About the Program
Take advantage of our direct enrollment program and enroll in one of the world’s leading universities: University College London (UCL).
Take advantage of our direct enrollment program and enroll in one of the world’s leading universities: University College London (UCL).
Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
There is something irresistible about London. Maybe it’s the sights like Big Ben or the Tower Bridge that already feel familiar. Maybe it's the international character that is evident in every neighborhood, where people of different cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds live and work together. Whatever it is that has drawn you to London, don’t look back now— London awaits!
Just because you're abroad doesn't mean that existing issues you've dealt with go away. One of those things for me was social anxiety, so I've compiled a guide...
While studying at University College London (UCL), you live in student houses. You have access to a kitchen where you can prepare your own food, or you have the option to buy your meals from the various food outlets on the main UCL campus. WiFi access is available in your room.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with University College London (UCL).
You must meet the requisite minimum number of credits as stipulated for UCL.
You also have to meet UCL’s specific requirements, including the requisite minimum GPA (3.3-3.7 on a 4.0 scale), relevant prerequisites for your study track, and junior or senior standing. You should select courses in your major or minor and be prepared to provide documentation of relevant prior coursework.
University College London (UCL) was founded in 1826 and was the first university in England to welcome students without regard to religion, race, gender, or class. UCL has approximately 38,000 students representing 150 countries with 29 Nobel Prize winners from the UCL community.
The concentration of UCL’s academic buildings in Bloomsbury (Central London) reflects the location’s rich intellectual and literary history. Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and Dylan Thomas (to name a few) once called Bloomsbury home. The British Museum, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and the West End are all within easy walking distance of Bloomsbury.
The UCL undergraduate program consists of a series of lectures, seminars, and tutorials (and lab classes if enrolling in science subjects). Tutorial classes are much smaller than lecture courses and, in some departments, are taught on a one-on-one basis.
You apply to one academic department and then select courses from that department. As a student of UCL, you are required to enroll in 16 credits per semester. UCL offers a wide range of disciplines, with particular strengths in:
Further information about course content and availability is provided on the University’s website.
For Fall 2024, the following departments are not available for IES Abroad students:
For Fall 2024, the following departments will have limited capacity for IES Abroad students:
Please note that final admissions decisions are made by University College London, not IES Abroad. The average admission decision wait time is about 4-8 weeks from the application deadline. If you are applying to a department with limited capacity, you should expect to wait up to 9 weeks after the application deadline to receive an admissions decision. Non-Humanities majors may also be asked to provide more details on their courses upon application thereby increasing processing time.
For more information, you can visit UCL's study options page.
NOTE: Not all departments are available each term and some may require an additional fee. Please understand which departments are available when and which incur an additional fee. For the most up-to-date information and additional details on courses, please see UCL's website.
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
Even though your adventure starts in London, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.
The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.
The IES Abroad London Center is in a centrally-located Georgian building with green space called the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. Whether you’re grabbing lunch at the Leather Lane food market, or visiting the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, the Center is your study abroad hub.
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.
Delve into the world of life in Nantes, France with me as I discuss all that the adjustment period of study abroad brings!
This post covers a few mishaps that can happen in the process of organizing the logistics for studying abroad.
I fell in love with surfing after the very first lesson. In this blog, I share my experience from three days at Surf Camp Australia :)