Fees and funding

Find out what fees and costs you should budget for and funding you may be able to apply for.

Costs to consider

It's really important to consider all the costs you'll need to consider for your exchange or placement.  You will need to budget for things like:
  • Travel to and from your exchange or placement destination
  • Accommodation and bills (including deposit and other start-up costs)
  • Visas (if required)
  • Insurance for personal travel (e.g. if you're travelling before/after/during your placement)
  • Medical insurance (if required by your host institution - most non-European destinations require this)
  • Vaccinations (if required)
  • Local transport whilst you're in country
  • Books/study materials
  • Personal expenses (food, clothes, etc)
  • Administrative fees at the host institution

Some countries require you to evidence in advance that you have sufficient funds for your time abroad. Evidence of funds can include things like copies of either your own or your parents’/guardians’ bank account; a notification letter of a scholarship/grant, and/or proof of accessible savings/investments. It often excludes things like your parents’ salary - it has to be funds you have readily available.

The amount you need to show may vary across countries and institutions but can be as high as £30,000. Please research the required amount for your chosen destination before applying.

Budgeting for your time abroad

To help you figure out what costs you can expect and structure your income considerations, we have put together some budgeting tools.  These may help you prepare for your time abroad and include resources to support your research – we hope you’ll find it helpful in working out your budget:

Exchange budgeting tool

Exchange budgeting tool (90.73 KB / XLSX)

Placements budgeting tool

Placements budgeting tool (50.73 KB / XLSX)

 

Tuition fees and student loans

For information about tuition fees and loans, please view the information below:

If you're going on a study exchange or a compulsory work placement, you’ll continue to pay tuition fees to the University of Edinburgh in the usual way (e.g. through your student funding body). You will never have to pay tuition fees at your host institution. 

If you normally pay a tuition fee to the University of Edinburgh, taking part in an exchange programme or placement activity might affect this.  Fees for students studying or working away from the University of Edinburgh vary depending on the following factors:

  • Your fee status
  • Whether you are studying or working abroad, and for how long
  • Whether your time abroad is a compulsory part of your degree

To check what your fees will be, please refer to the Tuition Fees information below:  


If you will earn credit towards your University of Edinburgh degree whilst you are abroad on exchange or placement, you will be entitled to access UK sources of funding such as student loans, as usual.

Some things to remember:

  • You should apply to your funding body (e.g. SAAS, SFE) in the normal way. Remember to indicate on your application that you're going abroad!
  • You'll usually get your loan instalments in line with the University of Edinburgh’s academic calendar, and NOT that of your host institution. Make sure you have enough money to last you if the dates at your host university are different  
  • To avoid delays or issues with your student loan, make sure you apply in plenty of time and before the deadline. Also double-check the information you provided is correct.
  • Be aware that your funding body and the Student Loans Company will only discuss your application with you (family members or university staff won’t be able to act on your behalf)
  • If you have any issues relating to your student loan, contact your student finance body (e.g. SAAS) or the Student Loans Company:

Contact the Student Loans Company

Some student funding bodies have deadlines by which you may need to apply for funding. Contact your student funding body to find out more. You may also be able to apply to your funding body for an additional travel grant:

Travel grants for students (England)

Student Awards Agency for Scotland

Student Finance Wales

Student Finance Northern Ireland


The following links may also provide some useful guidance on managing your money, budgeting, and accessing financial support:

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