High School Semester in Edinburgh
Spend a semester abroad in a city of castles, legends, and rain-washed streets.
Framed by rolling green hills and the sea, Edinburgh feels like a storybook brought to life. Cobblestone streets lead past towering spires, festivals fill the calendar with music, theater, and art, and bagpipes echo on The Royal Mile. Live with a welcoming host family, connect with your cohort, and make this historic city your home.
You’ll begin your semester in London, spending the first three weeks with fellow students in CIEE’s Global Gateway Academy. Prepare for a successful semester by forming lasting friendships, building strong intercultural communication skills, and connecting with the local community through impactful service projects.
In Edinburgh,you'll take in-person classes like Environmental Science, Mixed Media Arts, and Scottish literature and mythology alongside online courses through ASU Prep Global. Classes are small and collaborative, and weekly activities take learning beyond the classroom—into green paces, museums, and beyond, turning your lessons into lived experiences.
Your semester builds into two can’t-miss experiences: climbing Arthur’s Seat for unbeatable views of Edinburgh’s skyline and venturing into the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands, where mountains, lochs, and legends meet. You’ll return with expanded perspectives, meaningful connections, and the confidence to take on new adventures.
Why Choose This Program?
INDEPENDENCE & RESILIENCE
Experiencing life abroad shifts how you see the world—and yourself. You’ll return home with a broader perspective that shapes how you approach challenges and opportunities.
COLLEGE READINESS
Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life.
93%
said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
79%
said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.
96%
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.
The Destination
Welcome to Edinburgh—Scotland’s festival capital, framed by hills, sea, and centuries of ideas.
With a population of just over half a million, Edinburgh is Scotland’s compact yet culture-packed capital. From the winding medieval streets of Old Town to the open lawns and cliffs of Holyrood Park, it’s a city where history and nature live side by side. Edinburgh Castle stands guard over the skyline, while stories from writers like Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and JK Rowling are woven into its streets and cafés.
Start the morning with a steaming mug of Scottish breakfast tea in a café where students, artists, and locals gather. Explore Edinburgh’s many museums, from the impressive National Museum to Surgeons’ Hall Museums, where medical history comes to life through unusual artifacts. Twelve festivals throughout the year celebrate books, science, film, and even the changing of the seasons.
Nature is always close. Walk the peaceful Water of Leith path through hidden parts of the city or spend a sunny afternoon at Portobello Beach. Whether you’re here for the history, the creativity, or the fresh air, Edinburgh offers an inspiring backdrop for your semester abroad—and memories you’ll carry far beyond it.
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Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
From beach strolls to castle dungeons, your days in and around Edinburgh will be filled with discovery. You’ll foster lifelong friendships while strolling historic streets and immersing yourself in a city brimming with culture and creativity.
The National Museum of Scotland
Step inside one of the UK’s most fascinating museums, where ancient history meets cutting-edge science. Marvel at a towering life-sized T. rex, come face-to-face with Dolly the Sheep (the world’s first cloned mammal), and wander through galleries showcasing everything from medieval armor to space technology. Hands-on exhibits invite you to experiment, explore, and engage with Scotland’s story in a whole new way.
St. Andrews
Step into history as you journey to the seaside town known as the birthplace of golf and home to Scotland’s oldest university. Stroll along its sweeping beaches, explore charming stone streets lined with cafes and shops, and stand in the shadow of the dramatic ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral.
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback.
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Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 15 and 17 when the program starts and cannot turn 18 while on program.
- Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrate, through the application process, flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
Dates & Fees
Priority deadline discount: Apply to a fall semester or academic year by February 15 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.
High school abroad participants are NOT authorized to volunteer, take jobs, or seek employment during their stay.
Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2026 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring 2027 15 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
*Dates for this program are tentative. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Ready to change your life?
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 of Aberdeen.