Introduction:
Edinburgh, the “Athens of the North,” is one of Europe’s most charming and cultural capital cities. The dominant feature of the city skyline is Edinburgh Castle, which stands majestically above the city. Edinburgh’s museums and galleries, theaters, libraries, and shops are all outstanding and accessible. And for those who like to venture outside of the city, Edinburgh is surrounded by beautiful Scottish countryside, the highlands and lowlands, a striking coastline, and famous lochs (lakes).

The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583 and has long been ranked one of the world’s leading universities. It has an outstanding reputation for both teaching and research, with advanced computer facilities and support and the largest university library in Scotland. The university welcomes international students. Among its 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, more than 2,500 come from outside of the United Kingdom. Located conveniently in the heart of Edinburgh, not far from the castle and Princes Street, it truly is the “University in the City.”

Disclaimer:
Due to the continued impact of COVID-19, applicants should be aware that changes to academic calendars may occur with little or no notice. Students are encouraged to either wait to book travel or book travel that allows for changes with no financial penalty. 
 
Applicants should also be aware that processing of visas may be impacted or halted by specific countries. Failure to secure the necessary visa may result in inability to participate in this program. 
 
Participants on this program may be required to self-quarantine prior to the start of their program for a specified period of time. Students are responsible for arranging (logistics and financial) their travel appropriately to ensure self-quarantine is completed prior to the start of the program.

Educational System:
The academic system in the U.K. is quite different from that of the United States but like the U.S. system, remember that teaching and assessment methods may vary from course to course. Generally, you will find that you have fewer “contact” hours - time spent in class - in your courses at Edinburgh than you normally do here. This does not mean that your course load is lighter; rather, you are expected to spend more time in self-directed study preparing for classes, papers, and examinations.

Grading System and Credit Conversion:

Credit Equivalency:
Four SCOTCAT Credits = One UM credit

Academic Areas:
Business
Natural Sciences
Humanities
Social Sciences
Languages

Prerequisites:
3.0 GPA. The semester programs are open to any major.

Room and Board:
Students have the choice of living in dorm-style (called “catered”) or apartment-style (called self-catered) accommodation. All of the dorm rooms in the catered residence halls are singles, some with private bathrooms (en-suite), and have a cafeteria where students eat two meals a day. Self-catered apartments also have single bedrooms, and residents share a bathroom, living room and kitchen between three to six people.

You Are a Guest:
As an exchange student, you will have the opportunity to experience university life in a completely different way. For example, you might find that courses abroad are not equal to three UM credits. The format of assessment might be different, with great emphasis being placed on one big test versus smaller assignments throughout the semester. The amount of time spent in class can vary greatly from country to country as well as the amount of independent learning that is expected. Exchange students are guests of the host university and will not receive any services that the local, degree-seeking students do not receive. The university abroad may not provide the same amenities as the University of Miami and the level of customer service can vary.

Exchange programs open the door for students to have the experience of a university student in a different country. It is important to talk to your study abroad advisor about your level of comfort with the challenges that await you abroad. Your advisor may be able to suggest an exchange program that offers more of the services to which you have become accustomed, or can direct you to a semester on location program. Students who have chosen to embark on an exchange program have reported that by overcoming obstacles encountered abroad, they have gained independence and self-confidence, and were challenged to broaden their perspectives.

Dates:
Academic Year: Early September to late May
Fall: Early September to mid-December
Spring: Early January to late May