Post Arrival Guide 2009

2009

Edinburgh University Students’ Association

POST ARRIVAL GUIDE for new international students

CONTENTS ONE TWO THREE

Welcome from the President of EUSA Introduction from the Rector International Office Welcome

4 5 6

Students’ Association Student Services Publications

8 9 10

Getting Settled Finance Academic Matters

12 14 16

Accommodation & Transport

22

Immigration Employment

28 31

FOUR FIVE

SIX

Health & Welfare Religion & Culture

35 38

SEVEN

Communictions Families

42 44

Welcome from the President of EUSA Welcome to Edinburgh, welcome to Scotland.

By choosing to live and study in one of the most stunning and historic places in Europe you have become part of a leading University in a truly remarkable city. Whether you are here for a semester, or for four years, I hope you have time to explore both the city and Scotland.

Edinburgh has long benefited from being an international community. We currently have students from over 130 different countries. This diversity is one of the best things about student life here. The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) are delighted to welcome and support students from around the world.

The Students’ Association is the largest independent provider of student representation and services in the country. We are run entirely for students, by students, and aspire to provide services to support all aspects of life in Edinburgh. Many of these are specific to international students, recognising the distinct needs of those from outside the UK. From details on academic support to accommodation and representation, this booklet should inform you of the sources of practical help and guidance should you need it.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved in student representation and would urge you to do so. The more diverse the Students’ Association is, the better we become at representing your views to the university and indeed the wider world.

Your time at Edinburgh should be an enriching one, with life in a vibrant city and student community offering the chance of fulfilment beyond your studies. The Students’ Association aims to do everything we can to make that possible. We have over 200 registered societies offering a wide range of opportunities and catering for the most diverse interests, as well as bars, clubs and restaurants around the city for your enjoyment. We also offer welfare support, advice and training, aiming to ensure that life here is as comfortable and rewarding as it should be.

Both the city and the University have a great deal to offer any student, and I am sure that your time here will be a memorable one. If we can be of any help during your time here in Edinburgh then please do get in touch.

Best wishes and I hope to meet you soon Thomas Graham President, Edinburgh University Students’ Association 2009 - 2010 president@eusa.ed.ac.uk

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Introduction from the Rector On behalf of the University of Edinburgh it is my great pleasure to welcome you to our community of learning.

As Rector, I reflect the democratic traditions of Scotland’s ancient universities, having been elected in a secret ballot by staff and students.

I chair the University Court, which is the University’s governing body, and it is my job to ensure that the welfare of students and staff is its prime focus.

Edinburgh University is a big place - a community of twenty five thousand students and nearly eight thousand staff drawn from all nations. It is quite normal to feel a bit lost in the early months of your university career.

If you have any problems, I would urge you to seek help first of all from the Edinburgh University Students Association’s Advice Place at Potterrow. They have the knowledge and expertise to deal with the many issues, financial, academic and personal, faced by international students. I work closely with EUSA in promoting the interests of the student body.

Attending a university like Edinburgh is a unique opportunity, not only for gaining worldrenowned qualifications, but also for making friends, being exposed to new ideas and having new experiences. Edinburgh is a community which attracts staff and students from all over the world and I am immensely proud that so many international students choose to come here.

There is nowhere you will find a more rewarding and enjoyable place to study.

Make the most of it.

Iain Macwhirter Rector, The University of Edinburgh Tel: 0131 650 2160

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International Office Welcome Welcome to Scotland’s flagship international University. Each year we welcome over 7,000 international students, representing over 140 different nations, to the University of Edinburgh.

Our international student community makes a vital contribution to the social and academic life of the University and the International Office looks forward to supporting you during your time here as a student.

We are firmly committed to ensuring that you have both an enjoyable and rewarding time whilst studying here and please do feel free to contact us if you require assistance or support.

I trust that your studies here at the University will be enjoyable and enriching and I wish you every success.

Best wishes Alan Mackay Head of International Office International Office 57 George Square Edinburgh E-mail: international.enquiries@ed.ac.uk www.international.ed.ac.uk

6

TWO

Students’ Association Student Services Publications

Students’ Association

When you become a student at Edinburgh University, you automatically become a member of Edinburgh University Students’ Association. This means that you can help to determine what goes on within the Association – from the food we sell to the issues we campaign on.

The organisation has two distinct roles: representation (via the Students’ Representative Council) and the provision of services (via the Union). All decision making lies in the hands of students: you.

Every year you elect your representatives. Full elections are held in February, with bye-elections taking place the following October. As a student you are invited to attend General Meetings, which are held once a semester. This is where policy can be set and questions asked of the people working for you. If you would like to get more involved in student association activities, pop in to the Student Association offices, which are based at Potterrow.

The Education Act, 1994 gives students the right to opt out of membership of the Students’ Association. If you wish to do this contact the University Registry.

EUSA Offices Potterrow Bristo Square Tel: 0131 650 2656 www.eusa.ed.ac.uk Open: During the semester: Monday & Thursday 9.45am–4.45pm, Tuesday 9.45am–7.00pm, Wednesday & Friday 10.30am–4.45pm During the holidays: 11.00am–2.00pm Monday to Friday E-mail: enquiry@eusa.ed.ac.uk

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Student Services Who’s Who

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Every year Edinburgh students elect four people to oversee the running of EUSA. These people are students taking a sabbatical year out from their studies. This year’s officers – who can all be contacted at the EUSA offices – are: President: Thomas Graham, president@eusa.ed.ac.uk Vice-President Academic Affairs: Evan Beswick, vpaa@eusa.ed.ac.uk Vice-President Societies & Activities: Camilla Pierry, vpsa@eusa.ed.ac.uk Vice-President Services: James Wallace, vps@eusa.ed.ac.uk

Representation – how it works The main activity of the Students’ Representative Council is the communication of students’ views to the University, the Government and the wider community. The SRC not only represents students’ opinions on matters such as funding and accommodation, but also provides a range of welfare services, including a comprehensive drop-in advice centre called The Advice Place.

and drink, all of which are excellent value for money. The Unions have a broad range of services from study space, to a gym and squash courts.

There are also several EUSA shops where you can buy anything from a University scarf to pens and stationery. These are located within Potterrow, David Hume Tower, Pollock Halls and KB House.

If there are any areas where you feel that improvements can be made in either the shops or the Unions, particularly as an international student, then come and see the Vice-President Services or email him on vps@eusa.ed.ac.uk.

The important thing to remember about the Students’ Association is that you are a member of it, and you have the right to take part in making decisions about how its services are provided. Students are ultimately responsible for running each and every one of EUSA’s services, and the Association needs your involvement and ideas to ensure that it continues to provide the services that you want.

The SRC also provides funding and facilities for official Edinburgh University societies, which play an important part in the life of many students. If you’d like to get involved in the SRC or find out more about societies, drop into the Students’ Association offices to find out more.

Student Services - what can we do for you?

Unlike many other universities, Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) has a number of Union buildings based in different locations – The Potterrow and Teviot buildings in Bristo Square (the central area), The Pleasance near the central campus, and KB House in the Kings Buildings campus.

Each of these venues is designed to cater for the needs of the students who use them.

This includes high quality food, entertainment

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EUSA Publications In addition to the International Students’ Guide, the Students’ Association produces several other publications that you may find useful while you are in Edinburgh. Many of these are available from Freshers’ Week, and you should get hold of copies as soon as you can when you arrive. Most can be obtained free of charge from the Student’s Association Office, and the Advice Place offices. If you are interested in helping to produce some of these publications and newspapers, then speak to the VicePresident Societies & Activities – vpsa@eusa.ed.ac.uk The Advice Place Survival Guide In addition to an overall introduction to the Students’ Association and the University, the Advice Place Survival Guide contains a great deal of information covering a broad range of welfare issues. As a guide, it will be indispensable to you throughout your time in Edinburgh. There is also a Societies Guide and a Guide to Edinburgh available.

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The Course Reviewer The Course Reviewer (www.eusa.ed.ac. uk/reviewer) is an online facility provided by the Students’ Association which lets you submit reviews on all the taught courses that you take at the University. You can also browse and rate other reviews. The facility is still in its early stages, so please spread the word so it can grow into a really valuable online resource for students to consult when they are making course choices (or when they simply want to know what everyone else’s courses are like).

Postgraduate Students’ Handbook This is a handbook to help new postgraduates to settle in to their course of study and gives information on both academic and welfare issues.

THREE Getting Settled Finance Academic Matters

Getting Settled By the time you read this, you will have already been through what may potentially be one of the most traumatic events of your stay in Edinburgh: arriving. The shock of a new place, a new culture, and a new dialect confronts all students when they first get to Edinburgh, especially those arriving from overseas. The feeling of disorientation can be stressful, and even depressing. Fortunately there are facilities available to help you.

If you arrive the week before term begins you will experience Freshers’ Week, when a whole range of orientation programmes are organised for all new students at the University.

For £32.00 you can subscribe for the week and get a pass which gives you free entry to a full week of comedy, music and club nights.

The primary function of Freshers’ Week is to make everyone feel comfortable, to let them make new friends and to get to know Edinburgh and university life. The programme for the week is varied and includes entertainments, tours of the university and city, academic and society events and an orientation/welfare programme. Particularly, look out for International Day on the first Sunday, events specifically for international postgraduates and events run by the International Student Centre.

If you feel lost or disoriented during Freshers’ Week, don’t despair. Everybody feels the same, to varying degrees. If you need any help finding your way around, ask. There are countless Freshers’ Week volunteers, who are there to help you: just look out for the brightly coloured T-shirts with ‘Fresher’s week helper’ written on them!

Adjusting to a New Life In your first few weeks here, you may feel disorientated, depressed and/or homesick.

The thought of going home may cross your mind. Hopefully, we can help you settle in and realise that Scotland is not so bad after all.

