The Highlanders – A Complete guide to studying Scotland

With five Scottish universities in the league of the top 200 universities worldwide, it’s not just the lure of nature or the vibrant art and culture that draws students from India to the remote country but the promise of a world-class education. Yes, it’s a devolved country with its own parliament, part of the larger entity known as the United Kingdom. If you ever make the mistake of suggesting to a Scotsman that Scotland is part of England, you’ll be lucky to just get away with a few choice phrases you’ve never heard before.

One of the primary reasons to venture to this cold, rainy and windy state has to be for the warmth and friendliness of the locals, numbering only five million – the same population of a small Indian city. Most love a good Indian curry and the bright colours of India have taken a hold in the many Indian festivals that are celebrated there. Indian students may particularly feel at home as the cultural parallels between Scotland and India are many; the hegemony of English and the disappearance of local, regional languages and traditions are prevalent issues; both have a sense of proud nationalism that has resulted from years of oppression by the same colonial power; and of course, both nations share a passion for finely distilled scotch.

For those who love nature and the outdoors, the highlands of Scotland are some of the most beautiful regions in the world that beg to be explored at different times of the year. One can go hiking or mountain biking in the summer, while the winter sees a rise in skiers who come there to enjoy the late snows. Other popular recreational activities are sailing, thanks to the gusty winds and large lochs (lakes) in the region, and horse riding. The variety of sporting activities is a haven for students. The nightlife is vibrant and eclectic, especially in the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. International artists frequently perform here, while the Edinburgh International Festival attracts music, theatre, film and comedy buffs from across the world. Even small pubs in the highlands host frequent acoustic nights where the locals often sing along to popular songs.

If the insularity of Scotland bothers you, worry not. With low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet offering direct flights from Scotland to most of Europe, one can fly to Paris for the weekend for as little as Rs.1,500. And with the strong pound, a trip to Europe is not an expensive proposition in comparison. If studying at a recognised higher education institute for a degree course, then students can work while they study for up to 20 hours a week during term-time, and full-time during holidays. This helps offset the cost of studies but will not be sufficient to cover the tuition fees. A number of scholarships are available for deserving students; for more information, visit your closest British Council centre or log on to www.educationuk.org

University of Glasgow
Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow holds the high claim of being the fourth university in the English-speaking world. Today, it is one of the world’s leading research centres with annual research grants of more than £129 million, one the UK’s top ten research earners. The university had the third most internationally diverse student body in the UK in 2010. Students rate their experiences at the university highly on academic, professional and social fronts, while an international student satisfaction survey across the UK placed the university first. The city of Glasgow offers great opportunities to students for work, learning and fun. With a number of festivals through the year, cosy cafes and leafy parks in the West End, over 700 pubs and clubs, live music, galleries and museums, the city of Glasgow is an experience for international students looking for a study-life balance. Travel writer H V Morton called it the ‘city of reality’, and Glaswegians have a hard-nosed, down-to-earth outlook on life with a healthy dose of dry humour.
www.gla.ac.uk

University of Stirling
The University of Stirling has been voted by students as the ‘best Scottish university’ and the second best in the UK for ‘a good place to be’. The Sunday Times newspaper has hailed the University as having ‘one of the finest campuses in Europe.’ It ranks high on student satisfaction lists thanks to the unique university experience it offers. The medieval town by the river Forth sprang up as a crossing from the Scottish highlands to the lowlands, and once was the heart of the Scottish nation. The University of Stirling was opened in 1967 outside the main town, and is famed for its peaceful surroundings near a loch and rolling hills. To the stunning environs, add top-notch sports facilities and an international student body with great campus parties and you have a winner on your hands. Moreover, one can reach the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh within an hour.
www.stir.ac.uk

University of ST Andrews
As Scotland’s oldest university and the third-oldest university in the world, St Andrews has established a reputation for excellence for the past six centuries. Recent graduates included Princes Harry and William of the royal family. About 30 per cent of the student body comes in from overseas, representing over 120 nationalities. With over a hundred student societies catering to every interest in addition to sports clubs, there is something for everyone’s specialised interests. The beautiful, old campus town situated on the edge of the sea allows for some great parties on the beach with fire poi and bonfires. The campus offers a great mix of tradition, history and architecture with cutting-edge facilities and a modern science and arts curricula.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk

University of Aberdeen
Tucked away in the north of Scotland, the University of Aberdeen boasts of a 500-year-old tradition in teaching, discovery and learning. It is the third-oldest college in Scotland, and the fifth-oldest in the United Kingdom. The original King’s College still stands today, a famous historical landmark in the region. With an annual turnover in excess of £200 million, the university has invested heavily in creating modern infrastructure for students, such as Wi-Fi across the campus, better housing facilities, libraries with over a million volumes and study abroad programmes. Interestingly, Aberdeen offers the United Kingdom’s only MSc degree in Environmental Microbiology and was home to the first MRI scan of a patient’s body.
www.abdn.ac.uk

University of Edinburgh
Ranked in the top 50 of worldwide institutes, the University of Edinburgh is a leader in Scottish education. Spread over the beautiful capital of Scotland, the University is famed for its research in science and the arts. The Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute is one of the world’s top three research institutes for artifical intelligence, and the Europa Institute is the only such centre in the United Kingdom devoted solely to the study of the European Union. The arts campus is centrally located at the heart of the beautiful old city centre, while the science campus is a short 15-minute bus ride. The city is home to the Edinburgh International Festival each year in the month of August, that sees leading plays, music, art, comedy, movies and more come to the city from all over the world. Hogmanay, the New Year celebrations, is also an event that cannot be missed with spectacular street parties and fireworks over the old city.
www.ed.ac.uk

Volume 1 Issue 9