How do University of Edinburgh study-abroad credits transfer to UW–Madison?

For a UW–Madison-approved University of Edinburgh program, credits are normally evaluated through UW–Madison’s study-abroad process and posted as UW credit after the official Edinburgh transcript is received. The key step is getting courses approved before departure, especially for major, certificate, or specific general-education requirements. Edinburgh’s credit system differs from UW’s, so the final UW credit value is based on the program’s established conversion rather than a one-for-one course-number match.

Start with the program’s course-approval materials in the International Academic Programs process and submit Edinburgh course descriptions, syllabi, and contact-hour information when requested. For a major requirement, the relevant UW department, not the study-abroad office alone, decides whether an Edinburgh class is equivalent to a particular UW course or can count as major elective credit. Save detailed syllabi, reading lists, assignments, and final assessments, since departments may need them to make or confirm an evaluation.

General education and school or college requirements are also evaluated individually. A course may transfer for UW credit but still not fulfill a specific Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Ethnic Studies, breadth, or college requirement unless it has been approved for that purpose. Check your DARS report and speak with the advisor for your school or college before enrolling; a course’s subject area or title is not enough to guarantee requirement credit.

Grades and GPA treatment depend on the exact UW–Madison program arrangement. Confirm this with the specific Edinburgh program advisor before committing.