Tips for Studying at Edinburgh University

This list of tips is intended for foreign nationals coming from outside the UK, but applies to anyone new to Edinburgh. The views expressed are my own, and I would invite others to leave comments about their experiences.

Housing

• Don't underestimate the difficulty of getting "Good" housing in Edinburgh. 
• An informal poll (2011-2012) that I conducted found that those that did find it took at least 3 weeks, and spent around £600/month ($1000/mo.) to get their own place. You can spend less, but you get much less.
• A common neighborhood for students is Marchmont, but I was more impressed by the St. Leonards area bordering Holyrood. Others, more inclined to shop may prefer Stockbridge.
• University accomodation that I viewed at Richmond place was unattractive and featured a large shared kitchen. It cost on the order of £400/month for a small cell containing bed, small bathroom with shower.
• The best strategy is to find a friend in Edinburgh, and stay with them while searching on the ground. Walk around to places that you want to live and call the numbers on cards posted. There are many nice places, but also many, many poor places, particularly in the city center.
• Most places will come furnished, but check anyway.
• There is no Craigslist for Edinburgh :(
• "Gumtree" should be avoided if possible.
• Start search in July or early August. 
• See [this post] for a list of letting agencies.

 Don't Trust Stairwells--Lock Bikes Religiously

• Bikes are stolen frequently from Edinburgh Stairwells. Lock your bike on campus if possible, but if not, use strong locks following best practices.
• From Lothian & Borders (Police) statistics that I have looked at, bike theft is only increasing year on year -- don't become a statistic! 

Computer

• I recommend you bring or buy your own desktop. 
• If you bring your desktop from the US, make sure to switch the transformer to 230Vac on the back
• Don't plug in PC-speakers from the US (or other lower-voltage countries) into UK outlets! (Low voltage design + High voltage = explosion)
• You can buy an AC-AC converter, but probably better to just order UK spec ones from Amazon.

Council Tax

• You do not pay this tax if a full-time student. Ignore any notices, but visit [this site] to apply for an exemption. 
• You will have to go in to show your student ID to verify your online exemption application.

Edinburgh University Campuses

• There are two main campuses, "Central" (Where McEwan Hall and the Teviot Student Union are) and Kings Buildings, 1 mile South. There is a free connector bus--See [this page]
• The bus will say "Special Service" and you must show your Student ID to ride.
• Ignore the closely time City buses which are NOT free.

Festival

• If you like a party, then the August Festival calendar is for you. For those who prefer quiet study, be prepared to give the Central campus a wide berth during the month of August.

Cycling

• Edinburgh is developing biking culture. There are a few mainstays:
• BikeStation is like Mike's Bikes for Scotland.
• Spokes is the local advocacy group - very well run.
• Innertube shows the basic city trail layout.

2012 Fulbright Details

UEBS Full-Time MBA Course Handbook (2011-2012)

Edinburgh University MBA Dissertation Guidelines 2012

The following is a paraphrased description, taken from the UEBS "MyBiz" Website on July 12th 2012.

