Exchange and Study Abroad

Exchange Programme

From Germany to Japan, the GSA has an extensive student and staff exchange programme extending to all corners of the world. Including over 75 of the world’s leading art, design and architecture schools.

Every year, students from departments across the GSA study at our partner institutions and we welcome students from around the world in return.

Taking part in a student exchange can enrich cultural learning and increase employability after graduation, as well as create an opportunity for life-long friendships to be made and artistic connections to be built with fellow students across the globe.  

Students studying across all our specialist schools can participate in a semester long exchange with the exception of the Master of European Design (MEDes) programme that offers exchanges over two academic years at two different partner schools.

GSA exchange partner schools can be found here

Incoming students to the GSA on exchange must be nominated by their own school, and all applications are via nomination.

Outgoing GSA students submit their exchange application through the School's International Office, with deadlines communicated via Canvas, our learning management system.

Although exchange students pay tuition fees to their home institution while on exchange, they are responsible for organising and paying for their own accommodation, travel, visas, materials and workshop fees. The GSA’s Student Welfare Office can give guidance to incoming students on finding suitable accommodation.

If you have any further queries regarding Exchange at GSA, please email studentexchange@gsa.ac.uk

Application Deadline

The deadline for all exchange applications is 1 May – this is for Semester one, Semester two and full year exchange applications.

Study Abroad Programme

‍What is Study Abroad?

Study Abroad at The Glasgow School of Art offers visiting students a great opportunity to experience living and studying in Glasgow, Scotland, within one of the UK’s remaining independent art schools. The city of Glasgow also often becomes a source of inspiration for visiting students and offers a rich cultural base for students to establish new connections, networks, and opportunities.

 Students can apply for a single semester or one full-year study with us and become a valued part of the GSA community. Study Abroad students usually join our Year 2 or Year 3 cohorts (Year 1, Semester 2 entry can also be possible for Fine Art programmes), where students undertake intense studio practice and have the opportunity to experiment and explore their practice in more depth within their chosen programme.

 Year placement is based on the student’s portfolio and relevant experience. Study Abroad students also join our full-time cohort of students (consisting of full-time international / European students, students from Scotland, students from the rest of the UK, and students on Exchange), and will undertake the set curriculum for the specific degree programme they have chosen. All programmes offered via Study Abroad are usually involve 4-days-a-week intensive studio practice, and 1 day a week for academic study (depending on your School).

Who can apply? ‍

Study Abroad is open to a wide range of international students but is ideally suited to those already pursuing a relevant bachelor degree, wanting to study with us for a semester/year, but do not come from one of our established exchange partners.‍

Which programmes are open for Study Abroad?‍

‍School of Fine Art

●      Fine Art Photography, Painting & Printmaking, Sculpture & Environmental Art

Open to applications for Full-Year, Semester 1, and Semester 2 entry.

School of Design

●      Communication Design, Fashion Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Silversmithing & Jewellery, Textile Design.

Open to applications for Full-Year, Semester1, and Semester 2 entry.

School of Innovation and Technology

●      Product Design, Immersive Systems Design (3D Modelling or Games and Virtual Reality pathway), Sound for the Moving Image.

Open to applications for Full-Year, Semester1, and Semester 2 entry.

Mackintosh School for Architecture

●         BArch Architecture
●         Diploma in Architecture

Open to applications for Full-Year, Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.

Please note; we do not operate a 'class/credit' system with options to pick and choose classes from multiple degree programmes. Once you have completed your studies at the GSA, a transcript showing your grades and the courses you undertook will be sent to your home institution. Transcripts for Semester 1 are sent out in late February and transcripts for Semester2 / Full-Year are sent out in July.

Application Deadlines

●      1st April: Full-Year / Semester 1 only (September entry)

●      15th October: Semester 2 only (January entry)

Study Abroad applications are made directly to the GSA’s International Office via our application portal. Students can only apply once GSA has received a nomination from their home institution. Once this has been received, we will invite students to apply directly.

If you have any queries regarding Study Abroad, or would like more information, please email international@gsa.ac.uk.