THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, 50 George Square School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures Central Area, A GUIDE TO ACCESS AND FACILITIES,
Address 50 George Square. University Of Edinburgh. George Square. Edinburgh. E H 8 9 J Y. ,
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Telephone. 0131 651 5984 Map Link. http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures ,
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If you require this document in an alternative format (e.g. large print) please contact the Estates and Buildings Department or email
[email protected], telephone 0 1 3 1 6 5 0 2 4 7 0 or write to: ,
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Estates and Buildings The University of Edinburgh, Design Group Office, 11 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1N P ,
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Page 1.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is required for all staff and students unable to self-evacuate in an emergency. Provision for staff/students/visitors who are unable to selfevacuate is the responsibility of the organiser of the class/lecture/event/meeting. While the School is responsible for preparing this, staff and students requiring assistance should confirm the evacuation arrangements”.
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Table of Contents. Introduction
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Location
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Parking
Page 6.
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Outside Access
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Entrance 1
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Internal Access.
Page 9.
Receptions
Page 14.
Lifts.
Page 16.
Platform Lifts.
Page 17.
Stairs
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Showers
Page 18.
Toilets
Page 18.
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Room Directory
Page 19
Floor Plans
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Opening Hours
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Contact Information
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Links
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Page 3.
Disabled Access Guide for 50 George Square.
This building has been designed for the use of persons in wheelchairs, persons who have difficulty with mobility or are infirm. Seating is available. Accessible and standard toilets are also available.
Introduction. The refurbishment of the former William Robertson Building (50 George Square) was completed in May 2014. The newly refurbished building houses the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. Some of the enhancements to the teaching and learning experience include: •
A new 250 seat lecture theatre,
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A custom multi-purpose project room,
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Full disabled access to all areas of the building,
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A film screening room,
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An undergraduate resource centre,
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Dedicated postgraduate suites,
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Contemporary social areas for both staff and students.
Location. Number 50 George Square is located on George Square; in central Edinburgh. The building is within one mile of the city centre and one mile of the main halls of residence at Pollock Halls. The nearest railway line is at Waverley Station in the city centre. The nearest bus stops are located on Chapel Street approximately 160 metres from Number 50 George Square. Numerous bus services stop on Potterrow and Chapel Street. Details of timetables are available from Lothian Buses, from their offices within the city and online from www.mybustracker.co.uk. Persons with mobility difficulties arriving by vehicle can access Number 50 George Square from Potterrow, Chapel Street and Crichton Street. There are numerous pedestrian access routes to this area, including from Bristo Square. See Location Map.
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50 George Square Location Map image.
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Parking. There are numerous parking bays located around George Square but no free parking; all parking bays being permit or pay and display.
Pay and Display Parking. There is ample City of Edinburgh Council pay and display parking located adjacent to Number 50 George Square. There is level access to Number 50 George Square from the pay and display parking via a cobbled road and two dropped kerbs. See Location Map. Please note that all pay and display parking is situated on a cobbled surface and is only recommended for wheelchair users with assistance.
Disabled Parking Bays. There are two disabled parking bays located close to Number 50 George Square and ample parking to the front of the building for disabled badge holders. See Location Map. The first disabled parking bay has a level paved surface and is located adjacent to the Informatics Forum. There is level access to the front of Number 50 George Square from this disabled parking bay via a tarmac road with a dropped kerb and a long paved footpath. The second disabled parking bay has an uneven cobbled surface and is located within the University car park to the rear of Appleton Tower. Please note that this disabled parking bay is located out with 100 metres of Number 50 George Square and is only recommended for wheelchair users with assistance.
Disabled parking bay located adjacent to the Informatics Forum image.
Appleton Tower disabled parking bay .
University Parking. The closest University car park is located to the side of 50 George Square. This car park has a fairly level tarmac surface and good number of parking bays. There are additional University car parks located around George Square. See Location Map. If you do not hold a valid permit and require use of a University parking bay, it is recommended that contact is made with your host or the Transport & Parking Office prior to making your journey.
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Outside Access. There is one entrance to Number 50 George Square. See Ground Floor Plan for location.
Entrance 1. This entrance is located to the front of the building on a level paved surface. Entrance 1 provides access to the Ground Floor of the building and can be accessed via a paved footpath with a shallow gradient. Please note that there are wireless door opening devices for building users who require use of the accessible entrance out with normal building opening hours. These devices are distributed by the facilities manager and are for the use of staff/ students based at Number 50 George Square. See Contact Information for more details.
