Dear student, Welcome to the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh. I am delighted that you have chosen to come to study with us. You have come through a tough selection process and you should be rightly proud of earning your place. As your teachers, the work that we do in the classroom and the other contexts in which we support our students is our clear priority. Our aim in this endeavour is to encourage you to become critical thinkers and independent learners with all the necessary skills and knowledge to take full advantage of higher education. You will be joining a vibrant academic community in our School. All three disciplines represented are concerned with the study of the human past: historians, classicists and archaeologists have much in common with each other. Nevertheless, each of our subject areas has its own strong identity from which you will draw much. You will also be joining an international group of students and will have the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. The diverse nature of our student body is one of the features of the School of which we are most proud. The experience of each of our students is very important to us and all of our staff are there to help you with the questions that will inevitably arise as you experience the early days of your university education. There will be much in the next few weeks that will be new: new ways of learning, a new city, a new country, a new culture. You will have a Personal Tutor and all of the teaching staff have 'office hours' during which they will be available for consultation. We also have a 'Student Support Office' which is dedicated to the welfare of all the students in the School. The University was established in the sixteenth century and there are tangible benefits from such a long history but we have a modern outlook. The School also derives much from its physical and cultural setting in Scotland's capital city. Our courses draw in a variety of ways on the environment in which you will be living. The close relationships that we have with the libraries, museums and galleries in Edinburgh are a unique aspect of the student experience that you will enjoy. We hope that you will learn about many areas of the world and about themes that have global implications but we also encourage you to learn about Scotland, whether in the classroom or by travelling around the country - from the Mull of Galloway to Muckle Flugga (it may be difficult to get to Out Stack!) - in which you will be living for the next four years. The School is large and diverse and this provides you with an enviable range of choice of topics and themes to study: be adventurous, try out new areas of study, take the chance to explore disciplines and languages that you have not studied before. The Scottish degree system allows breadth of study over four years and Edinburgh has a wider range of choice than most institutions - take advantage of that. I am sure that the programme of study that you are embarking on today will be stimulating and challenging but it must also be enjoyable and all of our efforts in teaching are devoted to creating the right atmosphere for our students to learn. Much time will be spent in the classroom, the library, the laboratory and out in the field but there are other, sometimes even more enjoyable, activities to be engaged in and experiences to be had. Your student life should be enriched by your wider experience and Edinburgh is a city with fantastic facilities for enjoyment. We will support you in the School in finding the right career after you graduate. The University has a very active Careers Service, in which we have our own consultant, and there will be many career-related events in the School in which you can participate. Volunteering might be another way of adding to your experience. The Edinburgh University Students' Association provides information and opportunities in this area. We aim to produce eminent historians, classicists and archaeologists but we also recognise that through your university education you have the opportunity to develop into a more rounded individual with a deeper understanding of a range of issues relating to your discipline as well as 'life, the universe and everything'! Work hard, enjoy student life and don't hesitate to ask questions. Best wishes, Professor Ewen A. Cameron Head of School of History, Classics and Archaeology Welcome Pack Contents Welcome from Head of School Contents page Map of Central Area of University To Do Welcome Week List of School First Year Courses Personal Tutors Peer Support Careers Service Information about IT USB stick and Student Intranet William Robertson