Details

• Great Britain & N.Ireland
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

There are frequent flights from Vienna to Edinburgh, and the public transportation system works excellently within the city. Take the tram when commuting to and from the EDI Airport. Make sure you check any VISA requirements and that you have an ETA. The university provides ample information on accomodation and courses. Make sure to read all e-mails. Make sure to research which doctor's office you belong to based on your address. Register as soon as possible, as you are elgible for free healthcare under the age of 26. Make sure to look into whether you are eligible for the young Scots card for free public transport.

2. Accommodation

Private accomodation for 6 months or less is very hard to get in Edinburgh, but not impossible. Any exchange student is eligible for a student dorm, but might not always get one. I stayed in a student dorm; make sure to submit your application for it as soon as possible, as it is a long process and you might get a room last minute. Edinburgh is small, I lived on the other side of town and could walk to university in 35 minutes. Bus was 20 minutes. Student dorms have a lot of security: cameras, rules for guests, special keycards. The neighborhood is seldom unsafe. I recommend to take dorms close to the university, but some dorms are more run down than the others. make sure to research and get in touch with anyone who stayed there specifically.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is well equipped. The classes have a more "listen and learn" approach. The professors don't necessarily expect you to be active in class other than taking notes. Attendance is checked rigorously, you can get in trouble for having low attendance. Grading is different from WU, it is hard to get an A (>75%). Most possibly you will get a B, and you have to go above and beyond for an A. Most people are not open for groupwork because of different university culture. Be prepared for inactive teammates. There is a peer evaluation component to the grading thoguh. For courses: Crisis management for organisations is a great course, and has an interactive setting! Startegy, Power and Politics is not a super hard class, it is possible to get an A. Innovation and Enterpise has a great professor, Mr Ian Graham, whom I recommend greatly.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport works well, mostly buses and trains, but it is expensive wihtout a Young Scots card Social / leisure activities are provided in abundance by the university and the erasmus network. A lot of clubs are found in Edinburgh, from business to movies, not sports to theater etc. Scotland is quite safe, and the university gives a 99 pound/semester gym membership.

6. Testimonial

The exchange experience seemed so short since so many things happened in these 5 months. Wonderful ESN trips to the Highlands were definitely my highlights. The exchange students and the community of the university students made the exchange truly special, so if you are a social person, I can't recommend Edinburgh enough! Food and beer is also amazing; the Scots are so welcoming and friendly.