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Alternatively, you might be ecstatically happy.

Either way, there are many sources of help, advice and support to help you settle in and adjust to life in Edinburgh.

As you settle in after Freshers’ Week and commence your University life, you will most likely begin to notice differences between your current environment and your previous life.

Here you will face some of the most intense and rewarding challenges of your life, both academically and personally.

There is plenty to do in Edinburgh and the onus is upon you to get involved in the wide range of academic, social, political and sporting activities. Don’t always expect someone to call on you - take the initiative: go out and meet people. With around a quarter of students at Edinburgh University coming from outside the UK, you are sure to find activities that you like, meet people from similar (or different) cultures and make some new friends. The whole of Freshers’ Week is aimed at introducing new students to University life.

If you need help, the Advice Places or the Students’ Association office are always happy to help.

Societies Societies are a great way of meeting new people who have a common interest. It’s also a chance to try out some new activities.

There are around 210 official University societies, and the vast majority of students are a member of at least one. The list of societies goes on forever, covering a vast range of interests - political, cultural, academic, religious, hobbies or the downright silly. A full list of these can be found in the Advice Place Survival Guide, which you will find in your Freshers’ Week pack. If you arrive after Freshers’ Week you can obtain information on societies from the Students’ Association Office in the Potterrow building. Alternatively, look them up on the EUSA website at www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/ societies

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During Freshers’ Week, the week before term starts, an event called the Societies’ Fair takes place at the Societies’ Centre which is located at the Pleasance. Here, students have the opportunity to find out more about the different societies in the University, and to meet people who are already involved in them. However, many international students arrive in Edinburgh too late to attend this and may need to contact Societies staff in the Students’ Association Office to find out details of societies, how to join them, and when they meet. This information is also available online at the above address. In the unlikely event that there isn’t already a society which covers your interests, find out how to start your own.

The Societies’ Centre at The Pleasance is run by the Students’ Association, and offers facilities such as a theatre and meeting rooms for use by societies. It also has a bar, where regular events and entertainments are held.

Societies’ Centre 60 The Pleasance Edinburgh Tel: (0131) 650 2349

International Student Centre The International Students Centre is run by student volunteers who will go out of their way to help you settle in. During Freshers Week, a special programme of guided tours, walks through the city and social events is set up to familiarise you with Edinburgh, the University and its people. Throughout the year, its volunteers are very active in organising weekly trips around Scotland as well as theme nights and theatre/cinema outings. Drop in their centre to find out more or, check out their website at www.international.ed.ac.uk/isc/

The Advice Place

www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/advice The Advice Place, run by Edinburgh University Students’ Association, operates a professional, independent and confidential drop-in centre where you can pick up or look through useful leaflets, enquire about issues such as housing, council tax, academic issues, immigration, legal or financial matters or anything else which you may have a problem with. The Advice Place operates from 3 sites: The Advice Place Potterrow Bristo Square Tel: (0131) 650 9225 Bristo Square, tel. 650-9225 Semester Opening Hours Monday, Thursday and Friday, 9.45-4.45 Tuesday 9.45-7pm Wednesday 10.30-4.45 Vacations: Mon – Fri, 11am-2 pm Advice Place King’s Buildings House Tel: (0131) 650 5822 Semester Opening Hours 11am–2pm Monday to Friday Vacation: Wednesdays 11am-2pm Advice Place Patersons’ Land, 37 Holyrood Road Tel: (0131) 651 6060 Semester Opening Hours Mon – Fri 11am-2pm Vacation: By appointment E-mail: advice.place@eusa.ed.ac.uk

Open: Freshers Week 10am-5pm Mon-Fri Term-time 12-4 pm Mon-Wed; 12-6pm Thu; 12-4pm Fri. 22b Buccleuch Place Tel: (0131) 650 4281

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Finance Financial security is very important at all times, but no more so than when studying abroad. Even if you don’t anticipate any problems, keep a very strict eye on your financial situation, at least for a couple of months, to get an accurate idea of how much you are spending. After a couple of months, you’ll be in a position to adjust your budget according to your means. If you do run into severe problems, you should seek advice as soon as possible.

Necessary Expenditure Accommodation in Edinburgh is not cheap.

Expect to pay at least £360 per month plus bills for a single room in shared self-catering accommodation. Accommodation for married couples and families will cost even more, probably upwards of £750 per month.

Postgraduates should also budget for research visits and costs involved in preparing a thesis: overall, this could cost up to £500. Undergraduates will find these costs less strenuous, although many departments now expect two copies of all essays, either typed or word-processed, and then photocopied (requiring printing credits and photocopy costs, etc).

Don’t buy books unless they are very important.

Tutors will often recommend books, but unless you are strongly urged to purchase them, don’t bother. The University libraries have more books than you’ll ever read. However, most of the recommended texts will be placed in the reserve section which means that you will not be able to take them away. Demand on such textbooks does tend to be high, but if you do not envisage using a book as a constant source of reference, it is easier to use the library. If you do have to buy a book, see if you can get it second-hand either through notices on boards around the University, or at the second-hand departments in book shops. This will often save you quite a bit of money. EUSA also has an online second hand book store at: www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/bookexchange

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Financial Aid The University does have some funds available for help in a financial crisis in the way of the Discretionary Funds. However, it should be noted that these funds are limited and capped at a maximum of £800 for non-UK students. The Advice Place can give you more information on these funds and how to apply.

International students have no recourse to public funds in the UK such as Income Support or Housing Benefit. If you have temporarily run out of money, you may be able to claim emergency aid, known as “urgent cases payment”, but only if your funding from abroad is expected to resume within six weeks. It is imperative that you get independent advice before making any such claim. The Advice Place will be able to help you with this.

You may also try the various grant-making charities and trusts. A leaflet with funding information is available from The Advice Place.

Alternatively you can check the Scholarships and Student Finance Office website at

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Finance

www.scholarships.ed.ac.uk, and the Careers Service at 33 Buccleuch Place.

However, due to the high pressures on their finances, most charities and grant-making bodies do not have sufficient funds to meet demand.

Banks You may wish to open a bank account here.

Find a branch close to where you live or study, but take into consideration the number of other branches around, which you can also use. All the banks listed have a number of convenient branches; the address given is the branch closest to the main University campus.

Santander (Abbey) Bank Bristo Square Bank of Scotland University Branch, 4 Bristo Square Clydesdale Bank 29/30 Nicolson Square Lloyds TSB 28 Hanover Street and 9-11 Clerk Street.

Royal Bank of Scotland 30 Nicolson Street and KB Centre, King’s Buildings (cashline machine only) There are also a number of other banks with branches in Edinburgh, they have fewer cash machines and branches but are more prominent in England: Barclays Bank 1 St Andrew Square Midland Bank 76 Hanover Street National Westminster Bank Bristo Square

Opening an Account

You should be eligible for a “basic bank account” from a number of different banks. You normally need to be physically present in the UK to open an account. A basic bank account does not include access to credit.

In order to open an account you will need to have identification, such as a passport, and evidence of your current UK address, for example a letter from the University saying that you are a student and giving your UK address, or your tenancy agreement. Some banks may require that this letter is addressed to them. If you are in University Accommodation you will be given a formal letter when you move in that can be used as proof of address. The University of Edinburgh has negotiated for its standard letter of introduction to be accepted by certain banks.

For a full list go to the International Office’s website (see below).

For private accommodation, you should use your tenancy agreement or a utility bill or, if you do not have any proof of your address, the International Office can provide you with a letter. More information on opening a bank account as an international student can be found on the International Office Website at www. international.ed.ac.uk.

If money is to be deposited into this account from abroad, there may be a charge for this.

Supply the full name, address and sorting code of your bank as well as your full name and account number, in order to reduce delays.

Alternatively you can easily cash Sterling Drafts or Travellers Cheques, or you may have a credit card on which you can draw money. However, make sure that your financial arrangements are sorted out satisfactorily as soon as possible.

The British Bankers Association also has a leaflet specifically for International students. You can find this on www.bba.org.uk.

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Academic Matters Registration/Matriculation When you arrive you must register with the University; this is also sometimes referred to as matriculation. It is an important task, as you must register in order to be a recognised student of the University, with all that this entails.

There are two things you must do in order to become a registered student. Firstly, you must officially register and make arrangements to pay your tuition fees. If you are a postgraduate student, you must go to the College Office to collect your registration form before you can register.

Please see www.registry.ed.ac.uk Matriculation/StudentInformation/How_ to_Matriculate.htm for further information about how and when you should register.

Secondly, you must visit your Director of Studies (DOS)/Programme Director/ Supervisor to confirm your course choices and complete the matriculation process. The University should have told you who this is. Alternatively, visit the College Office of whichever college you are studying in and ask for information about your DOS/Programme Director/Supervisor.

You should talk to your DoS if you are having any academic difficulties, for example difficulties with your course or with completing an assignment. Your DoS is also the person to see if you have any other difficulties that may affect your academic progress - for example if you are ill, or have family problems - so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Hopefully you will have no problems in your time here, but if you do it is best that you discuss them with your DoS as early as possible and before things get too difficult.

Fee Assessment At the same time as you formally register with the University, your fee status will be assessed. Edinburgh University, like other British universities, charges international students the full cost of their studies here.

Unless you are in Edinburgh as part of a recognised exchange scheme, or you have specific circumstances, you will have to pay the full rate. Further details of the fees will be sent to you, but can also be found at www.registry.ed.ac.uk/fees/ There are certain circumstances under which international students are not charged full fees. The following conditions may make you eligible to pay the ‘home’ rate:

Director of Studies (DoS)

• If you are here on an exchange scheme

Your Director of Studies (if you are an undergraduate) or your Supervisor (if you are a postgraduate) is your link with the University.

