On this page you will find welcome information relating to the start of the EAP pre-sessional programme. WELCOME TO EDINBURGH! You have chosen to study in an exciting and welcoming city – a major European centre full of history, culture and world-class architecture. Widely known as the “Athens of the North”, Edinburgh is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites and was the first UNESCO City of Literature. As a University of Edinburgh student, you will have the opportunity to study in some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Edinburgh; buildings which have inspired some of history's greatest minds! You will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, breath-taking coastlines and a vibrant learning community. One day in Edinburgh could see you hillwalking in the Pentlands, eating ice cream on the beach, exploring the cobbled streets of the Old town or climbing Arthur’s Seat (Edinburgh’s extinct volcano). The places you discover, the people you meet and the memories you make are just as important to your university experience as your academic studies, so don’t miss out! Below you'll find some important information that will help you prepare to make the most of your time in Edinburgh. Please read each section carefully and if you have any questions, please contact: T: 0131 650 4400 E: col.admissions@ed.ac.uk W: ele.ed.ac.uk English for Specific Academic Purposes During the 6-week programme, you are assigned to one of six courses according to your discipline: Arts and Humanities Education and Social Sciences Language Teacher Education Science, Technology & Medicine Law Business. These courses provide opportunities for you to develop your language skills and explore practices and genres within your discipline. During this time, you will attend two 90-minute classes per day, either in the mornings or in the afternoons. To facilitate the most effective learning environment whilst balancing public health measures, students and staff will be given transparent face masks to aid communication. Important Dates (for students attending the 10 week programme) Week 1 - 4 | Essentials of English for Academic Purposes | 28 June - 23 July 2021 Delivery method during this time will be online, from your home country Week 5 & 6 | English for Specific Academic Purposes | 26 July - 6 August 2021 Delivery method during this time will be online, from Edinburgh Week 7 - 10 | English for Specific Academic Purposes (continued) | 9 August - 2 September 2021 Delivery method will be in-person on campus in Edinburgh. You MUST arrive in Edinburgh by 26 July and have completed Scottish government required self-isolation or quarantine arrival requirements for your country by Monday 9 August 2021. Important Dates (for students attending the 6 week programme) Week 1 & 2 | English for Specific Academic Purposes | 26 July - 6 August 2021 Delivery method during this time will be online from Edinburgh Week 3 - 6 | English for Specific Academic Purposes (continued) | 9 August - 2 September 2021 Delivery method will be in-person on campus in Edinburgh. You MUST arrive in Edinburgh by 26 July and have completed Scottish government required self-isolation or quarantine arrival requirements for your country by Monday 9 August 2021. Health & Safety During In-Person Teaching The health and safety of our EAP Pre-sessional students and staff remains our highest priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, our planning is based on the assumption that public health measures, such as social distancing and face coverings, will continue to be in place during the in-person teaching period for the Pre-sessional. These conditions are there to keep all of us safe. It is possible that some current measures will no longer be required when the programme starts and we will update you should this be the case. Further detail can be found on the Scottish government website. We encourage you to check this regularly to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest Scottish Government advice prior to arrival. Scottish Government Website International Arrival Self-Isolation/Quarantine From 17 May, travel regulations in Scotland have changed and a traffic light system (green, amber, red) has been introduced for all international arrivals. Based on current regulations at the time of writing (15 June), most students will arrive from amber list countries and will therefore be able to self-isolate in the place they are staying, i.e. a private residence or in University accommodation and book COVID tests ahead of arrival. It is your responsibility to stay up-to-date with current regulations, book accommodation and COVID testing according to the Scottish Government set out for your country. University of Edinburgh Travel Advice Self Isolation/quarantine/testing requirements per country How To Self Isolate Make A Plan to Self Isolate University of Edinburgh Managed Isolation Support Information About The Covid-19 Vaccination Programme It’s really important that you get the Covid-19 vaccine when offered it. The vaccines give you the best protection against Covid-19 and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways you can help stop the pandemic. Please note that if you have not had the vaccine in your home country yet, there is no legal requirement for international arrivals into the UK to have had the Covid-19 vaccine. You will able to get the vaccine once you have arrived in the UK by attending a Vaccination Walk-In Centre (for people aged 18-39). The vaccination clinics are open daily between 8.30am and 5.30pm until further notice. You don’t need to be registered with a GP (doctor) to get your vaccine at a drop-in clinic. You can get your 1st dose, or your 2nd dose if it’s been more than 8 weeks since your first. Find out more about the Drop-in Vaccination Clinics Accommodation Find out about University accommodation options and self-isolation plans. If you have any issues at your University of Edinburgh accommodation over the summer please contact your on-site Resident Assistant or Accommodation Services. Further details will be given to you when you arrive at your accommodation. Accommodation How To Travel to Edinburgh And Get Around The City A video presentation has been prepared for EAP pre-sessional students' arriving in Edinburgh in July 2021. In this video Alex Luetchford from Transport Office and Inga Ackermann from Edinburgh Global will explain how to travel to University from Edinburgh Airport. They also give advice on travelling safely during the pandemic and outline transport options in the city, as well as some student