Feeling at home in a global classroom: Lessons from my year as a postgraduate
By Narayani, from India – studied LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice and graduated in 2024
Prepare by getting curious
If you’re preparing to come to Edinburgh, one thing you can do is be very aware of who is teaching your courses. Just look into the professors: what they work on, what they’ve done previously, what positions they’ve held, what they teach.
Also reach out to people on LinkedIn – people who have done your course, or who are doing your course, or are in the same position that you would possibly want to be in, career-wise. Just talk to them, ask about their experiences, get to know what their time at Edinburgh was like. That will really help you prepare for your postgraduate degree overall.
Talking to academic staff: Don’t be intimidated
I was very open to talking to my professors, in fact all the academic staff involved in my learning. I think they have some great insights into your work, and they are very open to having conversations about the perspective you bring from your own country.
I was also the programme representative for my course, so I had one-on-one meetings with them a lot. I think just talking to them really gives you perspective on things. At the outset, I was very intimidated to talk to my professors – but the more you talk, the more you realise that everyone in Edinburgh is just willing to help you a lot.
Speaking up, gaining confidence
One of the most amazing and challenging parts of being in Edinburgh is the classroom engagement – especially with postgraduate taught courses. I think the classes are designed in a way that encourages you to speak and question. This is what not only makes you a better student, but also a very confident professional.
A global legal perspective
For me personally, because we had a lot of legal classes asking comparative legal questions – learning how laws work in different countries – and because there was such a global network of students, you really learn to hone your skills. You learn to articulate what the laws in your country are, what the laws in other countries are, and basically, you develop a global perspective.
Make the most of workshops
One more tip would be: attend all the dissertation workshops and all the “how to write, how to cite” workshops that Edinburgh offers. Most of them are online and recorded, so you can access them anytime.
It’s not just about the grades – it also helps train your brain to think clearly and articulate your points. Because all of us who are doing the Master’s degree, or any postgraduate degree, are sort of freshers. We’re all learning new things together, so these workshops teach you what being professional is about. It’s not just about getting good grades – it’s also about professional development.
Climb Arthur’s Seat – a lot
And something light-hearted? Climb up Arthur’s Seat (that’s the extinct volcano and hill in the centre of Edinburgh with amazing views) – a lot. If you’re stressed about an assignment, climb it. We saw the Northern Lights up at Arthur’s Seat last year. It was a beautiful experience. I think a lot of people were up there and you’ll always find people up there. So yeah, go ahead, do that.
Say yes, be intentional
My final advice? I would just say: say yes to everything. Say yes to the conversations, say yes to meeting people, to building the networks. Say yes to having fun, going out with your friends.
Take it slow but also be intentional with whatever you’re doing each semester. Be intentional with the kind of courses you take. You can also switch courses – you can take the class and decide if it’s something that would benefit you.
Just be very intentional with your whole postgraduate experience, and I hope that you guys make it to Edinburgh.
Narayani was sharing experiences of Master’s study during our ‘Developing Your Career’ webinar that took place in June 2025. Find out more about our online recruitment events:
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