London, England

Health Practice & Policy

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Experiential Learning
Length:
Fall, Spring

At a Glance

Housing:

Residence Hall

Credits:

16 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

This program was created to meet the academic needs and interests of students majoring or minoring in public health, and students who may be considering future work in health care. 

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Prepare for Work in Health Care

This program is an excellent supplement to any healthcare-related degree.

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Participate in Community-Based Learning

Discover the different perspectives and needs of diverse populations.

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Attend Cultural Activities

Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in London.

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Gain First-Hand Experience in Jamaica

In Kingston, you'll learn about health care in a developing economy.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

September 03 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
23,450

Program Dates:

Mid January - Mid April

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

Macey Schondel headshot

Macey Schondel

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!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why London?

An urban adventure awaits you in London, one of the largest and most fascinating cities in Europe. The goal of our program is to give you a hands-on education and a deeper knowledge of British culture and history. Explore contemporary London and its impact on Western art, literature, and politics!

Learn More About London

Get to Know Your New City

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Iconic Landmarks

Stroll along the river Thames to snap pictures of the Tower of London.

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Warner Bros. Studio: The Making of Harry Potter

Travel to Leavesden to discover the magic of all things Harry Potter.

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Beautiful Parks and Gardens

Relax and recharge in one of the city’s many parks.

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City Tours

Visit some of London's 48 culturally-vibrant and distinct neighborhoods.

The Student Experience

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Housing

A clean double bunk bed sitting in the hallway between living spaces.
  • Residence Hall

Residence Hall

Apartment Style Residence Hall – You will share a flat with five other IES Abroad students in a residence hall. Your room is single occupancy with a bed, desk, storage, and bathroom. There is a shared kitchen available to you and your flat mates. Washing machines and dryers are available. No meals are provided for this housing option.

Residence Hall – You and another IES Abroad student will share a room with a private bathroom and kitchen. You will share bunk beds and wardrobes for clothes storage. Washing machines and dryers are available. No meals are provided for this housing option.

Academics

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 Queen Mary, University of London; and the University of West Indies School of Nursing, Mona. 

This program offers unique courses that explore Health and Human Sciences through an in-depth approach. World-class professors at IES Abroad and our partner universities in England and Jamaica will enhance your studies and provide you with new perspectives each day in class, combining the traditions of your home campus with the best of the British university system. 

Partner Institutions

A bright blue building, the France House, sits on the campus of the University of London-Queen Mary.
  • QMUL
  • UWISON

Queen Mary, University of London

Located in the diverse East End, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)  maintains its own identity and community, and yet you are never more than a convenient Tube ride to the center of London. As a large institution with more than 25,000 students, QMUL offers an extensive range of challenging academic options. In addition, the college has a long history of internationalism: 30% of the student body comes from outside the United Kingdom, with more than 160 countries represented in the international student population. 

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Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You enroll in 16 credits per semester. Academic programming is scheduled four days a week. 

  • HL/CB395 Social Welfare Policy in the United Kingdom and Jamaica: A Community-Based Learning Perspective & Practicum; Final portion taught at the University of the West Indies School of Nursing, Mona (required, 6 credits) 
  • HL300 Comparative Health Care Systems & Policies in Britain, Europe & the United States (required for fall students, 3 credits) 
  • HL305 Public Health in Europe: Issues & Social Policies (required for spring students, 3 credits) 
  • An additional Health course taught at the School of Global Health at Queen Mary, University of London (required, 4 credits) 
  • Study London Program elective course (required, 3 credits) 

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (22)

Art History (2)

Course name Term Language Credits
AH 341 - The Architecture of London: 1600-Present Day Fall, Spring, Summer English 3
AH/FA 390 - Western Art And The Convergence Of Technique And Philosophy Fall, Spring English 3

Partner Institution Courses

Queen Mary, University of London

Courses available to IES Abroad students in the School of Global Health at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) for Spring will be: 

  • IPH6009: Global Health, Governance and Law (4 credits)
  • IPH6106: Planetary Health and International Health Policy (4 credits)

Courses available to IES Abroad students in the School of Global Health at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) for Fall will be:

  • IPH6000 Epidemiology and Stats (4 Credits)  
  • IPH6001 Health Inequalities and the Social Determinants of Health (4 Credits)

Level 6 modules are taken by final year degree students in the UK who will have spent the preceding years specializing in the subject area. Therefore, the expectation of seminar discussion, written work, and outside reading undertaken will be high, and there will be a significant time commitment required of students.  

