Details on Exchanges

Where can I study?

There are two main exchange routes for Politics and International Relations students, and you can apply via either or both:

University-wide exchanges

The university runs exchanges at universities around the world. Further information on these, including a full list of destinations, can be found on the Study exchanges page of the Study and Work Away website. The site also includes information on the distinction between the University-wide and Subject-specific exchanges. Competition for University-wide exchange places is intense. They are advertised early in the first semester and applications generally close in November.

Politics and International Relations Subject-specific exchanges

Politics and International Relations also has its own Subject-specific exchange destinations. The applications process for these places runs in parallel to the applications process for University-wide exchange places. Politics and International Relations currently has exchange agreement with the following destinations:

Akita International University, Akita, Japan
Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
Bocconi University, Milan, Italy
Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain
Free University of Berlin, Germany
Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
LUISS, Rome, Italy
OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India
Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Sciences Po, Grenoble, France
- Note: Sciences Po, Grenoble is also known as IEP Grenoble and is a distinct institution from Sciences Po, Paris.
Sciences Po, Paris, France
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Students on joint degrees may only apply for Politics and International Relations Subject-specific exchange places if Politics or International Relations comes before the other subject in there degree title. Joint degree students wishing to go on exchange must also make sure that the potential host university has enough suitable courses to meet the requirements of both subjects in their degree programme. The student is solely responsible for this and must check the courses offered before applying.

Please note, in cases where a student changes their degree from Politics or International Relations to another subject, they will no longer be eligible to take part in a Politics and International Relations Subject-specific exchange even if they have already received an offer.

What languages do I need?

Language requirements depend on the host institution, and institution-specific information can be found under Study and Work Away's Partner guidance. Generally, most Politics and International Relation Students can study their courses whilst on exchange in English. Where this is not the case, the student with be required to prove their ability in the local language to a B2 level.

How will I be assessed?

If your degree programme does not include a language in its title, your year abroad marks will be converted to pass or fail and your Honours degree will be classified solely on the basis of your performance in your fourth year. Prior to departing for your exchange, you will be required to complete a Learning Agreement outlining the courses that you wish to study, which must meet a set of key requirements. You will then need to pass those in order to accumulate sufficient credits to progress to your fourth year. The specific modes of assessment that you will encounter whilst on exchange will vary by course, institution, and country.

If you are a Modern European Languages and Politics joint degree student, please read this separate assessment information, which is specific to your degree programme.

How do I apply?

The application process for both University-wide and Subject-specific exchanges is run by Study and Work Away, and all applications are submitted via Mobility Online. Applicants are assessed on the basis of their overall average first-year mark and a personal statement that they must submit with their application. For University-wide applications, the personal statements are peer marked by fellow students. For Subject-specific applications, the personal statements are reviewed by the Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator, Patrick Theiner (PIR-Int-Exchange@ed.ac.uk ).

Prior to submitting an application, whether for a University-wide or a Subject-specific exchange place, you should attend the pre-applications briefings offered by Study and Work Away, and by the Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator. The slides from the most recent Politics and International Relations pre-application briefing are available via the Exchanges web page.

Eligibility

You may only go on an exchange year if you have obtained 240 credits from your first two years at Edinburgh and are able to progress to your third year. If you fail any course in your second year, without approved Exceptional Circumstances in place, or have not obtained 240 credits in your first two years for some other reason, you will not be able to go on an exchange year.

If you have failed a course in your second year and have approved Exceptional Circumstances in place, you may be able to proceed with an exchange year if you pass any resits that you are required to take. If you are in this situation, please contact the Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator, Patrick Theiner (PIR-Int-Exchange@ed.ac.uk ), and the SPS Student Advice and Support team (student.sps@ed.ac.uk ) as soon as possible.

What should I do once I’m accepted?

You should attend one of the Politics and International Relations pre-departure briefing sessions , which usually take place in March and April, details of which will be circulated in advance.

After attending one of the briefings, one of the first things that you will need to do is choose your exchange year courses and submit a Learning Agreement for approval. Full guidance on choosing your Politics and International Relations exchange year courses can be found on the Choosing Exchange Year Courses web page . You need to complete your Learning Agreement and have it approved by your International Exchange Coordinator(s) at least one month before the start date of your exchange.

What can I study?

Full guidance on choosing your Politics and International Relations exchange year courses can be found on the Choosing Exchange Year Courses web page . You need to choose your courses, then complete your Learning Agreement and have it approved by your International Exchange Coordinator(s), at least one month before the start date of your exchange.

What about visas, accommodation and finances?

There is information regarding visas, accommodation and finances available on the Study and Work Away website. Queries relating to non-academic topics such as these, should be directed to the Study and Work Away team, rather than to the Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator. If you are going on exchange to a destination inside Europe, you can contact the European Exchanges team (europe.outgoing@ed.ac.uk). If you are going on exchange to a destination outside Europe, you can contact the International Exchanges team (international.outgoing@ed.ac.uk ).

How do I keep in contact?

You should continue check your University of Edinburgh email address frequently whilst on your exchange year. You will be contacted by the Study and Work Away team with instructions on key tasks to complete at key junctures during the year. You will also be contacted by the SPS Student Advice and Support team to check on your arrival at your exchange destination, and again approximately halfway through your exchange year. Please ensure that you complete the tasks highlighted by the Study and Work Away team and respond to contact from the SPS Student Advice and Support team.

Any questions that you have about the academic elements of your exchange (e.g., course choices, Learning Agreement, progression) should be directed to the Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator, Patrick Theiner (PIR-Int-Exchange@ed.ac.uk). Any questions that you have about the non-academic elements of your exchange should be directed to the Study and Work Away team. If you are going on exchange to a destination inside Europe, you can contact the European Exchanges team (europe.outgoing@ed.ac.uk). If you are going on exchange to a destination outside Europe, you can contact the International Exchanges team (international.outgoing@ed.ac.uk ).

Should I prepare for my dissertation whilst I'm abroad?

You should start thinking about your dissertation topic before you return from your exchange year. The Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator and the Politics and International Relations Dissertation Course Organiser will organise a dissertation briefing for students who are on exchange in the second semester. During the second semester, you will also be asked to submit your proposed dissertation topic so that your supervisor can be allocated to you. Please ensure that you check your University of Edinburgh email address frequently so that you see requests such as this.

If you write a Politics and International Relations dissertation in your fourth year, you will also need to complete the honours-level Research Design in Politics and International Relations (RDPIR) course. This applies whether you are studying a single honours Politics or International Relations degree programme, or a joint honours degree programme in which you are choosing to write a Politics and International Relations dissertation. You will take RDPIR on your return to Edinburgh from your exchange, in the first semester of the fourth year.

Calendar

Second year students applying for exchanges:

October:
- Go Abroad Fair, run by the Study and Work Away team
- Pre-application sessions, run by the Study and Work Away team
- Pre-application briefings, run by the Politics and International Relations International Exchange Coordinator
November: Application deadline for University-wide and Subject-specific exchanges

Third year students currently on exchanges:

May to August: Make initial course choices and complete pre-departure Learning Agreement
Aug to October: Finalise course choices after arrival, and amend Learning Agreement, as necessary
January to March: Finalise second semester course choices, and amend Learning Agreement, as necessary
May to June:
- Make fourth year course choices
- Submit dissertation topic

Contact us

Any questions that you have about the non-academic elements of your exchange should be directed to the Study and Work Away team. If you are going on exchange to a destination inside Europe, you can contact the European Exchanges team (europe.outgoing@ed.ac.uk). If you are going on exchange to a destination outside Europe, you can contact the International Exchanges team (international.outgoing@ed.ac.uk).