University of Edinburgh - Geoscience Only
Discover Scotland's "Athens of the North", from the UNESCO World Heritage Georgian buildings to the medieval streets of the Royal Mile, at one of the world's top 20 universities (QS 2020).
The city of festivals, each year Edinburgh comes alive with the world's largest Fringe festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Hogmanay, and the Beltane Fire Festival each year. The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland's 4 Ancient Universities and is the 6th oldest university in the English-speaking world. Many of its buildings lie amidst the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh's Old Town and Royal Mile, providing a unique setting for its 36,500 students.
Key information
Application information
20-21 applications
First come, first considered for remaining spaces!
University-specific additional requirements
One academic reference required - see the Eligibility section below.
This exchange is only open to students majoring or minoring in Geology or Geophysics.
21-22 applications
Opens November 1, 2020
Student experience
Edinburgh Study Abroad Blog
2015 photo contest winner "On top of Edinburgh"
Program details
Areas of Study:
This exchange is only open to UCalgary students majoring or minoring in Geophysics and Geology. Students must take a minimum of 2/3rds of their courses from this subject area at Edinburgh. To find Geophysics courses, please review their course listings.
Course Information:
Edinburgh recommends students take a full course load of 60 University of Edinburgh Credits per semester. One UCalgary half course equivalent = 12 Edinburgh points. Course information can be found in their online course catalogue (linked above). They also provide information on teaching differences in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh's academic year is divided into two semesters.
- Semester 1 typically runs from mid-September to late December
- Semester 2 runs from early January to late May
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. The University of Edinburgh offers an extensive summary of tentative costs to expect and budget for. At a glance, here are a few estimates:
Expense
Low Per Month
High Per Month
Rent
£395
£775
Food
£145
£260
Gas/Electricity
£50
£85
Internet
£20
£65
Mobile Phone
£10
£55
Laundry/Toiletries
£10
£45
Textbooks, supplies
£25
£55
TOTAL
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
Edinburgh cost comparison vs Calgary: Click Here
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange?
Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.Our office administers the International Study Travel Grant for students travelling on approved UCalgary study programs that are credit bearing. The amount changes year to year as the money is split evenly between qualified applicants. Students may only receive the study travel grant once. Please see the exchange funding page for more information.
Housing at Edinburgh is guaranteed for all incoming exchange students, and the university offers a wide variety of accommodation within walking distance of the main university area and city centre. After the nomination and application period, once you receive your acceptance and offer of study directly from Edinburgh, you are encouraged to apply for housing. Check out housing options via their Accommodation Search page.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students majoring or minoring in Geophysics or Geology at the University of Calgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B).
Students traveling on passports from countries that don't have English as a first language must prove their English proficiency. For more information about Edinburgh's requirements click here.
An academic reference is required for a complete application.
What supports does Edinburgh offer?
Edinburgh offers academic support, study skills workshops, language support, and tutoring through its Academic support network.
What's special about the University of Edinburgh and the city?
Edinburgh is known for its world-class festivals and events - check out fun facts and to-do listings here. You can also hear what alumni have to say, and 10 reasons why you should choose to study at Edinburgh here. The university has over 240 student societies and offers events throughout the year for exchange and international students.
Have questions?
Study Abroad 101
Please watch this YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how an exchange might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Study Abroad Advising
If you have questions about this exchange program, you can meet with the specific advisor for this program by booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select “Book an Appointment”
2. Select “Study Abroad Appointments”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Read through the list of appointment types to select the most appropriate type and view available times.
The advisor for the program is: Tara Jorgensen.
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular study abroad program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Study Abroad Team will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
Please note if you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Study Abroad Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.