Academics can be challenging sometimes. The monotonous routine life and rigorous schedules can tire and drain your energy. But did any one suggest to you a study abroad program amidst beautiful surroundings, like Scotland for example?
Know for friendly local people, as well as its strong sense of patriotism, Scotland is a country that has much to offer to study abroad students.
There are also lots of amazing places to visit, so anywhere that you decide to go you will get the fun and excitement of living somewhere new.
If you travel to Scotland for a summer study program you should visit historic Glencoe Village, which is most known for its bed and breakfast establishments and hiking venues.
Students that decide to study in Scotland for a semester abroad should take time to visit the city of Glasgow, which is the largest city in the country. This city not only boasts the beautiful Glasgow Cathedral, which is a Scottish medieval church with Gothic architecture, but it also has hundreds of activities for people of all cultural tastes. There are also opera houses, museums, sports arenas and famous city parks.
Reasons to Study in Scotland
Scotland is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its impressive mixture of farmlands, rugged mountains, and cliffs provide serene surroundings that can be very congenial for study abroad.
Situated north of England and governed by the United Kingdom, Scotland is home to some of the most reputed universities of UK. So, don’t just shrug away Scotland from your list of options if you are looking for a destination to study abroad.
Best Places to Study in Scotland
Scotland offers a wide range of study abroad programs to students from universities around the world. No matter what type of program you are enrolled in, there is a suitable class for your major.
One university that offers classes for every type of academic interest is the University of Aberdeen. Not only has this university had four Nobel Prizes awarded to it for its excellent research and teaching programs, but it is also draws students from over 120 countries. You can choose from over 550 degree programs in classes for science, art, medicine and engineering. There are even many cool restaurants, clubs, music venues and museums in the city of Aberdeen for you to enjoy after classes.
If you’re looking for a top modern university then Queen Margaret University in the capital city of Edinburgh is the place to visit. The university offers small close-knit classes and seminars for students, and about 12% of the students come from foreign countries. You can choose from a variety of disciplines to study and even take small classes for improving your research and writing skills. There are even organized field trips and social events to tour the city of Edinburgh and enjoy its most historical venues.
James Watt College in the city of Greenock is one of the best places to satisfy general and liberal arts requirements. With over 200 courses for students that include English language, education, business, engineering science and more, there is always something fun to learn. One of the best things about the school is that it offers modern co-educational dorms that come with fully-equipped kitchens.
St. Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK after Oxford and Cambridge. St. Andrews is a classic example of a healthy mix of traditional Scottish and modern systems of education.
Situated in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, with its own loch and castle in the campus, Sterling University has the potential of making your summer study abroad a memorable experience.
Glasgow School of Art is one of the few independent art schools in the UK and famous for its excellence and creativity.
In terms of numbers, The University of Edinburgh is the most popular place to study for international students in Scotland.
Other highly rated universities include:
• University of Dundee
• University of St. Andrews
• University of Stirling
Visit the Capital of Edinburgh
The capital of Scotland, as well as the country’s second-largest city, Edinburgh is definitely a city that you have to consider study abroad in Scotland. Behind London, this is one of the most popular destinations for foreign students.
The first place you should visit in this city is Edinburgh Castle, which is the second most visited attraction in all of Scotland. This castle dates back to the 12th century, and is the place where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her only child. It lies on a bluff and is home to the National War Museum of Scotland, which has some of the largest historical canons in the world.
Edinburgh is also notoriously famous for the Edinburgh Festival, which is a series of music, performing arts and other cultural festivals that happen in the city each year. It is known as the largest of its kind in the world, and covers everything from jazz music and performing arts to good books and political discussions.
If you’re interested in seeing exquisite art then you can visit any of the National Galleries of Scotland. You can see everything from Impressionism art to modern art, all through portraits, paintings and sculptures. These galleries in Scotland have some of the best art that dates as far back as the Middle Ages, and there are even daily education programs that teach students about the history of the art.
