London, England

Direct Enrollment - University College London

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Direct Enrollment
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Residence Hall

Credits:

16 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Maybe

About the Program

Take advantage of our direct enrollment program and enroll in one of the world’s leading universities: University College London (UCL).

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Take Classes Like a Local

UCL offers you challenging academic options across many disciplines.

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Explore Multiple Disciplines

Apply to one or two academic apartments and then select courses.

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Meet Students from Around the World

UCL's student body reflects London’s multicultural population.

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Travel the Country

Join other IES Abroad students on field trips to iconic landmarks.

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Early January - Early May

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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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!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why London?

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!

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

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. 

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 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. 

Partner Institution

A student enters University College London, a brick building with multiple windows.
  • 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. 

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Courses

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:

  • Economics
  • English
  • Anthropology
  • Philosophy

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:

  • Architecture 
  • Arts and Sciences 
  • Biomedical Engineering 
  • Chemical Engineering 
  • Computer Science 
  • Law 
  • Planning 
  • Statistics 

For Fall 2024, the following departments will have limited capacity for IES Abroad students:

  • Archaeology 
  • Biochemical Engineering 
  • Biological Sciences 
  • Biomedical Sciences 
  • Chemistry 
  • Earth Sciences 
  • Economics 
  • Education 
  • Electronic and Electrical Engineering 
  • European and International Social and Political Studies 
  • Fine Art 
  • Geography 
  • History 
  • History and Politics of the Americas 
  • Human Sciences 
  • Infection and Immunity 
  • Management 
  • Mechanical Engineering 
  • Neuroscience 
  • Philosophy 
  • Phonetics and Linguistics 
  • Political Science 
  • Social Research Institute 
  • Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES)

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.  

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.

Learn More
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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.

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
$
23,195
Housing
$
5,900
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
29,325

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 02 - June 08

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

Mid September - Mid December

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Late September - Early June

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Early January - Early May

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 3.3-3.7 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (3.5 for Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Political Science and International Relations, and Social Sciences departments; 3.7 for Neuroscience department). Applicant’s GPA must meet UCL’s published GPA requirement for department of study to considered.
  • 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.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

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

Apply Now
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