Know for tasty cuisine that is reminiscent of the renaissance, as well as its strong sense of patriotism, Scotland is a country that has much to offer to study abroad students.
- If you travel to Scotland for a summer study abroad program abroad 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.
Scotland has many venues for a student traveler, so anywhere that you decide to go will offer fun and excitement.
Study in Scotland University Programs
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.
Other universities to be aware of include:
For ideas to help pay for your experience see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.
Modes of Transportation in Scotland
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 and car rentals are also ways to travel throughout Scotland. You can find a complete list of taxi providers at ScotlandInternet.com, and you can find car rental services at CarHireScotland.com, Celtic Legend and Scotland Car Hire.
Currency Exchange Rates for Scotland
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.
You can use a currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the pound.
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 visit if you study abroad in Scotland.
- 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.
Important Study Abroad Scotland Information
You should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need:
