Student blogs

Our students blog about their experience of postgraduate study, from initial research to writing dissertations (and everything in-between). Plus find out more about what our students do in their free time and how they fit their studies around other aspects of their life.

Student Stories website

Our student blogs are published each week on the University's 'Student Stories' website. You can find a link to the site below - simply click through to Student Stories and then hit the 'Postgraduate' tag on the right hand side. You'll be able to browse plenty of articles from our current medics, vets and scientists!

University of Edinburgh Student Stories

In the list below, we've also included direct links to some of our regular bloggers (past and present) who have written several posts for us over the years.

On-campus students

Sophie Quick

4th year student, PhD in Tissue Repair

“So what exactly do you do for your PhD?” is something I’ve been asked many times, and my answer does change depending on who’s asking. While another scientist at a conference might be looking for the detailed techniques I use, I find this sort of information doesn’t always go down as well at a family wedding. I started my PhD in 2016 and on my blog I like to write about my time here in Edinburgh, things that inspire me and day-to-day lab life, hoping that I can communicate better what I do for my PhD in a way that lots of people can understand and enjoy.

Read Sophie's blog

Sarah Neely

3rd year student, PhD in Tissue Repair

I am a third year student on the Wellcome Trust Tissue Repair PhD programme. I moved up to Edinburgh for the start of my PhD and have loved exploring the city alongside my studies. I am having a brilliant time both inside and outside the lab and would love to share with you the day-to-day life of a PhD student here in Edinburgh! Get ready for a lot of fun science, a healthy number of cake pictures (I love baking) and hopefully a lot of tips that I have picked up along the way about how to get the most from your time here in Edinburgh!

Follow Sarah's PhD journey on Instagram

PhD and stuff bloggers — Bérengère and Sinéad share their experience of PhD life

Sinéad O’Carroll & Bérengère Digard

3rd and 4th year students, PhD in Psychiatry

Bérengère and Sinéad are both PhD students in the Department of Psychiatry, based in the Patrick Wild Centre.

Bérengère is studying bilingualism in Autism and Sinéad is studying maternal communication in preterm infants.

Visit Bérengère's author website

Visit Sinéad's author website

Online students

Mark Alday

3rd year student, MSc Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

I am a current MSc student studying Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburgh. As an online student, I mainly work as a surveillance microbiologist at a state public health laboratory in the United States. Outside of the (virtual) classroom and laboratory, I enjoy baking, listening to music, and gazing out of airplane windows. Check out my blog to ride along on my journey through this interesting programme!

Read Mark's blog

Daniela da Fonseca Ribeiro

3rd year student, MSc Neuroimaging for Research

I am currently in the final year of an MSc in Neuroimaging for Research. This is a part-time online learning postgraduate programme that has given me the opportunity to undertake a Masters degree whilst working at the same time.

During my free time I enjoy going to the theatre, travelling to different countries and going for walks in the park. Have a look at my blog to find out more about my online learning journey.

Read Daniela's blog

Nancy McLean

5th year student, MSc Equine Science

I am an online learner from the mid-west U.S.A, pursuing my MSc in Equine Science.

I have been involved in Thoroughbred Racing for 21 years. Follow my blog if you want to get a glimpse of farm life with Thoroughbreds (plus one Welsh pony), while working towards a postgraduate degree from this well-known and respected University.

Read Nancy's Blog

Older blogs from our graduates

Katherine Bonnycastle

I studied for a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Integrative Physiology) and have just submitted my final thesis! Read about my experiences before, during and after thesis submission.

In my spare time I enjoy experimenting with different recipes in the kitchen, practicing yoga (there's nothing like a good downward-facing dog!) and travelling when I can.

Read Katherine's blog

Kayla Stovall

Hello, I am Kayla Stovall from Dallas, Texas. In fall 2017 I started a one-year taught Masters of Public Health (MPH) here at the University of Edinburgh thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Foundation's Global Grant Scholarship. I look forward to sharing my experience here with you.

Read Kayla's blog

Elizabeth Begg

I moved from California to Glasgow and I commute to Edinburgh everyday! I have a BSc in health science-public health and sociology and I am now studying for a research masters in Integrative Neuroscience. Read my blog to learn about my experiences and how awesome working with rats can be!

Read Elizabeth's blog

Kiki Oluwarore

I'm an online Masters student in Global Health and Infectious Diseases; and thanks to the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship for helping me get started. Simultaneously, I’m a Health and Development professional based in Nigeria and I love reading, writing, travelling, playing board games and lots of music! Scroll through my notes to get a glimpse of my Edinburgh online journey.

Read Kiki's blog

Chiara Herzog

Having completed a MSc by Research in Integrative Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh, I am now in the first year of my PhD in Neuroscience based at the Centre for Neuroregeneration in Edinburgh. Read my blog to take a look behind the scenes of postgraduate study and student life in one of the UK's most prestigious universities.

Read Chiara's blog

Priya Hari

I'm in the 4th year of my PhD in the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre. When I tell people I do cancer research, the immediate reaction is always 'Wow! that's amazing!' but what is life as a PhD student doing cancer research really like? Find out here!

Read Priya's blog

Phoebe Kirkwood

I am a third year PhD student on the Tissue Repair programme specialising in Reproductive Health. I studied in Edinburgh to gain my Bachelor's degree in Medical Sciences and loved the Uni and city so much I decided to stay on for my further research. Outside of the lab I enjoy socialising with my friends, salsa dancing, dabbling in sports such as Tennis and swimming and have recently started baking as a hobby! My blog takes you through the major challenges I have faced so far, will give you a brief idea of what goes on in the life of a PhD student and how I keep busy in my spare time. I hope you enjoy the read!!!

Read Phoebe's blog

This article was published on 2024-09-09