Footpath leading to Number 50 George Square image.
Entrance 1 consists of two wide single doors and a set of double doors. These doors incorporate a small threshold and lead to a large vestibule area. The single width door located to the left of the entrance and the central set of double doors are automated. The single width door located to the left of the entrance is the wheelchair accessible entrance for out of hour’s access. From the vestibule area there is an additional set of automatic double doors which open inward and lead to the buildings main reception. All doors at Entrance 1 will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height.
Entrance 1 image.
Internal doors at Entrance 1 image.
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The David Hume Tower HUB. The David Hume Tower HUB can be accessed from the front of Number 50 George Square via a long paved footpath with a moderate gradient. This footpath leads to a large glazed entrance pavilion on the lower level of George Square. See Location Map. The HUB entrance consists of two automatic sliding glazed doors. These doors lead to a platform lift, two flights of steps and a set of automatic sliding doors. Steps incorporate contrasting nosings and are equipped with handrails to both sides. Please note that the platform lift doors are operated manually. See Platform Lifts for more details.
Footpath leading to the entrance pavilion i
Entrance pavilion image.
There is good circulation space throughout the HUB and all floor surfaces are suitable for wheelchair users. There are dining areas located adjacent to the tower café and social seating areas located to the side and rear of the HUB. Tables located within the dining area have 700mm clear height underneath. There is a EUSA shop located within the HUB which can be accessed via a set of automatic glazed double doors. Please note that the shop counter does not incorporate a lowered section within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. ,
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Social seating area image.
Shop counter image.
Page 8.
Internal Access. There is good level access to all floors of Number 50 George Square. The majority of doors within corridors are held open to promote ease of access. All doors will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/ swipe card points at an accessible height. All floor surfaces within the building are suitable for wheelchair users. There are social seating areas located throughout Number 50 George Square. The majority of seating areas have ample circulation space and some offer tables with 700mm clear height underneath. Please note that some social areas are equipped with a small tea prep area which may prove difficult for wheelchair users to reach/ operate. See Floor Plans for locations.
Social seating area image.
Audio Lab. There is an audio lab located on the First Floor of Number 50 George Square. See First Floor Plan for location. The audio lab can be accessed via a single width timber door. The door opens inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporates door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. There is sufficient circulation space within the audio lab for wheelchair users and desks have 700mm clear height underneath. See Bookable Room Guide for detailed information.
Computer Lab. There is a computer lab located on the First Floor of Number 50 George Square. See First Floor Plan for location. The computer lab can be accessed via a single width timber door. The door opens inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporates door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. There is sufficient circulation space within the computer lab for wheelchair users and desks have 700mm clear height underneath. See Bookable Room Guide for detailed information.
Page 9.
Lecture Theatre. There is a large lecture theatre located on the Ground Floor of Number 50 George Square. See Ground Floor Plan for location. The lecture theatre has dedicated spaces for wheelchair users and it is equipped with an induction loop system. See Bookable Room Guide for detailed information.
Screening Room. The screening room is located on the Ground Floor of Number 50 George Square. See Ground Floor Plan for location. The screening room has dedicated spaces for wheelchair users and it is equipped with an induction loop system. See Bookable Room Guide for detailed information.
Teaching Rooms. There are nineteen teaching rooms located throughout Number 50 George Square. See Floor Plans for locations. The majority of teaching rooms offer sufficient manoeuvring space for wheelchair users and all teaching rooms incorporate desks with 700mm clear height underneath. See Bookable Room Guide for detailed information.
Study Pods. There are study pods located on the Second, Third and Fourth Floors of Number 50 George Square. See Floor Plans for locations. All study pods have 700mm clear height underneath and are equipped with power/ data points at desk level. Seating to one side of the pod is not fixed and can be moved to accommodate a wheelchair.
Study Pod image.
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Postgraduate Teaching Area. The postgraduate teaching area is located on the First Floor of Number 50 George Square. See First Floor Plan for location. The teaching area can be accessed via two secure single width timber doors. There are swipe card points located to the side of each doorway within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. All doors will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. All desks located within the teaching area have 700mm clear height underneath. There is a social seating area and a small tea prep located at the centre of the room. Please note that some of the tea prep facilities may prove difficult for wheelchair users to reach/ operate.
Social seating area image.
Seating layout image.
