Things to do Before Welcome Week

During each year of your studies you will take 120 credits. This is usually split into three 20 credit courses in each of the two semesters.

In each year of the degree, there will be compulsory courses that you have to take, and optional course choices where you can choose what you take. This means you have the chance to select courses from other Schools in the University to complement your degree programme.

It's a good idea to have a think about your course choices before you start your studies, and there are a few places you can find out more:

• Please read the "New Students" guidance on our Course Options and Advice page

Course Options and Advice  

• You can visit the Course Options Hub on the New Students website which has lots of information on courses from across the University, click the button below to take you there!

Research your courses on the Course Options Hub

You will receive an email from your Student Adviser in the next few weeks with more information on what you need to do to confirm your course choices.

All new Year 1 and year 2 entry students should do this, please complete this task before welcome week.

As you prepare to start university, it's a good time to think about what you would like to achieve over the coming year. University can feel like a significant change. To help support you during this time we would like you to answer a short series of questions addressing key areas such as: your motivations for study, hopes and expectations, and your skills and strengths - this is called a pre-arrival review.

Please complete this as soon as you can and by Friday 15th September at the latest.

Pre-arrival Review

Please note this is not the place to disclose any important personal information that you have not disclosed before (e.g. a disability) or any important or urgent information you need a response to. Please contact the Student Support Team directly about such matters.

We have created some workshops specifically for new Biological Sciences students to help with your university transition and to familiarise you with some of the online tools you will use during your degree.

Maths and Chemistry Workshops - compulsory for new year 1 students

These workshops have been designed to refresh your knowledge and get you ready for the start of semester 1 teaching.

You will need your University login details to access the Maths and Chemistry workshops through Learn (the University's virtual learning platform). You can find Learn through your MyEd portal or by clicking the button below. You should be able to see the workshops listed under "Courses".

If you think you should have access (you are a Biological Sciences new student) and you don't, please let us know by emailing us at biologystudents@ed.ac.uk and we'll investigate for you. 

Maths and Chemistry Workshop

Introduction to the University online - for all new students

The University of Edinburgh has a vast array of information and resources available online, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. This web page is designed to guide you to and introduce some of the resources that you will find very useful, especially in your first year at University.

An Introduction to the University online

All new students in the School of Biological Sciences must complete an online Health and Safety Induction Course. Please follow the steps below to enrol on this course:

• Go to https://www.learn.ed.ac.uk/
• Click ‘Course Catalogue’ in the top right hand corner
• Search ‘SBS Health and Safety Induction - 1st year UG’ – you don’t need to enter any other information, just the course name in the search bar, and click ‘Go’ (if it doesn't work, try typing the name in rather than copying and pasting).
• The course should now be listed in the box below. Hover over the name in the ‘Course ID’ column, click the grey circular button with a down arrow next to the course, and then click ‘Enrol’
• Click ‘Submit’ on the next page
• Once you have enroled, the course will appear on your Home page the next time you log-in to Learn
• The course includes a presentation and quiz, and we recommend that you complete both as soon as possible, and by Friday 29^th September at the very latest

If you are entering into Year 2 or Year 3, please also enrol yourself onto and complete ‘SBS Health and Safety Induction – 1st Year UG’

Please email biologystudents@ed.ac.uk if you have any problems enroling on the course.

The University's New Students' website has lots of great information to help you get ready to start your studies. 

Get ready for University

An important task is to complete the 'Top 6 Tasks' which must be completed by all new students either before, or when you arrive, to enable you to begin your studies with us.

Top 6 Tasks

The University has created a number of 'How to...' videos covering a variety of topics from 'Getting started with MyEd' to 'Avoid Frauds and Scams' and they are also running some live sessions too. Find out more and sign up below

'How to...' sessions

Welcome Week is crammed with academic and social events to help you settle in at Edinburgh.

The Events App is an essential tool to explore what is on offer, get organised and make the most of your first week at university.

Download the Events App

Once you have the app please look up the School events relevant to you (see your welcome email) and click 'add to my schedule'.