Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Junior or above
Location: Europe, United Kingdom, Scotland
GPA: 3.0

University of Edinburgh Exchange

Program Overview

NOTE: This program is ONLY open to Economics majors.

In this exchange program, you will enroll directly in classes at the University of Edinburgh. You will be expected to take the majority of your courses in economics.

The University of Edinburgh enrolls more than 40,000 students, of which roughly 2,000 are international exchange students. The university was founded in 1582 and is the sixth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. It was recently ranked in the world's top 50 universities, ranked at 34th according to QS World University Rankings (2026). The university has multiple campuses across the city of Edinburgh, but its main campus is nearby the central railway station and in the heart of the city. 

Edinburgh is consistently voted the top city in the UK to live in. There are four universities in the city and combined together students make up one tenth of Edinburgh's population.   

Exchange students at Edinburgh are eligible for the Butex Scholarship - Visit this link to get more information about the Butex Scholarship.

Exchange programs differ from other study abroad options and require a high level of independence. University systems outside the US may differ from what you are used to at the UO, both in terms of academic structure and student services. Students most comfortable and successful in these types of programs typically have high levels of self-reliance, resourcefulness, and willingness to adapt to unfamiliar teaching styles and living arrangements.

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall Semester 2027 02/01/2027 Early September Mid-December
Academic Year 2027-28 02/01/2027 Early September Late May
Spring Semester 2028 02/01/2027 Early January Late May

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

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Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

At the University of Edinburgh, lectures form the main teaching framework. Lectures provide a guide to the subject matter and set out the foundations on which you are expected to build. Tutorials consist of a small group of students and provide opportunities to develop themes and discuss problems, usually through written work. You may find that you have fewer hours of classroom time. In such cases, you will be expected to study in the library, work through the course reading list and demonstrate your learning in essays and exams. It is important to establish a good working routine so that you use time effectively.   
 

Course Availability:

Our exchange with Edinburgh is subject specific. You are expected to take two thirds of your courses in the Economics department at Edinburgh. For the remaining one third of your courses, you can choose from any subject area, pending you meet the pre-requisites and there are no timetable clashes. 

Please review the module offerings on Edinburgh's website using the "Course Search" link on the sidebar menu. 

  • The International Office at Edinburgh recommends that you take no more than two honors courses (300-level or above) at a time, otherwise your course load will be quite intensive.

Note: You should consult with your UO academic advisor and the UO Department of Economics before submitting your course enrollment to the University of Edinburgh.  

Credits:

This is a very academically rigorous program. We recommend that for every 1 Edinburgh credit you should aim to do around 10 hours of independent study. This means that for each module worth 20 Edinburgh credits, you should be putting in 200 hours of study per semester. 

You will choose 60 Edinburgh credits per semester, which is typically three or four modules (classes/courses). The majority of courses are worth 20 Edinburgh credits each, however there are modules worth 10 Edinburgh credits and full year modules worth 40 credits. We recommended you take 3 courses per semester (20 credits each)

Edinburgh credits are converted to the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) in your transcript: 

  • 120 Edinburgh credits represents a full year of study (equivalent to 60 ECTS credits)
  • 60 Edinburgh credits represents one semester (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits).

ECTS credit are transferred to the UO at the rate of 1 ECTS = 0.75 UO quarter credits. To maintain full-time student status at the UO while on a university exchange program, UO students need to earn at least 12 UO credits per UO term abroad. 

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

  • Must be approved for nomination by the UO Department of Economics in CAS. Students will likely have an interview with the Department of Economics to complete this requirement.
  • Completed WR 121 and 122 or 123 with grades B- or higher.
  • Must have grades of A or better in both EC 311 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and EC 313 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. Completion of an econometrics course with a grade of A or better (e.g., EC 320) may also be required depending on the courses you wish to enroll at Edinburgh.
  • Advised that student will have completed MATH 251 and MATH 252 with grades of A or better, or will have plans to complete them before enrolling in Edinburgh. (Grades of A or better in the MATH 241/242/243 sequence may be considered a substitute, especially if complemented by grades of A or better in one or more 400-level Economics classes.)
  • Students are encouraged (but not required) to contact Professor Glen Waddell to discuss their fit for this exchange program prior to completing the GEO Exchange Application. 

Housing Description

The University of Edinburgh will arrange for you to be housed in a wide range of accommodations, including single rooms, shared rooms, and studios, located all around the city. As long as you apply for housing in time, a housing offer is guaranteed. 

The cost of accommodation varies depending on the facilities and services provided. Accommodation with en-suite bathrooms and a meal plan are often more expensive. Housing that is “catered” (or includes meals) is often selected by freshmen due to its convenience. More senior students tend to live in “self-catered” accommodation (those that do not include a meal plan) so they can cook on their own and save money. 
 

Budget and Price

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University of Edinburgh Exchange

Exchange programs have a fixed program fee that is calculated based on your Oregon residency status and the number of semesters that you spend abroad. Please note that the terms available for each exchange vary based on the university's academic calendar.

Please only include the relevant program fee when determining your estimated total cost of attendance.

2026 Fall Semester

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident $5,025
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident $12,250
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester) $500
Estimated UO Insurance* $532
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated housing (Paid directly to host university or housing company)** $5,200
Estimated Meals $2,200
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Edinburgh $1,600
Estimated Books and Course Supplies $200
Estimated cost of acquiring passport $150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $250
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated Local Transportation $400
Estimated Compulsory UK NHS Health Insurance $500
Estimated visa expenses & travel to visa processing center (if applicable) $900
Estimated Additional Living Expenses*** $1,750
Total
Description Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident $19,257
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident $26,482

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

**Paid directly to host university or housing company.  Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the mid-range for Edinburgh's accommodation for a self-catered, single. See more information here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/our-accommodation/  

***This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying toiletries, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits and does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

2026-27 Academic Year

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident $10,050
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident $24,500
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester) $1,000
Estimated UO Insurance* $956
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated housing (Paid directly to host university or housing company)** $10,400
Estimated Meals $4,500
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Edinburgh $1,600
Estimated Books and Course Supplies $400
Estimated Cost of Acquiring Passport $150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $500
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated Local Transportation $800
Estimated Compulsory UK NHS Health Insurance $1,000
Estimated visa expenses & travel to visa processing center (if applicable) $900
Estimated Additional Living Expenses*** $3,100
Total
Description Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident $35,406
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident $49,856

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

**Paid directly to host university or housing company.  Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the mid-range for Edinburgh's accommodation for a self-catered, single. See more information here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/our-accommodation/  

***This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying toiletries, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits and does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance into program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

2027 Spring Semester

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident $5,025
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident $12,250
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester) $500
Estimated UO Insurance* $532
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated housing (Paid directly to host university or housing company)** $5,200
Estimated Meals $2,200
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Edinburgh $1,600
Estimated Books and Course Supplies $200
Estimated Cost of Acquiring Passport $150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $250
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated Local Transportation $400
Estimated Compulsory UK NHS Health Insurance $500
Estimated visa expenses & travel to visa processing center (if applicable) $900
Estimated additional living expenses*** $1,750
Total
Description Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident $19,257
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident $26,482

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

**Paid directly to host university or housing company.  Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the mid-range for Edinburgh's accommodation for a self-catered, single. See more information here: https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/our-accommodation/  

***This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying toiletries, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits and does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

 


 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

To view the program specific cancellation policy dates and penalties, click the term budget dropdown menu.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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