International Programs Office

University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Buildings along a river in Edinburgh.

Founded in 1582 the University is considered one of the top universities in the world with alumni including: Charles Darwin, Alexander Graham Bell and Robert Louis Stevenson. Reed exchange students can study in any discipline taught at Edinburgh in the faculties of Humanities, Science and Social Science.

Students must be nominated by the IPO director.

Program Information

Terms Available: year, semester

Type of Program: Direct Enroll

Languages of Instruction: English

Language Prerequisite: N/A

  • Credit Transfer System
    • Typical course load: 3-4 courses per semester (usually 20 credits per course)
    • Units recorded in: credits
    • Conversion to Reed units: 15 credits = 1 Reed unit
    • Grading system: 0-100
  • GPA Requirement: 3.0
  • Credits: 60 credits per semester
  • Other requirements: Sophomore or higher standing.
  • Course Catalog

Application

Application Deadline: Fall/AY: May 1 | Spring: Oct. 1 (can apply as late as the 31st of these months, but earlier is reccomended)
Application Guide
Study Abroad Factsheet
Program Application
Program website

Housing: Residence Dorm, Shared Apartment
Exchange students are guaranteed accommodation in University owned facilities with Scottish and other international students. Once accepted students will need to apply for housing through the University here: www.accom.ed.ac.uk/applying/ready-to-apply . The deadlines for this application are: Fall/AY: July 31 | Spring: Nov. 30.

Immigration

Visa Deadlines and Requirements:

Students can contact the university's Student Immigration Service for assistance.

New Immigration Requirements for the UK:
All visitors who do not need a visa, except British and Irish citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – a digital permission to travel to the UK. Students can apply for an ETA through a quick and simple process using the UK ETA app. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. ETA applies to: visits of up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control, as well as other times. For more information visit the UK government website’s section on ETA.

Financial

Cost to attend:

Reed College charges the same tuition fees for a semester or year off-campus as for a semester or year spent on campus, plus the program's actual room and board fees. Reed College encourages students to choose programs based on their academic rather than financial needs to reflect Reed's belief that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, should have the opportunity to study abroad.

Financial aid continues for eligible students during the off-campus program. Students should discuss with the Financial Aid Office how other outside aid may impact their existing aid package. Check out more details directly on the Reed College Financial Aid page.

Past Student Testimonials

Buildings in Edinburgh, UK

Rowan resting in a tree at the end of a coastal hike.

"It sounds so cheesy but it changed the course of my life. I made some of the most important connections in my life, discovered where I wanted to go to graduate school, found community, and learned out valuable it is to live in an international city."

-Rowan, abroad Fall 2023

Areas of Study

Division of the Arts

Division of History and Social Sciences

Anthropology
Economics
Environmental Science
History
Political Science
Sociology

Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Division of Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Linguistics