January in Edinburgh
New for January 2025!
Unique Experiences
TASTE TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH CUISINE
Like haggis, cullen skink and cranachan
EXPLORE FAMOUS CASTLES
Such as Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castles
WALK TO CRAMMOND ISLAND
Which is only accessible during low tide, and explore the WWII fortifications
112
parks in Edinburgh and more trees per head of population than any other city in the UK
75%
of the buildings in the city center are “listed” buildings, meaning they have special architectural or historical interest
400
years of history and 100,000+ people buried there, Greyfriars Kirkyard is known as the most haunted graveyard in the entire world
Your Destination
Edinburgh’s beauty is both staggering and inimitable. But the city is far more than just a pretty face. Take a closer look and there’s much more to discover. The capital city of Scotland and home to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh is modest in size with a population of 0.5 million people, but with a large and diverse student population.
Edinburgh was the center of the Enlightenment in the 18th century and was nicknamed “The Athens of the North.” Then, the city was a world leader in medical science, philosophy, and literature. Today, Edinburgh is a European center for financial services and biotech, and its universities are world leaders in fields as diverse as FinTech, AI, Celtic Studies, architecture, and biomedical and environmental sciences. The city is also a cultural hub, and home to the largest arts festival in the World, the Edinburgh International Arts Festival, which takes place in August every year. And, whether you’re looking to be entertained with live music in a traditional pub or be awe-struck by a grounding show packed with drama, when it comes to entertainment the options are endless.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Edinburgh.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
Ample activities and excursions will be offered to immerse you in Scottish culture and Scotland’s historic heritage. On an excursion, you might:
- Go on a walking tour of the city. Discover Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Princes Street Gardens and the original Hogwarts!
- Hike up Arthur’s Seat, a 342-million-year-old extinct volcano located in Holyrood Park, which offers superb walks and stunning views over the city.
- Take part in a pub quiz or listen to folk music in one of Edinburgh’s famous traditional pubs.
- Collect seashells and beach drift on one of the beautiful beaches that run along Edinburgh’s coastline.
- Take a day trip and soak up Scotland’s stunning scenery in places like North Berwick, Glasgow, St Andrews, Stirling, or Dundee.
Program Blogs
Your Guide to Scottish Slang: Top 10 Phrases You Should Know
If you’re about to embark on a Scotland study abroad adventure, it’s a smart idea to familiarize yourself with the dialects, accents, and even varying languages spoken in this charming... keep reading
EAT, DRINK, EXPLORE: EDINBURGH
EAT The first known written recipe for haggis dates back to 1390, when the national dish of Scotland was a necessary part of the local diet. During this period's political... keep reading
The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Scotland
Is Scotland a good place to study abroad ? Our vote is a resounding “YES!” From the country’s lively music culture to its beautiful lochs, rugged highlands, hearty food, historic... keep reading
Housing & Meals
HOUSING
CIEE Edinburgh offers various housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. You will have a room in a shared apartment or residence hall located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a single/double room in a shared apartment or residence hall located under 45 minutes of CIEE Edinburgh. Apartments and residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students.
MEALS
Shared Apartments/Residence Halls: Meals are not included.
Academics
Students spend three weeks in January taking coursework complemented with co-curricular activities to immerse you in the culture and facilitate intercultural learning. Classes take place at CIEE Edinburgh.
Course Information
History, Philosophy, Religion
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program January 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Jacqui Bassett
Center Director
Jacqui is a born and bred Scot from Edinburgh. She has a postgraduate MSc in International Development from the University of Edinburgh and a degree in Psychology from the University...
Devon Garufi
Program Manager
Devon's passion for International Education began during her own study abroad experiences in Prague and Sevilla. Since then, Devon has dedicated her career path to working with people.
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