As a Scot who studied Politics at the University of Edinburgh, I can’t help but notice, my accent was a rarity. Only 26% of the student body is Scottish now as I graduate, a 21% decline from 2021, when I first matriculated. This fact is no secret at the university, I recall the decline being mentioned in several classes, both by students and educators alike. Even without knowledge of the data, any student can attest to how uncommon it is to hear a Scottish accent across most degrees. Is this an issue? Why is this the case? I’m no expert, but I’d like to pool from my experiences and explain my frustrations.
First of all, it’s worth mentioning that the University of Edinburgh has always been an incredibly international institution. Admittedly, it wouldn’t be half as reputable or successful as it is today if not for its’ remarkable drawing power globally.
