Details

• Great Britain & N.Ireland
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

I would suggest that you check the WU-website for outgoing exchange students first, as you have to follow these steps at first. After the WU assigned you at the University of Edinburgh you already can inform yourself about the application process in Edinburgh. After a while you will receive an e-mail where you can apply for Edinburgh, it is a relatively long process but works clear and easy for you. The most important thing is, from my perspective, to check every e-mail you receive if it contains something important or relevant for you. Also, check with you current WU classes if you can miss out some sections, as the semester in Edinburgh is not the same as in Austria (January to May, not March to June). There are cheap Ryanair flight from Vienna (almost daily), if you apply for an ESN card in Edinburgh (completely independent thing apart from the university) you can get on hand-in luggage for free and therefore travel very cheap!

2. Accommodation

I organised my accommodation (student residence) through the university, as it is slightly cheaper (however not cheap) and has a better timing (duration of your stay=semester) than private companies. The locations are all safe, eventually a bit old-fashioned but totally fine. You also could check for private flats (not residence homes) as they may be cheaper and more social than dorms, but it is more work for you and not as a save process as through the university. Also, you receive your acceptance from the university relatively late but it shouldn't be a problem if you stay patient. If you want to check things earlier you can also check private flats or private dorms. The location of university dorms are very different, some are very near, others 20-30min walk away, so when you rank your preferences check the distance, depending on how important it is to you!

3. Academic life at host university

The Campus is very cool and student-centered. There is a huge park next to campus which makes it even better. The academic culture is relatively different, as assessments, grades and courses work differently. I also had the impression that it heavily depends on which school you go to. There is however, similar to the WU, a tutorial and a lecture part, but sometimes there is mandatory presence, sometimes not, it very much depends on institute and lecturer. In the area of social sciences the grades very much depend on essays, it is therefore very important to inform yourself what the university expects from your essays, as the students there are used to it and nobody really explains something, but there are several differences or things to consider and which we do not have at the WU. As explained often from my impression it is true that a very good grade is harder to achieve, but passing is easier compared to WU. Also don't be shocked by the percentage grade, the scheme works very different from ours (eg best grade A= 70-100%). I can recommend political science classes (especially Strategy, Power and Politics: The Art of Government). The signing in process for the classes appear very unprofessional, so don't get discouraged, usually it works fine, even when you get assigned very late. Also, it is very easy and normal to change class at the beginning.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is based on buses, but not that cheap. But if you are younger than 22 and stay for more than six you are applicable for the Young Scot's card and therefore free public transport in Scotland! As Edinburgh is not that large and my accommodation was quite near at the center I walked everywhere. Edinburgh is a touristy and university city and therefore very safe. The university offers a lot of sports clubs and societies which is quite cool, as they are cheap and normally with other students. Apart from that you can book ESN-trips (check ESN Edinburgh's Instagram, very helpful!) or go on your own into the beautiful Highlands, hiking or even skiing. Especially at the beginning there are a lot of different social events, such as parties or gatherings, they are organised by the university, ESN or your accommodation, just check their e-mails, websites or social media pages and you can attend all the events to meet new people. But be aware, at least in winter (and even Austrian spring) the weather is very nasty in Edinburgh (windy, cold, rainy, dark).

6. Testimonial

I had a wonderful stay in Edinburgh, especially the anglo-saxon university experience was great, as the academic environment was very international and respectable, and also the leisure and society culture was great. The city is also beautiful, with the Arthur Seat (Hill quite next to the city) as my personal highlight: Edinburgh gives you opportunities if you want to experience nightlife, the ocean or the mountains (Highlands are just one drive away). The weather can be quite nasty and in winter the daily hours of light are very limited (so when you are sensitive to it I would recommend buying a daylight lamp).