They will normally be a member of academic staff based in your School. Your first contact with your DoS/Supervisor will be during Freshers’ Week, as you need to see them as part of the matriculation process. If you are allowed a choice of courses, you should discuss your options with your DoS. However, after this you can contact your DoS at any time during the year, if you need to. They may have office hours, certain times each week that they keep free for students to go and see them.

Alternatively, you could email them to arrange an appointment.

• If you are a European Union national, or

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recognised by the University;

the child of an EU national and you have been ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area for at last 3 years before the start of the course, and you were not resident in the EEA solely or mainly for the purposes of education. If you have been unable to fulfil the 3 year residency rule because of a spouse or parent’s temporary overseas work commitments you may still be eligible for home fees.

• If you have been granted refugee status

or, as a result of your asylum application being refused, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave or indefinite leave to

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remain; and have been ordinarily resident in the UK since the Home Office made the decision;

• If you are an EEA migrant worker, or the child of an EEA migrant worker and you fulfil the 3 year EEA residency criteria detailed above.

• If you have permanent residence without

restrictions – ‘settled status’ and have been resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the course

You should check the University’s Overseas Fee Definition for more information at www.registry.ed.ac.uk/fees/Guidelines.htm In some limited circumstances, if you are from the EU you may also be eligible for Student Support from the UK government: i.e. access to a student loan. For information on eligibility contact the Advice Place.

The University will decide your fee status assessment on the grounds of the evidence you can present when you attend registration - the Registry uses a questionnaire - so if you think you have a case, make sure you prepare it carefully. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice if you are unsure. If you think that the University has made a mistake in deciding which fee you should pay, inform them immediately and do not sign any forms agreeing to pay fees. The Advice Place is always at hand to help with any queries that you may have.

Studies The course requirements, structure, and learning and teaching methods used at Edinburgh University may be very different to your previous academic experiences.

Depending on which course you do you may find you have to attend a lot of classes, or that you have few formal teaching hours per week, but need to spend a lot of time studying independently. Although most courses have exams at the end of semester or year, there is also a lot of continuous assessment. The

responsibility for completing course work and meeting deadlines rests firmly upon your shoulders. Generally it is assumed that you are happy unless you say otherwise.

It can take time to get used to your new course, and new ways of learning and assessment, and if you feel that you are struggling and need advice, then you should talk to your Director of Studies or Supervisor.

The Survival Guide contains more detailed information on academic matters, with hints and tips to help you. Your School will also give you information about your degree, and each course will provide you with a course handbook which should clearly set out how the course will be taught, assessed and also the requirements and relevant regulations for you.

If you are unsure of anything, ask.

Plagiarism The University definition of plagiarism is as follows: ‘[p]lagiarism is the act of copying or including in one’s own work, without adequate acknowledgment, intentionally or unintentionally, the work of another, for one’s own benefit’ (Edinburgh University Undergraduate and Postgraduate Regulations). Unless you are specifically given work to do as a group, the university expects any work you do to be your own independent work, with any assistance from anyone else clearly acknowledged.

Academics in various disciplines have clear expectations of how other contributions (e.g. quotes or ideas from books or articles you have read, or from other students for example) should be acknowledged. These can differ. This can be confusing for students, particularly if you have experienced different rules and attitudes to this issue previously, or had not heard of it until you arrived at Edinburgh. The University has produced some useful guidance on the issue for students, which you can read at: www.acaffairs.ed.ac. uk/Administration/GuidanceInformation/ AcademicBestPractice/Plagiarism/Index.htm

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Academic Matters

You should also check with your Course Organiser how they expect your work to be referenced, if this isn’t clear to you at the start.

If you deliberately copy another students’ work or ideas, or words from another source (e.g. book, journal, website), the University treats this as a form of cheating. This is taken very seriously. The student guidance referred to above contains more information about how this is dealt with.

If you find yourself accused of plagiarism you can seek advice from one the Advice Place’s academic advisers. You can make an appointment to see one of them at the Students’ Association offices in Potterrow, Bristo Square.

Study skills workshops If you are having difficulties getting to grips with the study skills required by your course, then help is at hand. Check out the University’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) Effective Learning website for sources of information and advice:

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www.tla.ed.ac.uk/services/effect-learn/ advice.htm The information available here may help you to solve your difficulties, or you may want to try some of the Study Development workshops run by the University. Look for these during Freshers’ Week, but they are also held during the year and will be advertised on University notice boards and on the TLA site. It is also possible to get one-to-one advice from the Study Development Adviser and details of how to do this are on the TLA effective learning website.

The Students’ Association also runs a number of personal transferable skills workshops, for example, presentation skills, teamwork, assertiveness etc. These are just 50 pence to attend. You can get details from the EUSA office or on the EUSA website: www.eusa. ed.ac.uk/training

Computing and library services The facilities at Edinburgh are vast. The main library, one of the largest in Europe, is

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complemented by many smaller departmental or school libraries. Most Colleges also have their own computing facilities. Most courses now require you to use computers in the preparation of your work, be it word processing essays or using Microsoft Excel to design spreadsheets. Desktop publishing packages are also available in most of the public computing labs.

It is important to get to know these facilities.

They will enhance the quality of your work and will give you vital skills for the future.

In addition to academic needs, University computers are all connected to the Internet and the World Wide Web. All students automatically have e-mail accounts. These may be of use for contacting friends in Edinburgh or at universities elsewhere in the United Kingdom, or even back home. Don’t panic if none of this makes any sense: the Computing Service runs beginners’ sessions open to all in the public computing labs in the Appleton Tower. There’s no need to register, but they are quite busy so turn up early. There are also fact sheets in all public labs.

Public computing labs

understand the technical language of your course. If this is the case, the University organises language courses to help you. The Institute for Applied Language Studies runs courses for students and non-students during both semester and vacation periods.

The Secretary, Institute for Applied Language Studies 21 Hill Place Edinburgh Tel: (0131) 650 6200 Private tuition is also available. However, don’t assume that language courses will solve all the language problems you have.

Career Planning The Careers Service exists to help all students with career choices and job hunting. It should be able to help you with your career plans while you are studying here. Situated at 33 Buccleuch Place and in the Weir Building, Kings Buildings, the Careers Service has information on a wide range of topics including potential employers and further study opportunities.

George Square: Appleton Tower floors 4 and 5; Main Library floors 2 and 4; Greenfield Suite (George Square).

King’s Buildings: James Clarke Maxwell Building 3rd Floor; KB Centre; Old Engineering Library; Pollock Halls: St Leonard’s Basement.

The Careers Service also has a jobs team who maintain a database of jobs, including part-time, casual temporary and vacation work posts for students. All vacancies can be found online at www.careers.ed.ac.uk/SAGE. You can sign up to get access to this service through the web.

Details about opening times, facilities and assistance are available on the computing services web site at www.ucs.ed.ac.uk.

The publication How Computers Can Help Your Studies is also very useful, and can be found in the Main Library, at the Computing Services’ desk.

The prospect of working in the UK after graduation is extremely limited for those of you from countries outside the EEA, but the Careers Service may be able to help you to investigate possible employers in your own country or elsewhere. To find out more, collect a copy of the Careers Service leaflet for International Students, and consult their website at www.careers.ed.ac.uk/.

Language Problems If English isn’t your first language, you may also feel that you need assistance to

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Advert ADVERT?

FOUR Accommodation and Transport

Accommodation and Transport Having arrived in Edinburgh, finding accommodation will be high on your list of priorities. If you have pre-arranged accommodation, getting the keys and settling in should be relatively trouble-free. However, if you haven’t, this chapter should be able to help you.

• Via notice boards; these can be found

Accommodation Services

• Putting up ‘Accommodation Wanted’

in University buildings, especially the David Hume Tower basement, Teviot Row Union, and in the Potterrow Student Centre. Shop windows sometimes carry adverts for flats. Some supermarkets also have ‘Customer Information’ boards, which serve as advertisement boards. notices can also get you some response, if you have a number at which you can be contacted.

www.accom.ed.ac.uk You can contact the University Accommodation Service if you are unsure about what to do about accommodation.

• www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/

Accommodation Services, Pollock Halls, 18 Holyrood Park Road Edinburgh, EH16 5AY Tel: (0131) 667 1971

• www.studentpad.co.uk - a very useful

If you have a room already booked in University accommodation, but are unsure how to get there, the Accommodation Services will be able to help you. The Reception Centre is based at Pollock Halls. If you are trying to find somewhere to stay, they are also the ideal place to start. They administer a large number of flats, houses and halls of residence that are exclusively for students. They also provide a message-board for advertising rooms and places available for rent. This will prove a very valuable source when hunting for somewhere to live. They may be able to give you helpful hints about finding somewhere to live, even if they cannot always find you somewhere suitable themselves within university accommodation. However, do not expect them to do all the hard work for you, especially if you arrive at the beginning of the academic year; they will be inundated with requests such as yours.

Flat Hunting Finding accommodation in Edinburgh can take a while. The process of finding somewhere can be a hard, dispiriting experience.

However, keep at it. Finding a comfortable place to live is very important. Spaces are advertised by a number of means:

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accommodationfinder- the Student Association accommodation board where students often advertise spare rooms in their flats.

•

website with accommodation for students all over Edinburgh.

The local newspapers, The Scotsman (Thu) and Evening News (Wed) carry adverts for spare rooms: respond to these as quickly as possible, since they are generally quite popular. Bear in mind that they may be situated out with the city centre. They may be a bit cheaper, but you may have travel costs.

• The Edinburgh Solicitors’ Property

Centre’s (ESPC) Weekly List, which can be picked up free at estate agents offices, banks and in The Advice Place, lists numerous properties to rent. You can also find them online at www.espc.com.

Beware, though: many of the locations can be quite far from the University.

• The Rental Guide - another weekly

publication with listings of properties to rent. This can be picked up from banks and estate agent offices.

