Tate - MSc in Contemporary History

What attracted you to this degree?

I did my undergraduate history degree in Medieval History and realized a little late in my program that I actually was much more interested in Modern History. I have always wanted to get a PHD in History and move out of the United States, so the program here at the University of Edinburgh seemed like the perfect stepping stone for my career. I was really impressed by all of the programming and resources available for my specific focus here and the school wide resources for career planning and extracurricular development. Additionally, the city itself is beautiful and has so many amazing opportunities to go out and explore.

What do you wish you'd known or worried less about when preparing to start your current studies?

I wish I had better understood how the British school system works compared to the United States. All of my classes last term were completely weighted on one assignment at the end and I hadn't really realized that the grading system here was more-so based on judging your writing compared to the professional standard rather than your peers. Now that I realize the final assignment is meant to be a cumulative assessment and extremely well-polished, I know that I have to start much earlier in the semester and pay closer attention to the readings for potential essay points.

What’s your top tip for new students to do in in their first few weeks?

Wander around, write down things you want to do, and invite everyone! The first few weeks can be really overwhelming, I think situating yourself in the city by taking some long walks and jotting down a little "bucket list" of Edinburgh activities to do throughout the semester is a great way to make the most of your time. Once you've picked some things to do, invite literally anyone. Some of the best friends I have made here have been from just walking into class and asking my peers if anyone was interested in a random day trip or gallery visit. There is nothing like hopping in a car with five people you barely know and spending 48 hours travelling through the Highlands together.

What advice do you have for overseas students?

Be open to everything and don't be afraid to ask for help. There are a lot of international students here, some are from places really close and some much farther away, but mostly everyone gets confused at some point. Whether it's opening a bank account or figuring out how to open doors (tip: sometimes you have to push a button to open the door), I promise people will be understanding and try their best to help you out. Also please remember: different doesn't mean bad or wrong. It's just different. Be open to adapting to new things and try to embrace some lifestyle changes. It's hard at first, but eventually you get the hang of it and once you settle in a routine it will start to feel like home.

Tell us a secret that makes your life as a student easier.

Uplands Roast in the Meadows (just outside of the Library) has amazing coffee, hot chocolates, vegan options, and excellent vibes. It's my go-to for a morning pick me up, a pre-class treat, or a hand warmer for my walks. There is also a great sausage roll and chips stand next to it if you prefer salty over sweet.

What was it about the research environment at Edinburgh that stood out to you?

When I was looking at the potential postgrad programs, Edinburgh seemed to have really vibrant and engaging research. The most important aspect to me was that the research here seemed to be open to students of all levels and had lots of interesting talks and events. At my undergraduate institution, research activities were mostly closed to PHD students and there wasn't much opportunity to hear about what was going on or see if there were opportunities to get involved. However, at Edinburgh, it seems like the department is really invested in making research accessible to everyone.

What is the best thing about doing your MSc at Edinburgh so far?

The faculty and staff at this University are amazing. Not only are they top tier scholars in the field, but it's clear that they truly care about their students and make time for them. I have never felt more welcomed and supported by my academic department in my career than here at Edinburgh.

What plans do you have after you graduate and how do you feel your programme is equipping you for your future career?

After graduation I am planning to take a short gap year to pursue jobs or internships abroad and then apply for PHD programs. I have had a lot of help and advice from faculty and staff here at Edinburgh about how to go about this and potential opportunities to look into. I feel a lot more confident about the process and my prospective career now than when I started this program.

Do it! It's an amazing opportunity. Edinburgh has a beautiful campus, a wonderful department, and is one of the best universities in the world.

Tate