How to apply

We run events and information sessions every October for students considering applying for an exchange.

Before submitting an application, you should research prospective host institutions thoroughly. You should find out about the courses they offer and whether and how they will satisfy your University of Edinburgh degree requirements, as well as learning about things like assessment, accommodation, and semester dates.

You can do this via the partner institution's website. You can also find information about our partner institutions, and important questions you should consider before applying, on the following webpages:

Read the Application Guide that relates to your application, in full.  This document will guide you through all the procedures and requirements specific to your preferred exchange programme.

Applications for 2026/27 exchange closed at 12 noon GMT on 12 November 2025. 

The final application step, for University-wide applications only, includes a peer-marking element which all applicants must complete in order to for their application to be considered.

Each applicant will be randomly assigned five anonymised personal statements to grade via Learn, and in turn, their own personal statement will be assigned to five other students for grading. Each personal statement will then be given an average score, after careful moderation from the SWAY team.

Further information on the peer marking scheme is available in the University-wide Application Guide above.