• Grade Credit Weight: 40 of 220 credits; 18.2% of MBA grade
• Submission Deadline: 4PM Thursday August 30th, 2012
• Length: 10-14 thousand words; divided into four to six chapters, including an introduction and conclusion. (+/-)10% acceptable.
• Word Counting Method: Included in the word count is the main body of the project, interpreted as counting from the first word which generally falls within the “Introduction” and until the very last word in the final chapter.
• The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which the student has the opportunity to pursue in some depth an interest in a topic (largely) of their choosing. In it students are expected to demonstrate their ability to engage critically and analytically in literature from the field, and/or building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree.
• 2 copies of the project along with 1 submission form should be submitted to the postgraduate office. A copy of the project should also be submitted via WebCT by the same deadline.
• If you request and are granted an extension for the project it cannot be guaranteed that you will be able to graduate with your cohort in November/December. It would be unlikely that marking of your Capstone Project could be completed before the exam board meets.
• Students are not expected to transcribe interviews. Students should enclose 2 copies of the recording when submitting their project rather than transcripts. It is a requirement that any quotations within the project are marked up with a time reference to the recording.
• The project is marked by the advisor and another internal examiner. You should be aware that the regulations do not allow a project to be referred or resubmitted except for very minor changes in the case of a marginal fail; any student who does not pass the project may be eligible to receive the Diploma. The degree is normally awarded in the Winter graduation. (See assessment in section 1.4 of your programme handbook.)
• The project may vary in the breadth of coverage, but it must have a clear focus with definable objectives and boundaries, achievable in the time and word limit available. The objectives you set for the project should be sufficiently specific that you will know when you have finished.
• The dissertation topic is chosen based upon the student's interests; the subjects which staff are able to supervise; and what is feasible in terms of the literature and time available. In the early planning stage you should scan as many sources as possible.
• Dissertation Advisor's Role:
• advise the student on relevant literature
• guide the student in focusing the study
• help draw up a plan and timetable for the work>
• help draw up an outline for the project and discuss any subsequent revisions of the outline
• read and comment on two chapters of the project (usually in stages)
You should agree sensible times for meeting throughout the project period so that, for instance, holiday or travel arrangements do not interfere. Staff are not always available throughout the summer period.
• For the advisory relationship to work well, it must be appreciated that there are rights and responsibilities on both sides. Students have responsibilities to meet regularly and keep their advisors informed of progress, and to hand material in at agreed times. For their part, advisors have responsibilities to respond promptly and appropriately – by making constructive suggestions both at the planning stage and in response to material submitted.
• Conduct sufficient initial reading (plus note-taking and reflection) to focus the project
• Present a Clear Proposal – indicating firm title, objectives, outline and bibliography, references
• main research and writing stage
• Preparation
• detailed chapter outlines with bibliography>
• submit complete draft for comment (3 drafts)
• reflect, revise and redraft (check spelling and bibliography)
• submit final version for examination
• The introduction spells out the focus of the study and its objectives or research questions, explaining why these were interesting to the author and 'locating' them in the field. It should also include an outline of the subsequent chapters. In the case of primary research, there should be a separate chapter providing an account and justification of the research design and methodology adopted. The conclusion should reflect on the implications of your “findings” for wider theory and where relevant, for practice, picking up themes about the rationale of the study in your introduction. How the substantive chapters are organised will depend on personal preference and the nature of the research. However, you must ensure that your treatment is sufficiently analytical, integrating conceptual and empirical material. This integration may run through the body of the work or it may take place largely in a discrete analysis chapter.
• Each chapter should be clearly initiated and terminated. (Signpost method) Questions to ask:
• How does this chapter fits into the rest of the project?
• What is the main take-away?
• Don't rush your conclusions
• Take a methodical approach
• Word Count

Item	Included in WC	Not Included in WC
Footnotes	◊
Figures in tables/diagrams	◊
Words in tables & diagrams	◊
Abstract		◊
Table of contents		◊
References & Bibliography		◊
Appendices		◊

• The introduction should present the aims, scope, rationale and an outline of the project. Where empirical research is conducted there should be a separate methodology chapter. The conclusion should summarise the main themes of the argument, reflect on the wider implications of your work and, if relevant, suggest areas for future research.
• Projects must be typed, not less than one-and-a-half line spacing used and printed on good quality white A4 paper. You must use reasonable margins and are permitted to print double-sided. The pages in the main text, appendices and bibliography must be numbered consecutively.
• 2 paper copies of your project must be submitted. Binding is arranged by UEBS.
• Title Page Layout

  University of Edinburgh Business School Title of Capstone Project By EB Holmes EXAM NUMBER Capstone Project Presented for the Degree of MBA 2011/2012

• On 2 submitted copies identify yourself using ONLY your exam number. But submit a single separate title page with your name on it for the bound copy of the dissertation.

Good books in various subjects

• Aerodynamics: Anderson
• American History: Bailey & Kennedy
• Biology: Campbell
• Calculus: Swokowski
• Finance: Higgins
• Mechanical Engineering: Shigley
• Precision Machine Design: Slocum