Study Abroad

Q: Can I apply for a University wide exchange? 

A: Law students may only apply to subject specific exchange destinations.

Q: Can I go on exchange for a semester rather than a full academic year? 

A: Law subject specific exchange destinations are full academic year only.

Q: Am I required to provide a personal statements? 

A: Providing a personal statement is optional for students on all programmes 

Q: What should my personal statement contain? 

A: A personal statement can be used if you want to provide more context for your choice – for example, if there are any issues you would like the exchange team to consider, or to explain how your choice helps develop your perspective and networks (e.g. if you are from the country in which you are proposing to do your year abroad).

Q: Is there a word limit for personal statements? 

A: The Mobility Online (application system) accepts up to 750 words in a personal statement

Q: What is a credit weighted average? 

A: Credit weighted average (CWA) is based on the average mark for courses taken in a year of study, weighted according to the number of credits each course is worth.

Q: How will my CWA be used for study abroad allocation? 

A: Allocation of study abroad places is carried out based on the CWA of courses taken in year 1. 

Q: Will resits count towards my CWA?

A: Only first sit results of courses are usually included in the CWA, this is in line with how CWA is calculated for allocation of Law Honours course spaces. 

Q: Will year 1 courses being repeated in year 2 count towards my CWA?

A: Courses from year 1 being repeated in year 2 will not be included in the CWA for study abroad purposes.

Q: Will exceptional circumstances make any difference to my CWA?

A: Valid exceptional circumstances applied to any courses taken in year 1 will be taken into consideration.

Q: How can I improve my chances of being allocated a preferred destination? 

A: By making full use of the number of preferences (up to 5) maximises your chances of being allocated one of your preferred destinations.

Q: What happens if I don't want to accept the exchange place I am allocated?

A: It is possible to decline an allocated destination, offered to you during the application process. You will be given a timescale which you need to accept or decline the allocated destination by. Please note that there will only be 1 re-allocation round to apply for remaining destinations.

Q: How will I find out what options are available to me after the initial application process if I am not successfully allocated a destination? 

A: A list of remaining destinations will be notified to any students who still require a study abroad destination at that stage.

Q: Is funding available for study abroad? 

A: The University is prioritises financial support for students required to undertake work and study abroad as a mandatory requirement of their degree programme. Eligible students going on semester or year-long exchanges and placements can expect to receive between £336 and £532 per month, depending on their destination. The Turing grant is intended to help towards travel expenses and the cost of living abroad – it is not intended to cover all costs. Additional funding is available to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with special educational needs or disabilities. Further information about how to budget for studying abroad and funding schemes available can be found on SWAY website.  

Q: I've accepted my study abroad offer, what happens next? 

A: Once you have accepted a place to study abroad, SWAY will assist you in applying to the host institution. Find out what happens next on SWAY's website

You will then have up to 1 month before your study abroad commences to submit your learning agreement to have the courses you intend to study whilst abroad. Learning agreements should be submitted to the Law School Exchange Coordinator for approval: bminzoto@ed.ac.uk. Students on joint degree programmes must also seek approval from the exchange coordinator in the partner school. Find a full list of exchange coordinators here 

Q: What happens if I fail courses in year 2? 

A: Students due to go abroad must have passed 240 credits by the end of year 2. August resits are not permitted to count towards this total according to University regulations. Only in certain circumstances can study abroad after failing any credits be permitted, valid exceptional circumstances and a concession would need to be in place for this to be considered. Please talk to your student advisor if you are interested in studying abroad and have concerns or queries about this by emailing: Law.SSO@ed.ac.uk  

Q: How will study abroad impact arrangements for my dissertation? 

A: Students must submit 2 proposed dissertation topics at the end of Semester 2 in year 3. If you study abroad in the third year, you will instead be asked what subject area your topics are drawn from and you should note that you studied abroad. For Global Law LLB students, you must choose a global law topic. This must be a legal topic, broadly defined, and can be interdisciplinary, i.e. bringing in perspectives, and theories from other disciplines to your legal question. Please look out for updates from Law.UGO@ed.ac.uk 

Q: How will study abroad impact arrangements for year 4 course selection? 

A: Students will be invited to make course selections for year 4 at the end of Semester 2 in year 3. If you study abroad in the third year, your credit weighted average will be calculated based on your first attempt in all courses in Year 1 and 2 for Honours course allocation purposes. Students returning from Study Abroad should not apply for a course if there will be significant duplication of material covered in a course taken whilst on Study Abroad. Please look out for updates from law.courseselections@ed.ac.uk 

Q: How will study abroad impact my degree classification? 

A: If you study abroad in the third year, your credit weighted average (for degree classification purposes) will be based on courses taken upon your return in year 4. The study abroad year is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students on Law and Language degrees should consult their DPT for details of degree classification: School of Law Degree Programme Tables (DPT)

Q: I still have questions, who do I ask? 

A: Please email Law.Exchanges@ed.ac.uk and the Law Study Abroad Team will be happy to help.