In this program, facilitated by IFSA-Butler, students enroll directly in the University of Edinburgh, a renowned university founded in 1583 in a glorious city dominated by Edinburgh Castle. The university is a member of Britain's Russell Group of universities, similar to the Ivy League in the United States, and is known for academic excellence and as an international research center. Coursework is available across many disciplines, and there is even a coursework available on the Highland Bagpipe. Students live in university run apartments or dorms near the academic buildings. Both partially-catered and self-catered accommodations are available.
Visa Requirements
U.S. passport holders typically do NOT need a visa for this program. However, travelers must complete a pre-travel authorization (ETA) before departure. This requires downloading an app, submitting an application, and paying a fee. As of April 8, 2026, ETAs will cost £20.
Non-U.S. citizens will most likely need to apply for a visa after getting accepted into the program. Students can use this passport checker to see if their citizenship requires a visa for studying in the UK.
*If students study abroad in the UK for longer than one semester, then a visa is required.