JUMPSTART: Scotland 2026
Applications open in fall 2025.
Embrace new cultures; meet new people; and gain independence, confidence, and global awareness all before you start college by studying abroad with JUMPSTART: Scotland.
JUMPSTART: Scotland offers incoming first-year students an unmatched opportunity to earn college credit completing Scotland-themed courses, rich with integrated excursions, while residing in a living-learning community at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.
Program Dates
June 21 - July 17, 2026
Courses
Choose courses, taught by friendly, seasoned UW-Stout instructors, from one of the following two cohorts.
- ART-196: Sketchbook Fundamentals
- DES-101: Design Thinking in Society
Stout Core: Completes three credits of Social Responsibility and Ethical Reasoning & Global Perspective and three credits of Arts and Humanities.
- ANTH-220: Cultural Anthropology
- LIT-110: Pop Culture, Literature, and Storytelling
Stout Core: Completes three credits of Racial and Ethnic Studies & Social and Behavioral Science and three credits of Arts and Humanities.
Features
- Reside in a Scottish university located in Edinburgh while enjoying classes and coordinated social activities.
- Participate in excursions in and around Edinburgh, your “lab” for learning.
- Take a trip to the famous Highlands to experience the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and multiple Harry Potter filming locations
- Receive mentorship from our dedicated UW-Stout faculty leaders that will help you prepare for the college experience.
Eligibility
- New freshman fully admitted for fall 2026.
- Competitive process based on statement, completed application and references.
Cost
Estimated program fee of $TBD includes 6 credits of tuition.
The estimated program fee includes OIE fees, e-Stout fee, international insurance, housing, breakfast, in-country transportation, cultural events, Highlands trip, and round-trip airfare. An estimated budget, inclusive of out-of-pocket expenses, is available online.
*Financial aid may apply by completing the 2025-26 FAFSA.
Application Requests
Email studyabroad@uwstout.edu and we will send you the application link with instructions.
Capacity is limited to 20 students per cohort.
Scholarship Opportunity
The Lucy and Michael Nicolai Jumpstart to Scotland Scholarship has been made available by the generous donation of Lucy and Michael Nicolai, strong supporters of study abroad programs in Scotland. One scholarship will be granted in the amount of $1,000.
Scholarship decisions will be based on the following criteria:
- Students must be accepted into the JUMPSTART: Scotland program.
- Financial need as determined by UW-Stout's Office of Financial Aid based on the results of the 2025-2026 FAFSA.
- Preference is given to a first-generation college student.
Scholarship applications will be reviewed when program enrollment reaches capacity OR by the final application deadline of April 15th, whichever is earlier.
Join Us for JUMPSTART: Scotland Q&A Sessions!
Join us for our pre-college JUMPSTART: Scotland Q&A sessions and ask any questions you may have! From the captivating landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to the rich tapestry of its culture, these sessions will illuminate the path to a truly immersive and transformative study abroad experience.
Upcoming Sessions:
- Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 7:00 - 8:00pm
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 7:00 - 8:00pm
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 7:00 – 8:00pm
- Thursday, April 9, 2026, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Please view the brief JUMPSTART information session for basic program information.
Reside in a Living-Learning Community
We encourage you to submerge yourself in a new culture and push beyond your comfort zone to experience what Scotland has to offer. By doing so, you'll develop a better understanding for others and an appreciation for the world we live in. Join us in summer 2026 where you will get to know your classmates and faculty while you live, learn, and work in a fun and collaborative community.