Biomedical Sciences programmes

Students on a Biomedical Sciences programme can apply only for General Exchanges.

Key information

• Biomedical Sciences students cannot apply for Subject Specific Exchanges.
• Study exchanges are organised through the Study and Work Away Service (SWAY), which is part of Edinburgh Global.
• All exchanges take place in third year and are for a full academic year.
• Anyone can apply, but the selection process is competitive based on your first year performance as well as the personal statement provided in your application form.
• The SBMS Exchange Coordinator can provide advice, support, and approval on academic issues (including suitable universities, course choices, and course approvals.)
• Applications open for a limited time from 1 November and close on 15 November.  

General Exchanges

General exchanges are available at over 50 institutions in 16 different countries.

While you are overseas you are expected to take a full year course load at the host institution. The courses should be at an appropriate level and have appropriate content such that they satisfy the requirements set out in the University of Edinburgh Degree Regulations and Programmes of study (DRPS) for your degree programme.

• For all students in BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences programmes, a minimum of 2/3 of your credits should come from 3rd year or equivalent courses in biomedical sciences topics.
• For students on the Anatomy and Development programme, you must take 3rd year level courses in both Anatomy and Developmental Biology.
• For students on the Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology and Reproductive Biology programmes, a minimum of 1/6 of your credits should come from 3rd year level courses in your degree specialisation (e.g. for Neuroscience students, this would be from neuroscience courses etc).
• For students on the Infectious Diseases programme, you must take 3rd year level courses in both Immunology and Microbiology.

Study exchanges

How to apply

Step 1: Research partner institutions

Research which General Exchange institutions have courses that match Biomedical Sciences specialism. It is up to you to check that the institution you are interested in studying at offers suitable courses for your degree programme. Not all of them do, so this requires some research on your part. A good place to start is the Partner Guidance, available on the student exchanges website.

General Exchange Institutions

Partner Guidance 

Step 2: Information sessions

Attend a pre-application information session. These are hosted by Edinburgh Global and will provide more detail about the experience, the costs involved, and the application process.

Pre-application information sessions  

Step 3: Read the Application Guidance

Read the Application Guide that relates to your application, in full.  This document will guide you through all the procedures and requirements specific to your preferred exchange programme.

Application Guide

Step 4: Contact the BMS Student Exchange Coordinator

Once you have selected the university you hope to apply to, you should discuss your course selections with the Biomedical Sciences Exchange Coordinator, Sander van den Driesche.

Initial discussions should occur at the stage when you are deciding where to apply to go on exchange, to ensure that the host university offers appropriate courses. It is up to you to find out what courses are available at the host university before you contact Sander.

Contact Sander van den Driesche: Email s.vandendriesche@ed.ac.uk

Step 5: Apply

Apply on the Global Exchanges website. Applications open on 1 November and close on 15 November.

Guidance and timelines for applying

Step 6: Accept your place and apply to your host university

If you are successful you will be notified by Edinburgh Global in December/January with details of where you have been allocated a place. If successful, and after you have formally accepted your place (deadline in late January), Edinburgh Global will inform the partner institution of all nominated students.

You will then begin the application process to your host university. This is usually a formality but is absolutely necessary - your exchange place is normally provisional until you have successfully completed your host university's admission process. Failure to complete this fully and on time may result in your exchange place being forfeited.

Where to go