• You might want to rent a flat from an estate agent or property management company of which there are many in Edinburgh.

Beware though that they do tend to charge an administration fee if you do decide to rent a property through them. It is advisable to check how much this will be before agreeing to view a property.

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Accommodation and Transport

Please be careful when responding to adverts for private accommodation. Do not give money to anyone for accommodation prior to actually viewing the accommodation and verifying that the person is the actual landlord or a representative of the landlord (such as a letting agent).

Ideally you should try to rent from accredited landlords. You can find more information about being accredited and search for properties being rented by accredited landlords here: www.edinburghlandlordaccreditation. co.uk/publicpages/homepage.aspx Under Scottish housing law all landlords must be registered with the local council. You can find out if your landlord is registered and is therefore a genuine landlord on this site: www. landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk. You are strongly advised not to rent from anyone who has not registered with the local council.

If you are in any doubt about any of the conditions stated in your lease, check with the Advice Place or Accommodation Service before signing anything. Remember, once you sign a lease you are legally bound to it until the lease expires.

When looking around flats it will help to consider the following factors: • Lease: length of stay, notice required before leaving

• Rent: amount, and when due (4-weekly, monthly)

• Bills: approximate charges for telephone, electricity, gas, TV rental

• Rules: relating to noise, visitors, pets, furniture etc.

• Room size, storage space • Contents: what is included (furnishings, crockery)

• Other benefits such as access to a garden?

• Location: distance from the University, local amenities such as shops and available transport

If you are interested in a property, tell the landlord or letting agent as soon as possible: not necessarily immediately, but within a day. If you are accepted, then you can make arrangements to move in when the room becomes available. Normally, however, you

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Accommodation and Transport will be asked to leave a contact number so that they can get back to you. If they do this, do not automatically assume that you will get the room, keep looking elsewhere. They might ring you back, but will just as likely not, so don’t hang by the phone waiting for a call.

Eventually you will find a place that you like.

Don’t jump at the offer of somewhere you don’t feel comfortable with: the accumulated stress that a poor flat can generate will nearly always outweigh the short-term relief of finding somewhere to live.

When finalising the deal, get all agreements in writing. Although it is not that common, some landlords can be unscrupulous. Get a written receipt for your deposit, as well as a signed lease with the terms and conditions for your stay. Your landlord should also provide you with an inventory of everything in the flat such as furniture, kitchen utensils, bedding and curtains.

Make sure you check the inventory carefully after moving in and note any damage ensuring you inform the landlord in writing within a few days of moving in. If your landlord fails to provide you with an inventory then write one yourself, noting down everything in the property and the condition it is in. This will protect you against being held liable for any damage already present when it is time for you to move out of your property. Advice on housing law and tenancy rights is available from the Advice Place.

Council Tax

The council tax is a charge made by the local authority annually to pay for local services. It is partly a property tax and partly a personal tax for anyone aged 18 and over, depending on the status of the residents. Generally, full time students in Scotland are exempt from council tax charges even if they live with nonstudents. However, the council tax office will not automatically know that you are a full time student. It is your responsibility to inform them of your status and, if you have not already done so, now is the time to do it.

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Is your property exempt?

• If you are living in Halls of Residence, you are automatically exempted and don’t need to contact the council tax office

• If you live in accommodation that has

only full time students living in it, your property will be exempt. However, you must inform the council tax office of your status. Students enrolled on part-time courses or visiting students who are here for only one semester are not exempt from council tax. In order to satisfy the criteria for full-time study, you must be studying for at least 21 hours per week for at least 24 weeks per year, and you must be within your prescribed period for your course (except 4th year PhD students who can still qualify).

• For those of you living in a property

that has both full time students and non-students in it, the liability for the charge rests with the non-students. The exception to this rule is that resident landlords sharing with non-students are automatically the liable person in the property, regardless of whether or not they are a full-time student. You should inform the council of the status of each of the tenants in the property, and the liable persons will then be sent a bill for council tax for that financial year. If there is only one non-student in the property, then a discount of 25% will be applied to the bill; the remaining 75% will be have to be paid by the liable person.

• International students accompanied to the UK by a spouse or partner who entered the UK on a student dependant’s visa can also apply for exemption for that partner.

This is because that partner may not legally have the option to work and they will not be able to claim public funds to assist with the cost of the council tax bill due to immigration laws in the UK. If you are an international student, contact the Advice Place and we will tell you how to get this exemption for your partner. This does not include EU student spouses.

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Accommodation and Transport If you have already received a council tax bill through your door and are a full time student, do not ignore it. Contact the council as soon as possible, as failure to respond to these demands for council tax will result in them being passed on to debt collectors. To inform the council of your student status, if you live in Edinburgh, write to them at the following address: The City of Edinburgh Council, Revenues and Benefits Section, Chesser House, 500 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3YJ. In your letter, you should give the names of each of the persons living in the property, when you moved into the property, which of the tenants are full time students, which College or University they are studying at, and give the matriculation numbers of all students in the property. Those of you who live out with Edinburgh should contact the local authority for that area. If you are having difficulties obtaining your council tax exemption then the Advice Place should be able to help you.

Other bills and taxes On top of the immediate expenses and the possibility of council tax, you will also be liable to pay other bills. These will include: • TV licence: if you have a TV in the property or you watch TV using a laptop, PC, mobile phone, digital box or a DVD recorder, you must obtain a TV licence. A colour TV licence currently costs £142.50 per year. If you choose to live in university Halls of Residence, you will need your own individual TV licence. However, if you live in a private flat with a joint tenancy then one TV licence within the household is usually sufficient. Information about obtaining a TV licence is available on their website at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index. jsp If you do not obtain a licence and are caught watching TV in your property, you could be fined £1000. Worse still, since non-payment is an offence, it could affect your immigration status.

• Parking permits: You may need to buy a parking permit if you have a car and wish to park it in the city centre. These can

be obtained either from Lothian Regional Council for parking near your home, or from the University if you wish to park on university owned property.

• Gas, electricity bills: most flats and

houses are rented exclusive of bills for heating and electricity. You must pay these if you wish to continue using these services; otherwise the services will be disconnected, and proceedings for nonpayment will be taken against you if you owe money to the service provider.

• Telephone bills: If you have a telephone,

the bills for these will also have to be paid.

If you are living in a private flat it is possible to get telephone and internet access packages combined for less than it would cost to get each one separately. Check out which companies are offering the best deals by searching online or look in the Yellow Pages for their contact details.

• Stair-cleaning: most flats share a

common stairwell, and the flats together pay for them to be cleaned. Your neighbours may ask you for money to cover this, or you may be expected to take a turn cleaning the stair. Pick up the booklet “living in a tenement flat” from one of the Advice Place offices.

Transport You should be able to decide quite early on how you will get around Edinburgh. Obviously the location of where you live and study will affect your decision, but there are always factors to consider: • Walking is good for you, but with lots of hills, traffic fumes and cold, wet weather it can become tiresome. Late at night, walking alone in some isolated or poorly lit areas is not recommended, so stick to well-lit roads and stay in groups.

Edinburgh is a small city, so it is usually possible to walk to most places in the centre of town.

• Lothian Buses are the main provider of bus services within the city centre,

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Accommodation and Transport

•

•

although understanding their routes can be tricky sometimes. The timetables are printed at the bus stops and you can pick them up from the Lothian Bus travel shops - the same place you would go to buy a bus pass. You can also view timetables online at www.lothianbuses.com There are 3 ‘Travel-shops’ in Edinburgh: 27 Hanover Street (Mon-Sat 0830 -1800) Shandwick Place (Mon-Sat 0830 -1800) Waverly Bridge (Mon-Sat 0815 -1800, Sunday 0930 -1715) If you choose not to buy a bus pass, which if you use the buses frequently could be good value for money, you will need the correct change to travel. Try to save a stock of coins, as all local Lothian Buses fares are currently £1.20. A daily unlimited ticket is currently £3.00. Remember, this ticket will only be valid on Lothian Buses, so it can’t be used on First Bus services, who are the other main provider of bus services in Edinburgh It is therefore best to check the routes you will be using to see if a day ticket works for you. Lothian buses also operate a night bus service 7 days a week throughout the city. This currently costs £3.00 regardless of distance or how many night buses you use in that particular night.

Cycling is popular and environmentally friendly. You are strongly advised to wear a suitable helmet. It is also essential to wear bright coloured clothing, especially at night and in the winter months. Lights are legally required after dark and you must observe the Highway Code in the same way that drivers do. More information about the Highway code for cyclists is available on the government website at www.direct.gov.uk/en/ TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/ Cyclists/index.htm Stick to cycle routes, where possible, and ensure that you leave your bicycle in a safe place and securely locked. Bicycle insurance is also a good idea.

If you do have a car, you may also need a parking permit for where you live, and have to pay parking charges in the city. Please be aware that parking in an

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•

unauthorised place results in heavy fines and could result in your vehicle being impounded which can be very expensive.

Remember to check if your driving licence is valid in the UK. Taxis are available in Edinburgh, but they can be expensive. The Yellow Pages phone directory has the numbers of taxi services that can be called out by phone; otherwise you may hail one in the street when its yellow ‘taxi’ light is on. There is a standard rate of charging for all black cabs which should be displayed in the passenger compartment.

Driving in the UK

If you plan to drive whilst you are in the UK there are some important factors that you should be aware of. Firstly you should check to ensure your current driving licence permits you to drive in the UK and, for how long. If your licence does allow you to drive in the UK, you should be aware that there may be a time limit as to how long it will be valid for in the UK depending on which country it was issued in.

This is usually 12 months from the day you first arrive here. You will then have to apply for a UK driving licence if you want to continue driving after that date.

