Build the perfect program with a semester in London! Choose from dozens of IES Abroad courses taught by expert local faculty at our Center. You can also focus your creative energy into the production of an original work in one of our unique creative arts workshops, or expand your study abroad experience with a course at a prestigious local university, a part-time internship, or a community-based learning placement.
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!
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!
In London, student athletes have the option to add on a baseball or softball training program on top of their coursework. Fall Ball Abroad in London provides college baseball and softball players high-quality coaching and access to world-class training facilities. Students who wish to participate will apply to an IES Abroad London program, and once accepted, choose the baseball or softball add-on. We know how important it is to your sports performance to continue working and improving in the offseason. Why not work with international coaches and get stronger in London?
There and Back Again, Part 5: I talk about Freshers week, housing, and what it’s like to be a visiting student at Oxford University.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore arts, literature, business, politics, and science, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
City St. George's, University of London received its charter in 1966, having evolved from the century-old Northampton Institute. City has a strong international community—30 percent of its students now come from outside of the UK, which means that American students at City get the chance to study not only within the British system but also within a strong international academic community. In August 2016, the college was admitted to the University of London, a federation of 27 independent schools and institutes.
The university is located in Islington, a vibrant and diverse North London borough with a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Just north of the more tourist-heavy parts of Central London, the trendy Islington neighborhood is home to a young and laid-back crowd.
Part of City St. George's, University of London's mission is to continuously contribute to London’s academic, cultural, and business life.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You enroll in 15–16 credits per semester. Academic programming is scheduled four days a week.
IES Abroad strongly discourages students from doing both an internship or community-based learning placement and an outside course, as these both require a time commitment that is very difficult to schedule. If you wish to do both, please understand that, if you are able to work both into your schedule, you will be occupied Monday through Friday with no day off.
*Program cost includes one supplementary course at a local university per term.
**Must be a Dance major or minor.
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.
| 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 |
| AH 275 - London Museums | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Typically, you will need 2-3 classes in a specific subject area in order to enroll in a 2000-level class, and 4-5 in order to enroll in a 3000-level class. Courses in the following disciplines are particularly strong:
*Available only to Spring semester and Academic Year students. Students enrolled in these courses must stay to take finals in May/June, if applicable.
**Students who wish to take Journalism courses must have already taken at least 1-2 journalism-related course(s). Please also note that course selections in the Fall semester are more limited than those in the Spring.
***Courses are only available at upper levels that are more suitable for students majoring or minoring in Psychology.
NOTE: 2-credit courses are not available to IES Abroad students.
Courses in the following disciplines are particularly strong:
You are welcome to enroll in classes in any academic department, although certain classes may have prerequisites. Please note that enrollment in Queen Mary courses is limited in the spring term due to a conflicting final exams schedule.
Current course listings are available on the University's Directory of Modules.
When you filter the course selections in the Directory of Modules, please refer to the following guidelines. More information can be found under the “guidance notes” link on the main page, as well.
LCDS is based in London, approximately 15-20 minutes away from the IES Abroad Center in Gray’s Inn. It is close to Senate House as well as University College London and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Students on the Study London program at IES Abroad London are being given the opportunity to take 1 – 2 courses at LCDS, as part of the semester abroad, alongside their IES Abroad courses. Students will be taught by experienced and internationally celebrated teachers specializing in all forms of dance, such as ballet and contemporary dance.
Students who are considering taking 1 or 2 courses at LCDS must have a major or minor in Dance. As part of their application, students will be required to submit the following:
If successful, students are able to select 1 -2 courses from the following course offerings:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visit this historic university town, with its picturesque colleges and punt in a gondola on the river.
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.
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.
Visit Shakespeare’s house, which was the place of his birth, and Holy Trinity Church, where he is buried.
Did you know that, while in London, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
NOTE: If you’re interested in participating in an internship for the semester, be aware that some internship options have earlier application deadlines. You must complete your program application first, and then you can apply for the internship.
Participating in a community-based learning experience in London is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s culture and society. Working alongside local people toward a common goal, you experience firsthand some of the social issues that affect London, while contributing your skills toward a community driven solution.
A community-based learning experience consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a 3-credit community-based learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structured time for reflection, discussion, and even research on the issues of your host community.
All IES Abroad community-based learning placements are supervised. Placement examples include tutoring children, volunteering at mental health organizations and in NGO and public health administration, and social outreach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My visit to MOCAK, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, was an unexpected highlight of my time in the city. The calm, creative energy of the space set the...
Krakow is a city where history, culture, and tradition come together in the most charming way. On a recent visit to see my grandparents, we spent a few days...
This is my final post, and I give my post-departure thoughts and my concluding thoughts/recommendation to study abroad.
