Facilities and community
Our new premises are home to state-of-the-art teaching and study facilities and a welcoming student community.
The West Wing of the historic Medical Building has been transformed to provide a spacious and modern interior, decorated with collections and artefacts from each subject area. Dedicated computer labs and lecture halls are complemented by informal learning areas, and a split-level student library on the top floor provides a tranquil and airy study space populated by statues from the Classic's cast collection. Our teaching collections of archaeological and classical artefacts include the V Gordon Childe collection.
The School is also ideally placed for access to nearby learning facilities. The University's Main Library, home to many unique collections, is on the south side of the adjacent George Square. The Library's extensive modernisation has included additions such as study pods, improved computer facilities and new cafe and social areas.
Resources in Edinburgh
Outside the University, the vast resources and archives of the National Library of Scotland and the newly refurbished National Museum of Scotland are only a five minute walk away. The National Museums Collection Centre houses an enormous trove of historical materials, including sections devoted to Archaeology, Scotland and Europe, and World Cultures.
Aside from these major collections, the city is home to many smaller museums and archives. The sheer range of resources in such a concentrated area is one of the great benefits of studying at Edinburgh.
Student community
Despite a large undergraduate population the School retains a sense of community, and many of our undergraduate students enjoy their time here so much that they go on to do postgraduate and doctoral study within the School. Student involvement in academic affairs is actively encouraged, with class representatives elected to act as liaisons in each year.
Societies and study groups
On the social side each subject area has its own society, and all three are very active in organising seminars, guest speakers and events, complemented by regular social get-togethers. History students can also get involved with 'Retrospect', a student-run history journal published each semester.
In addition to these there are a number of other societies with links to the School's subject areas, including the First Millenia Studies Group and the Society of Antiquaries Scotland, and many other informal seminars and lecture series.
This article was published on May 18, 2012