Summer Direct Enrollment - University College London (Session I)
Study Abroad
Program Options:
Direct Enrollment
•
Length:
Summer
Kassidy W. • Trinity University
Kassidy W. • Trinity University
Kaitlyn R. • University of Iowa
Kaitlyn R. • University of Iowa
Calder W.
Calder W.
Olivia H. • University of Vermont
Olivia H. • University of Vermont
At a Glance
Housing:
Residence Hall
Credits:
4 to 8 per Summer
Language of Instruction:
English
Language Prerequisites:
Native English fluency, or IELTS score of 7.0 or above (varies by course) if you have not studied at an English-language institution for the year prior to application
Visa Required:
Maybe
About the Program
This program offers an academic experience unlike any other. Learn from leading academics in small class sizes, and get to know your fellow international student. Plus, with its uniquely rich architecture, history, and beyond, London is the ideal place to spend your summer!
British Academic Experience
Take classes like a local at this prestigious London university.
Well-Located Housing
Live in convenient student housing in the heart of this historic city!
Field Trips and Social Events
Enjoy a course-related field trip and events.
International Classmates
Meet students at UCL’s summer sessions from 150+ different countries.
Summer 2025
Program Dates:
Late June - Mid July
Application Deadline:
Estimated Cost:
$
5,665
Program Advisor
Camilla Alway
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!
Native English fluency, or IELTS score of 7.0 or above (varies by course) if you have not studied at an English-language institution for the year prior to application
Visa Required:
Maybe
About the Destination
Why London?
Live and learn like a local student this summer in London when you enroll and take classes at the world-renowned University College London (UCL). From history and law to physical sciences and health, there's something for everyone at UCL.
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
IES Abroad London
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.
Partner Institution
University College London
University College London
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.
Our London Summer Direct Enrollment Program is divided into two sessions, each spanning three weeks. You choose to attend Session One, Session Two, or both, and you take one 4-credit course per session.
Further information about course content and availability is provided on the University’s website.
Course options cover a variety of fields, including:
Anthropology
Computer Science
Crime & Security
Culture, Literature & the Arts
Economics, Business & Management
Education
English language
Geography & the Built Environment
Health
Law
Medical Sciences
Politics & International Relations
Science & Mathematics
NOTE: Courses are subject to change at the discretion of UCL.
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 ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
1 Day ($)
Fall, Spring & Summer
Cambridge
Visit this historic university town, with its picturesque colleges and punt in a gondola on the river.
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.
London Summer Direct Enrollment - University College London (Session I) Fees
Program Fee (invoiced by IES Abroad)
Tuition
$3,790
Housing (& Meals, if applicable)
$1,740
Base (no additional cost)
• Residence Hall (no meals provided)
Health Insurance
$135
Total IES Abroad Program Fee
$5,665
+
Additional Fees for Special Options Associated with Tuition & Housing (invoiced by IES Abroad)
School of Record transcript (if required)
$475
Total Additional Fees
+
Additional Estimated Expenses for Student Budgeting Purposes (select those that apply)
Round-Trip Airfare (varies with point of departure and carrier)
$700-900
Textbooks, Copyright Permission Fees, Course Packets & Other Course-Related Materials
$75
Average Cost of Meals by Housing Option (not included in housing fee)
Residence Hall (with kitchen access)
$600
Rental or Purchase of Required Cell Phone (does not include usage fees)
$30-150
Local Transportation
$100
Optional IES Abroad Field Trips (not included in program fee)
$45-235
Personal Expenses (does not include personal student travel)
$500
Total Other Estimated Expenses
=
Total Estimated Budget
The amounts expressed above are in U.S. dollars. Estimated expenses are based on August 2024 exchange rates. These expenses may vary due to individual needs, spending habits, and exchange rates, and are not included in the IES Abroad program fee. Personal expenses may include but are not limited to the following: meals/beverages (outside selected housing/meals option), social activities and entertainment, toiletries, laundry, and communications facilities (e.g. Internet café, phone centers.) Some items such as textbooks may be billed separately by IES Abroad. The IES Abroad program fee does not reflect scholarships, financial aid, or grants such as the IES Abroad Public University Grant.
Visa / Consular / Residency Fees
Depending on visa requirements related to certain program locations, length of term, and consular jurisdictions, students may also incur costs for expedited processing, predeparture travel to the consulate or for IES Abroad ACCeSS™ ($150) to obtain their visa.
These estimated fees apply to U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens may have different requirements and costs.
Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage fees are additional and on a per call basis, depending upon location.
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.
