the tourists who you come across all day in the quad and who take pictures in front of the building are a testament to the wonderful experience of studying at New College just because of its architecture. My favourite place in New College is the New College Library. It houses one of the largest Theology and Religious Studies book collections in the UK. The stained glass of the library gives you the feeling that you are studying in a church, which makes it a unique experience. It definitely helps you motivate yourself to study when you know your surroundings will be beautiful.
Obviously, this is based on my personal experience of what student life is like at the School of Divinity. However, I hope this gives you an idea what being a student there and what being part of the community is like.
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