Frequently Asked Questions
|FAQs| |PhD FAQs|
How long is the Postgraduate Diploma?
The full taught part of the Postgraduate Diploma programme finishes about ten months after you start—from the end of August to mid-June. This includes both the taught academic and practical elements.
After I finish the PG Diploma can I enter the master's degree programme?
Progression to the MSc Dissertation stage is dependent on successful completion of the practical and academic requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma. With adequate experience, and good academic and practical credentials, there should be no major difficulty with progression to MSc.
So, what's the best way for me to do a Master's degree?
There are two ways to do this. From the outset you can register full time for the MSc or you may choose to register for the Postgraduate Diploma full-time, complete the programme, and then transfer to part-time status for the dissertation stage. The latter option will give you longer to complete and will also allow you to return home to do so (if you are not from Edinburgh).
Can I directly enter the Master's programme?
Providing that you have appropriate experience you can enter the MSc programme as a direct entrant. Some external applicants may only be required to do some of the practical skills courses, and may not be required to do the Placement (five weeks) and Expedition (14-16 days). However, even for exceptional applicants you can do all of these—and we encourage this.
You say you encourage direct entrant Master's students to do the Professional Development Programme. Why is this and will it cost extra?
It is in your interest to do the Professional Development Programme as it will give you the chance to share practical work that will put the theory into context. It will also give you the chance to work with us in the landscape of Scotland, upon which several assessments are based. The fee for this is the same for all students, so you will need to pay the MSc fee plus about £2500. There is no overseas fee supplement. This is a bargain as it covers most of the costs for about 12 weeks of practical activity!
Can I do a Master's degree within a year?
The period of study for an MSc on our programmes is 15 months.
Is there a closing date for applications?
As there are a limited number of places we recommend early application.
I can't start the programme at the end of August, so can I start the programme at another time of the year?
Full-time students must start in August, whereas part-time students can start throughout the year.
I am planning to study part-time and need to organise my work and family life around the courses. Is there a timetable available?
Yes, a draft of the 2009-10 timetable is available.
I am currently in a graduate program in Education. How do I go about finding out if any of my previous work would count towards the Modular Masters Scheme (perhaps shortening the time required in the autumn)?
It is very unlikely that your previous graduate work will count because of the University of Edinburgh's rules on such matters. For example, work submitted for a degree at any other institution cannot be submitted in partial fulfilment of an award here. Also, the nature of outdoor education means that our courses are specific for the degree programme.
Would the costs associated with a shorter course of study be on a per course basis? And, if so, are those costs available (including supplemental fees for residential courses)?
If you register as a part-time student you can pay on a course-by-course basis. The fees for these are in direct proportion to the full cost of the programme. In other words, by the time you finish you will have paid the same as if you were on the full-time programme. Three of the six academic courses run residentially. For these a charge for food is levied. This might be seen as an extra cost but you would be paying for food in Edinburgh anyway. For two of the courses you can expect to pay around £30 per week. The third residential academic course is based on the Island of Rum on the West Coast of Scotland. The cost of accommodation there (in an old castle, as it happens) is about £90 for the week and the cost of the ferry (about £15) and food (about £30) just about cover it.
Are there any opportunities for financial aid that I am not aware of?
Realistically, the chances of funding from the University or from within the UK are very limited. Most people use personal savings or take loans. If we had it our way, the programme would be free. Look here for more information.
Are there graduate assistantships or teaching assistantships available?
The system here for GAs and teaching assistants is different to the USA and is not how things usually work. There may well be opportunities for doing some teaching as you progress to the PhD level but we would not normally offer opportunities for a Masters student to do any teaching on a masters level course. As we do most of the teaching ourselves there is not normally a need for adjunct faculty or paid teaching. Having said that, there may be opportunities at various stages to do little bits of teaching on courses that would be unpaid but provide valuable experience. In short, there may well be opportunity but we would not advise relying on this as a source of income.
How can I find out about accommodation in Edinburgh?
Accommodation is difficult to find (and expensive) in the Edinburgh area. The University of Edinburgh Student Accommodation Officer is helpful (Irene Brown on 0131 667 1971). It may make sense to consider sharing with other course members. Check out this link to studentpad.
Where would you recommend living, in order to be close to my classes?
Many of your classes will be in St. Leonard's Land, which is also close to the library. Public transport is good and many people ride bicycles year-round.
Does the University of Edinburgh have forms that I must fill out in order to apply for a US Government loan?
Contact Jennifer Brown in the Registry.
How many people will be studying for the PG Dip and what is their age range?
We normally have between 12 and 18 full-time students and a similar number of part-timers. The age range can be as broad as 23-45, with most people being in their late 20s to mid-30s. They tend to be interesting, experienced people from a range of academic and professional backgrounds
How physically fit do I need to be?
Those on the PSOE and OE Postgraduate Diploma pathways will need to be fit enough to carry an expedition rucksack in mountainous terrain for a week at a time.
What are the programme entry requirements for acceptance into the taught postgraduate programmes?
In most cases, a good first degree is required. All applications should demonstrate a high level of motivation to work in the outdoor education sector.
I'd like to come and visit. How do I arrange this?
Please make arrangements with Linda Danczyszak to fit in with other applicants' visits.
Do you have an exchange programme with any other universities?
During the programme you can make your own arrangements to visit any other university you like. However, we have no formal exchange programme and coursework from any other university cannot be credited to our degree. The reason for this is that there are no other degrees with an equivalent academic structure and practical programme.
Do you accept international students?
We welcome overseas students and have students from all over the world on our programmes. Please see the university's main website for international student information.
What kinds of jobs do your graduates typically end up doing?
This diagram illustrates all the different kinds of work our graduates are involved in.
Will I be asked to come for an interview?
UK applicants are asked to come for an interview. Overseas applicants are not normally interviewed, although if they happen to be in the UK we will ask them to come to see us.
Do I need to bring anything to the interview?
The nature of the interview is informal. You don't need to bring anything with you but you should prepare for the interview by being fully aware of the contents of the outdoor education website so that an informed discussion of our programme and your needs can take place. Interviews are normally in a group. If there is anything you wish to discuss with staff on an individual basis there will be an opportunity at the end of the meeting.
As an international student, will it be expensive for me to get health care?
All international students and their families are entitled to free health care through the National Health Service.
