Immerse Yourself in History and Culture: The University of Edinburgh Exchange Student Program

The University of Edinburgh, a vibrant, historic, and cosmopolitan institution, offers a unique academic experience for exchange students. Founded in 1583, this international research institution is known for its academic excellence and rich history. Through partnerships with organizations like IFSA-Butler, students can enroll as visiting students and immerse themselves in the Scottish academic and cultural landscape.

A World of Academic Opportunities

The University of Edinburgh provides access to a wide array of subjects, allowing students to tailor their study abroad experience to their academic interests. Departments of particular interest include Computer Science (Informatics), English, Engineering, History, Political Science, Sociology, and Scottish Studies, but students can choose from hundreds of courses across various disciplines.

As a visiting student, you will take classes alongside full-degree local students, providing a truly integrated academic experience. You will be expected to take a traditional course load of 60 Scottish credits, which typically translates to three to six courses per semester. While full-degree UK students traditionally focus on one subject during their undergraduate studies, exchange students have the flexibility to take the majority of their courses within their chosen department while also exploring classes outside of it. However, it is crucial to meet any course prerequisites before enrolling.

Course Availability and Prerequisites

It's important to be aware that some departments have specific requirements and limitations for exchange students. For example, Economics requires students to take two-thirds of their courses in the Economics department at Edinburgh. Many departments will only allow you to pre-enroll in a limited number of classes before arrival due to high demand. To enroll in additional classes, you must wait until the class change period, typically the first two weeks of the academic semester, before making a request.

Specific course prerequisites also apply. For instance, students wishing to take 2nd year Business classes at Edinburgh will need to have already taken an introductory level business class and received a grade of B or better. Similarly, students interested in 3rd year classes in subjects like Archaeology, Classics, English, or History must have completed a certain number of relevant courses with a grade of B or above.

For Economics, entry into 3rd year classes requires the equivalent of at least 4 semester-long Economics classes at grade B or above, including Intermediate Macroeconomics (with calculus), Intermediate Microeconomics (with calculus), and Probability and Statistics. If macroeconomics and microeconomics classes are not calculus-based, then Calculus (or Mathematics for Economics) is also required.

Be aware that studio classes in Architecture, Art, or Design at Edinburgh College of Art are typically not open to study abroad students. Some departments, such as Mathematics and Psychology, may have limited or no availability for exchange students in certain courses.

Understanding the Credit System

It's crucial to understand the Scottish credit system and how it translates to your home university's system. The University of Edinburgh uses Scottish credits, which are then converted to the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) for your transcript. 120 Edinburgh credits represent a full year of study (equivalent to 60 ECTS credits), and 60 Edinburgh credits represent one semester (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits). ECTS credits are then transferred to the UO at a rate of 1 ECTS = 0.75 UO quarter credits.

The majority of courses are worth 20 Edinburgh credits each, but there are also modules worth 10 Edinburgh credits and full year modules worth 40 credits. It is recommended to take 3 courses per semester (20 credits each). For every 1 Edinburgh credit, aim to dedicate around 10 hours of independent study. This means that for each module worth 20 Edinburgh credits, you should be putting in 200 hours of study per semester.

The Edinburgh Experience: Academics and Beyond

At the University of Edinburgh, lectures form the main teaching framework, providing a guide to the subject matter and setting the foundation for your learning. Tutorials, consisting of small groups of students, offer opportunities to develop themes and discuss problems, usually through written work. You may find that you have fewer hours of classroom time compared to your home university. In such cases, you will be expected to study in the library, work through the course reading list, and demonstrate your learning in essays and exams. It is important to establish a good working routine so that you use time effectively.

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The University of Edinburgh, with its ancient and modern buildings, has a lively student atmosphere. As a visiting student, you will live in a university residence hall or apartment located throughout Edinburgh. You will also have access to University facilities including cafeterias, shops, bars, and entertainment venues.

Living in Edinburgh: Immersion and Integration

Edinburgh offers a unique blend of history and modernity, providing a rich cultural experience for study abroad students. The city fluidly combines the past and the present as ancient architecture and Scottish tradition still brilliantly survive among the modern, fast-paced movement of the city.

Exploring the City

Edinburgh has everything from historical sites to sports enthusiasm to quiet country roads. Touristy shopping mixes with classic pubs along the Royal Mile, which leads to both the Scotch Whisky Experience and Edinburgh Castle. The Scotch Whisky Experience provides a theme park ride-esque look at the production of scotch whisky and ends with a tasting. Edinburgh Castle, a classic symbol of Scotland that dates back to 9C BC, sits atop the Royal Mile and offers a look into the medieval past of Edinburgh. Other attractions include tea and treats at The Elephant House, the café where J. K. Rowling wrote some of the Harry Potter books.

To save money, consider the Edinburgh Pass, which offers access to 30 attractions for a set price. Also, take advantage of free museums such as the Museum of Scotland, Royal Museum, and Writer’s Museum. The UK’s small size makes it easy to travel by train to nearby cities.

Navigating Daily Life

Edinburgh operates on the British Pound (£). The city is cash, bank card, and credit card friendly. ATM machines can easily distribute money from your home bank, but charges will be made to your account. An alternative idea is opening up a bank account in Edinburgh. Barclays is a good choice seeing as they are part of the Global ATM Alliance. One may withdraw cash from any ATM of the Global ATM Alliance without having to pay a fee. For example, if you have a Bank of America account in the United States, you may use Barclays’ ATMs for free in the UK and BNP Paribas’ ATMs in France for free.

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Living in Edinburgh on a student's budget is manageable. However, pay attention to the conversion rate between your home currency and the pound, as it's easy to overspend if you're not mindful.

Embracing the Local Culture

To truly immerse yourself in the local culture, make an effort to connect with Scottish students and avoid gravitating solely towards other international students. While it's helpful to have friends from your home country to cope with culture shock, try to integrate with the local community as much as possible.

Be prepared for the Scottish accent, which can be challenging for English speakers of all levels. Don't hesitate to ask people to repeat themselves until you acclimate to the dialect.

Scotland boasts amazing Indian cuisine, so be sure to explore the local food scene. Consider getting free texting apps for your phone and making international calls sparingly. A local SIM card with a data plan can be a cost-effective option.

Safety and Well-being

Edinburgh is generally a safe city, but it's always wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking at night. While the crime rate is low compared to other major cities, it's still important to take precautions.

Application Process

To apply for the University of Edinburgh exchange program, you must complete two steps:

Apply for Columbia clearance (approval) to study abroad: Click on "Start Your Application" on the relevant webpage. Clearance applications are approved on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on the webpage.
Apply for program admission: Complete an external application directly on the program webpage. Note that this deadline may be in advance of the Columbia clearance deadline.

Deadlines vary, and some applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so it's important to check the specific deadlines for your program and start the application process well in advance.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Offset those costs! Saltire Scholarships: For student who are coming from Canada, China, India or America for one year of study, this scholarship offers a £2,000 reward.

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