Gemma - MSc in Contemporary History

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What attracted you to the University of Edinburgh and this programme, in particular?

The university’s connections with the wider Edinburgh community, in particular its history and heritage, is a feature which was particularly appealing to me as a prospective student. The chance to study Contemporary History (a subject not commonly taught at postgraduate level) within such a busy city surrounded by history was attractive!

What do you wish you'd worried about less about coming to university?

Before beginning my course, I was most nervous about navigating my studies at a new institution and feeling like everyone was continuing their studies from undergraduate at Edinburgh. This is definitely not the case, there is such a diverse cohort of students even within my course which is relatively small.

What one thing would you recommend new students at the University of Edinburgh do?

I would recommend that new students definitely take tours of Edinburgh! The city offers so many different tours of the city (from ghost tours to history tours) and these are such a great way to get to know the city – and also a great way to get to know your course mates! 

Any student wisdom you'd like to pass on?

My best piece of student advice is go and speak to your lecturers, either after class or during office hours; they are genuinely interested in their subjects and are experts in their field so take advantage of their knowledge!

What aspects of student life do you enjoy the most and why?

The most enjoyable aspect of student life is the independence it allows, both in terms of study but also outside of this! Studying allows for flexibility beyond this and allows you to engage with such a diverse range of people, especially at postgraduate level.

What do you most like about studying here?      

The best aspect of studying here is the range of spaces that the university has to offer. There is such a range of libraries, both belonging to the university but also within Edinburgh itself – studying here allows you to take advantage of spaces such as the National Library of Scotland which hold such a vast range of sources and materials not typically accessible to students.

What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about your programme?

The flexible nature of my course is both the most challenging and rewarding aspect of my programme. As I only have six hours of contact hours, my course is heavily research based and allows freedom to research your personal interests but this can sometimes be difficult to navigate during deadlines.

Where is your favourite place to study?

On campus my favourite place to study is the Old Medical School Postgraduate study room; it is often really quite and has great views of the new Edinburgh Futures Institute. Outside of campus, there are so many small independent cafes which have a great atmosphere to study in; Thomas Walls and The Milkman are a couple of my current favourites!

How is your programme equipping you for your future career?

The range of debates and discussions relevant to my studies as a Contemporary History student; my course allows me to directly apply the past to modern concerns/arguments. These skills are so vital to both academic and career profession which is particularly relevant as I consider a career path within Higher Education.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying at the University of Edinburgh?

My advice to those thinking of studying at the University of Edinburgh is to speak directly to those currently taking your subject to find out their experiences! Unibuddy is such a great way to chat informally with current students, especially if you are unable to attend an open day!