As the sun sets on my time as an Edinburgh student, I reflect on the incredible journey that brought me here. It has been a whirlwind of a year filled with laughter, challenges, and boundless growth opportunities. Today, as a graduate student, my experience in Edinburgh has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind.
But it wasn’t just the academic and cultural experiences that made my time in Edinburgh unforgettable. It was also the personal growth I experienced during my year abroad. Living in a foreign city challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, embrace new perspectives, and navigate unfamiliar territories. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of embracing change.
I will never forget the joy I felt when I received my offer from the University of Edinburgh, my student accommodation in Edinburgh, the sunsets I chased on Calton Hill with my friends, and the leisurely afternoons we enjoyed at The Mikeman Café. As a soon-to-be graduate, I am grateful for the memories I have made in Edinburgh that will last a lifetime. The friendships I made in Edinburgh, the breathtaking views I explored and the moments of self-discovery have shaped me into the person I am today. In this blog, I will share my experiences living in Edinburgh, which I hope will help you adapt to a new environment as quickly as possible.
Student Accommodation
Accommodation is a significant concern for students, and many of them book their flats at the beginning of the application season. Finding suitable student accommodation in Edinburgh is challenging. You must consider the location, infrastructure, transport and distance from the school. I found my flat through uhomes, a platform with many properties and a good infrastructure. The main thing is that the agent is serious and responsible, and you can continue to consult the agent if you want to ask any other questions after the house.
I chose iQ Fountainbridge, which was newly renovated in 2020, so the overall environment is immaculate and tidy. There are many types of rooms to choose from, and I chose the Studio room because I like to be quiet. Besides, the rooms have wardrobes, storage space, mirrors, etc., and there are also common areas such as cinema rooms, study rooms, games rooms, etc., where students can come to study, rest and play. Moreover, it is just a short walk away, with bars, restaurants, Tesco, cinemas and much more. Best of all, the flats are close to all University of Edinburgh campuses, making them ideal for students who are on different campuses but would like to live together. All in all, iQ Fountainbridge is an excellent student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Studying
My major is Environmental Protection and Management (EPM), which is a major in the School of Earth Sciences and belongs to the School of Science and Engineering, among the three leading colleges of the university. The unique feature of this major is that it is a collaborative programme between the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Agricultural College, which means that in addition to professors from the University of Edinburgh, there will also be academics from the Agricultural College of Scotland who will collaborate in the teaching of this major.
My programme has electives and compulsory courses, which are similar to those in other programmes, including lectures, seminars, workshops, etc. In addition to these, there are a lot of laboratory courses. In addition to these, there are also a lot of laboratory classes. These contents can be seen in the course introduction, together with the professor, how the test is examined, the usual form of type, etc., we can choose the course according to their requirements and preferences.
As for the form of examination, it is similar to other majors. Besides the traditional closed-book review, it also includes thesis, group work, daily quizzes and presentations, etc., some common examination forms. Before graduation, there will be a significant dissertation, the graduation project, to end this year’s study.
Food
British people eat simple food at lunchtime, usually buying a sandwich or a cold meal like a light meal or salad at a convenience store. However, you can also buy some hot food, such as burgers, fries and so on, from the food trucks next to the meadows. I take a lot of classes in King’s Building, and there are several canteens on this campus, so we often go to the canteen for food. Besides the usual burgers and fries, the cafeteria also serves other dishes such as Indian food and steak.
Eating out is also a perfect choice. Edinburgh has a lot of good restaurants, and there are many kinds of dishes, Scottish, Thai, Korean and so on. Edinburgh is also an amicable place for the Chinese stomach. Because there are a lot of Chinese in Edinburgh, there are many Chinese restaurants in Edinburgh, and the price is not much different from other restaurants, about 15-25 pounds per person.
Transport
This is a map of the school buses. The bus is free with student ID. Generally speaking, a 20-minute trip from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. covers your daily class time, so it is very convenient to travel between the two campuses when attending classes. On the official website, you can also find the latest train schedule. For example, any new changes will be updated in time so that you are clear about the school bus situation.
If you are going to hang out off campus, the main public transport in Edinburgh is buses and trams, but you only have a few chances to do trams because it has fewer stops, and the spacing between each visit is very long. We mainly used buses to get to and from school and to different parts of the city. For buses, we recommend downloading the m-tickets app, where you can buy tickets online and activate them when you want to use them. You can also purchase tickets in cash when you get on the bus, but if you want to buy tickets in cash, you need to be careful to change coins in advance because there is no way to get a change on the bus.
Shopping
If you want to go shopping, you can go to Prince Street. M&S, Waitrose, and other supermarkets such as Lidl, Sainsbury‘s, and Tesco are scattered all over Edinburgh. If you don’t live in the middle of the city, you can walk to these supermarkets. There is a shopping mall called St James on Princes Street, the biggest shopping mall in Edinburgh. Some fast-selling brands, such as HM and ZARA, can be found here, and some other stories are suitable for girls. There are also big boots and John Lewis in this shopping mall; there are all kinds of big brands of cosmetics and make-up.
In this mall, there is also a big Boots and John Lewis, which has all kinds of brands of cosmetics and make-up. If you want to shop for luxury goods, there is a luxury street called Multrees Walk in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is very small, so both the essential clothing and luxury goods shops are tiny, but there are a lot of vintage shops in Edinburgh and in Victoria Street, there are some vintage shops.
The above is my sharing about Edinburgh. I hope more and more people will come to Edinburgh to feel the unique charm of this city. Last but not least, I hope you can go to your dream university to study, live, and get your unforgettable memories of studying abroad.
FAQs
How far is iQ Fountainbridge from the University of Edinburgh?
iQ Fountainbridge is conveniently located within walking distance of the University of Edinburgh. It takes approximately a 15-minute walk to the Edinburgh College of Art.
What types of accommodation are available at iQ Fountainbridge?
iQ Fountainbridge is a mixed-use student accommodation in Edinburgh. It offers En-suite, Single Room, Studio and one-bed flat.
Are the accommodations fully furnished?
All accommodations at iQ Fountainbridge are fully furnished with comfortable beds, study desks, ample storage space, and modern amenities to ensure a hassle-free living experience.
What facilities are available at iQ Fountainbridge?
iQ Fountainbridge provides a host of facilities to enhance the student living experience. These include shared areas for socialising, study spaces, a gym, laundry facilities, bike storage, and 24/7 security.
Is Wi-Fi provided in the accommodations?
Yes, high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the iQ Fountainbridge premises, ensuring students can stay connected and maximise their academic and social endeavours.
