Exchange and study abroad

From Canada to China, the GSA has an extensive student and staff exchange programme extending to all corners of the world. Every year, students from departments across the GSA go to study at our partner institutions, and we welcome students from around the world in return.

The GSA has an extensive student and staff exchange programme extending to all corners of the world. Over 75 of the world’s leading art, design and architecture schools are our established exchange partners – from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in Germany to California Institute of the Arts.

There are many benefits to taking part in a student exchange, from enriching your cultural horizons to increasing your employability after graduation, as well as establishing life-long friendships with fellow students across the globe.

Students studying across all our specialist schools can participate in exchanges, which generally last for one semester. Some of our programmes – Architecture, Product Design Engineering and the European Master of Product Design offer exchanges for up to one full academic year. MEDes Master of European Design offers exchanges over two academic years at two different partner schools.

Students coming to the GSA on exchange must apply through a specific exchange application process and must be studying at a registered exchange partner. The deadline for admission is 1 May – a strict deadline due to the large number of applications we receive. 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 advise incoming students on where to find suitable accommodation.

If you have any queries regarding Exchange at GSA, please email Claire Chidgey-Carmichael, via c.chidgey@gsa.ac.uk

Application Deadline

1st May Only: Full-Year / Semester 1 (September entry) and Semester Two (January entry)

Exchange applications are made directly to the International Office via our application portal. Please ensure the correct form is used; in this case use the “Application for Exchange students"

The link to our application site is here.

‍Study Abroad Programme

Study Abroad is our fee-paying international programme, which is an alternative option of single semester or full-year study for students who are not from one of our Exchange Partners. Study Abroad offers students a great opportunity to experience living and studying in Glasgow, Scotland.

Study Abroad students will only be considered for Years 2 or 3. Study Abroad students will be entered into the most appropriate year entry point based on their portfolio and application.

*Applications for Study Abroad can be made to the following Schools/undergraduate programmes:

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
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Open to applications for Full-Year or Semester 1 entry only.

Study Abroad students join our full-time cohort of students to study the set curriculum for the specific degree programme they have chosen. This cohort will usually consist of other full-time international / European students, students from Scotland, and students from the rest of the UK.

All programmes offered via Study Abroad are studio based and practice led.Studio will normally consist of four days a week intensive studio practice and one day Fine Art Critical Studies / Design History and Theory / History of Urban Studies / Critical Studies in Immersive Systems, depending on the School.

Please note, we do not operate a “class/credit” system and as such, there is no option 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.

If you have any queries regarding Study Abroad, or are interested in Study Abroad at Postgraduate level, please email Rebecca Bill, International Officer for Study Abroad, via r.bill@gsa.ac.uk

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 International Office via our application portal. Please ensure the correct form is used; in this case use the “Application for Study Abroad students”.

The link to our application site is here.

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