Joining our MSc programme as a US student

We think our MSc in High Performance Computing should particularly appeal to students from the USA. Linnea Gilius has been working at EPCC since completing her MSc in 2024 and we discussed her experience of studying with us.

^{Above: Linnea Gilius who relocated from the USA to study then work with EPCC.}

What first attracted you to EPCC's MSc in HPC?

I was studying Computer Science at the University of Oregon and I was introduced to HPC in general from one of my professors. I was looking to do further education and, when I searched, the EPCC MSc programme came up straight away. There were a few programmes in the US and elsewhere that had some specialisation options but I didn't see anything that was so focused on HPC.

What else made you want to study at Edinburgh?

I didn't want to study in a country where I didn't speak the language, even if the course itself would be in English, so I already was very interested in coming to the UK. The fact that the MSc is a full calendar year rather than two academic years makes it much easier for an international student. Plus, coming from Oregon, I prefer cooler climates in general!

Did you find the UK educational system different from that in the USA?

I had a friend who came to Edinburgh as part of an undergraduate exchange programme from a smaller university and they found going into a bigger university a bit of a shock. But my university was quite large anyway so it wasn't really an issue for me. I'd say the change can seem more daunting than it actually is, and EPCC gives really good support. Both the teachers and student support team are incredibly available and happy to answer any questions, making it really easy to reach out. There are definitely differences between the US and UK academic systems, for example 70% being an excellent grade here. But it's all well explained when you arrive.

Did you enjoy being in Scotland?

Yes - I think Edinburgh itself is a draw for many students and also very walkable, unlike some US cities. I also did a little travelling with some other MSc students, like day trips to Glasgow and Stirling, which is easy because the trains are fast and cheap.

Had you always planned to stay on and work here?

I guess I wasn't really sure at the start, but I learned pretty early on that one of the previous year's students had stayed on to work at EPCC so I thought I could try too and I applied for a position. As a recent graduate it was straightforward to get a visa to stay on and work after my studies.

Study with us!

I hope that Linnea's experiences will encourage even more US students to consider our MSc in HPC programmes after their undergraduate degrees. You can find out more on our website:
Masters programmes in High Performance Computing (HPC) and HPC with Data Science.

The University also has a central page with general information for postgraduate and undergraduate students coming from the US: From the USA to Edinburgh: a world-leading university awaits.