Overall score

St Andrews has both sides of the coin for students. It has an avid social life (balls, fashion shows, parties), but also the right academic environment for the high-flying student that the university admits through its doors.

Study experience

For the course that I am doing, St Andrews one of the best places to do it (Both Psychology & Divinity have come third in the latest National League tables August 2007). Courses at the university are good as they are flexible for the first two years, giving you the chance to take several subjects (roughly 3) in your first two years, and then specialise into the one you really feel committed to for your final two (Honours). Lecturers in both my departments are excellent, and support is given when and as you need it. Second year tends to be a headache as you need to attain good grades in the subject(s) roughly a Merit, to get into Honours - if you miss this then you have to either resit a whole year or take a general degree (not great as you do not graduate with honours!). However, its not as hard as it seems, and most people (unless you do no work) will get the grade to get into Honours!

Facilities

The library is going to be redeveloped, and you can generally get most books needed for your course. Computer labs are situated all over town, with many that are 24 hour access. The union is ok, but as said before needs to be redeveloped. The athletic union is good, and facilities are good for sport

Postgraduate life

Tonnes and tonnes of societies for every person you will be spoilt for choice.

Job prospects

St Andrews has great job prospects, and as a university that has developed great respect, and international repute, graduates with a 2:1 upwards can expect to find a job pretty easily after graduation. There are prospects to go onto postgrad, but many students move to other universities to do this as 4 years in a small town tends to push students to seek a new university experience in a larger varied environment.

This review is the subjective opinion of a postgraduatesearch.com reviewer and not of postgraduatesearch.com.

Overall score

Lovely city to go to University. Friendly campus and some great lecturers

Study experience

I've been given great support especially from the disability service.

Facilities

due to get even better with the new library in progress

Postgraduate life

vast choices

Job prospects

I've been doing sociology as a minor subject and I know we are highly ranked in that dept so prospects should be good

This review is the subjective opinion of a postgraduatesearch.com reviewer and not of postgraduatesearch.com.

Overall score

The University of Edinburgh is fantastic! Although daunting at first (you go from a classroom of 25 to a lecture hall of 200... who wouldn't find it daunting?). It is so easy to meet people and make friends. With it also being in Scotland's capital there is no shortage of things to do! The facilities themselves are great. Edinburgh is a fun, enjoyable place to be. If you stick in and do the work, its plain sailing!

Study experience

I absolutely love studying my degree course. My contact lecture time for my first year was 9 hours. Most lectures very enthralling and interesting which didn't make learning a chore! However, there was the odd lecturer that did bore you to tears. My advice is, download lecture notes beforehand and try and read as much as you can, this will at least help you to understand what the mundane sod is talking about!

Facilities

The main library in George Square is massive. Tricky to get the hang of at first, like navigating your way around etc. However, all library staff are very friendly and are always there to help. There are several computer labs in the library. Although sometimes you do have to stand and wait on a computer, they do come readily available quite quickly.

Postgraduate life

There is a whole book published by the University of all the clubs and societies that you can join! There is absolutely everything. From origami to Kite flying. From Chess to Karate. The best thing about uni clubs is the new experiences, meeting new people and having a good time with many others who have the same hobbie as you!

Job prospects

My first year at Edinburgh has certainly helped me narrow down what I want to do. Edinburgh has a very good record of graduates finding work quite quickly. As the university is also quite a prestigious one, a degree from here looks extremely good on the ol' CV!

This review is the subjective opinion of a postgraduatesearch.com reviewer and not of postgraduatesearch.com.