Postgraduate Research Area. The postgraduate research area is located on the Fourth Floor of Number 50 George Square. See Fourth Floor Plan for location. The research area can be accessed via two secure single width timber doors. There are swipe card points located to the side of each doorway which are within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. All doors will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. All desks located within the research area have 700mm clear height underneath. There is a social seating area and a small tea prep located at the centre of the room. Please note that some of the tea prep facilities may prove difficult for wheelchair users to reach/ operate.
Seating layout image.
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The Project Room. The project room is located on the First Floor of the building within close proximity to Staircase 1. See First Floor Plan for location. There are two sets of timber double doors which provide access to the project room. These doors open inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. There is ample seating and circulation space throughout the project room. See Bookable Room Guide for detailed information.
Project room layout image.
Breakout Room. The staff breakout room is located on the Fourth Floor of the building. See Fourth Floor Plan for location. The breakout room can be accessed via a secure single width timber door. This door opens inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporates door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. There is a swipe card point located to the right of the doorway within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. There is ample seating located throughout the breakout room and there are tables with 700mm clear height underneath. Due to the seating layout there is limited circulation space to the rear of the breakout room. The kitchen can be accessed from the breakout room via a single width timber door. Please note that some of the kitchen facilities may prove difficult for wheelchair users to reach/ operate.
Breakout room layout image.
Seating image.
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Reference Room. The reference room is located within close proximity to the lift on the First Floor of the building. The reference room can be accessed via a single width timber door. This door opens inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporates door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. See First Floor Plan for location. The reference room reception is located within close proximity to the entrance and can be easily approached by wheelchair users. Please note that there is a portable induction loop available from the reception desk. See Reference Room Reception for more details. There is good circulation space throughout the reference room and sufficient space between book stacks for wheelchair users. Standard desks, seating and multimedia booths are located on either side of the reference room. All desks with the exception of the multimedia booths have 700mm clear height underneath. Please note that there are standard desks equipped with multimedia facilities located adjacent to the reception.
Seating layout image.
Multimedia booth image.
Access to David Hume Tower and the Tower Cafe. There is level internal access between the Basement Floor of Number 50 George Square and the Basement Floor of David Hume Tower. See Basement Floor Plan for location. The access point consists of a set of manually operated timber double doors. These doors open inward, will permit the passage of a wheelchair and incorporate door handles/ viewing panels at an accessible height. The tower café is located adjacent to this access point.
Doors leading to the Tower Cafe image.
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The Tower Cafe. The tower café is located within the David Hume Tower HUB. See Basement Floor Plan for location. The café has good circulation space and incorporates seating with 700mm clear height underneath. The café counter incorporates a lowered section which is within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. Please note that there is no induction loop operating within the café and that the self service facilities may prove difficult for wheelchair users to reach/ operate.
Tower Café servery image.
Seating layout image.
Reception. The reception is located adjacent to Entrance 1 on the Ground Floor of the building. See Ground Floor Plan for location. The reception desk is within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user and it is equipped with an induction loop system. The reception can provide directions, information on departments within the building and answer general enquires.
Reception desk image.
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Postgraduate Reception. The postgraduate reception is located adjacent to Staircase 1 on the First Floor of the building. See First Floor Plan for location. The postgraduate reception incorporates a window opening which is approachable by wheelchair users but it is currently not equipped with an induction loop system. Please note that the window opening does not incorporate a writing desk within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. The reception can provide information related to postgraduate studies and answer general enquiries.
Postgraduate reception image.
Undergraduate Reception. The undergraduate reception is located adjacent to Staircase 1 on the First Floor of the building. See First Floor Plan for location. The undergraduate reception incorporates a desk within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user and is equipped with an induction loop system. The reception can provide information related to undergraduate studies and answer general enquires.
Undergraduate reception image.
Reception desk image.
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Reference Room Reception. The reception is located adjacent to the reference room entrance on the First Floor of the building. See First Floor Plan for location. The reference room reception incorporates a desk which is within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user and it is equipped with a portable induction loop system. The reception can provide information on the reference room facilities and answer general enquires.
Reception desk image.
Lifts. There is one passenger lift located within Number 50 George Square. Please note that the lift acts as an evacuation lift in the event of a fire. See Floor Plans for location. The lift call points and car controls are at an accessible height. −
The lift car controls are within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user.
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The control panels have braille markings.
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The lifts have an alarm and emergency disabled call point.
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There contrast between the lift wall and floor surfaces is good.
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There is not equipped with an induction loop.
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There is an audible announcer.
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The lift car interior has handrails.
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There is a visual floor indicator.
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The lighting levels in the lifts are good.
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Lift doors have pressure sensors.
