Sophia

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

I was really attracted to Edinburgh because I loved the city. There is always lots going on but the city feels manageable, everything is walkable and always feels very safe. I also loved that central campus was in the city. This programme really attracted me because of the variety of history on offer and the freedom in the degree within the first two years which allowed me to study subjects outside of history and economics.

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

I wish I worried less about becoming familiar with a new city. Most people moving to Edinburgh will have never really been before and it’s exciting to explore, but the city is very friendly and there are people always willing to help if you get lost.

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

I really enjoy all the societies. There are so many and they give you the opportunity to try new things and meet new people. They also allow you to take a break from studying and take part in fun things like Ceilidhs.

What do you most like about studying here?      

I like the diversity of courses. You can tailor the degree to your own interests and there are so many options to study topics you never considered before studying at the University. For example, I studied Spanish even though it is outside the topics of my degree.

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

I find the independence of my degree quite difficult as it means I am often working alone. To combat this I try to go to office hours to talk with my tutors about my essays or talk to my coursemates. The most rewarding part is seeing my skills develop as I progress through my degree.

What is your favourite course so far and why?

I really liked, Landscapes of Power, Brazil and its Histories. This was a subject area I knew nothing about before starting the course, but I found it very interesting to learn about a type of history I had never previously considered.

How is your programme equipping you for your future career?

My programme has given me diverse skills and knowledge. Economics has given me skills in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and communicating this data effectively. It has also given me the skills to reason both deductively and inductively. The course has enabled me to develop mathematical and statistical skills, as well as applying analytical and problem-solving skills to real-life economic contexts. Conversely, History has given me skills in researching sources, in thinking critically and working independently and effectively to a deadline. History is more contextual and archival, whereas economics is more conceptual and mathematical. I think it’s rare to have such a combination of skills but this is what makes my degree really stand out.

Come and visit the University if you can. This could either be on an open day or on a campus tour. Visiting the city really gives you an idea as to whether the university and the city is for you.

Sophia