Student support
Our students are from all over the world, and bring a wide range of professional knowledge and expertise to enhance the experience of everyone on the programme.
As with all transitions in life, applying to and studying at a university can be both exciting and challenging – whether it is your first time at a university or you are returning to higher education.
While you study with us you will be supported by the programme team, and have access to additional support and resources from across the University.
Once you enrol on the programme, you are also encouraged to contact your course tutors with any academic questions via the course discussion boards or via email. The student support officer and the Information Services Helpline can also assist with technical support.
University can be busy and stressful at times, this can in turn cause our state of wellbeing to fluctuate. We all have strategies for coping with ups and downs in life and it is important to continue using and revising these skills, to help support and maintain your wellbeing which is crucial to allow you to experience a positive and happy university journey.
There are many support services and opportunities for students to get in touch about areas they might be struggling with. To learn more about your options as a student with us, please visit our webpage for postgraduate students.
Link to Postgraduate Students webpage
Even though this is an on campus programme, you will be accessing materials, discussion boards and a range of tools via the Internet. The programme team and the University’s Information Services (IS) department provide learning support and we provide guidance and training for the tools we use. Our systems are designed to be easy to use, and we incorporate familiarisation training into the programme induction.
Information Services has help sections on the University’s portal (MyEd), secure access login page (EASE), the Virtual Learning Environment (Learn) and digital library access.
Information Services Helpline contact details and opening hours
You will also have access to self-directed learning opportunities to develop your information and computer skills to help you study more effectively.
Information Services Skills Development
We expect that students will take responsibility for ensuring they are able to access to the programme, for making back-ups of their work and organising alternative access if required.
Every undergraduate and taught postgraduate student has a Personal Tutor, a member of the teaching staff who provides academic guidance and support. Your Personal Tutor is there to help you make the most of your studies as you progress through your university career.
Aims of the Personal Tutor system
The Personal Tutor system will provide you with a named member of academic staff, your Personal Tutor, who will support you throughout your time at the University, giving you academic support and a route to pastoral support. You, as a Tutee, will work with your Personal Tutor to reflect on your academic performance, and how this contributes to your aspirations, helping you to engage as a member of a community of learners.
Your Personal Tutor
Your Personal Tutor (PT) is a member of academic staff who is a consistent point of contact for academic matters throughout your period of study.
Find out more on the Personal Tutor system and what to expect from it
Your will be allocated a PT at the start of your studies. You can find out who your Personal Tutor is via Euclid.
Your Personal Tutor can advise on academic progress and issues that are affecting your ability to engage with your studies.They can also signpost you to university support services, as required.
You will be invited to meet with your Personal Tutor at set points during the academic year and it is usual to have a mixture of individual and group meetings. You can also request a meeting with your PT via EUCLID or emailing your PT directly.
If you have a problem which you would like to discuss with someone other than your Personal Tutor or Programme Director you can contact the Senior Tutor for the Deanery. The Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences Senior Tutor is Professor Sarah Wild
What can you expect from your Personal Tutor?
Guidance and Support
Your Personal Tutor will provide you with academic guidance and will help you reflect on your academic progress so that you get the most out of your studies. Your Personal Tutor, and Student Support Team, will also provide advice on the wider network of specialist student support services at the University to help you have the best possible experience during your studies.
Confidentiality
Some information may be sensitive. Although it may be necessary to consult colleagues, University staff will treat such information as confidential and will limit disclosures to the minimum necessary.
More information on how the University manages information about you
What is expected of you as a tutee?
Engagement
You will get most out of your support by working in partnership with your Personal Tutor. This is a two-way process and by taking part in it fully you will gain more benefits from your experience at the University.
Preparation
Preparing for and writing notes of your meetings with your Personal Tutor will help you to get the most out of your discussions. Please use the notes facility in the Personal Tutor channel on MyEd – it is specifically designed for this.
Postgraduate events
See more information and register for our university mailing list to be kept up to date about our postgraduate events
Student life
In Edinburgh, there are lots of ways in which you can take part in student life and enjoy being part of our community.
See the Student life website for a taste of what is on offer to our students.
Welcome week
We organise many welcome events for when you join our university and our programme of study. Explore the range of resources, communities and information before you join us.
Find out more information for new students
Library resources
At Edinburgh you will have access to vast and diverse library collections, excellent study spaces, and award-winning library staff.
Learn more about using our library and the rich learning materials you will have access to
Institute of Academic Development (IAD)
The IAD helps and supports postgraduate students to succeed in their studies through delivery of online study skills workshops, self-study learning resources and general study advice. They also provide support, advice and tools to help with career development. Our programme works with the IAD to ensure maximum use of resources and the organisation of bespoke training tailored to student needs.
DataFest - Festival of Data Innovation
DataFest showcases Scotland’s leading role in data science and artificial intelligence on the international stage, while offering an unprecedented networking platform where you can interact with local and international talent, industry, academia and data enthusiasts. Get involved and join the DataFest community.
Platform One
Feeling part of a community is really important to everyone at the University of Edinburgh.
Platform One is a meeting place, a community place and a discussion place. It is where the University of Edinburgh students, staff, alumni and volunteers can gather, inspire, support, encourage and share. Join our community and contribute to a university wide network.
Mental health and wellbeing
Student wellbeing is a priority and whilst you study with us you will be able to access many resources to help you with your mental health and wellbeing. There are plenty of resources within our School and the University to provide support for students.
Find out more about how we support mental health and wellbeing
Postgraduate students: The Wellbeing Thesis
The Wellbeing Thesis is an online resource for postgraduate research students, supporting their wellbeing, learning and research. It includes advice, media resources and downloadable action plans. It is designed to support students through every stage of their postgraduate student journey.
Student Advisor
Our current students can also contact our Student Advisor if they have questions about study interruptions, special circumstances, extensions advice and application guidance, or need support for mental and physical wellbeing and registering with the Disability and Learning support service. You will be connected to our Student Advisor once you've matriculated. You can also ask them about short/long term laptop loans, registering with a GP, accommodation, Council Tax exemption and any other advice you need to help facilitate your study with us.
Student representation
Effective student representation is a vital part of our teaching and learning to enhance the student experience. A programme student representative will be elected and will communicate regularly with teaching programme about any student concerns. A staff student liaison committee (SSLC) will be held each semester to discuss student feedback. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss issues and good practice, but also to review feedback and work with students to monitor and improve the programme delivery and teaching content, as required. The student will set the agenda and chair the SSLC meetings.
Find out more about how you can get involved
Usher Institute postgraduate e-journal club
The Usher postgraduate hub is launching a student-led online journal club for all students across all online programmes. The e-journal club will be an opportunity to consider and critique academic studies from a range of different academic disciplines (public health, family medicine, clinical trials, global health and data science). You will be able to access this resource when you become a student on our programme.
After you graduate
Near the time of your graduation, you will be invited to join the Usher Institute Masters Alumni (UMA) network that seeks to explore a new way of engaging alumni that extends and champions the notion of life-long learning through collaboration between alumni, current students and staff. The UMA network hosts joint student, staff, and alumni events aimed at transferable ‘real world’ skills, such as dissertation publication workshops, soft skills on topics such as defeating imposter syndrome, and more.