Tag: International Blogs

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What’s it like to do a joint honours programme?..

Photograph of Jie Xin… Jie Xin / from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / BSc Mathematics and Music / 4th Year (UG)

Having completed my first three years of my undergraduate studies as a maths and music student, I hope I could share a little about my experiences with anyone curious or prospective students.

Some comments and questions I always get when telling people about my programme include: “oh, I didn’t know that existed!”, “what made you decide on this particular programme?”, “you must be so good at both music and maths!” and “how do you combine maths and music?” Well, it does exist, I absolutely love both mathematics and music, and yes, I would love to think that I am good at both music and maths. For the question about combining maths and music, there are a variety of courses which do so, but it’s not a requirement for me to take them.

Continue reading “What’s it like to do a joint honours programme?..”

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The Perfect Decision…

A photograph of Manab… by Manab / from Odisha, India / BSc Computer Science and Mathematics / 2nd Year (UG)

I remember around 4 years ago, I was going through a rough patch with my mathematics- so much so that I wanted to drop it. Complex numbers, functions and relations, trigonometry, you know how it goes. I was travelling to my hometown from where I was studying at that moment, with my cousin who used to study computer science at university at that time, and I expressed my concerns. I asked him about functions, how I didn’t feel comfortable with it and how it didn’t feel tangible. He immediately bought a notebook and a pen from the railway station while we were waiting for the train, and went on to explain to me functions, calculus, graphs and what not from the very basics.

Throughout the journey, I was enjoying calculus, which was supposed to be taught to me formally at school, a year later from the date. I reached home, and I decided I wouldn’t drop mathematics, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I still have that notebook.

Continue reading “The Perfect Decision…”

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Student Groups, Clubs and Societies…

… by Donald / from Gweru, Zimbabwe / MA Economics and Mathematics / 2nd Year (UG)

Growing up, I witnessed first-hand the adverse effects of the hyperinflation crises in Zimbabwe, and this sparked my desire to learn how to create lucrative projects that are beneficial to the global community. Therefore, when I came to the University of Edinburgh through the Mastercard Foundation scholarship, I chose to do Mathematics and Economics so as to gain insight into the intricate dynamics underlying major economies worldwide. Continue reading “Student Groups, Clubs and Societies…”

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Getting a Taste for Mathematics Research…

A photograph of Taraneh… by Taraneh / from Tehran, Iran / MMath Mathematics / 2nd Year (UG)

One of the benefits of studying in a research-intensive university is that you get the chance of meeting academics who in their own fields are quite the superheroes. And if you pay close attention in lectures or workshops or around Magnet Cafe, every single one of them is working on something compelling. And it just takes you to approach them and let them know you are interested in what they are doing and they would happily open your eyes to some fascinating things about our universe.

Continue reading “Getting a Taste for Mathematics Research…”

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Reflecting on my MSc…

Picture of Belen on the upper level of Victoria Street, with the road and row of coloured shop fronts below… by Belen / from Ecuador / MSc Operational Research with Data Science / PG (2019-20)

Coming from a background of Logistics and Transportation engineering and work experience in the transportation industry, I was looking for a MSc programme that could be tailored to my interests in optimization and data analytics. I found the MSc in Operational Research with Data Science at the University of Edinburgh, which was the perfect option for me since it offers a diverse pool of courses that balances perfectly both theory and application.

Continue reading “Reflecting on my MSc…”

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Ten Things I Learnt from my MSc…

… by Kevin / from Hong Kong / MSc Computational Applied Mathematics / PG (2018-19)

My name is Kevin, I had completed an undergraduate degree in maths at Warwick before pursuing a Masters in Computational Applied Mathematics at Edinburgh (2018-19). Now I’m doing a PhD in Medical Informatics at the Usher Institute in Edinburgh.

Here are the 10 things I learnt during my MSc programme. Continue reading “Ten Things I Learnt from my MSc…”

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Being a Maths Curriculum Ambassador…

… by Emma / from NJ, USA / BSc Mathematics / 2nd Year (UG)

One of the beauties of being a student in a city is that more often than not, the students become influential in the city. This is certainly the case here in Edinburgh. Back home, as a high school student, I was also able to be quite integrated in the city I went to school in. For instance, I was not only a peer tutor at my high school for math, but I also tutored younger, primary-school students at a local church. So, when I came to Edinburgh, I was ultimately keen for a similar opportunity. Continue reading “Being a Maths Curriculum Ambassador…”

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A Great City for Students…

… by Eunwoo / from Yongin, South Korea / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

Hello everyone! I am a first-year maths student from Korea. I remember reading the blog posts before coming to university and becoming both excited and nervous about what lies ahead. Now it’s my turn to provide a glimpse to what it is like to be a maths student here.

