Student Information Fair
Gain valuable information about starting University and how we will support you throughout your time with us
We would like to invite all new students to McEwan Hall to meet the friendly and wonderful staff and students representing all support and information services that you may consider using throughout your student journey. You will find out more information than what is available online, get opportunities to ask questions and pick up some freebies too. It may be your only chance to physically see all support together in one place.
The fair format is relaxed and you can take it at your own pace. We recommend having a look at the list of services below before attending to see who is best placed to answer any specific questions you may have at that point. We are all here for you.
This fair is open during two lunchtimes, 12:00 - 14:00 on both Wednesday 11th September and Thursday 12th September in McEwan Hall on Bristo Square.
No booking is required to attend either of these events.
There is no difference between the two dates as all student support services (listed below) will be present at both dates.
Information stalls you can expect to see at this event:
Meet the team who are usually based in the Advice Place in Potterrow.
You can find out more about the advice provided on the following topics (this list is not exhaustive list as the Advice Place can help with anything!):
- Academic issues
- Changing or leaving your course
- Misconduct
- Special circumstances
- Accommodation
- Looking for accommodation (flat hunting advice and help, tenancy concerns, moving in and out information)
- Complaint and Conduct
- Making a complaint, being complained about
- Support for study
- Harassment, Safety and Crime
- Reporting a crime
- Staying safe in the city
- Accused of a crime
- Money
- Budgeting
- Benefits
- Emergency and hardship funding
- Fees advice
- Funding advice
- Job advice
- Opening a UK bank account
- Wellbeing
- Homesickness
- Mental Health
- General Health (e.g. GP Practice registration advice)
- Drugs, Gambling and Alcohol help and advice
Meet the team that you would usually find in the Main Library and Nucleus Building and within your academic programmes.
You can find out more about:
- Finding a part-time job whilst studying (MyCareer Hub)
- Help with writing CVs, cover letters, applications and how to do well at online tests, interviews and assessment centres
- Internship opportunities
- Graduate job options
- How to build up experience and expand your skills
- Careers Compass Toolkits to explore career ideas
- Reflection toolkits and resources to enable professional and personal development
Meet the team from the Centre for Open Learning (COL), that you would usually find in Paterson’s Land, Holyrood Campus.
You can find out more about:
- Languages for All (LFA)
- Academic Language and Literacies for In-Sessional Study (ALLIS) from our English Language Education Team (ELE)
Academic Language and Literacies for In-Sessional Study (ALLIS)
Meet the team that you would usually find in the Chaplaincy in Potterrow.
You can find out more about:
- Listening Service
- Activities organised to support wellbeing
- Places of worship
- Mindfulness programmes
- Blogs, podcasts and reflections
- Abundant Academy
- Joining societies and groups
- The spaces available for quiet time
Meet the team that you would usually find in the Health and Wellbeing Centre.
You can find out more about:
- How to make an appointment
- Services offered (one-to-one therapy, video appointments, email counselling, same-day appointments)
- Self-help resources: Togetherall, Feeling Good App, SilverCloud
- Crisis Support
- Skills for Life and Learning
- Support for Physical Activity programme
- Togetherall, an online support network, available 24/7 and monitored by trained clinicians.
Meet the team that has put together lots of useful online training videos, webinars, and information to help you improve your digital skills.
You can find out more about:
- Digital Skills training in (not exhaustive list):
- Adobe packages
- Microsoft Office 365 (Microsoft Teams, Outlook email, SharePoint, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- LinkedinLearning
- Media Hopper
- Producing a Thesis or Dissertation in Word
- Online meeting tools (Teams, Zoom, Collaborate)
- EndNote
- SAP BuisnessObjects
- Wikis
- Student internships in this area
- Staying safe online
- Your digital footprint
Meet the team that you would usually find in the Health and Wellbeing Centre.
You can find out more about:
- Guidance and support for any student with a disability, learning difference, neurodiverse or health condition that may affect studying
- Arranging a schedule of adjustments
- How to organise Disabled Student Funding
- Mental Health Specialists
- Autism Spectrum (AS) Student Skills Specialists
- Specialist proofreading
- Provision of Assistive Technology
Disability and Learning Support Service
A BSL Interpreter will be based beside this stall for any student that requires this support at the fair
Meet the team that would be your direct contact as a care-experienced, estranged or student carers.
You can find more about:
- Contacting your named person
- Joining social groups
- Staff and peer mentoring
Meet the team that you would usually find in the Student Enterprise Hub, Appleton Tower.
You can find out more about:
- Exciting events, workshops and masterclasses on all things entrepreneurial
- Competitions with cash prizes and programmes offering structured support
- The University's thriving entrepreneurial community
- Startup support with the friendly Edinburgh Innovations team
Anyone can be affected by gender based abuse and violence. Meet the Equally Safe team to find out how we support those who have experienced or are experiencing any form of gender based abuse or violence, or when you are concerned for someone.
Meet the Fees and Student Support Team that would answer your queries on fees.
You can find out more about:
- Fee status
- Sponsorship details
- UK Government maintenance loan
- Graduate Scholarship
- SAAS/Student Finance
The team will be unable to answer any queries on how to set up an instalment plan or payment of fees.
Meet the Gaelic Officer to find out about resources, events, and services for Gaelic-speakers and learners at the University.
You can find out about:
- Gaelic events and opportunities for students
- Gaelic in the city
- Our conversation clubs and newsletters
- Gaelic resources and how to use the Gaelic spellchecker
- Learning opportunities
- Our Gaelic Plan
- Gaelic at the University
Meet the team from GENDER.ED who provide a dynamic directory and up-to-date resources on gender and sexualities courses, researchers, research projects, networks, blogs, social media and events from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) and beyond.
