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Last updated May, 2022

The University

The University of Edinburgh is a world-renowned university. From Nobel laureates and Olympic champions to space explorers and prime ministers, the University of Edinburgh has been influencing history since it opened the gates to its first students in 1583. The University has approximately 35,000 students, with over 14,000 international students from more than 150 countries. Famous alumni include Charles Darwin (Naturalist), David Hume (Philosopher), Joseph Lister (Surgeon), Piers Sellers (NASA Astronaut), and writers Robert Louis Stevenson, Ian Rankin and J K Rowling.

Edinburgh, is a historic, cultured city that offers a unique living and learning experience. With its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, and winding medieval streets, it's easy to see why the entire city centre has been listed as a World Heritage Site. Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and is the best known and most visited of the historic buildings.

Edinburgh is ideally positioned for trips to the coast and the many beautiful beaches of East Lothian and Fife, which are half an hour away. Edinburgh has close rail links with all the major cities in Scotland for exploring further afield, and can also easily access the dramatic Highlands for more rural exploits. The University has its own recreation facility at Loch Tay, and a trip to the Trossachs or further north into the Highlands is not to be missed. London is five hours away by train. In addition, Edinburgh Airport is easily accessible from the city, and from there regular daily flights leave for the major cities across Europe, and further afield.

Exchange information

  • Undergraduate level exchange only.
  • Academic Year: September - May
  • Semester One: September - December
  • Semester Two: January - May
  • The minimum / maximum course load: 60 credits per semester (120 credits per year).
  • The majority of courses are 20 credits each, however there are 10 credit courses and full year courses worth 40 credits.
  • Edinburgh recommends that for every 1 credit you should aim to do around 10 hours of independent study. This means that for each 20 credit course, you should be putting in 200 hours of study per semester.
  • You may choose courses from the College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences OR the College of Science and Engineering.
  • The Parliamentary Programme is not available to exchange students.
  • To be eligible for 3rd year (level 10) Economics courses, students must have completed 4 Economics courses at grade B.  Completed courses must include Intermediate Macroeconomics (with calculus); Intermediate Microeconomics (with calculus); and Probability and Statistics. If macroeconomics and microeconomics courses are not calculus-based, then, in addition, Calculus (or Mathematics for Economics) is required.
  • Not a suitable destination if you need Law or Psychology papers on exchange.
  • All exchange students are guaranteed a place in one of the University residential colleges if they apply for the programme by the deadline.

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Exchange experiences

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