How to refer to the University and how to use University-specific terminology. Referring to the UniversityUse:‘the University of Edinburgh’ with an initial lower-case t when including the phrase within a sentence‘The University of Edinburgh’ with an initial capital T when this appears by itself without surrounding textDo not use ‘Edinburgh University’ or ‘UoE’.If it is obvious from the context that you are referring to the University of Edinburgh, you can shorten its full name to ‘the University’. Write: Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have written up their findings.Researchers from the University have written up their findings. Do not write: Researchers from The University of Edinburgh have written up their findings.Researchers from Edinburgh University have written up their findings.Researchers from UoE have written up their findings. Schools and collegesThe capital letters section of the style guide has guidance on:when to capitalise the words ‘school’ and ‘college’how to write the names of schools and collegesCapital lettersIf you are using an acronym to refer to the name of a school or college, follow the guidance on acronyms and abbreviations.Acronyms and abbreviationsDegree programme titles and awardsRefer to the University degree finder to ensure that you use the correct degree programme title with the correct punctuation.Degree finderWhen writing a degree programme title, the degree award can be placed either before or after the degree programme title. Write: MSc Criminology and Criminal JusticeCriminology and Criminal Justice MSc Do not use full stops between the letters of a degree award. Do not write: Criminology and Criminal Justice M.Sc HonoursUse lower case. Do not abbreviate except in a degree award.In a degree award, write as ‘(Hons)’. Write: He graduated with first class honours.She has an honours degree in philosophy.Mathematical Physics BSc (Hons) MastersDo not use an apostrophe. Capitalise if used in a full award name or degree programme title. Write in lower case if used more generally. Examples Master of Arts, Masters by ResearchWhile studying our Masters in Linguistics you can study abroad.Our taught masters programmes are structured around weekly teaching. Degree classesUse a colon to separate. Example 2:1, 2:2 DepartmentsThere are no academic departments at the University of Edinburgh – simply refer to the subject area.CoursesDo not use the word course when you mean programme or degree.Definition of a course (Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study)InstitutionAvoid using ‘institution’ as a substitute for 'the University’. This article was published on 2025-04-11