discounts to help make your travel cheaper. You can view the video here Register your University Login and log in to MyEd MyEd is the University of Edinburgh's web portal, and the best way to find and access many of the University’s online resources. It gives you easy access to the systems, tools, and information that you will use most often while you’re studying at the University. These include Learn, your Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), your email, timetables, the student record system (EUCLID), and much more. Get Started With MyEd Get Started On Office 365 Set up your email, free software and personal timetable with Office 365. Most future communications from the University will go to this email, so it is important to access this account regularly, including before you start your studies. Get Started On Office 365 Matriculation Matriculation is the process by which you officially enrol at the University. Every student needs to complete the steps, with additional steps if you are coming from outside the UK, the EU, or the EEA. Complete The Matriculation Process Your University Student Card You are required to have an up-to-date University student card that you should carry with you at all times. This card serves as your official student ID, your library card and door access control card to university buildings, as well as identification to benefit from various student discounts. Apply For And Receive Your Student Card International Check-In As an international student, you are required to complete International Check-in. We are currently arranging sessions to faciliate this with the Student Immigration Service and will post an announcement on the phase 2 course Learn page with details on how to complete international check-in. Fees Pre-sessional tuition fees can be paid online via the following link: Pay Pre-sessional Tuition Fees If you wish to pay by an alternative method, please email finance.col@ed.ac.uk. Please do not use the Student Finance Channel on MyEd to pay your pre-sessional fees, this is for undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees only. If you have made a payment via MyEd for the pre-sessional course, please email: col.admissions@ed.ac.uk Banking If you plan to stay in the UK for more than six months, opening a bank account is advisable. You will not be able to open an account until you arrive in the UK as you will need to provide identification documents. To assist you in opening an account, the University can provide you with a bank introductory letter which confirms your address and University attendance. Opening A Bank Account Food Shopping There are a number of large and small supermarkets and convenience shops situated around Edinburgh city centre and many offer an online delivery service. You can of course shop around for the lowest prices and selection but a good starting point would be to visit the websites of Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco or Waitrose. To order an online shopping you will be required to register as a user and book a delivery slot. Register With A Local Doctor It is important that you register with a doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in Edinburgh. Start researching before you arrive then register once you are in Edinburgh. We want to make sure that you look after yourself whilst studying, both physically and mentally, and that you know how to get medical assistance if you need it. GP Registration / Healthcare In Scotland Emergency Medical Assistance If you are unable to get to a GP or need immediate medical advice, you can: call NHS24 by phoning 111 visit NHS24 online If you are in serious need of emergency medical attention, call Emergency Services on 999, even if you have not registered with a GP in advance. Student Wellbeing Services Travelling to a new place or starting university can be a wonderful and exciting experience, but it can also bring its own unique challenges. It’s natural to feel nervous or overwhelmed about the change, and it can be a while before you feel like you’ve found your feet at University. To support you through this transition, and beyond, there are a number of student wellbeing services available to you both day and night. Access Student Wellbeing Services Student Safety Edinburgh is safe city with a low crime rate. Transport is safe and easy to use and taxis are safe modes of transport to travel from the airport. We also encourage you to make the most of the excellent public transport system in Scotland. There has been an increase in fraud targeting Chinese students pretending to be policy agencies. We ask you to be aware of the threat of potential scams. The University of Edinburgh will never call you to ask for money. Message From The Chinese Embassy In Edinburgh it is still important to pay attention to your personal safety. Below is a list of important precautions and UK laws to keep in mind: It is illegal to drink alcohol or buy cigarettes in the UK if you are under 18 years old. It is illegal to smoke or vape in enclosed public spaces such as restaurants, bars and University buildings. Do not walk alone at night. Remember to plan your journey in advance and stay in touch with friends. Keep your money, passport, bank cards and valuables secure and out of sight. Ensure all doors and windows are locked before leaving your accommodation. Acccessing WiFi Across the University, free Wi-Fi is available. The primary network which you can connect to is ‘Eduroam’. University of Edinburgh WiFi Get involved! Make the most of your time in Edinburgh by taking part in as many activities as possible. Both the city and the University has a lot to offer, so don’t miss out - GET INVOLVED! Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports over 280 societies, hosts a number of events, fairs and club nights and offers advice and information on everything from accommodation and finance, to welfare and harassment. University of Edinburgh Students' Association Edinburgh Global hosts a number of social events and information sessions throughout the year to help international students settle in and meet new people. It also supports a number of groups and schemes such as the International and Exchange Student Society (IESS), International Families and Partners Network and Go Connect. Edinburgh Global Explore Edinburgh Edinburgh is a safe and small city and easy to get around on foot or by bike. It’s full of green spaces; parks, squares, hills and gardens. There’s plenty of room to exercise, relax and to study safely. Find Out More About Exploring Edinburgh This article was published on 2023-11-23
