BETWEEN CASTLES AND LABS: PURSUING A MASTER’S DEGREE IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Moving to Scotland marked a major milestone in my life. It was my first experience abroad and brought me many rewarding moments, both personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Robotics, where I was able to turn theory into real-world projects. I chose Heriot-Watt because its programme combined robotics and artificial intelligence—an ideal blend for strengthening my skills and expanding my professional expertise.
Discovering such a beautiful place helped me settle in quickly and made the transition feel smooth and enjoyable. At the same time, staying focused on completing my degree encouraged me to see every day as an opportunity to learn, grow and make lasting memories along the way.
To share my story in a more organised way, I will explore some of the aspects that shaped my life in Edinburgh: the city’s unique charm, the accommodation options, the university’s learning facilities, and the opportunities to relax and socialise that helped me maintain a healthy balance between academic and personal life.
The Magic of Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a city I immediately fell in love with. Its blend of Gothic architecture, modern spaces and abundant greenery creates a unique atmosphere, making it a wonderful place to explore and enjoy its many attractions.
During my time there, I had the opportunity to learn some of the dances performed at a ceilidh, a traditional Scottish gathering filled with folk music and dancing. Taking part was a fun and memorable way to immerse myself in the local culture and experience Scottish traditions first-hand.
The monuments in the city centre create a striking contrast between Edinburgh’s historic architecture and its modern transport system. Together, these features make the city a pleasant place to explore and enjoy with friends or family.
Edinburgh Castle, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, stands as a powerful reminder of its rich history and preserves a character that seems untouched by time. Overall, Edinburgh is full of beautiful places that allow visitors to appreciate the history, culture and remarkable scale of its heritage.
Feeling at Home: On-Campus and Off-Campus Accommodation
There are two main types of student accommodation in Edinburgh: off-campus and on-campus accommodation.
Off-campus: Across the city, there are residential buildings designed exclusively for students and intended to provide a comfortable environment suited to academic life. The options vary and include private studios with their own bathroom and kitchen, as well as shared flats. In shared accommodation, each student usually has a private bedroom, while spaces such as the bathroom and kitchen are shared with other residents. Laundry facilities are generally located in a communal area available to everyone in the building.
On-campus: Personally, I chose to live on campus because it was the most convenient option for reducing both my commuting time and transport expenses. There are three main categories of accommodation: rooms with a shared bathroom, rooms with a private bathroom, and studios with their own bathroom and kitchen. In the first two categories, the kitchen is usually shared among five students.
Each resident has two designated storage compartments for their kitchen utensils. The kitchen is also equipped with a fridge and freezer for storing food. The laundry room is another communal space, with washing machines and tumble dryers available. This makes it very convenient to keep your clothes clean and ready to wear.
Learning Environments That Supported My Development
Some of the university’s main academic facilities include the library, shared study areas and laboratories. One of the library’s greatest advantages is that it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Having access to a study space at any time allowed me to organise my schedule and adapt my study sessions to my own needs.
The university also provided access to a wide range of online academic resources, including books, specialised journals and research articles.
When it comes to study areas, the university offers both individual and group rooms. The group rooms are ideal for discussing ideas, preparing assignments and studying as a team. There are also spaces equipped with projectors and other resources that support collaborative work.
The laboratories provide the equipment, tools and materials I needed to develop my projects. One particularly helpful aspect during my master’s dissertation project was how easy it was to request the components I required. Whenever something was unavailable, the university could order it online, and it would usually arrive within a week.
Beyond the Classroom: Nature, Community and New Experiences
Heriot-Watt University is known not only for its high academic standards, but also for its campus, which brings its different academic schools together in one setting surrounded by nature.
The campus has extensive green spaces and two lochs. One of them is home to wild ducks and swans, adding to the university’s natural charm. There is also a wooded area filled with towering trees, perfect for taking a walk and reaching a small hill where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets. These spaces offer an excellent opportunity to relax and take a break from academic life.
When it comes to socialising, Heriot-Watt has a wide range of student societies that bring together people interested in sports, music, languages and many other activities. These groups complement academic learning and encourage cultural exchange, particularly thanks to the university’s international student community.
The university chaplaincy also plays an important role in bringing the student community together. Among its activities, it organises day trips to different parts of Scotland. These excursions offer students a chance to unwind while discovering places such as Loch Ness, Stirling Castle and Scotland’s spectacular mountain landscapes.
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