For a visually stunning sight you can visit Forth Railway Bridge, which is one of the most nationally-recognized Scottish landmarks and is also the world’s first steel bridge. At an amazing 1.5 miles in length, this bridge connects Edinburgh with what is known as the Kingdom of Fife and is a truly remarkable feat of engineering.
There are really an unlimited number of places to visit in the capital of Edinburgh and the entire rest of the country of Scotland. You can always find an outdoor activity to enjoy and fun people to talk to, so choose Scotland and prepare for a European adventure.
Summer Courses
Considering the pristine environment and reputation of its universities, Scotland, is an ideal place for a high school summer abroad experience. University in Scotland offers internationally recognized qualifications which can enhance your career prospects in a big way.
Scholarships
Loch Ness monster? Study Abroad in Scotland. Become a foreign exchange student in Scotland. There are quite a few study abroad scholarships available for talented students that fund study abroad in Scotland as well as living expenses. Some of these scholarships are country specific and meant only for a Master’s Degree. High school study abroad students can approach the government of UK or their domicile country for a scholarship.
Visa
Visa requirements for entry in Scotland are governed by the same rules that apply for entry in UK.
A certificate of accreditation from a recognized university, a couple of photographs, and a valid passport are part of the routine documents that you would require to obtain a student visa to enter Scotland, directly or through England. The British authorities, however, insist upon a proof showing that you will return back home after you complete your study abroad. This can be in the shape of proof of your binding familial or financial ties with your home country.
Money
Scottish currency is known as the pound, whose symbol is £. One pound = 100 pence. You should always know the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and any foreign currency before you travel so you will be prepared to make purchases without any trouble.
Here’s what you need to know about the pound:
Coins = 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence and £1 and £2.
Bills = £5, £10, £20 and £50.
About Scotland
Whichever location in Scotland you choose, you are bound to be impressed by the Scottish customs and your study abroad stay is likely to create unforgettable memories in this remarkably country where you will still find men dressed in their traditional kilts, playing the bagpipe.
Before its unification with UK in 1707, Scotland saw intense battles between Viking-descendent clans of the Highlands and Catholics fighting with Protestants. Now the very same castles, Threave in Southern Scotland and Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye offer a classic study in spellbinding architecture.
From the bustling cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to quieter and traditionally Scottish cities of Sterling and St. Andrews, to places like Kirkcaldy (birthplace of the famous economist, Adam Smith, author of Wealth of Nations.) that brought linen to the world, Scotland indeed offers a variety of experiences for study abroad students.
Kingdom of Fife, the hidden wonder of Scotland, is another place that you can explore. Despite its inherent beauty it has remained hidden for a long time from the attention of the casual tourist. Now home to some of the finest preservation and restoration work in the UK, Fife is not only home to St. Andrews University, the first university in Scotland but also to the first ever 18 hole golf course in the world. You will find that Fife is indeed a classical study in contrast with the Fourth Rail Bridge, a technological masterpiece of Victorian engineering skills on one hand and picturesque East Neuk fishing villages, famous for having inspired Daniel Defoe to write his novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’.
In case Scotland and its affable people impress you with their hospitality and warmth, you can officially convert your student visa to a work permit and work there for up to two years after the completion of your study abroad program.
Travel and Free Time
Scotland has a variety of modes of transportation to get from one city to another.
One of the most popular ways to travel is by railway. Since Scotland is a part of Great Britain, many of the railway networks connect to England. They also run from the capital, Edinburgh, to all of the smaller cities such as Aberdeen and Glasgow. ScotRail operates the main railway network in Scotland, while two of the major railway systems include Virgin Trains and National Express.
One of the cheapest ways to travel in Scotland is by bus. The main provider of coach service is Citylink. These blue and yellow buses travel to pretty much every city in Scotland, and the fares are very affordable. An even cheaper way to travel is by Megabus, which travels to select Scottish and English destinations.
Taxis are ideal for city exploration and car rentals is also a popular way to travel throughout Scotland.