Image
Still Time to Apply
Did you miss the application deadlines for grad school in Canada?
Or applied and didn't receive any offers?
It’s not too late to apply to the UK!
First days in Edinburgh
Arriving in Scotland
I flew into Glasgow, Scotland about three weeks ago, and since then everything has been a whirlwind, but in the best way! I took an overnight flight from Toronto with my family, so when I arrived I was quite tired. However, first I had to get through customs, which was relatively easy. The border officer asked me for my passport, my visa, my CAS, biometric residence letter, and where I would be staying. I had all of this in my carry on, so it was easy to access, and we were out of the airport in no time! I had decided to fly in two weeks before classes started, which allowed me time to travel with my family first, as well as adjust to the time change. I visited family in Inverness for the first week, adjusted to being five hours ahead, and then took the train down to Edinburgh, where I will be attending school for the next year. Inverness was absolutely beautiful, and I highly recommend making it one of the places on your bucket list to visit when you study in the UK!
Travelling the Edinburgh
Arriving in Edinburgh was nerve wracking; I was really hoping I would love the city, because it was where I had chosen to live for the next year of my life. I shouldn’t have worried! The city itself is absolutely beautiful, and surprisingly easy to navigate once you get used to it. I participated in several tours and got to know my way around in the days before classes started. However, I was already homesick, especially when my family flew home, and I hadn’t even been away from home for long. I knew this would be a problem for me, but talking to my family and talking to my flatmates really helped.
Welcome to the University
My program had a Welcome Day, where they introduce you to the course and exciting activities to come over the next year. My program, MSc Publishing, is very small, and only a year long. It gave me the opportunity to meet people in the program, talk to the professors about my concerns, and learn about what was to come. I definitely recommend participating in your school’s welcome week!
Starting Class and Settling In
After classes officially started, I realized I loved my program. I’m happy I decided to do this, and the university has been so supportive of me as I took time to adjust. The professors and counsellors are all here to help, and happy to do so. Exploring the city, learning my way around, and attending classes have all helped me to adjust, and with views like this, how could I not love the city?
My Favourite Parts of the City
My favourite part so far has definitely been exploring the city with my family. We toured all around Old Town, and visited several tourist attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle. This was wonderful, and it allowed me to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. Victoria Street is an especially pretty area to see!
Recommendations
To those who are considering studying in the UK next fall, I do have a few suggestions. Familiarize yourself with the city as soon as possible, as this will make you more comfortable in your new home. Definitely go to Welcome Week, and any additional sessions put on by your program. They are great places to meet people and adjust to being a new student in the UK!
- Lauren
Studying Publishing in Scotland
The UK is one of the most prominent publishing markets in the world, so it makes sense that it would provide courses for people to study the subject before entering the job market! I’m studying for my Master of Science in Publishing at Edinburgh Napier University, one of two Master’s in Publishing programs in Scotland, the other being at University of Stirling. Canada doesn’t really have any programs like this, which is why I chose to study abroad! Read on to find out what you need to know about studying publishing in Scotland!
THE PROGRAM
As I said, I study at Edinburgh Napier University. This program is over 50 years old, and one of the most respected publishing programs in the UK. The program covers everything from marketing to editorial, rights to design, and you get a really good idea of all aspects of the publishing industry! It also provides the opportunity to do a placement at a publishing company, so you also get experience working in the industry! It is a one year program, and that year has been flying by. The first trimester is mainly taught theory, where you learn what you need to know about the history of publishing, current operations, and how to succeed in the industry. Trimester two is focused on production, and you get to choose a product (book or magazine) and take it from the beginning stages to a fully formed, published and printed book! I am currently in this stage right now, and I have to say, I am loving the project so far. It offers a lot of creative freedom, and you learn a lot about using computer software that is standard in the industry while getting to see what it is like to publish something! It has been really rewarding so far. Trimester three is mainly independent study, and you have four months to research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choosing related to publishing! It may sound daunting, but your professors are there to help you every step of the way.
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
As I said, there are two programs for Publishing in Scotland. Stirling is not that far from Edinburgh, and from what I know, the programs are very similar. Both provide you with a great education in publishing, and it really just comes down to where you want to live while in the UK. Stirling is more rural, whereas Edinburgh is more urban, but both are beautiful places to live. As well, Edinburgh is just a short train ride away from Stirling, so no matter which school you choose, you’ll definitely still get to see the other city! However, one advantage of Edinburgh Napier is that you are very central for a lot of publishing industry events that happen throughout the year in Edinburgh, but again, Stirling is just a short train ride away.
WHY STUDY PUBLISHING IN THE UK?
Studying publishing in the UK means that you are very central for a lot of publishing events that happen, and you get to go to them as part of your program, often with student discounts! Throughout the year that you’re in the UK, there are all sorts of publishing events you can visit. In February in Edinburgh there is the Publishing Scotland Conference and the SYP Conference (Society of Young Publishers, which you can also join as a Publishing student, and they provide discounts and support to young publishers starting out in the industry. A really great program.). The London Book Fair takes place in March, and it is free to students, and if you’re already in the UK, it’s much closer than flying over from Canada! As, there are many smaller events throughout the year that can help you succeed in publishing, like CV workshops, speaker panels, and much more that make studying in the UK a really rewarding experience. As well, in my experience, the program isn’t just UK focused; it explores publishing in a world-wide context, and you can work anywhere with this degree!
- Lauren
Law Highlights: How to Choose the Best Law School for You
Are you considering studying law in the UK? Is the number of options in the UK overwhelming you? Studying Law in the UK is a popular route for Canadian students, but studying in a new country is a big commitment. Join our advising team as they go over the things to consider when choosing a UK law school, including cost, opportunities, classes, and how to apply, to help you narrow down your options! Studying abroad is a big decision, so join us as we discuss the criteria to consider when choosing which universities to apply to for law, and choosing which offer to accept!
When you study law in the UK, there are a few things to consider, such as: entry requirements, university facilities, location, cost, and type programme. Tune in to find out more about what you should be looking for, and how your advisor can assist with narrowing down your list, and applying!
Not only will this webinar help with choosing where to apply, it can help you narrow down which offer to accept once you have applied!
Image
Why You Should Study Physiotherapy in the UK
Physiotherapy remains a popular subject for Canadians looking to study at UK universities.
If you've been thinking of taking your physiotherapy studies abroad, join our advising team as we discuss some key concerns from Canadian students. Why should you study Physiotherapy in the UK? What are the benefits of a UK physiotherapy degree? What are the entry requirements for the program?
Register now to see how Across the Pond can help you achieve your dream profession!
Image
Explore UK Studies: Alternatives to Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy remains a popular subject for Canadians looking to study at UK universities, but high demand and limited places for international students can sometimes lead to disappointment and result in not getting into a physiotherapy school. Keep calm, and let Across the Pond help you reassess your options! In this informative webinar, our team will discuss potential back-up options and alternative career paths for passionate students eager to pursue allied health professions. With similar background requirements, and application expectations, Across the Pond's expert advisors can help give you the best possible chances of success whether as a first-time applicant, or as a re-applying student looking to improve their application.
Register now to secure your spot and receive insider tips that improve your chances of studying physiotherapy (or a related profession) at one of our UK partner universities.
