International Exchange

About the programme

The International Exchange Programme allows students to spend their third year at one of around 40 partner institutions in North or South America, Australasia, or Asia.

Can anyone go?

The programme is open to most students in the Colleges of Humanities and Social Science, and Science and Engineering.

Students in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine are not eligible. Nor are students of Nursing. Students of languages will only be able to participate if they study in a country relevant to their degree.

Students taking degrees in Primary Teaching or Architecture should consult their Director of Studies or School to check whether they may participate.

Students must have completed 120 credits in their first year.

Where can I go?

Your subject may not necessarily be offered by all our partner institutions so you must check, before you apply, that suitable courses are offered by the university/ies that you plan to apply for. In order to ensure that you know what is on offer, please research your prospective partner universities' websites and course catalogues in the International Office.

Exchange destinations

When can I go?

Students go on exchange for their third year. The application process usually takes place at the start of your second year with a deadline in November of the first semester.

Does it count towards my degree?

Students undertaking study abroad as a non-compulsory part of their degree programme will transfer credit only.

This means that if you successfully complete your approved studies overseas then the work that you have undertaken at the host institution will be credited towards your Edinburgh degree but the grades you achieve will not be converted into Edinburgh equivalents.

Thus, you will proceed to your fourth year of study but your degree will normally be classified only on the basis of the work you complete in your fourth year at Edinburgh, unless you are undertaking a 5 year programme of study in which case it will be based on your 4th and 5th years.

For students undertaking a study abroad period which is a compulsory part of your Edinburgh degree programme, other arrangements apply and you should check with the relevant subject area co-ordinator.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply to study abroad. Some destinations are more suitable than others so it would be useful to investigate options at an early stage with your Director of Studies, the Disability Office and/or the International Office.

This article was published on Sep 27, 2012