Inspection copies

Our textbooks are available as inspection copies to teaching faculty.

To request an inspection copy, visit the book's webpage, click on the 'Inspection Copy' tab and fill out the form. You will need to be signed into your account to request an inspection copy.

Screenshot of Inspection Copy tab

Your request will be reviewed within two working days, and usually sooner. If approved, we will unlock an ebook version of the textbook in your My Account area for you to read and download. So the longest you'll have to wait between request and delivery is 48 hours.

If you prefer to request inspection copies by email, please send the following information to marketing@eup.ed.ac.uk:

  • The book details
  • Your name and institutional address
  • The course name, level, start date and number of students

Two weeks after your request has been approved, we will send you a textbook questionnaire. Completing this will help us to make sure we have enough books for students to buy in the new term, and can help us to improve our textbooks in future.

Why ebook inspection copies?

  • It's faster – from request to reading in 48 hours or sooner
  • They don't get lost – no more chasing up unreceived books
  • It keeps costs down – posting fewer printed inspection copies means that we can keep the price lower for your students

Can I request a print book?

If you adopt a textbook as a main course text, we will happily send you a paperback desk copy. Email to marketing@eup.ed.ac.uk with your postal address and a contact telephone number for the delivery driver. Please be aware that you may have to pay import tax if you are not based in the UK or USA.

If you can't use ebooks for any reason (such as a sight impairment), let us know in the 'additional information' box and we'll do what we can.

Requesting other books as inspection copies

Only textbooks have inspection copy request forms on this website. If you see a paperback that is not listed as available on inspection that you might like to use as a main course text, email marketing@eup.ed.ac.uk and, if your request is approved, we'll supply you with an ebook inspection copy.

Hardback books are not available as inspection copies. If you would like to use a hardback for your research or as supplementary course reading, we suggest that you ask your library to purchase a copy.

Useful Information

  • Only teaching staff may request inspection copies
  • Up to three inspection copies will be sent per person per year
  • Inspection copies are sent at the discretion of Edinburgh University Press
  • Paperback inspection copies will only be posted to institutional addresses
  • Textbook questionnaires: before sending paperback desk copies or approving new requests, we might ask you to complete a textbook questionnaire for previous inspection copies that you've received

Find a Textbook

Browse our books to discover textbooks for the courses that you teach

Textbook Questionnaire

Fill out a textbook questionnaire for an inspection copy that you have evaluated