Any vehicle owned in the UK must by law be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It must have a valid MOT certificate (if the vehicle is more than 3 years old) to ensure it is roadworthy, and you must pay for Road Tax (this can be done at many post offices or online at the DVLA website). You must also by law take out adequate insurance for your vehicle to cover you and any damage done to other persons or vehicles in the event of an accident.

For more information on driving licences, and your eligibility to drive in the UK, check out the DVLA website at: www.dvla.gov.uk, or ask either at the Advice Place, Potterrow or the International Office at 57 George Square.

FIVE Immigration Employment

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Immigration Immigration law is highly complex and frequently changes, so it is sensible to seek advice before you act or before contacting the Home Office UK Border Agency. The International Office at 57 George Square and The Advice Place at Potterrow can deal with most immigration queries. Additional sources of advice are listed at the end of this section. It is vital that you comply with the regulations in order to avoid problems with your immigration status or your ‘leave to remain’.

You must not allow your leave to remain to expire whilst you are in the UK, applications to extend it should be submitted before it expires. If you submit an application after your current leave to remain expires then your application is likely to be refused and you will also automatically lose your right to appeal any decision. A refusal without right of appeal would mean you would have to leave the UK, even if you have not yet completed your course of study. It may also affect any future visa applications. You must also ensure that you fill out the relevant application form correctly, supply all documents required and enclose all necessary passports, travel documents and photographs as well as the correct fee. Failure to do this means your application would be invalid and will result in a refusal. The UK Border Agency do not usually make exceptions to the rules for anyone who makes an invalid application. If in doubt seek advice before submitting an application or before switching into another immigration category.

Extending Student Leave to Remain (Visas) ‘Leave to remain’ (more commonly referred to as a visa) is the length of time which the Home Office has granted you permission to legally stay in the UK. If you have not been given a student visa to cover the whole duration of your course of study, then you will have to extend it in order to complete your studies. If so you can apply in one of two ways:

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1. By post to the Home Office UK Border Agency using a Tier 4 (General) application form.

It is advisable to send your application to the Home Office UK Border Agency via the University of Edinburgh’s International Office at 57 George Square. Staff at the International Office operate the ‘Batch Application Scheme’ for University of Edinburgh students. If you post the application to the UK Border Agency without using the Batch Scheme, your application may take much longer to be processed. If using the Batch Scheme you should plan ahead and submit your application between 5 – 7 weeks before your visa expires, you can find more information about the Batch Scheme and what documents are required to make the application on the International office website at www.international.ed.ac.uk/ immigration/index.php The International Office also run information workshops for students who need to submit a Tier 4 application. In these workshops staff will tell you how to complete the application form and let you know what documents you will have to provide as well as answering any questions you may have. To make an appointment to see an immigration adviser or to sign up for a workshop, contact the International Office at 57 George Square, phone 0131 650 4296 or email immigration@ed.ac.uk Information, application forms and guidance notes for Tier 4 student visas is also available on the UK BA website at www.ind. homeoffice.gov.uk.

Student visa applications submitted in the UK now require you to also submit your biometric information (fingerprints and facial image). You will then be issued with a UK ID card which will contain your visa information as well as your personal details instead of having a visa inserted into your passport. This means that you will now be expected to carry both your passport and your ID card with you whenever you travel out of the UK and then re enter. As a result of the biometric system being introduced,

Immigration

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applications now take much longer to be processed. You are advised not to make any travel arrangements for at least 10 – 12 weeks after submitting your application by post or via the Batch Scheme as there is no guarantee that your will receive your passport and ID card before then.

2. Alternatively, applications can be made in person to a Home Office Public Enquiry Office (PEO) using the Tier 4 (General) application form and supplying all necessary documents. The PEO can usually process applications more quickly than one submitted by post. The nearest PEO is in Glasgow. This service is operated on an appointments only basis, so you should phone for an appointment before you go. It can take several weeks to get an appointment, so make sure you phone and book your appointment in plenty of time before your visa expires.

Contact details for the PEO are available on the UK BA website at www.ind.homeoffice. gov.uk/contact/applyinginperson/ peoservices/ Anyone who extends their leave to remain in the UK has to pay a fee depending on the type of visa they are applying for. The charges are currently £357 for students making postal applications, and £565 for those using the Public Enquiry Offices.

If you obtained your visa at a British Diplomatic Post abroad before travelling to the UK, the Entry Clearance Officer who issued your visa should have followed guidelines which specify how long your visa should be granted for to allow you to complete your course. These guidelines are as follows: 1. Postgraduate Students should be given the length of their course plus 4 months

2. Non-postgraduate students coming for courses of one academic year or more that finish in the summer should be

given until 31st October following the end of their course 3. Non-postgraduate students coming for courses of one academic year or more that do not follow the standard autumn to summer pattern should be given the

length of their course plus 2 months 4. Students coming for courses of more

than 6 months but less than one academic year should be given the length

of their course, with the condition “Work (and any changes) must be authorised” rather than “No work”

The Home Office operate a scheme enabling Higher Education institutions, or their Student Unions, to ask for entry clearances to be rectified where this guidance has not been followed. This is called the Entry Clearance Correction Scheme. This scheme can correct both student visas and student dependant visas for spouses and children. Check your visa. If you think you have not been given the correct amount of time or have been issued with the wrong visa then you can apply to have the visa amended while you are in the UK. To

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Immigration

do this contact the Advice Place at Potterrow, and we can check to see if you qualify to have the visa amended, and will contact the Home Office on your behalf.

Travel Abroad and Re-admission to the UK Students and their dependants, who have been granted a visa for more than 6 months duration, and who wish to travel abroad and re-enter the UK, can do so as long as their visa is valid and will not expire whilst they are out of the UK. They must also be returning under the same category for which the visa was originally granted, this means that if you originally entered as a student then you must be returning as a student and still undertaking a course of study. However, this does not guarantee re-entry. You may still be questioned by an immigration officer to check that you still qualify for re-admission. Therefore, it is advisable to carry relevant documents in your hand luggage with your passport when you travel. These documents should include:

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• A letter from the University (on University

headed paper) which confirms that you are still enrolled on the course. The letter should contain the name, start and finish date of the course, what qualification it will lead to and when any graduation ceremony is due to take place. It should also state that you are progressing satisfactorily on the course, Your Director of Studies, Supervisor or School Office can give you this letter.

• If you are travelling during semester time,

then you should have written permission from the University to confirm that they have given permission for you to be away from University in term time.

• You are also advised to carry with you

evidence of your financial support. This can be recent bank statements and/or a letter of sponsorship.

Students who are asylum seekers, and others for whom an application to change immigration status is pending, are strongly advised not to travel outside the UK before a decision on their application is made.

Employment Many International students are allowed to do some work while they are in the UK. This will depend on the visa stamp endorsed in their passport. If you are allowed to work, there are certain restrictions on the type of work that you can take and the number of hours you can work each week. Anyone entering the UK as a student for more than six months would normally have a ‘restriction’ visa stamp.

This restriction allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the University termtime, and as many hours as you wish during University official vacation periods. You can also work on a student visa full-time once you have fully completed your course, until your student visa expires or you switch into a different immigration category. You must not, under any circumstances work for more than 20 hours per week during term time while you are undertaking your course of study. With a student visa, you are not permitted to be self-employed, engage in business, provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer or take a job that is considered a full-time, permanent career vacancy. You can check to see if you have a ‘restriction’ visa by looking at the wording on the visa stamp – it should state that it is a student visa and it will also state ‘No recourse to public funds.

Work (and any changes) must be authorised’.

Student nurses and students undertaking an internship as part of their course may be exempt from the 20 hour a week rule, contact the International Office or the Advice Place for more information about this.

If you have a ‘prohibition’ stamp you are not allowed to work under any circumstances.

In this case the wording on your visa stamp will state ‘No work. No recourse to public funds’ or, ‘work prohibited’. In some cases, it may be possible to have a visa changed to a ‘restriction’ visa from a ‘prohibition’ visa but seek advice before trying to do this.

Spouses of international students who enter the UK on a student dependant visa may also be allowed to take up employment in the UK, if their visa stamp is valid for 12 months

FIVE or more and the wording on the visa states ’Limited leave to remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds’. There are no restrictions with this visa on what type of work you are allowed to do, or the number of hours that you are allowed to work so full-time employment is permitted. If you are not sure about your entitlement to work, contact the International Office at 57 George Square, or the Advice Place at Potterrow, and they will advise you.

In September 2007 the Home Office introduced a new category for students who are in the UK to study for up to, but not exceeding, 6 months.

This visa is known as the ‘student visitor visa’. Anyone who has entered the UK on a student visitor visa is not permitted, under any circumstances, to work whilst they are in the UK. If you do take on some work, you may want to find out about paying tax and National Insurance contributions, as well as applying for a National Insurance number. Speak to the Advice Place or Student Careers Service for more details.

The Student Careers Service can also give you information on your rights at work.

EU Accession and Employment Nationals from the following member states working in the UK are subject to the Worker Registration Scheme: Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Under this scheme, these nationals are required to register within one month of taking up employment.

Registration applications are made on the WRS application form, and there is a fee of £90 to pay. The forms can be obtained from the Home Office UK Border Agency website www. ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ Once registered, you will be provided with a worker’s registration certificate. If you stop working before you have completed 12 months continuous employment, the certificate will lapse and you will have to renew your registration for any future employment. There

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Employment are some exceptions to the above rule, and not everyone from one of these countries will have to register. Contact the Advice Place or the International Office for more information on who has to register and who is exempt from applying or check out the UK Border Agency website for more information.

Nationals from Bulgaria or Romania: From 1 January 2007 if you are in the UK and you want to work, you must obtain authorisation from the UK Border Agency.

If you are a student you can apply for a registration certificate using application BR(1).

