My friend gave me a guided tour and all I can say about this University is I really wished I had…read moregone here (and could afford it). It's so amazing, and pretty, and people are friendly, and they have all these cool events advertised (like a cheese party!!!). Teviot row house is also the oldest student union building in the world (My friend told me) and it looks great! they have a sports bar, library bar, and other various bars for different functions and settings.

Home to some of the ugliest buildings on earth (can I get a round of applause for Appleton Tower's…read moresheer foulness please?) the University of Edinburgh was the place of my 'further education'. Superficially the Uni does well in the league tables (23rd in the world I think) but the real student experience is pretty patchy. The main library is probably the best example of this. Spanning over six floors this building houses millions of books and resources but for some reason there never seemed to be any of the ones I wanted! At the beginning of every year at least one of my courses was complaining that their books hadn't been put on short loan and that keen students had already checked out the course work for the year. There was also a constant issue of people hogging computers, leaving their books and coats on the table and then heading off to Bristo Square for a leisurely lunch. Annoying! Nonetheless I did enjoy my studies at Edinburgh a lot. The uni attracts some brilliant lecturers especially in the History and Politics departments (my degree). Dr Day, Dr Cogliano and Dr Bates were my favourite historians although I would have to say that the international relations and politics of human rights courses were very impressive. In recent years the University has come out quite badly in 'student satisfaction' surveys primarily because of the time it took to get coursework marked and returned. As I left I could see that there were real efforts being made to reverse these patterns but as far as most of us were concerned it was a bit too little too late. Despite this I would still say that Edinburgh is a great University and I miss it a lot!

I did training for a job working on behalf of the University of Edinburgh here and the facilities…read morehere are really great. As you would expect for an informatics forum it is kitted out with good levels of equipment the students that frequent it. The Informatics forum's main purpose is to be the hub for informatics students (of course), but also the humanities and social sciences department and the student support service department. The design of the building is really great and is a true example of how modern architecture can really complement and cohabit amongst older buildings.

The Informatics Forum, just like the Dugald Stewart Building is a very recent appearance on…read moreEdinburgh University's George Square campus. Because it's essentially the same building. But somehow, probably because it houses people who might actually have careers (instead of the plain ol' geeks at the Dugald Stewart side of the establishment), it's actually way snazzier than DSB. I only know this because I went into the Informatics Forum for one of those hour-long above-minimum-wage experiments that you do when you're unemployed and desperate. They had paintings! Or, one painting. But that's one more than I've ever seen in the Dugald Stewart Building.

Picturesque building in a great location overlooking princes street, the courtyard although small…read moreand quite busy with tourists, holds a statue of John Knox. You need ID to access the library but if you wait around for someone to come in or out you might be lucky and once inside you will be greeted by beautiful stained glass windows. It's unclear though where visitors are allowed to roam so some info on this would be helpful.

As well as being a stunning building to admire from the outside, New College is an excellent venue…read morefor hosting events as well. It stands on top of The Mound and so has an imposing look, visible from Princes Street and beyond. Like Edinburgh itself, which has old and new towns, the university has Old College and New College. Also like the city, both old and new are quite old indeed. The building dates from 1846 and houses the School of Divinity at the University. However, there are also rooms that can be rented out for events, and that's what brought me here. Our ball happened in Rainy Hall, a stunning hall, with crests and coats of arms all around. Walking in through the main gate of the college brings one to the very Hogwarts-like quadrangle, which makes for some great photo ops. Once inside the building, all of the interior architecture also captures one's attention. However, I am far from an expert on this, so that's quite enough comments about architecture! Rainy Hall is an intimate venue for events. It comfortably accommodated our ~60 attendees, but much more than this and ceilidh dancing would become somewhat difficult. Catering and bar service are provided by the University's own Edinburgh First, with friendly, efficient staff, and a good selection of drinks at the bar. The food quality is very good, though portion sizes leave a lot to be desired. My recommendation to visit New College is twofold. As a tourist, the astoundingly beautiful building makes for excellent photographs. On top of this, for reasonably small events of up to 70 people, the Rainy Hall is an excellent venue to consider.

Old college is part of the University of Edinburgh so I tend to come here often due to lectured and…read moreadministrative stuff. However, this I place I think is one of Edinburgh iconic buildings and a "must see" by visitors. The square has various decorations during the time of year or the festivities. For example during Christmas they had A huge Christmas tree while on Chinese New Years they had replicas of statues of the terracotta soldiers. If anything, this is a great spot to take that selfie or pic to capture the beauty of the buildings that can be found in Edinburgh. It's also free entrance so why not take advantage of the beautiful backdrop?! What's also nice is after taking 5-10 min to come here (not much to see really), you can head to the national museum. If you're a student at the University of Edinburgh this place is where you can find big lecture halls and the important registrar office.

