This program is for incoming first-year students admitted to the College of Engineering only.
Scotland, Edinburgh
If you are applying to UW-Madison and the College of Engineering as an incoming first year student for fall 2027, this brand-new exciting program has been designed with you in mind!
Imagine spending the fall semester in Edinburgh, Scotland with a cohort of other first year students earning key credits to keep you on track to graduation. The UW Engineering Semester Launch in Scotland program is an academic and experiential opportunity designed specifically for first-year UW College of Engineering students to prepare them for success as global citizens in today’s interconnected world.
You can learn more about the program by exploring the tabs below.
Information for You
The application for this program will open in mid November 2026. The application will be due by April 15, 2027. Join the email list to be notified when the application is open.
All participants will receive an automatic scholarship. Awards will be given based on residency and demonstrated financial need. The cost sheet will be posted in the Cost and Funding tab when the application opens.
The application for this program is separate from your application to UW-Madison. You can apply to this program anytime after completing your application to UW-Madison. The steps to apply are listed in the Apply Now tab. To participate on this program you must be admitted to UW-Madison and enroll.
To participate in this program, you must have a US passport by May 1, 2027 that is valid through December 2027. If you need a passport, apply at the same time you apply to the program. Do not wait until you hear about acceptance.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, you can find our contact information and roles in the contacts tab below. You can email us your questions.
We are also happy to arrange an advising appointment to answer your questions. You can request an advising time by emailing and we will arrange a date/time to meet via Zoom.
Limited Capacity Program: This program can accept a limited number of students each fall. We may receive more qualified applicants than available spots. Review and admission of applicants can occur on a rolling basis, and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
IAP encourages you to take the time to thoughtfully prepare your application materials, including your essays and a recommendation form completed by a high school teacher or school counselor.
The fall semester 2027 program will be supported by UW-Madison Faculty in Residence Laura Grossenbacher. Through classroom learning, guest lecturers, guided visits and overnight excursions, you will complete core credit requirements and increase awareness of and interest in the intersection of local and global issues. The program is designed to support first-year engineering students in completing foundational coursework while building the academic, intercultural, and professional skills necessary for continued success in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
By choosing this program, you’ll begin the spring semester at UW-Madison with strong relationships with internationally minded peers and faculty, valuable global experience, and a semester of credits that keeps you on track toward your degree.
This program is offered by UW-Madison in cooperation with CIEE and is sponsored by UW-Madison College of Engineering.
Learning Objectives
We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants that outlines the personal, academic and professional aspects of studying abroad. In addition, through this program, you will have the opportunity to:
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Complete a curriculum that aligns with UW–Madison degree requirements, including foundational coursework in chemistry, mathematics, engineering communication, and liberal studies.
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Strengthen core competencies in analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, scientific inquiry, written and oral communication, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
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Develop intercultural competence through immersive study and living in Edinburgh while engaging with the local community and global perspectives relevant to engineering practice.
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Gain personal development, growth, and the ability to adapt to a new culture while developing a literacy in day-to-day Scottish life.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.
Sustainability
We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.
Request Information
Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!
Eligibility
- US citizens (native or naturalized) only; Must be proficient in the English Language. Must be 18 years of age by the start of the program.
- Must be admitted to the College of Engineering. Must have completed AP Calculus AB or be currently enrolled in AP Calculus AB or be enrolled in a dual-enrollment Calculus I course during high school.
- This program is for incoming first-year students only. You must be admitted to UW-Madison as a first-year student, rather than as a transfer student. The program takes place during your first semester at UW-Madison.
- Due to on campus obligations, students in the following programs are unable to apply: POSSE, First Wave, Athletics, Mercile J Lee Scholars. Please talk with the scholarship program administrator if you have questions.
- Incoming Freshman
- Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
- Good academic and disciplinary standing
- At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution
Advising Location
Program Structure
UW Signature
Subjects
EngineeringClassroom Language
English
Housing
Residence Hall
Program Duration
Required on campus orientation: tentative July 11 -16, 2027
Fall Semester: early September – mid December
Applications for Fall 2027 will open Mid November 2026
Application Deadline(s)
Future durations will be posted at a later date.
APPLY NOW
This program is well-suited for students admitted into the College of Engineering, who are interested in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering. This program has specific courses required to meet UW-Madison Engineering students’ requirements for them to progress into their respective majors.
Have questions? Email the study abroad advisor who can help you consider your options and connect you to an academic advisor for further consultation.
You must have completed AP Calculus AB or be currently enrolled in AP Calculus AB or be enrolled in a dual-enrollment Calculus I course during high school.
During the UW Engineering Semester Launch in Scotland program, you'll take four courses (14-15 credits).
- General Chemistry I (Chem 103 – 4 credits)
- Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (Math 221- 5 credits) or Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 (Math 222- 4 credits). Students will be placed into the course based on math placement exam scores.
- Introduction to Engineering Communication: Writing, Speaking, and Ethics in Edinburgh, Scotland (InterEGR 156, Comm A- 3 credits) – this course will be taught by the UW Faculty in Residence
- Scotland Past and Present (Liberal Studies – 3 credits) This course provides an in-depth exploration of the history and culture of Scotland from 1707, the date of the Act of Union that created the United Kingdom, to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. In this course, students will examine the major events, people, and cultural movements shaping Scotland's past and present, including its political, economic, religious, and social history.
The College of Engineering Academic Advising Office will work with students prior to their departure and while abroad to advise on academics. They will meet online with students during the fall semester to prepare students for spring enrollment.
Courses are taught at the CIEE Center in Edinburgh, 25 minutes from the city center, within the Eric Liddell Community Centre, a beautifully converted church, located near coffee shops, restaurants, gift shops, and vintage stores.
Classes at CIEE are typically scheduled Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. Students are expected to complete two to three hours of independent work for every hour in class. Some courses combine lectures with local field trips and excursions to help students gain a better understanding of the local culture.
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents
Program Leader
Laura Grossenbacher
Director of Technical Communication, College of Engineering
Laura Grossenbacher is Director of Undergraduate Program Review and Director of the Technical Communication Program in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin and has been teaching courses in engineering communication and ethics for over 25 years.
Since 2012 she has been developing ethics cases for use with a variety of Professional Engineering groups, including engineers working for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, American Transmission Company, Madison Gas and Electric, WE Energies, Realtime Utility, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and the American Water Resources Administration.