The application forms to apply for permission to work along with guidance notes are available from www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ workingintheuk/eea/ Please note that you must apply for the certificate prior to taking up any employment.

If you change employment within the initial 12 month period, you must apply for a new certificate. Once the authorisation has been granted, and you have been working for a continuous period of 12 months, you are then no longer required to obtain work authorisation and can have your certificate stamped to confirm to employers that you have unconditional access to the labour market in the UK. The Advice Place or the International Office at 57 George Square can advise you further if you have any queries.

All other EEA/Swiss nationals are free to work without having to apply for authorisation or a registration certificate first.

Working After your Studies If you are thinking about staying on in the UK to work after your studies, there are a few schemes you may qualify for. Information, application forms and guidance notes about working in the UK are available from the UK Border Agency website at http://www.ind. homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/

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If you do decide to apply for either Tier 1 (General) or Tier 1 (Post study work) then you are strongly advised to plan ahead.

Approximately 4 months before your visa expires you should check the guidance notes for the scheme you wish to apply for and find out which documents you will be expected to supply. Amongst other documents, the UK Border Agency will expect to see official bank statements covering at least a 3 month period for both of these schemes. They will also expect to see a minimum bank balance of ÂŁ800 during those 3 months to prove you can maintain yourself financially in the UK. These statements must be recent (dated within one month of the date you submit your application). You should therefore make sure you request official statements from your bank in time to send off your application before your existing student visa expires. You do not have the option of sending documents to the UK Border Agency after you have submitted your application form and applications which are incomplete will be refused. If you have online statements only then you should think about changing this so that you can receive official paper copies of statements from your bank in time to submit your application.

Information sessions are run at the International Office for students who wish to apply for Tier 1 (Post Study Work). You must contact them directly to register for the next available session. At the sessions, staff will answer any questions you may have, explain to you how to complete the application form and let you know which documents you will have to submit with your application. Staff in both the Advice Place and the International Office are available to check fully completed Post Study Work applications and documents prior to you sending them to the UK Border Agency.

Contact either of these organisations to make an appointment to have your application checked. More information on this scheme is available on the International office website at www.international.ed.ac.uk/immigration/ index.php

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If you are applying for Tier 1 (General), staff in the Advice Place should be able to answer any questions you may have and check your application prior to you posting it to the UK Border Agency if you require it. Contact the Advice Place to make an appointment to see an immigration adviser. We can also deal with any queries you may have on other schemes in the UK such as Tier 2 work permits.

Public Funds When international students enter the UK, they are usually subject to immigration conditions which require them to be able to accommodate and support themselves and any dependants, without recourse to public funds. If you do claim public funds you will be in breach of the immigration rules. This could jeopardise your future immigration status. Public funds include child and working tax credits, child benefit, income support, income based job seekers allowance, housing benefit, council tax benefit, disability benefits and being housed by a local authority as a ‘homeless person’. Seek advice before attempting to claim any public funds.

The International Office University of Edinburgh 57 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU Tel: (0131) 650 4296 www.international.ed.ac.uk

Council for Overseas Students Affairs (UKCISA) 9-17 St Albans Place London, N1 0NX Tel: 020 7107 9922, 1-4pm Mon-Fri www.ukcisa.org.uk UK Immigration and Advisory Service (IAS) 115 Bath Street Glasgow, G2 2SZ Tel: 0141 248 2956 www.iasuk.org The Student & Graduate Employment Service (SAGE) 33 Buccleuch Place Edinburgh, EH8 9JS Tel: 0131 650 4670 www.careers.ed.ac.uk/SAGE

Please note that the immigration rules are subject to change. You are strongly advised to check the current rules and regulations before making any applications to the Home Office for visas or permission to work.

Advice The following organisations can offer advice on immigration or employment matters: The Advice Place Edinburgh University Students’ Association The Potterrow 5/2 Bristo Square Edinburgh EH8 9AL Tel: 0131 650 9225 www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/advice

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SIX

Health and Welfare Religion and Culture

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X

Health and Welfare Anyone over the age of 18 will have to pay for prescriptions - currently £4.00 per item - as well as dental treatment. You may well be eligible for help with these costs on the basis of low income.

To have your income assessed, you should complete form HC1 which is available at The Advice Place and most pharmacies. If found to be eligible for assistance with health costs, you can also claim a refund for any National Health treatment you have paid for, although this must be done within 3 months of the date on your receipt. The best idea is to complete the HC1 form before you require treatment, and if you are on a sufficiently low income, you will receive an exemption certificate or a reduction in the amount you have to contribute.

The Richard Verney Health Centre www.health-service.ed.ac.uk This is the doctors surgery located within the university area at 6 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL. It is a National Health Service practice and is open to anyone regardless of whether or not they are a student.

Tel: (0131) 650 2777 for general enquiries and appointment with a doctor.

What do I do if I fall ill?

If your course of study is for three months or more, you and your dependents can get free health care for from the National Health Service (NHS), from the beginning of your stay. If you come from an EU country, or a country with a reciprocal health agreement, you and your dependants will be provided with free healthcare for however long you stay.

You will need to register with a General Practitioner (GP) during your stay, and it is strongly advised that you do this as soon as you arrive in Edinburgh. If you don’t, and you fall ill, a doctor may refuse to treat you as your medical details will not be available to them.

You can choose a doctor near to where you live by entering your postcode into the “Find a GP” option at: www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/

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ourservices/ourservices.asp. Alternatively you can register with the Richard Verney Health Centre, Bristo Square (adjacent to the Student Centre) if you live in the catchment area. The Health Centre provides a wide range of medical services, and is specially geared to meet the needs of students. You can find out more information at www.health-service.ed.ac.uk

You can register for the Health Centre by calling into the centre and filling in the necessary forms at the reception. Special times for this are set aside during Freshers’ Week. The Health Centre has both male and female doctors, and you can request to see a male or female doctor if you prefer this.

There is a pharmacy next to the Health Centre, which can supply your prescriptions for you, as well as giving advice on common illnesses.

If you are studying for a period of less than three months you need not register with a doctor. Should you fall ill, you will be treated like any other student. You will have to complete a temporary resident’s form. The Scottish Health Department is concerned that International students are advised of the desirability of immunisation against group C Meningococcal infection (Meningitis). International students are advised to obtain immunisation before arrival in the UK, or as soon as they are registered with a doctor here.

What should I do if there is an accident or an emergency?

In the event of an accident, you should telephone 999 for immediate assistance. This call is free. You will be asked which service you require – fire brigade, police or ambulance.

When you have described the emergency and given the address and phone number of where you are, wait until help arrives.

You may have to visit a hospital in the event of an emergency. The main hospitals are the Royal Infirmary at Little France, where there is a full Accident & emergency service 24 hours a day; and the Western General Hospital at Crewe

35

Health and Welfare Road, where there is a Minor Injuries Clinic every day from 9am – 9pm. Please remember that these services are only for emergencies that cannot be dealt with by your doctor.

Opticians and dentists

Dental check-ups are now free in Scotland with NHS-registered dentists, although you will have to pay for any treatment needed.

You can phone 0131 537 8444 to find your local NHS-registered dentist, or you can find one at: www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk. If you don’t register, no dentist is obliged to treat you.

Emergency dental treatment is available at the Chalmers Dental Centre, 3 Chalmers Street, just off Lauriston Place, between 9am and 4.45pm, Monday to Friday. Please note that this is strictly for emergencies, and only necessary treatment will be done here, not general dental treatment.

Any treatment will be charged at National Health prices. In an emergency during evenings and weekends you should call the Lothian Dental Advice Line on (0131) 536 4800 for assistance.

Please note that there is no dentist in the University Health Centre or the University itself.

In Scotland there is no longer a charge for a standard NHS eye test. However, you may still have to pay for the cost of lenses and frames from an optician, so it is wise to shop around and see what deals are available.

Assistance with the cost of NHS optical and dental treatment can also be sought, if you have a low income, by filling out and HC1 form which is available from the Advice Place or most pharmacists.

Are there any other kinds of medicine available?

Whilst most people in Britain still use conventional western-style medicine for acute illnesses, many people use alternative medicine for a range of ailments. There are many clinics offering homoeopathy, herbal medicine, osteopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy etc.

Most of these treatments are not available on the NHS, but your GP may be able to put you in

36

touch with local facilities. Alternatively, check the A-Z index at the rear of the Yellow Pages for lists of alternative medicine/therapy practitioners.

The Institute for Complementary Medicine will respond to written enquiries only, and can give out regional information about practitioners.

Send a stamped, addressed envelope to: The Institute for Complementary Medicine, PO Box 194, London, SE16 7QZ. Their website also has a list of local practitioners: www.icmedicine.co.uk

Sexual Health The Advice Place Survival Guide has more in depth information on issues relating to sex, contraception and HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, there is a vast array of leaflets available from the Advice Place which are free for you to pick up at any one of its three locations.

Useful contacts: Edinburgh Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic: Lauriston Building, Lauriston Place Edinburgh, EH3 9YW Telephone: Men 0131 536 2103, Women 0131 536 2104 Sexual Health Help Line: Tel, 0800 567 123 (24 hours, daily, free) • This helpline offers free, confidential advice on anything to do with sexual health.

• Information is also available in other languages upon request

The Student Counselling Service www.student-counselling.ed.ac.uk The Student Counselling Service (SCS) offices are open Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm during semesters, and 10am-1pm during vacation.

Qualified counsellors are available to help students with personal problems, which may or may not be related to their studies.

Sometimes adjusting to life in a new country and culture can be more difficult than you expect, and

Health and Welfare there may be problems that you feel unable to discuss with new people that you have just met e.g. anxieties, relationship difficulties, problems back home, depression, homesickness. The Students’ Counselling Service is completely confidential and there to help you.