Student Affairs and Customized Programs Coordinator
Rhys Dunlop
Internships Coordinator
Angela Ellermeier
Associate Director & Dean of Faculty
Miranda Hale
Direct Enrollment & Orientations Co-Ordinator
Ahmed Hamdan
Facilities Manager
Martin Hannan
Head of Operations
Adam Harrison
Customized Programs Manager
Jacci Lawson
Internship Manager
Beth Lehlbach
Head of Internships
Lewis Liming
Customized Programs and Projects Manager
Rohima Miah
Academic Manager
Nicoletta Pazzaglia
Student Affairs & Wellness Manager
Zosia Rutkowska
Assistant Director and Head of Customized Programs
Nicola Yates
Student Success Advocate
Orientation
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 term as you discover London, sample elements of English culture, and get to know the other students during your session.
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.
3.3 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs above 3.0 may be considered based on module level and year in school)
Sophomore, junior or senior when program begins
Application Requirements
Submit Your Online Application
Applications may be considered after the published deadline on a space available basis. Please note that late applicants may be required to submit a non-refundable confirmation deposit upon acceptance in order to secure a place in the program. Please contact us with questions about applying after the deadline.
Submit the following in your MyIESabroad account after your Online Application is processed:
Home School Authorization — Your on-campus study abroad advisor can either complete the Home School Authorization electronically through IES Abroad’s PartnerPortal system, or by filling out the PDF form.
Official Transcript(s) — Include a transcript for each college/university you have attended since high school. If you have multiple transcripts, IES Abroad will average the GPAs for all colleges/universities you have attended and use that cumulative GPA when reviewing your application. (Students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. must obtain a professional course-by-course transcript equivalency report. You may choose any organization that provides professional international transcript equivalencies.)
UCL Supplemental Application
Academic References — Provide the contact details from two faculty members in applicant's major/minor department.
Academic Statement of Purpose — Attach a personal statement of 2 paragraphs describing your academic interests and reasons for applying to UCL. Remember to write your name at the top of the page in case your statement is separated from the rest of the application.
(If Applicable) English Language Proficiency Exam — Students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. may need to submit English language proficiency exam results. Contact your IES Abroad Representative for more information.
Wait for communication from the Host University
Please Note — Final admissions decision are made by University College London, not IES Abroad. Average admission decision wait time is about 1-2 weeks.
Passport applications and renewals are taking longer than normal these days. Save yourself from the last-minute stress by making sure:
You have a passport
The expiration date is at least six months after your study abroad program ends
Visit travel.state.gov to locate U.S. passport agencies in your area.
Visa Requirements
As a U.S. citizen, you may need to apply for a student visa before studying abroad. Learn more about what stamp or visa you will need to enter the UK and the UK student visa process. You will receive more detailed information upon admission.
Students who wish to participate in an IES Abroad program will typically apply to both their college/university, as well as to IES Abroad. Start by visiting your school’s study abroad office website to learn more about their application process and deadlines. Note that some university’s deadlines can be as early as one year before your desired term abroad. After you have reviewed the process at your home school, start your online application on the IES Abroad website—there's no application fee! Once we create an account for you, we’ll then ask you to submit the required admissions forms in your MyIESabroad account. After we have received all of your materials, we will review your application and send you an admission decision via email.
As soon as you know you are interested in going abroad, begin applying for your passport. In order to go abroad, you’ll need to have a passport that is valid until at least six months after your program’s end date. For most of our programs, you will need your passport in-hand in order to apply for the required student visa. Rest assured, our IES Abroad Program Advisors will be available to help you every step of the way, but it’s in your best interest to start this process as soon as possible!
You can find a list of the potential courses and/or internship opportunities available for students to pursue under the Academics tab of your program page. Syllabi for each course can typically be found by clicking on the hyperlinked course title, which you can review with your on-campus advisors to ensure that you can earn credit and stay on track for graduation. If a part-time internship opportunity is available on your program and something you want to pursue, discuss the possibility of earning credit for this with your study abroad office on-campus.
You can apply for our IES Abroad Scholarships at any point before the deadline—even if you haven’t yet been admitted into one of our programs! Our scholarship opportunities are competitive, so it’s in your best interest to apply for our scholarships as early as possible. If you’d like to use your existing scholarships/aid towards your program fees, this will depend on your school’s policies and how you’re billed for the program. Talk to your school’s study abroad and financial aid office to learn their policies.
IES Abroad works as a partner to campus study abroad offices around the world to provide high quality academic programs for undergraduate students. In order to participate in one of our programs, we require that you gain approval from your home school’s study abroad office. While IES Abroad is here to help with your predeparture needs, you’ll also want to stay connected with your study abroad advisor on-campus to ensure you’re staying on track with their deadlines and aware of their policies for your program abroad.
The location of your courses will depend on the type of IES Abroad program that you select. Most IES Abroad programs are based at the IES Abroad Center in the host city. Our Centers are physical spaces within the city where we have staff offices and classrooms and they serve as the student hub for many of our programs. On these programs, your classmates will be other IES Abroad students from U.S. campuses and are taught by local or international professors. In some cases, it may also be possible to take one or two courses at a local university and the rest at the IES Abroad Center. Alternatively, some IES Abroad programs are direct enrollment programs, which means that you will take all of your classes at the local university alongside other students enrolled at that university.
