Study and Work Away
Our exchange and placement programmes let you pursue your studies and immerse yourself in new cultural experiences.
Edinburgh prides itself in facilitating international student experiences and we offer an outstanding range of opportunities, with more than 300 partner institutions in over 40 countries worldwide.
Enhance your career prospects
Our opportunities will give you transferable skills which will look great on your CV. Study and Work Away can offer you:
- new perspectives on your subject;
- insights into a foreign culture;
- international experience through work or study;
- an international network of friends and peers;
- exciting travel opportunities; and
- skills and experience that could give you an advantage in the job market.
Visit our Study and Work Away website to find global study, work and volunteering options.
Exchanges - a world of choice
We offer exchange opportunities for more than 1,400 students, with more than 300 partner institutions worldwide.
You don’t need to be a language student or necessarily even know another language to go on exchange - there are opportunities for students in most subject areas to experience the excitement and challenge of a year abroad.
Last year nearly 900 students studied at one of our international partner universities in countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, Finland, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and South Korea.
Our partners include world-class institutions such as the California Institute of Technology, the Universities of Pennsylvania, Melbourne and Toronto, ETH Zurich, Heidelberg University and the Universities of Copenhagen and Amsterdam.
Whilst you will undoubtedly have a huge amount of fun, you will also be enhancing your academic profile. In a competitive job market what I believe stands out is this kind of experience working and living internationally.
How exchanges work
An exchange is possible on most of our programmes. Your choice of destination may vary depending on what you’re studying, and securing a place can be competitive.
You will usually apply in Year 2 and study abroad during Year 3. Most students go abroad for a full year, but there are some semester-only options available.
Academic credit achieved on exchange may count towards your Edinburgh degree programme.
You won’t pay tuition fees to your host university and may be eligible for a reduction or waiver of your University of Edinburgh tuition fees.
You will be responsible for all costs such as travel and housing. Grants and scholarships may be available.
Study and work away: Exchanges
It’s a cliché but I really did have the best year of my life out there. I’d sign up for another year away in a heartbeat.
Placements
Students on certain degree programmes will have the opportunity to undertake a placement abroad as part of their degree.
A placement is an opportunity for relevant work or research experience. It might include being based in a private company in any sector or studying in a language school. It must be relevant to your studies and build on your academic knowledge. Placements are also useful for developing your skills as a professional and beginning to network and prepare for the world of work after graduation.
Placements abroad may or may not be paid and are a credit-bearing component of your degree programme. They must be approved by your school and normally take place during the academic year.
Study and Work Away - Placements
Short-term and virtual opportunities
We also offer a wide range of short-term and virtual opportunities aimed at providing as many students as possible with the chance to have an international experience.
Our short term and online programmes are a good option if you don't have the time or opportunity to go abroad for a year or semester.
These are usually non-credit bearing options; credit achieved will not count towards your programme. There are a variety of funding options available and a huge range of flexibility and choice to fit around your programme.
Study and Work Away - Short term and virtual opportunities