About our study exchanges

A study exchange allows you to spend a year or semester at a partner institution abroad as an integral component of your undergraduate degree programme. Most, though not all, of our exchanges are for a full academic year. 

While abroad, you will study courses which are relevant and at an appropriate level to your University of Edinburgh degree programme. You will gain credit for the work you successfully complete while abroad. 

Exchanges may be mandatory or optional. If your undergraduate degree includes a compulsory period of study abroad, you will usually be required to spend some or all of your third year abroad. Optional exchanges are also available to students on degree programmes which don't have a requirement to study abroad. 

You can apply to go on exchange through the University-wide or the Subject-specific route. Find out more about these options below.

University-wide exchanges:

• are open to most students whose degree programme permits a period of study abroad.
• require you to identify and research suitable courses available to correspond with your degree programme at Edinburgh.
• can be very competitive as the application process is open to students from across the University of Edinburgh.
• are mainly in English-speaking locations with most offering teaching in English.

Places for University-wide exchange are managed and allocated centrally by the SWAY service.  

Identifying suitable partner institutions

Not all University-wide partner institutions will be suitable for students on all degree programmes. 

Applicants to University-wide exchange must identify an appropriate programme of study at their proposed host institution(s) which meets their University of Edinburgh academic requirements. You need to do some independent research to work out which options will be best for you. Note that:

• not all institutions may offer your degree subject.
• some institutions may reserve their most popular subject areas for their home students only.
• exchange students may be limited in what they can take.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your preferred host institution(s):

• offer(s) a comparable programme of study which matches your
  subject area at Edinburgh, and;
• has/have more than enough appropriate, 3rd-year-level courses
  available for you to take there.

You should only apply to an institution which clearly offers suitable courses for your degree programme.

Find out more about our partner institutions

Find out about eligibility to apply

Subject-specific exchanges:

• are restricted to students from a School or Subject Area, so where you can apply depends on what you study.
• are set up at School or Subject Area level so should offer courses suitable for students on that degree programme.
• may or may not offer English-speaking options so you may need to meet language requirements to participate.

Places for Subject-specific exchange are managed and allocated at School level. Application may be less competitive than through University-wide exchange, as you will only be competing against other students from your School or Subject Area.

Some Subject-specific partner institutions offer teaching in English, but many will require you to meet language requirements in order to participate.

Your School Exchange Coordinator should be able to provide you with additional information about Subject-specific exchanges.

Find your Exchange Coordinator

Find out more about our partner institutions

The University of Edinburgh offers students the opportunity to study abroad in Europe and beyond. We have around 300 student exchange partners in nearly 40 countries.

View our list of University-wide and Subject-specific exchanges to find out where you could go.

Learn more about where you could go on exchange

The usual timeline for an exchange is:

• apply at the start of your 2nd year
• study abroad during your 3rd year
• return to Edinburgh for your 4th year.

Some students on 5-year degree programmes may be permitted to go on exchange in their 4th year. 

Check with your School Exchange Coordinator for details. 

Find your Exchange Coordinator

Most exchanges are for a full academic year only. For most students, single-semester exchange is not possible. 

There are a few exceptions. Students on one of the following degree programmes who are going on exchange to a European partner may be able to apply for single-semester exchange:

• Divinity
• Economics
• English Language
• History, Classics or Archaeology
• Linguistics
• Modern European Languages
• Some ECA programmes (eg. Fine Arts and Design)

Check with your School Exchange Coordinator for details.

Find your Exchange Coordinator

Students on Modern Languages degrees will receive detailed information from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures regarding the year abroad component of the degree programme and the options available to you. 

Students taking one language may undertake one of the following options:

• a full year exchange (at a European or International partner university)
• a single semester exchange (at a European partner university) and a single semester placement
• a full year placement

Students studying one language cannot undertake two study exchanges at two separate partners. However, students who are studying two different languages may participate in two single-semester exchanges at different destinations. 

The LLC Year Abroad Hub offers additional guidance for language students who are currently on programme.

View the LLC Year Abroad Hub

There are costs you should consider if you're thinking about a study exchange, including:

• Travel to and from your exchange destination
• Accommodation and bills 
• Visas
• Insurance for personal travel 
• Medical insurance
• Vaccinations 
• Personal expenses (food, clothes, etc)
• Administrative fees at your host institution
• Local transport in country
• Books/study materials

Exchange students do not pay tuition fees at their host institution.  Instead, you continue to pay fees to the University of Edinburgh. 

Get more guidance on costs and budgeting for an exchange

Learn more about reducing the cost of going on exchange

Students can study in English at most of our non-European partner institutions abroad. 

For study at many European institutions, however, competence in the native language will be required. Students who do not meet minimum language requirements will not be eligible to participate in some exchanges.

You should research your preferred partner institution before applying to ensure that you are aware of the language of teaching in your Subject
Area.

Find out more about language requirements for study exchanges

Learn how you can improve your language skills

Students on most degree programmes at the University of Edinburgh have the opportunity to apply for a study exchange. However, there are some degree programmes and subjects whose students are not eligible to apply for University-wide exchanges and who can only apply for a Subject-specific exchange.

You should note that being eligible to participate in an exchange does not guarantee that you will be offered a place. The application process is competitive and no student is guaranteed a place, even if they meet or exceed all the eligibility and application criteria.  

The availability of exchange places can also vary from year to year and may be limited by the number and types of agreements set up.

Find out more about eligibility to participate in an exchange

View the selection criteria

Application to go on exchange takes place in November each year.  

The Study and Work Away Service holds pre-application information sessions each October and your School may also have talks or information sessions where you can learn more.

Learn about the exchange application process and deadlines

Study and Work Away pre-application guidance