IES Abroad places student health & safety at the forefront of all that we do. All IES Abroad students are required to be insured under our mandatory CISI health insurance policy, and this cost is factored into your program fees. Students will be expected to complete a physical within the six months prior to your departure so that our student affairs staff on-site have up-to-date information and can offer support for any health or medical needs you may have while abroad. Mental health services may be available for students upon request. Please discuss any specific health and safety needs with our Dean of Students’ office as early as possible. You can also read more information about our Health & Safety protocols (including COVID-19).
Our experienced housing coordinators work hard to screen and place students in IES Abroad housing, so you won’t need to find your housing on your own. Options can include homestays (highly rated!), residence halls, or apartments depending on your location. You will be given an opportunity to indicate any preferences you may have for housing once you are admitted into the program, which our staff will take into consideration to the best of their ability as they are making arrangements for students. While it’s not recommended, it is possible for you to arrange your own housing abroad if your home school approves you to do so.
Students who wish to participate in an IES Abroad program will typically apply to both their college/university, as well as to IES Abroad. Start by visiting your school’s study abroad office website to learn more about their application process and deadlines. Note that some university’s deadlines can be as early as one year before your desired term abroad. After you have reviewed the process at your home school, start your online application on the IES Abroad website—there's no application fee! Once we create an account for you, we’ll then ask you to submit the required admissions forms in your MyIESabroad account. After we have received all of your materials, we will review your application and send you an admission decision via email.
IES Abroad works as a partner to campus study abroad offices around the world to provide high quality academic programs for undergraduate students. In order to participate in one of our programs, we require that you gain approval from your home school’s study abroad office. While IES Abroad is here to help with your predeparture needs, you’ll also want to stay connected with your study abroad advisor on-campus to ensure you’re staying on track with their deadlines and aware of their policies for your program abroad.
As soon as you know you are interested in going abroad, begin applying for your passport. In order to go abroad, you’ll need to have a passport that is valid until at least six months after your program’s end date. For most of our programs, you will need your passport in-hand in order to apply for the required student visa. Rest assured, our IES Abroad Program Advisors will be available to help you every step of the way, but it’s in your best interest to start this process as soon as possible!
The location of your courses will depend on the type of IES Abroad program that you select. Most IES Abroad programs are based at the IES Abroad Center in the host city. Our Centers are physical spaces within the city where we have staff offices and classrooms and they serve as the student hub for many of our programs. On these programs, your classmates will be other IES Abroad students from U.S. campuses and are taught by local or international professors. In some cases, it may also be possible to take one or two courses at a local university and the rest at the IES Abroad Center. Alternatively, some IES Abroad programs are direct enrollment programs, which means that you will take all of your classes at the local university alongside other students enrolled at that university.
You can find a list of the potential courses and/or internship opportunities available for students to pursue under the Academics tab of your program page. Syllabi for each course can typically be found by clicking on the hyperlinked course title, which you can review with your on-campus advisors to ensure that you can earn credit and stay on track for graduation. If a part-time internship opportunity is available on your program and something you want to pursue, discuss the possibility of earning credit for this with your study abroad office on-campus.
IES Abroad places student health & safety at the forefront of all that we do. All IES Abroad students are required to be insured under our mandatory CISI health insurance policy, and this cost is factored into your program fees. Students will be expected to complete a physical within the six months prior to your departure so that our student affairs staff on-site have up-to-date information and can offer support for any health or medical needs you may have while abroad. Mental health services may be available for students upon request. Please discuss any specific health and safety needs with our Dean of Students’ office as early as possible. You can also read more information about our Health & Safety protocols (including COVID-19).
You can apply for our IES Abroad Scholarships at any point before the deadline—even if you haven’t yet been admitted into one of our programs! Our scholarship opportunities are competitive, so it’s in your best interest to apply for our scholarships as early as possible. If you’d like to use your existing scholarships/aid towards your program fees, this will depend on your school’s policies and how you’re billed for the program. Talk to your school’s study abroad and financial aid office to learn their policies.
Our experienced housing coordinators work hard to screen and place students in IES Abroad housing, so you won’t need to find your housing on your own. Options can include homestays (highly rated!), residence halls, or apartments depending on your location. You will be given an opportunity to indicate any preferences you may have for housing once you are admitted into the program, which our staff will take into consideration to the best of their ability as they are making arrangements for students. While it’s not recommended, it is possible for you to arrange your own housing abroad if your home school approves you to do so.
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.
Here I talk about my experience studying abroad in Ireland and taking advantage of the opportunity to travel to various European countries during reading week...