Wing o Undergraduate Common Room o Student Research Rooms Attendance and Engagement Tier 4 students School Student Societies Personal Safety Sources of Support outside the School Support for Students Student Support Office Important Dates A PDF copy of this pack and the School Welcome Meeting presentation will be included on the School Undergraduate Student Intranet at www.shca.ed.ac.uk/ug-welcome-week where you will be able to click through on the links included in the document. August 2016 more information on the intranet at www.shca.ed.ac.uk/current-ug and via your USB School of History, Classics and Archaeology The University of Edinburgh William Robertson Wing (Doorway 4) Old Medical School Teviot Place T: 0131 650 6693 Edinburgh EH8 9AG E: [email protected] The University Central Area 1 Evolution House 18 16–22 George Square 31 Appleton Tower 40 The Lister Postgraduate 52 1–7 Roxburgh Street 2 ECA Main Building 19 27–29 George Square 32 Informatics Forum Institute 53 Pleasance 3 N-E Studio Building 20 Main Library; Careers 33 University Visitor Centre: 41 Old College and 54 Centre for Sport and 4 Hunter Building Service; Student information, exhibition Talbot Rice Gallery Exercise 5 Edinburgh Dental Counselling Service; and shop 42 Minto House 55 St Leonard’s Land Student Disability Institute 34 Dugald Stewart Building 43 Charles Stewart House 56 Paterson’s Land Service 6 5 Forrest Hill 35 The University Health 44 Adam House 57 Thomson’s Land 21 George Square Lecture 7 Bedlam Theatre Centre Theatre 45 St Cecilia’s Hall 58 Old Moray House 8 Old Medical School 36 7 Bristo Square 22 17–25 Buccleuch Place 46 9 Infirmary Street 59 St John’s Land 9 McEwan Hall 23 University of Edinburgh 37 The Potterrow Student 47 13 Infirmary Street 60 Dalhousie Land 10 William Robertson Wing Centre: Students’ Business School 48 ECCI 61 Simon Laurie House 11 Reid Concert Hall Association (EUSA); 24 14–16 Buccleuch Place Chaplaincy Centre 49 Chisholm House 62 Charteris Land 12 Wilkie Building 25 Hope Park Square 63 Old Kirk 13 Teviot Row House 38 Alison House 50 Old Surgeons’ Hall Student Union 26 30–34 Buccleuch Place 39 MacKenzie House (34 51 Old Infirmary Building 64 Outreach Centre 14 1 George Square 27 David Hume Tower West Richmond Street) (1 Drummond Street) 65 New College 15 7 George Square 28 David Hume Tower This map has been adapted from the University’s Central Area map, a PDF of which is 16 Hugh Robson Building Lecture Theatres available at www.ed.ac.uk/maps along with an interactive map of University buildings. 17 Chrystal Macmillan 29 50 George Square Building 30 55–60 George Square The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Welcome Week Please find below details of the key meetings and things you must do during Welcome Week and Week 1 as a School of History, Classics and Archaeology student. Tuesday 13th September 9.30 am - George Square Lecture Theatre School Welcome Meeting all new undergraduates in the School must attend Subject area specific question and answer sessions 10.30 am - History - George Square Lecture Theatre 10.45 am - Classics – Meadows Lecture Theatre, William Robertson Wing, Old Medical School 10.45 am - Archaeology – Room G.16, William Robertson Wing, Old Medical School 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm – 50 George Square Academic Fair This event is an opportunity to ask questions and get more information from academic staff about the multitude of courses available to you at Edinburgh before you see your Personal Tutor who will sign you up for your courses, see www.ed.ac.uk/staff-students/new- students/events/academic/undergraduates/academic-fair for more details. Wednesday 14th September Making the Most of IT and Personal Safety Session 10.30 am to 12.00 noon – Meadows Lecture Theatre, William Robertson Wing, Old Medical School After Welcome Week Wednesday 21st September School Year Group Meeting for First Year Students 1.30 to 3.00 pm – Lecture Hall A, David Hume Tower Thursday 22nd September Welcome Reception 7.00 to 9.00 pm – Playfair Library, Old College What else do I need to do during Welcome Week? You will need to meet with your Personal Tutor during Welcome Week. At the meeting your Personal Tutor will confirm your attendance and sign you up for your courses, see the sheet in this pack and www.ed.ac.uk/history-classics-archaeology/information-current-undergraduates/new- students/choosing-courses for more details. Degree Transfer If you are considering transferring degree programme already you should contact the College Admissions Office immediately (0131 650 3565) to make an appointment to see them as no changes can made after the end of week 2.