Some years ago, when I was considering becoming a student at the University of Edinburgh, I…read moreremember being dazzled in the prospectus by glossy photographs of magnificent quadrangles, ancient libraries, and walkways adjoined by rows of impressive granite columns. "It really is the Athens of the north," I thought, and promptly completed my application. Little did I know that I would spend most of my university career on the 12th floor of a concrete tower block on the corner of George Square, holed up in the 1960s architectural travesty that is the main library, or frantically typing essays in an underground computer lab commonly known as 'the bunker.' However, those enticing images in the university brochure were not complete fabrication - such elegant structures do exist in the university's extensive property holdings, and Old College is one of the most impressive. Dating from the 18th century, it is built on a grander scale than its spin-off, New College, with a conspicuous dome, arched facades and balustrades built around a wide open courtyard, all very imposing in Edinburgh's trademark grey stone. Today, only a privileged few law students actually get to come and have classes here. But I often make excuses to walk through Old College, just to briefly admire the sweeping scale of the place and delude myself that being a student at Edinburgh really does involve inhabiting such majestic environs on a daily basis.

There's a reason this 60s university building had its own student paper campaign to nominate it for…read moreChannel 4 series "Demolition". It's hideous. Now I know some people like Appleton Tower, they see some charm, perhaps some imprint of a particular age of architecture. I can sympathise with this. But not enough. Perhaps if Appleton Tower was one of the only remaining kind in the world I might have reservations about blowing it up, but even then it would be a struggle to persuade me. What persuaded the architects and engineers of the 60s to build one of central Edinburgh's highest buildings in this ugly style which even then, the potential for becoming quickly dated must have been apparent, I will never know. It maximally clashes with the beautiful old town aesthetic. I don't know whether to give Appleton Tower one star or five. It's awful but in many ways I love to hate it, and I really do recommend in all seriousness (especially if you have an interest in architecture) that you check it out. It is a local "hot spot". The view from Appleton is actually spectacular, especially from the North East. Though as one saying goes, "you get the best view of Edinburgh from Appleton Tower, because you can't see Appleton Tower".

Edinburgh is one of the most attractive cities architecturally with buildings such as Edinburgh…read moreCastle, The Scott Monument and St Giles' Cathedral. So why oh why did the University of Edinburgh sanction the hideous eye-sore that is Appleton tower? It really does look out of place and would look more apt in 1950s communist Russia. However, although it does look pretty disgusting from the outside, it is pretty cool inside, the lecture theatres are very much 21st century and very spacious and the tutorial rooms are all fitted with LCD TVs outside. Also one benefit from being inside Appleton Tower is that you can't see how ugly it is from the outside, so if you get a chance go to the top floor where you will be blessed with a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Ok, I have officially fallen in love with Potterow. it plays the WORST but the BEST music ever, it…read morehas the cheesiest men and the bouncers are brilliant criac. I love it!!!!

I LOVE POTTERROW!! It is one of several of Edinburgh University's student unions and it is by far…read moremy favourite. It is a great place to sit and do some work during the day or to have lunch with friends in. It has a shop selling sandwiches, snacks, drinks etc as well as magazines and stationary. It also sells Edinburgh University goods such as hoodies and folders. The best aspect of this store for me is the sushi - it sells the most amazing sushi which is very reasonably priced - £2.99 for six maki rolls. The shop is always busy at lunch time and the staff are very friendly. Potterrow occasionally holds gigs at night for small bands to come and play, but the union really comes alive on a Saturday night for the Big Cheese, one of my favourite places to go for a night out in Edinburgh. It used to be free entry, but it is now only free until 10pm and then it is £3 to get in. The music is cheesy pop from the '70s to '90s mixed with current chart music. The drinks are very cheap, but the one downside to the Big Cheese is the massive queue to get in which seems to move so slowly. They do take their time in letting the students into the union, but once you are in it is definitely worth it!

