Details

• Great Britain & N.Ireland
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I traveled to Scotland by plane. I would recommend booking flights early because prices can become quite expensive before the semester starts. It can also help to compare different airports such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. Before traveling, I recommend arranging travel insurance and preparing all important documents in advance. I can also recommend getting a Revolut account before going abroad, because it makes paying in pounds very easy and helps avoid additional banking fees. Since the weather in Scotland changes quickly, bringing warm and waterproof clothes is definitely useful.

2. Accommodation

I stayed in student accommodation provided by the University of Aberdeen. The application process was very easy and quick. The accommodation itself was okay and practical for exchange students, since it is easy to meet other international students there. However, the rooms and facilities were quite basic and not very modern. The accommodation was also not very centrally located, so it sometimes took longer to get to the city centre. On the positive side, it was close to the university campus, which made going to classes very convenient. I always felt safe in the area, and supermarkets and bus connections were nearby.

3. Academic life at host university

There is a wide range of courses to choose from, especially since all courses are taught in English. Compared to WU Vienna, the teaching style was much more essay-based and focused strongly on independent work. In almost every course, you have to write essays and other written assignments throughout the semester. The campus facilities were good overall, especially the library and study spaces, which were very useful during exam periods. The professors and tutors were approachable and supportive, and communication with the university was generally uncomplicated. I took the courses Gender, Law and Society and International Human Rights, which I can highly recommend because the topics were very interesting and internationally focused. Overall, studying in Scotland was a great opportunity to improve my academic English skills and experience a different university culture.

5. Every day life in the host country

If you live in the university’s student accommodation, you also get access to the Aberdeen Sports Village, which is great because you can use the gym or book many different sports classes and activities. There are also many student societies you can join, which is very cool because it makes it easy to meet new people and make friends with both local and international students. The university also organizes many events, especially at the beginning of the semester. We used the bus almost every day because it is the easiest way to get around the city and to the university. Public transport is reliable and convenient, although relatively expensive compared to Vienna. Aberdeen is generally a safe city, and I always felt comfortable

6. Testimonial

The nature in Scotland is absolutely beautiful, and visiting the Highlands is definitely a must. I really enjoyed the special atmosphere in Scotland, especially the pub culture and the friendly people. The university offers many societies and activities, which makes it very easy to meet new people and connect with both local and international students