Student reviews
What is studying medicine at University of Edinburgh actually like?
The interview gets you a place; these reports are about the five or six years after that. Gathered from current student and recent graduate forums, weighted by how many independent sources agree. These are unverified community reports, not official university information.
6 reports
First year is lecture-heavy with lessons most days and only occasional days off, while later preclinical years mix lectures with tutorials and PBL rather than running as pure problem-based learning.
Several reports · 2 sources(spans several cycles)
First year is lecture-heavy with lessons most days and only occasional days off, while later preclinical years mix lectures with tutorials and PBL rather than running as pure problem-based learning.
"First-year medicine at Edinburgh involves lessons nearly every day, with rarely any days off (maybe a couple per term if lucky). 5 lectures per week for course content and 2 for ethics-related topics, around 1 tutorial per week plus PBL. (paraphrase from search snippet)"
The Student Room, What is first year medicine at edinburgh like? thread"In years 1-2, Edinburgh medicine has approximately 10-12 hours of lectures, 3 hours of PBL, and perhaps 5 hours of practicals or tutorials depending on the module. (paraphrase from search snippet)"
The Student Room, PBL vs lecture-based teaching threadEdinburgh is consistently flagged as an expensive city to live in, and medicine-specific accommodation threads show applicants and students actively weighing rent against proximity to the medical school and struggling without financial support.
Several reports · 2 sources(spans several cycles)
Edinburgh is consistently flagged as an expensive city to live in, and medicine-specific accommodation threads show applicants and students actively weighing rent against proximity to the medical school and struggling without financial support.
"A conditional offer holder for medicine discusses rent and proximity to George Square amid discussion of Edinburgh being the most expensive UK city for students outside London. (paraphrase from search snippet)"
The Student Room, Edinburgh Accommodation - Medic thread"Notable negative: students struggle with living costs without financial support."
Life of a Medic, Edinburgh Medical School student interviewAnatomy is taught through prosection rather than full dissection for most students, and it stands out as the one part of the course that isn't recorded, so a missed session can't be caught up on afterwards.
Single report(spans several cycles)
Anatomy is taught through prosection rather than full dissection for most students, and it stands out as the one part of the course that isn't recorded, so a missed session can't be caught up on afterwards.
"Most lectures are recorded (except anatomy) and can be caught up on. (paraphrase from search snippet)"
The Student Room, What is first year medicine at edinburgh like? threadPlacements start out commutable from Edinburgh but by later years students can be sent as far as Kirkcaldy, the Borders, or even Stornoway, with NHS accommodation provided for the more distant postings.
Single report(older cycle)
Placements start out commutable from Edinburgh but by later years students can be sent as far as Kirkcaldy, the Borders, or even Stornoway, with NHS accommodation provided for the more distant postings.
"In early years all placements are based within commuting distance of Edinburgh but as you move further up the medical school you may be placed in Kirkcaldy, the Borders or potentially Stornoway."
Life of a Medic, Edinburgh Medical School student interview (Laura, 4th year)Final exams lean multiple choice but students also carry essays through the year to pass overall, and part-time work becomes much harder once clinical placement hours stack on top of study time.
Single report(older cycle)
Final exams lean multiple choice but students also carry essays through the year to pass overall, and part-time work becomes much harder once clinical placement hours stack on top of study time.
"All final exams are multiple choice however you have essays you need to complete throughout the year to pass over all. It is definitely more difficult in clinical years as you have lots of study hours to put in on top of your clinical commitments."
Life of a Medic, Edinburgh Medical School student interview (Laura, 4th year)Intercalation is compulsory for every Edinburgh medic in year 3 as a BMedSci, and real student sentiment is mixed: one graduate called it interesting and skill-building but said she wasn't sure she'd choose to do it again.
Single report(older cycle)
Intercalation is compulsory for every Edinburgh medic in year 3 as a BMedSci, and real student sentiment is mixed: one graduate called it interesting and skill-building but said she wasn't sure she'd choose to do it again.
"It was interesting and gave me valuable skills in research and academic writing however I'm not sure I would do it again."
Life of a Medic, Edinburgh Medical School student interview (Laura, 4th year)Free course: Teamwork and Leadership
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