How to apply

Find out how (and when) to apply for an exchange place abroad at one of our international partner institutions.

Applications for 2025/26 exchange are closed

The application process for the 2026/27 academic year will take place in autumn 2025.

The following steps outline the University of Edinburgh's process for applying for an exchange place at one of our international partner institutions.  This is the first stage in the application process.

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

View details of pre-application information sessions and registration links


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:

Where can I go?

Key things to consider


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.

The 2026/27 Applications Guides for University-wide and Subject-specific exchanges will be available from autumn 2025.  

The 2025/26 Application Guides are available below:


The University-wide application route 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 and will also be covered in our pre-application sessions.


Successful applicants who are allocated an exchange place by the University of Edinburgh must complete a subsequent application to the host institution to confirm their place.

View the application timeline below for all important dates and deadlines:

I highly recommend the exchange programme and think the University has done a great job making the process as easy as possible. 

Biological Sciences student Went on exchange to the National University of Singapore

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