Edinburgh Global

What are my options?

There are various options for study and work abroad during your time at Edinburgh whether as part of your degree programme or an optional extra.

Type of activity What does this involve? Is this funded?
Student exchanges

Study at an international or European institution as part of your Edinburgh degree programme.  

If your undergraduate degree includes a compulsory period of study abroad, you will usually spend some or all of your 3rd year abroad.  But optional exchanges are also available to students on degrees programmes with no compulsory study abroad component.

Most exchanges are for a full academic year. 

Exchange students do not pay tuition fees at their host university and may also be eligible to have their Edinburgh fees reduced.

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UK government has decided not to participate in the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027). However, Erasmus+ funding remains available via the current programme to support eligible University of Edinburgh students on Erasmus+ exchanges during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 sessions.

The University intends to participate in the replacement Turing Scheme to provide funded international study and work opportunities from 2021 onwards.  

Read more about fees and funding for exchange students

Summer programmes

Summer programmes provide a short-term international experience.  This could be through study at another University, through international internships, or other programmes.  

Summer programmes are a good option if you don't have time or opportunity to go abroad for a year or semester.

Most summer programmes offered by other institutions are not funded.  However, some scholarships or funded places may be available for some programmes.

Read more about summer programmes

Work Abroad

You can work abroad by training, volunteering or undertaking an internship.  Your placement may be paid or unpaid and could be undertaken as an optional or compulsory component of your degree programme. 

You usually need to find your own placement.

Some work placements or internships may be paid by the employer.

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UK government has decided not to participate in the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027). However, Erasmus+ funding remains available via the current programme to support eligible University of Edinburgh students on Erasmus+ traineeships and work placements during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 sessions.  Erasmus+ traineeships can last between 2 and 12 months.  

The University intends to participate in the replacement Turing Scheme to provide funded international study and work opportunities from 2021 onwards.  

Read more about Erasmus+ funding for traineeships abroad

INCiTE

Future-proof your skills with the INCiTE Summer School. Apply to INCiTE for your chance to attend a part-funded summer school in Southeast Asia.

The INCiTE Summer School programme fee is part-funded.  

Read more about INCiTE

NICE Project

The NICE Project offers an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and intercultural competence as part of a virtual team of students from around Europe, while earning University of Edinburgh credit.

Once the virtual element of the project is complete, you then attend a summer school at one of the partner institutions.

The summer school will be part-sponsored.  Attendees receive a travel stipend and a daily subsistence amount from the NICE project to allow for attendance.

Read more about NICE

Virtual Opportunities Find an international experience that does not require travel.   

Other opportunities available via your School and Careers Service

Your School may offer other study or work abroad opportunities so check what's available to you on your degree programme.  

You can also find internships and other opportunities through the Careers Service, both in the UK and abroad. 

Find out more about internships through the Careers Service