Study and Work Away - latest developments

The Study and Work Away Service (SWAY) supports a range of student mobility opportunities for our student community. Here, we share a round-up of updates, new services, recent support activities and student feedback.

Sway team during Welcome Week

The SWAY team delivers student mobility opportunities. SWAY is committed to offering opportunities abroad that can profoundly impact students’ academic journeys, personal growth, and future employability. For many, the experience is nothing short of transformative. 

A Sociology student who studied at the University of Miami, USA, said:

“I would highly recommend exchange to anyone. The year I spent at the University of Miami has been the most beneficial thing I have done for my growth and independence. Being able to do this as a student is an incredible opportunity I am very grateful I was given and would want anyone who is able to take advantage of this.”

Student survey results - what our Edinburgh students said

Our 2023/24 student survey results are in. We asked students returning to Edinburgh from an exchange or placement abroad about what they gained from their experience abroad and the response was incredibly positive, highlighting the impact on student experience. More than 94% reported that their confidence and resilience had improved because of their international experience, and over 90% agreed that their cultural awareness had improved.  

Nearly 80% of exchange students, and over 86% of placement students believed that their employability had improved and no less than 99% of outbound exchange survey respondents would recommend an exchange.  

What our international exchange students said

It’s not just University of Edinburgh students who benefit from studying abroad. 

Inbound students who joined the University through exchange programmes have equally positive feedback about their time in Edinburgh.  According to the survey, 93% of respondents expressed overall satisfaction with their exchange. 97% said they would recommend the University of Edinburgh to others., and 70% are considering further PG study in Edinburgh  

In the 2023/24 academic year, SWAY supported 4,000 international activities, facilitated 1,473 international study and work experiences for Edinburgh students, and welcomed 2,263 students on exchange or fee-paying study abroad programmes.

Student survey takeaways at a glance

 

Our outgoing exchange students Our inbound exchange students
More than 94% of students reported a boost in their confidence and resilience after their time abroad 93% of respondents expressed overall satisfaction with their exchange.
Over 90% said that their cultural awareness had deepened 97% of students said they would recommend the University of Edinburgh to others.   
Nearly 80% of exchange students and over 86% of placement students noted improved employability 70% are considering further PG study in Edinburgh  
99% would recommend the experience to others  

The application window for exchange opens soon 

The application window for international study exchanges in 2025/26 is now open from 30 October to 13 November, with information sessions throughout October. These sessions, primarily aimed at second-year undergraduates, will cover essential topics such as the benefits of going on exchange, the application process, potential destinations, and available funding.

As one student who studied at Nagoya University in Japan shared: “I am extremely grateful and lucky to have had the chance to go on exchange. I encourage everyone who is thinking about it to apply!”

For those considering this opportunity, further details on the pre-application events can be found on the SWAY website.

Pre-application events

New staff toolkit launches

Exchange coordinators and student advisers are crucual to delivering study exchanges and mobility opportunities.They offer ongoing support and expertise through this process. We have launched a new staff toolkit to help our coordinators and advisers guide students through every step of their international experience. 

This comprehensive resource can be accessed via Edinburgh Global's SharePoint site.

Funding opportunities: The Turing Scheme

The Turing Scheme will continue to offer limited funding for outbound students in 2024/25. We cannot provide funding to undergraduate students on non-mandatory exchanges or placements, nor is funding available for postgraduate activity abroad. 

Students who are eligible to receive Turing Scheme funding for a semester—or year-long exchange or placement can expect to receive between £336 and £532 per month, depending on their destination. SWAY has made the first round of payments to 2024/25 Turing-funded students. Like the Erasmus+ grant, the Turing grant is intended to help with travel expenses and the cost of living abroad—it is not intended to cover all costs. Additional funding is available to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with special educational needs or disabilities.  

Turing funding guidance for students 

Supporting students through challenges

The Study and Work Away Service provides more than just financial support. It also offers guidance throughout the exchange experience, ensuring students can navigate challenges while studying abroad. One Sustainable Development student who went to the University of Auckland in New Zealand expressed gratitude for the SWAY team, saying:

 “I was struggling greatly during the first half of my exchange, but with patience and kind-heartedness from the team, they helped me overcome my initial obstacles.”

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