You can find out more about:
- Courses relating to gender and sexualities at the University (with specific information about GENDER.ED's flagship course Understanding Gender in the Contemporary World)
- GENDER.ED directory and website
- Undergraduate prizes
- Internship and PhD assistantship programmes
Meet the team that you would answer your questions about learning and studying effectively.
You can find out more about:
- How to get study advice and support
- Study skills development resources, workshops, and training courses for all levels of study
- Advice about academic reading, writing, planning, critical thinking, exams and dissertations and more
- Study Hub Learning resources: to help you develop more effective learning and working strategies
- Exam Bootcamp
- Professional and Personal Development Training and Support for PGR’s
Meet the team at the education charity IntoUniversity Craigmillar
You can find out more about:
- Volunteering opportunities supporting young people in the local area
- Signing up to mentor school students and help them to achieve their goals
- Developing your skills and CV
Meet the teams who will help you in the University Libraries and find out about:
- Collecting your University Card
- Essential help and advice from EdHelp
- Study spaces and group study rooms
- Printing, copying or scanning
- Access to books, journals, music, videos, IT equipment, software, theses, data sources, and more!
- Subject-oriented Library advice and support for your research and studies
- Writing skills support from Royal Literary Fund Fellows
- Makerspace facilities, events and workshops
- Cultural and heritage collections, including museums and galleries at the University
Meet several teams from NHS Lothian who are making a special appearance on-campus during Welcome Week to meet our students.
You can find out more about:
- Immunisations and vaccinations
- Public health services
- Registering with a doctor
- Sexual health services (ROAM)
- iThrive online space for mental health and wellbeing information in Edinburgh
Meet the team that you would usually find within University-managed accommodation and within the offices on South College Street.
You can find out more about:
- Activities organised to help you settle into your University accommodation (during Welcome Week and beyond)
- Facebook group communities
- How to get advice and guidance on any issue
- Accommodation maintenance
Meet the Scholarships and Student Funding team.
You can ask the team about:
- Undergraduate access scholarships - the University's main scholarship schemes for UK students
- Financial Support
- Loans - Federal and private loans for citizens of the United States and Canada
- Scholarships - various University and externally funded scholarships across all levels and modes of study
- Travel funds - limited funds are available to enable students to make visits abroad which are considered desirable for their courses of study
Meet the team 'in red' that you would usually find walking about campuses and who are also accessible 24/7 by phone (0131 650 2257).
You can find out more about:
- Ways to protect yourself from crime
- How to stay safe on campus and in Edinburgh
- Ways to get help in an emergency (including out-of-hours times)
- How to protect your possessions
- Out of hours building access
Meet the Social Responsibility and Sustainability team who are usually based at the Boilerhouse, High School Yards.
Talk to us about:
- Staying informed with the latest news and opportunities.
- Attending events to get familiar with our sustainability efforts and climate strategy.
- Joining a network of staff and students in making the University more sustainable
- Enhancing your sustainability knowledge and skill set through training programs like Introduction to Sustainability, Carbon Literacy, and Biodiversity Literacy.
- Earning rewards for sustainable actions through our new app.
- Exploring our Wild Campus initiatives focused on biodiversity and nature.
- How sustainability can be part of your studies.
- Gaining practical experience and engaging with our community through volunteering, living labs, and internship opportunities.
Meet the team that you would usually find in the Pleasance Gym and other sports locations (St.Leonard's Land, Peffermill).
You can find out more about:
- Sports facilities (Pleasance Sports Complex & Gym, St Leonard's Land Swimming Pool & Gym, Peffermill Playing Fields, Easter Bush Gym, Firbush Outdoor Centre)
- Keeping active
- Gym memberships
- About our performance sports
- Classes, events, workshops and courses
- FASIC Sport and Exercise Medicine Clinic
- Indoor Climbing
- Personal Trainers
- Feel Good Walks
Meet the team that support the 70+ Sports Clubs at the University of Edinburgh
You can find out more about:
- The range of sports clubs that you could join
- Intramural Sport
- Recreational Sport
- Coaching Volunteering Academy
Meet the team that you would usually find in any Students' Association buildings; Potterrow, KB House, Pleasance, ECA, Peffermill.
You can find out more about:
- How the Students' Association is run by students and for students
- Welcome Week activities
- Range of student groups and societies that you could join
- Student representatives (Programme, Liberation Officers, Sabbatical Officers)
- PALS programmes
- Volunteering opportunities
- Where to eat, drink and shop on campus
- Get support for your own student activities
- Joining Edinburgh Buddies
- Finding/starting a social enterprise
Meet the team who support all international students with visa and immigration queries.
You can find out more about:
- International check-in
- Travelling and working with a visa
- Changes to your studies
- Travelling home whilst studying
Meet the team and find out about your short-term and virtual study and work away options including:
- The NICE Programme
- The INCiTE Summer School
- The Go Abroad Fund
For more information on exchange programmes and placements, please get in touch via the Study and Work Away website:
Meet the team that you would usually find in Infirmary Street.
You can find out more about:
- Shuttle Bus services from Central Campus to King's Buildings Campus
- Getting around Edinburgh on public transport (including discounts and free travel options)
- Cycling options and how to get a bike
- Parking on campus
- Sustainable ways to travel
Meet the team that you may be referred to if you encounter any wellbeing issues as a student.
Filming and photography will be taking place at the Student Information Fair and in the surrounding environments for promotional purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our website. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the photographer present know. For further information please see our privacy statement.