Peer Support
Support from fellow students who have been where you are now!
Our peer support groups are run entirely by student volunteers. The support they provide is subject to change from year-to-year in order to best reflect the needs of the student body at that time. The School is running three Peer Support schemes in 2021/2022.
You can also email the Peer Support volunteers at any time, on hca-peer@ed.ac.uk, and they will be happy to give help and advice.
This scheme pairs third-year students with a peer mentor currently in the fourth year of a degree in History or Classics. The aim is to help students adjust to the demands of honours-level study. Mentors will pass on advice and reflections based on their own experiences in third year.
For more information see UoE HC Peer Support on Facebook
As a new undergraduate student in History or a joint honours degree with History, you will be assigned to an 'academic clan' for your arrival at Edinburgh. Led by current students in years two and above, the clans will meet for social activities throughout the year. Clans provide an opportunity to meet your fellow students in settings beyond the formal taught sessions of your degree.
For more information on History Clans contact Dr Alasdair Raffe, Deputy Undergraduate Director
Trained students in second year and above plan and run study sessions for Archaeology students in lower years. PALS Leaders facilitate discussion and help other students to develop their study skills, and build their confidence, writing and discussing Archaeology in an informal setting. Student leaders are trained in facilitation methods by the Students’ Association (EUSA). PALS is intended to compliment teaching by providing students with another space to consolidate their knowledge of course content, and to discuss their work with their peers.
For more information see ArchPALS on Facebook
The HCA Writing Centre is a resource for students to engage directly with the skills of writing well. At the HCA Writing Centre, undergraduate students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with postgraduate writing tutors. Students meet for c. 45 minutes with a writing tutor from their subject area to work on an essay or assignment, at any point in its progression: to talk through how best to begin mapping out an essay, or to get editing advice, or simply to have an extra set of eyes look over an essay before its submission.
One-on-one tutorials - book here
For more information on the HCA Writing Centre contact Dr Louise Blanke