University of Edinburgh - Geoscience Only
Discover Scotland's "Athens of the North" with its UNESCO World Heritage buildings, Georgian era architecture, and medieval streets of the Royal Mile.
The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland's four 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. Known as the City of Festivals, each year Edinburgh comes alive with the world's largest Fringe festival, Hogmanay, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Beltane Fire Festival.
Key information
Application information
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 several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, 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 apply to UCalgary first, then we nominate accepted students who have met the minimum requirements to our partners. Once you have been nominated to Edinburgh, you will then apply directly to their exchange program. For more details on Edinburgh's application click here.
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.
Reference letters are not required, but Edinburgh's office or faculty might request one later on if needed.
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?
The advisor for the program is: Sydney Guthrie
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 global learning 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 Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.