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University of West Indies School of Nursing, Mona - Jamaica 

In the final 10 days of your study abroad term, you participate in a program-related trip to Kingston, Jamaica, hosted by the University of West Indies School of Nursing, Mona. While there, you learn about health care in a developing economy, attend lectures at the University, and finish the Social Welfare Policy in the United Kingdom and Jamaica: A Community-Based Learning Perspective & Practicum course. 

The goals of this portion of the program are to: 

  • Demonstrate the different perspectives, challenges, and needs represented by different patient populations in terms of their interactions with mainstream health care systems. 
  • Examine the roles of various stakeholders in the delivery of health care. 
  • Facilitate your engagement with public health at the community level, particularly for socially and economically vulnerable populations. 

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

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.

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Field Trips

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. 

stonehenge

Bath & Stonehenge

2 Days ($) Fall, Spring & Summer

Visit mysterious Stonehenge and the ancient Roman baths in Bath. Marvel at the collection of world-class couture at the Fashion Museum and explore the Jane Austen Centre.

Students explore the rocky inclines off the coast of Dover on a sunny day.

Canterbury & Dover

1 Day ($) Fall, Spring & Summer

Visit the Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the beautiful Dover Castle. After the visit, go for a short hike along the White Cliff of Dover National Trust.

people punting on the Cam River in Cambridge

Cambridge

1 Day ($) Fall, Spring & Summer

Visit this historic university town, with its picturesque colleges and punt in a gondola on the river.

A student poses with a cow in the scottish highlands

Edinburgh

3 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Take a trip to Scotland’s capital where you’ll learn about the city’s history on a guided walking tour. Visit Edinburgh Castle that overlooks the city from its hilltop location and take a day trip to a wildlife reserve in the Highlands.

Canary Wharf

Greenwich

1 Day ($) Fall & Spring

Right on the river, with a lovely park with some of the best views in London, Greenwich's got a whole lot of history and is as alive as ever. Join our day trip to get a taste of why it has always been special.

A student poses in the doorway of Stratford castle

Stratford-Upon-Avon

1 Day ($) Fall & Spring

Visit Shakespeare’s house, which was the place of his birth, and Holy Trinity Church, where he is buried.

Experiential Learning

Community-Based Learning

Community-based learning is an essential component to the Health Practice & Policy Program. With the goal of contributing to the community being served, placements provide students with an invaluable cultural experience, practical exposure to the demands of community health care and policy, and development of professional and personal skills. 

All IES Abroad community-based learning placements are supervised. Placement examples include: 

London 

  • Education 
  • Mental Health Outreach 
  • NGO Administration 
  • Public Health Administration 
  • Social Outreach 

Kingston 

  • Community Health Clinics 
  • NGOs 

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
18,415
Housing
$
4,345
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
22,990

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
18,615
Housing
$
4,590
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,450

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

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.

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About the IES Abroad Center

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. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in London
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to London. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore London and surrounding areas before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.
Settle In
Orientation continues throughout the semester with field trips allowing you to both further sample elements of English culture and get to know the other students.

Health & Safety

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.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 09 - April 20

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

September 03 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Mid January - Mid April

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

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.

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The Student Experience

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Grace Heaton ,

Do It Scared!

Delve into the world of life in Nantes, France with me as I discuss all that the adjustment period of study abroad brings!

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Lily Nannini,

Surf Camp

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 :)

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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