Students’ Counselling Service locations: 31 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh Tel: (0131) 650 4170 (Closed 12.30pm - 2.30pm Wed)

• • • •

SIX

Bread, rice, pasta, potatoes or cereals Milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter or margarine Fresh fruit and vegetables Meat, fish, eggs, lentils, nuts or beans

Cooking for yourself does not have to be expensive. As a rule, supermarkets are much cheaper than small corner shops, and have excellent offers which change on a regular basis.

E-mail: student.counselling@ed.ac.uk

If sometimes you don’t have time to cook for yourself, then the Students’ Association catering outlets in the Unions, David Hume Tower and the Library Coffee Bar all serve cheap meals. All of the Students’ Association outlets carry vegetarian options. Restaurants can be expensive but look out for special student offers giving discounts.

Nightline

The Sports Union

Weir Building, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh Tel: (0131) 650 5773

Patersons’ Land, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh Tel: (0131) 651 6200

Nightline is an anonymous and confidential listening and information service, specifically run for students in Edinburgh. You can call between 8pm and 8am every night during semester time to talk to a trained student volunteer about any issue. They also have information on just about everything you might want to know, from library times and cinema listings to emergency doctor numbers.

Tel: (0131) 557 4444

What about healthy eating?

Eating the right food, and enough of it, is vital for keeping healthy. If you are living in a catered Hall of Residence you will probably be given a balanced diet. If you have any special dietary requirements, the chances are you will be self-catering. If you are not used to catering for yourself, eating healthily can be more difficult.

Edinburgh has a number of shops where you can buy foods from around the world so you should be able to find food that is familiar.

A healthy diet is one which includes elements from all the main food groups (protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamins and minerals).

You should try to eat one item from each of the following groups every day:

All students are automatically members of the Sports Union, which is made up of all the sports clubs and the Intra-mural Sports Association. It acts with the Physical Education department to provide facilities and resources to cater to just about everyone. There are around 50 different clubs, covering almost every imaginable sport.

For more details, and information on how to contact the club organisers, get a copy of the Sports Union handbook, check their website at www.eusu.ed.ac.uk or, phone them on 0131 650 2346.

Centre for Sport and Exercise The University provides a number of different sporting facilities, the majority of which are at the Centre for Sport and Exercise, which has eight new squash courts, a multi-gym complex and a large sports hall, with changing rooms, lockers and showers. Racquets and towels are available for hire. To use the centre, which currently costs from £55-95 for the year for unlimited access, you must present your matriculation card. Other membership options are available, or you can pay a small amount every time you visit. They are based at 46, The Pleasance,Tel: 0131 650 2585 or check out their website at www.sport.ed.ac.uk

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Religion and Culture You are bound to enjoy and be fascinated

by Scottish culture. Scotland is a nation with ancient roots. It has stood the test of time, preserving its unique identity as it passed from generation to generation. The many historical sights within Edinburgh show that the Scottish people are proud and committed to upholding their culture. During Freshers’ Week you will have an opportunity to see and experience some of these sights.

However, like any new place you may find practices that may either be uncommon or unacceptable to you. Try not to feel pressured in any way to engage in activities that are against your beliefs, customs or principles.

The pub is at the hub of many peoples’ social life in Scotland; not always because of a serious commitment to alcohol, but rather a tradition of using pubs as common meeting places before friends are invited into the home. Your principles should always be respected if you do not wish to consume alcohol. All pubs sell soft drinks, and most now offer coffee as an alternative to alcohol.

Alternatively, there are many coffee shops which increasingly provide alternative venues for socialising.

You may encounter different values in matters of sexual relationships, gender and equality.

You are you, and as such you define your own limits. Respect for other people’s behaviour and beliefs are essential when encountering a new culture. This rule applies as much to home students as it does to you.

Edinburgh is a multi-cultural city and there are facilities which cater for all faiths.

The Chaplaincy Centre is located at the Potterow Student Centre, Bristo Square, and the University Chaplain is happy to be of any assistance to students of any faith or denomination. The Chaplaincy Centre have information about religious organisations and places of worship throughout the city.

There are also religious societies run by students, you can find out more about these from the Students’ Association Office in

38

the student centre or online at www.eusa. ed.ac.uk Furthermore, during Freshers’ Week these societies are likely to have their own stall at the Societies fair where you can talk to members of the society and get more information about their activities.

Useful contacts The Chaplaincy Centre, 1, Bristo Square; Rev Di Williams – Chaplain to the University Tel: (0131) 650 2595 www.chaplaincy.ed.ac.uk Roman Catholic Chaplaincy, 23/24 George Square Tel: (0131) 650 0904 Jewish Chaplain - Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Tel: 0131 668 1279 Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation: Synagogue Chambers, 4 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh EH16 5AB. Tel 0131 667 3144 General enquiries to: secretary@ehcong.com Islamic Centre of Edinburgh Trust, Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow, Edinburgh EH8 9BT, Tel: (0131) 667 0140 www.edmosque.com Edinburgh University Buddhist Local Faith Contact: Dharmacarini Anagarika Kalyanavaca, 30 Melville Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 1LP, Tel: (0131) 228 3333; www.edinburghbuddhistcentre.org.uk Hindu Temple and Community Centre, St Andrew’s Place, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7EG, Tel: (0131) 555 0140.

Edinburgh Sikh Temple: 1 Mill Lane, Leith, Edinburgh Tel: 0131 553 7202 edinburghsikhs.com/Gurdwara Finally, a word of warning. There are some religious groups who specifically target students in the street. Please be cautious about initially revealing too much personal information. Check that they are genuine. The

Religion and Culture

University Chaplain is happy to give advice and information on such organisations.

Social and Support groups The Edinburgh University Women’s Club run a support group for overseas students’ partners which offer classes in Basic English. They are taken by a TEFL qualified teacher and are aimed at women who have a little knowledge of English. The classes are for women only, a crèche is provided and tuition costs are usually £1 per day. The also organise other events throughout the year. Full details are available from the International Office, 57 George Square or online at www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/ student-life/womens-club The International Student Centre runs all sorts of social events throughout the year and is a good place to start if you are new to Edinburgh and do not yet know many people.

You can find them at 22B Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, www.international.ed.ac.uk/isc/

SIX Societies, there are many societies for international students depending on your nationality. It’s a great way to make friends with people from your own country or culture and get valuable support. Check out the Societies website for information on individual societies at www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/societies Linknet Mentoring is a project aimed at helping black/ethnic minority individuals on their educational, career and personal development through a structured mentoring programme. They are based at 31 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JG. Tel: (0131) 225 6284 www.linknetmentoring.com Africa Centre Scotland, 45 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh Tel: (0131) 557 6331. www.africacentrescotland.org.uk Pakistan Society Edinburgh and East of Scotland, 145 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9NE, Tel: (0131) 662 9446, www.pakistansociety.co.uk

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Religion and Culture The Confucius Institute for Scotland, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, EH16 5HP Tel. +44 (0) 131 662 2180 Fax +44 (0) 131 662 2199 Email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk

Racism Settling in to any country can be made that much more difficult if a number of people you meet are prejudiced against you for being from a different culture. In a recent survey, almost a quarter of overseas students in Britain felt that they had been badly treated because of their ethnicity or colour. Edinburgh is a friendly city but unhappily, like elsewhere, minority groups may have potential problems. Hopefully you will find most people are friendly and helpful.

As a safety measure, which applies to everyone, avoid lonely areas on your own, especially late at night. If you feel that you have been a victim of racism, please feel free to get in touch with the Lothian Racial Equality Council or The Advice Place. Both addresses are given below.

Racial discrimination and harassment It is against the law for people to be denied accommodation or employment on the grounds of their ethnic background or colour. It is also against the law for a club to refuse you entry on these grounds unless it has less than 25 members, or is a special club for people of a particular ethnic group. Racial discrimination is illegal, and if you do feel that you have been discriminated against illegally you should seek legal advice or report it to the police.

Understandably, many people are reluctant to contact the police over these matters. If you do not want to contact the police directly, then there are various organisations in Edinburgh you can contact to report any incidents under a scheme called ‘Remote Reporting’.

Details can be found at www.lbp.police.uk/ takecontrol/. This website contains contact details of third party organisations that operate this scheme. It also has a facility to report

40

crimes online to Lothian and Borders Police.

Alternatively, contact the Lothian Racial Equality Council, 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh, Tel: (0131) 556 0441 www.elrec.org.uk or, come in to the Advice Place at Potterrow and we will assist you in reporting a crime under this scheme.

The University has anonymous marking in exams, which will reduce the possibility of discrimination by examiners, and the Accommodation Service allocates accommodation irrespective of sex or ethnicity. Elsewhere, discrimination may not be explicit, but still exists. In 1994 Edinburgh University adopted a Code of Practice relating to personal harassment for both students and staff. Its underlying principle is that: “All members of the University, staff and students, have a duty to ensure that individuals do not suffer any form of personal harassment and that, if they do, they are supported in seeking its elimination and in pursuing any legitimate complaint about harassment”. The Harassment code of practice for students is available online from www.humanresources. ed.ac.uk/equality/HARASS/STUD.HTM It is important to remember that you do not have to accept harassment in any form. There are a number of contact officers within both the University and the Students’ Association with responsibility for the application of this code who can advise students when problems occur. If you wish to make an appointment with one of the harassment contact officers within the Students’ Association, contact the Advice Place and staff there can arrange an appointment.

SEVEN Communications Families

Communications Communicating is often a challenge for international students. Unfamiliar telephone and postal systems can be confusing. This chapter aims to help you tackle any problems you may have.

Telephones BT (British Telecom) is the main telephone company in Britain, although there are now a number of other systems. Check the yellow pages www.yell.com or the internet for other organisations.

Telephone numbers in the UK all have a regional code. In Edinburgh this is 0131.