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Platform Lifts. There is one platform lift located within Number 50 George Square and an additional platform lift within the DHT HUB entrance pavilion. See Floor Plans for locations. ,
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Both lifts remain active during normal building opening hours and incorporate lift controls within comfortable reach of a wheelchair user. Both lifts have manually operated doors and incorporate door handles/ glass panels at an accessible height.
Platform Lift 1. This platform lift is located within Number 50 George Square. Platform Lift 1 provides access between the Basement and Ground Floors of the building.
Platform Lift 2. This platform lift is located within the DHT HUB entrance pavilion. Platform Lift 2 provides access between the lower level of George Square and the DHT HUB. ,
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Stairs. There are four staircases within Number 50 George Square. All staircases are of a high standard with contrasting nosings on steps and handrails to both sides. See Floor Plans for locations. The four staircases are listed below:
Staircase 1. This staircase provides access to the First Floor from the Ground Floor lobby.
Staircase 2. This staircase serves the Ground, First, Second, Third and Fourth Floors. This staircase acts as an escape route in the event of a fire.
Staircase 3. This staircase serves the Ground, First, Second, Third and Fourth Floors. This staircase acts as an escape route in the event of a fire.
Staircase 4. This staircase provides access to the DHT HUB from the Ground Floor. ,
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Staircase 5. This staircase serves the Ground, First, Second, Third and Fourth Floors. This staircase acts as an escape route in the event of a fire.
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Showers. Standard showers are located on the Basement, Second and Fourth Floors of the building. See Floor Plans for locations.
Toilets. Toilets are available on floors as follows: −
Male and Female toilets are located on the Ground Floor.
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Accessible toilets are located on all floors.
See Floor Plans for locations. The accessible toilets incorporate the following: −
There is right hand lateral transfer space on the Ground, First, Second, Third and Fourth Floors.
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There is left hand lateral transfer space on the Ground, Second and Third Floors.
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There is good manoeuvring space.
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There are emergency pull chord alarms.
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The majority of doors open inward.
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The width of the accessible toilet doors is suitable for wheelchairs.
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There are suitable dropdown and support rails for transfer.
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The tap type is lever operation.
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There are coat hooks at an accessible height.
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The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
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The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
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Lighting levels are good.
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Room Directory. Postgraduate Research Area,
Third Floor.
This Floor Comprises:
Shower, Toilets, Teaching Rooms, This Floor Comprises:
Fourth Floor.
Toilets, Teaching Rooms, Shower,
This Floor Comprises:
Second Floor.
Toilets,, Postgraduate Teaching Area, Postgraduate Reception, Undergraduate Reception,
First Floor. This Floor Comprises:
Reference Room Reception, Toilets, Screening Room, Lecture Theatre, Teaching Rooms,
Ground Floor. This Floor Comprises:
Main Reception, Toilets, Teaching Room, Shower, This Floor Comprises:
Basement Floor.
Toilets,
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Floor Plans. - The following six pages contain building Floor Plans. This page contains the Basement Floor pLAN.
Basement Floor Plan – Number 50 George Square and the David Hume Tower HUB image.
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Ground Floor Plan – Number 50 George Square image.
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First Floor Plan – Number 50 George Square image.
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Second Floor Plan – Number 50 George Square image.
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Third Floor Plan – Number 50 George Square image.
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Fourth Floor Plan – Number 50 George Square image.
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Opening Hours . Number 50 George Square, Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9:00am - 6:00pm 9:00am - 6:00pm 9:00am - 6:00pm 9:00am - 6:00pm 9:00am - 6:00pm Closed Closed
Please note that access to the building out with normal opening hours is limited to selected staff and students. Receptions, Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm Closed Closed
Reference Room, Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm Closed Closed
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Contact Information. Main Reception: Telephone.
0131 651 5984 ,
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Email address.
Postgraduate Reception: Telephone.
0131 651 1822 ,
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Email address.
[email protected]. Undergraduate Reception: Telephone.
0131 650 8929 ,
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Email address.
Reference Room Reception: Telephone.
0131 650 3974 ,
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Email address.
Facilities Manager: Telephone.
0131 650 4471 ,
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Email address.
[email protected] . Transport & Parking: Telephone. :
0131 650 91 01.
[email protected] . University Switchboard: ,
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Email:
Telephone.
0131 650 1000. ,
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Page 27.
Links.
University Homepage.
Campus Maps.
Transport & Parking.
City of Edinburgh Council Parking.
Bookable Rooms Guides.
Student Disability Service.
School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, 50 George Square August 2014
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