Support during your MSc

There are various avenues of support available in the School to help you succeed in your studies.

Student Support Team

Our dedicated Student Support Team consists of six staff members.

Student Adviser

You will be assigned a Student Adviser who is your first point of contact during your time at the University of Edinburgh. They will support you at key points in your study journey, and work closely with teaching staff and other pastoral staff to provide you with additional guidance.  You will meet them regularly throughout your studies.

Your Student Adviser can also refer you to Wellbeing Advisers who are there to support students with your overall wellbeing.

Wellbeing Adviser

The School's Wellbeing Adviser is available for you if you're experiencing issues impacting your health, wellbeing, studies and personal life. They can refer you to further university support and help you to navigate specialist services, including our Student Counselling Service.

Academic Cohort Lead

You will also be assigned an Academic Cohort Lead who will assist you with questions relating to Mathematics and your studies, as well as offering academic advice abour your further academic journey and career aspirations. They will also help build a community within your cohort and the wider school by facilitating social events and peer-networking opportunities.

Study spaces

There are several study spaces available for MSc students at the King's Buildings campus:

• The MScHub is an informal social and study space for mathematics MSc students, located in the James Clerk Maxwell Building. There is a large table for group work, as well as a small kitchen, lockers and several soft seating areas.
• The Computer Lab located in the James Clerk Maxwell Building is also available for use by MSc students.
• The Nucleus Building is a new shared learning, teaching and social hub at the heart of the King's Buildings campus. Facilities include 5 lecture theatres, 2 teaching studios, group study rooms, 400 study spaces, open access computers, as well as a cafe and shop.
• You will also have access to various libraries across the University. This includes the Murray Library on King's Buildings campus which houses most of the mathematics books and journals, and the Main Library in George Square which is one of the largest academic libraries in the world. The Main Library is available for students to use 24/7.

MathSoc

The student-run society MathSoc provides the perfect opportunity for maths students and those interested in maths to get together. They host regular socials and lots of varied events like pub quizzes, BBQs and an annual ball. MathSoc also supports and hosts academic events, from mini-lectures by MathSoc members to full general interest lectures by academic staff from across the University. They even have their own sports teams!

Additional support

Additional support is available from outside the School of Mathematics from many university services, including but not limited to the following:

Institute for Academic Development

The IAD website conains resources with advice about studying techniques and good academic practice. The IAD also run workshops on topics like time management and preparing for exams, and offer one-to-one consultations.

Advice Place

The Advice Place is run by the student association, EUSA, and offers an independent and impartial source of information and advice. They can help with everything from academic matters through to finance and accommodation.

Disability and Learning Support Service

If you have a disability or require learning support, the University's Disability and Learning Support Service can arrange support for you. If you are offered a place to study here and you have declared a disability, you should contact the Service as early as possible so they can make arrangements for the start of your studies.

English Language Education Unit

If you are an international student whose first language is not English, the English Language Education unit offer free non-credit bearing courses to help support your studies.

Student Counselling

The Student Counselling Service offers a range of mental health support. From resources and activities to help you manage your own mental health, to counselling appointments with the team.

Health and Wellbeing

While university life is full of exciting opportunities, it can also be an overwhelming time. Use the Health and Wellbeing pages to find information on a range of services provided by the University and throughout Edinburgh to support your physical and mental wellbeing