To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Edinburgh as a city at first. I grew up in Newcastle up to primary school and so would visit Edinburgh quite often since it’s near. But, at least in my memory, the city was so grey and the weather was so wet. However, now I’ve realised there are so many lively and energetic aspects of Edinburgh that adds a lot to your student life.

Continue reading “A Great City for Students…”

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Balancing Student Life and Studies…

… by Jaden / from CA, United States / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

You just got back from football practice. Maybe you’ve been playing for a year or almost your entire life. Nonetheless, you love it and that’s what’s important. Regardless of what passions you have, or if you want to discover new ones, it’s natural to have worries about balancing life with studying. In fact, it’s natural to have a bit (or a lot) of anxiety about University in general! However, despite the anxiety you may have, it’s important to know that there’s time for both in University if you play your cards right. Continue reading “Balancing Student Life and Studies…”

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Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarship: A Student’s Take…

… by Emma / from NJ, USA / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

Each year, the School of Mathematics gives international applicants the opportunity to apply for the Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Maths Scholarship. As a part of the application, applicants are encouraged to discuss why they are essentially seeking the scholarship and how they think it will help them throughout their University career. Continue reading “Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarship: A Student’s Take…”

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Accommodation in Edinburgh…

… by Yuxin / from Shenzhen, China / BSc Mathematics and Statistics / 4th Year (UG)

There are lots of opportunities such as the Open Days that enable you to visit the university before starting doing your degree. However, it was a bit hard for me to travel for 15-20 hours to visit the university before my first semester started. Luckily, the University has an accommodation guarantee for new students. This includes all first year undergraduate students plus direct-entry students (those who enter straight into the second year). For undergraduate students, you can apply for catered accommodation at Pollock Halls or other self-catered flats around the city for your first year of study.
For convenience, I chose catered accommodation in my first year, lived in private student accommodation in my second year, and then decided to come back to university accommodation in third year, but this time as a Resident Assistant. Continue reading “Accommodation in Edinburgh…”

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Life as a New Postgraduate Student…

… by Anvita / from Allahabad, India / MSc Computational Applied Mathematics / PG (2018-19)

My name is Anvita and I am one of the new postgraduate blog writers for this academic year. I am doing a Masters in Computational Applied Mathematics. I did my undergraduate in engineering, more particularly Mechanical Engineering. I enjoyed the computational and mathematical aspects of it the most and that is why I opted to change my career path and go into more mathematical options. Continue reading “Life as a New Postgraduate Student…”

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2+2 and Masters degree applications…

… by Jialu / from Foshan, China / BSc Mathematics and Statistics [2+2 programme] / 4th Year (UG)

Two years ago, I had a chance to join the School of Mathematics’ 2+2 programme with the University of Edinburgh and my Chinese mother university, South China University of Technology. Even now, I still appreciate that I seized this opportunity and it has become one of the most important turning points in my life. Continue reading “2+2 and Masters degree applications…”

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Get Involved…

… by Nick / from Johannesburg, South Africa / BSc Computer Science and Mathematics / 3rd Year (UG)

We are all told that our time at university will be full of opportunities; the things you can study, the people you could meet and the amount of time you will have on your hands. The real challenge is taking advantage of these opportunities to make sure that your university experience is as good as it can be.
Continue reading “Get Involved…”

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Moving to Study in Edinburgh: 5 Reasons…

… by Lauryn / from Ndola, Zambia / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

So, Edinburgh is a long way from home… I had to take 3 planes and all that thinking time can be an opportunity for doubt to rear its ugly head. Going to a different continent and losing the steadfast direct support of your family is a really big deal. The university experience is a massive step into your future and your choice of university is one of many consequential decisions. As teenagers, we often feel too unprepared to make such a big choice and with numerous factors like ranking, where our friends are going, how far we’ll be from home, what’s the weather like, what degree options are available and every other little detail, it can be a literal assault on our mortal minds. I remember applying to universities in South Africa, Canada and the UK while still considering studying in the US. And each of the schools I considered were absolutely amazing! I dreamt about the kinds of experiences I would have at each and every one of them. Now, I live out this Scottish adventure and I really wouldn’t change it for anything. I thought I’d share my 5 reasons for choosing to leave my home and study abroad.

Continue reading “Moving to Study in Edinburgh: 5 Reasons…”