As a student, there are some places, which over the years, you eventually dread to visit. The Hugh…read moreRobson building, for me, is certainly one of those. Located in George Square, this place is famous for its twenty four hour computer lab, one of the few located in George Square. You might be thinking, well that's great, I can go there to do work anytime I please! However, the Hugh Robson's nickname sends shivers down a student's back - The Bunker! Yes, the computing lab is on the basement level, with one larger room (with no windows) and two smaller rooms (one with windows). The computers are all the same and there are printing facilities. However, that is not the issue! Round the time when essays are due in, this place is full all night, and what a depressing state of affairs it is! Students who evolve to resemble zombies, bins full of unhealthy snacks and even worse, the atmosphere of hopelessness! Do yourself a favour, don't leave an essay till the last moment, no student wishes another student to experience a night in the Hugh Robson!

Hugh Robson Building is the place to come when you have an impending assignment or exam to be…read moregetting on with. I usually just work in my flat or the library, but when the internet goes down I head straight to Hugh Rob. The atmosphere is verging on depressing with no windows and simple decor. Yet with limited distraction it offers a great place to work. The computers are all in good condition and easy to use (unlike those stupid apple macs in the library!!), great for downloading necessary documents for any work you may have. Hugh Robson is nobodies favourite place in the world but it's a great place to come to get in the zone for doing some work.

The Advice Place, located in the Potterrow student union is run by Edinburgh University Student…read moreAssociation. It is a great place where you can obtain information and advice on a range of issues including health, financial, academic, and legal and all other sorts of issues that are faced by students. The staff at the Advice Place are really helpful and are trained into making students feel comfortable when they attend the place but also that students understand the advice they give them. Any information you give to the centre is handled with the greatest confidence as well. Friends of been who have gone have always praised it. During Freshers Week I volunteered and helped out, and the amount of new students who went to the Advice Place was staggering. A great resource and one that is used by lots of students.

I was fairly lucky during my time at uni, in that I experienced very few problems. In fact, I had a…read morebrilliant time. However, like many students, I did encounter some serious financial difficulties during my last year. You know, when it actually matters. Step in the advice place. I went in to talk to them and they were very understanding and friendly (I'm guessing they were all students once) and told me to apply for the hardship grant. So I did. And, please, don't feel too proud to apply for it - they want to give you the money! Just a generally excellent addition to an already pretty great establishment. They won't just give you advice on money, they'll talk to you about anything. So if you're feeling uncomfortable in your new city, go and talk to them.

This building is, in very ignorant architectural terms, modernism's response to George Square. I…read moremean, there's nothing particularly invasive about it. It doesn't bother me in any way, but it's kind of strange looking to me. I think as far as architecture's concerned, though, I'm kinda orthodox. Or, more accurately, old school. I think McEwan Hall is gorgeous. David Hume not so much. I guess the Chrystal Macmillan Building falls halfway between these two for me. One thing that makes my heart flutter about the building, though, is that its Anthropology students, with their rebellious sense of humour, have nicknamed it the Crystal Meths building. As far as I'm concerned, every university needs a Crystal Meths building, which makes it sound more like a laboratory where students go to get high and tested.

This new, modern building, located at the corner of George Square is the new home for the school of…read moresocial and political science! As a student within this school, this building has been a much welcomed addition to the school. The building has a modern, airy, open feel about it, with lots of windows letting in lots of much needed light (Never have liked buildings with hardly any light inside!). The lecture theatres on the first floor have lots of comfy chairs (a nice change considered the dreadful wooden seats you sometimes get in the old lecture halls.) and have all the modern appliances installed. The building is large and has many floors, all similar in design. On the basement floor there is a computer lab for the students of the school, it is nowhere near as large as the computer lab next door in the Hugh Robson, and that it is good as it doesn't feel as crowded! Also, across all floors there are places to relax and read - really a brilliant place for mature students who hate the noise of the main library!

As a non psychology student I have not had many reasons to visit this place. However, one a few…read moreoccasions I have participated in a number of experiments for my flat mate. And even though the experiments or tests were not brilliant, the building certainly provided a surprise! Situated on George Square, this building is one of a few which actually adds to the beauty and style of the area. The front of the building is moulded in that Victorian - Regal scheme with two large pillars towering above the entrance, along with a figurehead of a character (unknown to me who it is). Inside the building is bright and open with you immediately being introduced to the main part of the building. It is an area with seats at the side and a large circle in the middle where you can see the floor below. Furthermore, the building has its own mini library and provides rooms for lectures and tutorials. Also, on the ground floor there are many rooms dedicated just for experiments. If you dare to walk amongst psychologists and students studying psychology then you will be rewarded with the impression that the building gives to you.