Facilities
As a postgraduate in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures you will have access to a variety of University and College facilities as well as many within the city of Edinburgh.
Why choose Edinburgh ?
The University offers library and computing facilities, as well as general student services which can help you with matters such as accommodation, careers advice and counselling.
National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland, located on George IV Bridge near the University, is a major research resource for all Humanities subjects. It is a copyright library (one of 6 in the British Isles) and receives a copy of every book published in the UK, as well as having extensive overseas imprints, important manuscript and archival holdings and a range of online resources. You are encouraged to register and obtain a reader's ticket for the National Library as soon as possible.
Graduate School computing facilities
The Language and Humanities Centre in the David Hume Tower provides access to a number of computer labs within the tower for students working in the Humanities.
The Graduate School has a computer lab for the exclusive use of Literatures, Languages and Cultures postgraduate students at 19 George Square.
The School also has the Language and Humanities faculty in the David Hume Tower.
Institute for Academic Development
The Institute for Academic Development, located at 7 Bristo Square, offers a wide variety of courses to help students consider strategies for making the most of their studies.
Most semesters the Institute offers, for example, a series of study skills sessions organised by the College of Humanities and Social Science Teaching Committee. There are often one-hour lunchtime sessions on such themes as:
- Studying at University
- Lectures
- Information Resources
- Essay Writing
- Tutorials
- Preparing for Class Exams
There is also be a session for students in Honours level studies entitled 'Undertaking a Dissertation, Long Essay or Project and Producing the Report'.
Staff at the centre are also available for one-to-one consultations on academic matters.
The English Language Teaching Centre
The English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) offers a variety of courses under their 'English for Academic Purposes' programme. Some of these courses are designed specifically for students whose native language is not English, with the aim of introducing them to listening and note-taking skills from live lectures, helping them develop English language ability as well as skills in the comprehension and production of academic texts, with special attention to the basic principles of academic discourse in the humanities.
These courses are free to matriculated students and are especially useful for starting postgraduate students whose native language is not English and/or have not had experience with academic-style writing projects.
Representation and feedback
Student feedback and evaluation is valued input to curriculum and programme review and development in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and the University of Edinburgh.
Formally, students are asked to complete evaluation forms on each course they take, and to attend (or select representatives for) staff-student liaison meetings.
Students are also strongly advised to complete the annual University questionnaire for taught postgraduate students, details of which will be made available during May/June.
Representatives are invited to participate in the LLC School Postgraduate Committee, and the Edinburgh University Students' Association.
Informal feedback is welcome at any time.
This article was published on Aug 23, 2011