Directory enquiry services are operated by a number of different companies. Charges vary, but it is an expensive service. If you have internet access then these services can be accessed online at www.thephonebook. bt.com for free instead.

The tones used in the UK may be different from those used in your own country.

• Dial tone - a continuous purring of highpitched hum.

• Ringing tone - a repeated “burr-burr” sound.

• Engaged (busy) tone - a repeated single note.

• Number unobtainable - a continuous steady note.

Domestic phones If you are living in University accommodation then you will have use of the ResNet phone system included in your rent. If you are in private rented accommodation, however, you will have to pay if you wish to use a landline within your home. On top of call charges, you will have to pay standard charges for line rental. Sometimes telephone companies will run promotional offers, such as cheaper calls abroad or at the weekend: look out for adverts or search online.

42

Here are some hints which can help you lower your phone bill: • Ask your phone company for an itemised bill. This will list all calls individually on your bill, so that you can monitor who calls where.

• Make your calls in the evening to get the cheap rate, if you can. This is outside 8am–6pm, Mon–Fri. Weekend calls are often charged at lower rates still.

• Try to write down all your individual calls in a book with the date to make working out the bill much easier.

• Keep your calls short. It sounds obvious,

but it is amazing how much money can be saved like this.

Payphones There are two main types of public phone, the coin-operated phone and the card phone.

• Coin phones accept British coins over 20p, although it is best to use small value coins as partially-used coins are not returned. A credit indicator will indicate how much money you have left, and a bleeper will inform you shortly before your money is about to run out. These phones do not accept foreign coins, but some newer phones have foreign language message displays.

• Card phones are operated by a phone

card, which can be bought in shops for various values. This is useful, as card phones are very common, and a card will save you having to hunt for change. Cards are sold in all EUSA shops.

International calls International direct dialling is available on any phone in the United Kingdom to 161 countries. Look up the procedure in the front section of the British Telecom (BT) phone book in your flat. Otherwise you can call 100 and ask the operator for assistance.

A number of international call discount schemes exist. www.telediscount.co.uk

SEVEN

Communications

is amongst the cheapest. There are also a number of companies, such as Skype, that provide internet phone services, where you can make calls via your computer. This can be a cheaper option. Search online to find the different deals available.

Postage Letters and parcels are delivered by the Post Office. Details of their services are available in most Post Offices, recognisable by their red and yellow signs. They are open during normal office hours, but may be closed at lunchtime and on a Wednesday afternoon. Some of the larger supermarkets have Post Offices within them; they tend to have extended hours. Weekend opening hours are Saturday morning only. You can find out ore about their services at www.postoffice.co.uk You do not have to use a Post Office to send a letter. Red post boxes on most main streets are emptied at least twice a day.

You can use these for any letters which can fit in the slot – just make sure you have

the correct postage on the letter. They might still get delivered if you don’t, but the recipient may be charged.

Stamps can be bought at many shops: for example, in the shop in the Potterrow Student Centre. First class stamps are valid for letters and postcards within the European Union. For large or bulky EU letters heavier than 20g and sending post further a field, you will have to buy your stamps at the Post Office. They will be able to sell you the correct value stamps for the weight and destination you require. You can also buy individual International Airmail letters and envelopes there.

Teviot Row House is a ‘Poste Restante’ which can be used as a secure address for any student wishing to have mail sent to them, contact Teviot House reception for more details.

Email teviot.reception@eusa.ed.ac.uk

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Families Child Care and Education Pre-school and nursery education is not compulsory in the UK. Provision is therefore very patchy and many people have to use private nurseries because the waiting lists for the state-run nurseries are very long.

The University Day Nursery can take children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years old. There are a limited number of Day Nursery bursaries and subsidies available for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students (see www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/ day-nursery for more details). The Day Nursery is not available to children where one parent is at home.

Lists of pre-school playgroups, registered childminders, and both private and council run nurseries are available from the Childcare Information Service, Tel: 0800 032 0323 (Mon to Fri 8.30am to 4pm) or email childcareinformation@edinburgh.gov.uk. Their website address is: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/childcare

Primary and Secondary Education If you are planning to be in the UK for at least six months, the local Education Authority will provide a place for your child at a school near your home. You may approach the school directly. Ask for the placement of pupils section, and take along your passport with you when visiting the school.

Alternatively you can visit the Learning section of the City of Edinburgh Council’s website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/learning/ schools. They have information and contact details for those who can advise you about appropriate schools in your area.

and Edinburgh has a wide range of such courses available. You can contact the Adult Education department of the City of Edinburgh Council on 0131 469 3250 or email adult.education@educ.edin.gov.uk. Their programme of classes can be viewed at: http://ces.egfl.net/programme The University also has an Office of Lifelong Learning which offers a wide range of classes, open to everyone. You can view their website at: www.lifelong.ed.ac.uk

English Classes If you feel your children need assistance with their English language, contact their school in the first instance and discuss it with them.

There is a scheme called the English as an Additional Language service, who work with individual schools to provide support for pupils who need English language tuition.

Tourist information Edinburgh has many places of interest. You can find out about these and of the many museums and events at www.edinburgh. org.uk Edinburgh City Bus Tours Bus tours leave regularly from Waverley Bridge, opposite the railway station, and can be a good and relatively cheap way of seeing the city when you first arrive. See www. edinburghtour.com for more details.

Museums and Galleries

• Royal Scottish Museum and National

Museum of Scotland – Chambers Street

• Royal Scottish Academy and The National •

Adult Education

•

Your partner may wish to take part in educational activities during your stay here,

• •

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Gallery of Scotland – The Mound Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art – Belford Road Scottish National Portrait Gallery – Queens Street The Queen’s Gallery – Holyrood Palace Museum of Childhood – 42 High Street

SEVEN

Families

• Talbot Rice Gallery – Old College, South

located on George IV Bridge and is one of the largest reference libraries in Scotland.

Theatres

Going Further Afield

Bridge

• • • • • • •

Bedlam Theatre – Bristo Place Playhouse Theatre – Greenside Place King’s Theatre – Leven Street (Tollcross) Lyceum Theatre – Grindlay Street Traverse Theatre – Cambridge Street Assembly Rooms – George Street Festival Theatre – Nicolson Street

Music • • • • •

Usher Hall – Lothian Road Queens Hall – South Clerk Street The Picture House – Lothian Road Caberet Voltaire – Blair Street The Corn Exchange – New Market Road

And many more! See www.list.co.uk for details of gigs, clubs and events to suit all tastes.

Cinema • • • • •

The Cameo – 38 Home Street The Filmhouse – Lothian Road Odeon - Lothian Road Vue - Omni Centre (Top of Leith Walk) Dominion – Newbattle Terrace (Morningside)

• Cineworld – Fountain Park

Libraries Edinburgh Central Library is located on George IV Bridge, and will hold a list of smaller local libraries for your area, although you may prefer to join the Central Library itself. Don’t forget there is the main University library, but it does restrict itself to primarily academic books. Check out www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ libraries for details about libraries in your area. The National Library of Scotland is also

Scotland’s three other major cities – Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen – can all be reached easily by bus or train. Citylink (www.citylink. co.uk), Stagecoach (www.stagecoachbus. com) and National Express (www. nationalexpress.com) are some of the coach providers who operate outside of Edinburgh.

These bus services go to even more remote areas, where it is either impossible or very expensive to reach by train. They can be an excellent means of visiting a place, or facilitating a walking tour. Local bus companies organise bus tours around Scotland, and sometimes to England, which can also be a good way of visiting areas such as the Highlands or the Lake District. You may, however, find a good deal on car hire, which will allow you to be more mobile and see much more than is possible by bus.

Information on Citylink and Stagecoach bus routes can be obtained from the bus station just off Elder Street, next to the St James Shopping centre at the east end of Princes Street. The bus station also sells tickets for travel around the country, and is the main place of departure for buses.

For travel outside Scotland it may be worth buying a tourist guide from a book shop. There are buses and trains to all major cities in England and Wales, and ferries to Ireland can be quite cheap. It is worth taking some time to visit as much as possible to see the diversity of the United Kingdom.

If you are planning to travel around quite a lot and are aged 16-25 years old, it might be worth looking into purchasing a young person’s railcard (www.16-25railcard.co.uk) for discounts on rail travel or an NX2 card (www. nationalexpress.com) for discounted coach travel with National Express.

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Families Map of the University Central Area

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

New College:School of Divinity Minto House Charles Stewart House Adam House St Cecelia’s Hall High School Yards The Moray House School of Education St Leonard’s Land Centre for Sports and Exercise The Pleasance Old College Disabilty Office Alison House Potterrow: Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) The University of Edinburgh Management School Bedlam Theatre McEwan Hall Medical School Reid Concert Hall Teviot Row House: Student Union Hugh Robson Building 7 George Square 1 George Square Dugald Stewart Building Visitor Centre: Information, Exhibition and Shop Informatics Forum Appleton Tower International Office and Student Recruitment and Admissions College of Humanities and Social Science Office William Robertson Building David Hume Tower Lecture Theatres Careers Service Student Counselling Service David Hume Tower Adam Ferguson Building George Square Lecture Theatre Main Library International Student Centre Office of LIfelong Learning Edinburgh Central Mosque Surgeon’s Hall Royal Scottish Museum Greyfriar’s Kirk The National Library of Scotland St Gile’s Cathedral City Chambers Edinburgh Castle Royal Scottish Academy National Gallery of Scotland Edinburgh Waverley Train Station St. Andrew’s Bus Station

Edinburgh University Students’ Association Potterrow 5/2 Bristo Square Edinburgh, EH8 9AL Tel: 0131 650 2656 Fax: 0131 668 4177 Email: eusa.enquiry@ed.ac.uk Website: www.eusa.ed.ac.uk EUSA is a Registered Scottish Charity (No. SCO15800)