FRESHERS QUICK SUMMARY LIST OF USEFUL INFORMATION
2011 - 2012
Welcome to the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (PPLS)!
The PPLS Freshers Handbook 2011-2012 contains most of the information you will need to get
you through your first few weeks of starting at the University. Below is a quick reference list
summary of the most important things.
KEY DATES
Teaching/Exams/Vacations
Semester 1
12 Sept – 16 Sept 2011
 Freshers Week
19 Sept – 02 Dec 2011
 Semester 1 Teaching Weeks
12 Dec – 21 Dec 2011
 Winter Exam Block
22 Dec 2011 – 13 Jan 2012
 Winter Vacation
Semester 2
16 Jan – 6 Apr 2012
 Semester 2 Teaching Weeks
20 Feb – 24 Feb 2012
 Innovative Learning Week
09 Apr – 20 Apr 2012
 Spring Vacation
30 Apr – 25 May 2012
 Spring Exam Block
28 May 2012
 Summer Vacation Starts
Deadline dates for changing your degree this year
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12 - 30 September: for all changes, go to the undergraduate admissions office, 2nd floor,
David Hume Tower
30 September – 07 October: for changes to degrees in PPLS , see the PPLS Student Support
Officer
30 September – 07 October: for changes to degrees in other Schools, see the Teaching Office
in the appropriate School.
After 07 October any change would be for the next academic year, see
http://www.ppls.ed.ac.uk/students/undergraduate/index.php
CLASS/LECTURE TIMES/LOCATIONS
Details of your first lectures will be posted on the Teaching Office notice boards – 4th floor DSB
(English Language, Linguistics, Philosophy) and Ground floor, 7 George Square (Psychology).
The times of your classes are available via the on-line Degree Regulations and Programmes of
Study (DRPS) website - http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk and you can check the University’s online
“Timetab” package -www.timetab.ed.ac.uk so you can ensure you have no clash of classes.
PTO
WHERE TO GO IF YOU ARE COMPLETELY LOST!
The main point of contact for all your queries will be the Teaching Office. The Teaching Office
for Philosophy and Linguistics & English Language is located on the 4th floor
(room 4.05), Dugald Stewart Building and for Psychology on the ground floor (room G8) in 7
George Square. Opening hours are 09.00 - 17.00 Monday to Friday.
If you are not sure who/where to ask about something – the Teaching Office is a good place to
start.
It is also a good idea to look at the PPLS website where there is lots of useful information;
www.ppls.ed.ac.uk and for each subject area
Philosophy:
http://www.philosophy.ed.ac.uk/phil_students/undergraduate/undergraduate_information.php
Psychology:
http://www.psy.ed.ac.uk/psy_students/undergraduate/index.php
Language Sciences:
http://www.lel.ed.ac.uk/study/undergrad/
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Register with a doctor
It is important that you sign up with a doctor in Edinburgh so you can get help if you are ill. The
University Richard Verney Health Service (http://www.health-service.ed.ac.uk) provides
comprehensive medical care under the National Health Service for those students who wish to
register as patients of the practice. To register with the University Practice, go to the 3rd Floor
Reception Desk, 6 Bristo Square.
Disabled students
Students with a disability, health condition, or specific learning difficulty are advised to discuss
their needs with the Student Support Officer (see page 6), in the first instance. Students can also
contact the Student Disability Service (email: Disability.Service@ed.ac.uk tel: 0131 650 6828, or
in person: 3rd Floor, Main Library, George Square).
Emails
You must start using your University email address ASAP. University messages will ONLY be
sent to that address. Your email address is made up of s + your matriculation number@ed.ac.uk
- for example, s11333333@sms.ed.ac.uk This email address will be used for a variety of
essential communications so REMEMBER TO CHECK IT REGULARLY! Not checking will not be
a valid excuse for missing deadlines etc. You access your email account via the University of
Edinburgh student portal, MyEd www.myed.ed.ac.uk
This should be enough to get you going but please do read the PPLS Freshers
Handbook 2011-2012 as well …………!