IES Abroad will preregister you for university courses prior to the start of the program. Upon arrival in London, you will finalize course enrollment during orientation. Final enrollment cannot take place prior to your arrival in London. IES Abroad will also share information about how to access course schedules, and it is your responsibility to make sure that the courses you have been approved for do not conflict. If they do, you should seek approval for additional courses, checking with your home university first that they will permit you to take said courses.

Due to its multicultural nature, people in London are used to walking down the street and hearing a variety of languages and accents. Moreover, about 5 million Americans visit London each year. In this sense, as an American you will not be as much of a novelty in London as you may be in other cities in the UK. Use this to your advantage! Integrate yourself as much as possible by going to the theater, attending student functions, or shopping in Camden Town, Hampstead, or Islington. If you put yourself in the position to meet people and allow yourself to relax, you won’t be disappointed. Clearly...

It is recommended to book your flight to land at one of the following airports no later than 11 a.m. on the official arrival date. Heathrow Airport (LHR) London Gatwick (LGW) London Luton (LTN) London Stansted (STN) London City (LCY) You should proceed directly to your housing placement and follow any instructions sent to you by your residence. You should plan for your flight to arrive no later than 11 a.m. to allow enough time to get through passport control and customs. All students, including those who enter on a visa, may use the e-Gates. You do not need to see a border agent. Lost Luggage...

It is recommended to book your flight to land at one of the following airports no later than 11 a.m. on the official arrival date. Heathrow Airport (LHR) London Gatwick (LGW) London Luton (LTN) London Stansted (STN) London City (LCY) You should proceed directly to your housing placement as appointed by UCL. You should plan for your flight to arrive no later than 11 a.m. to allow enough time to get through passport control and customs. All students, including those who enter on a visa, may use the e-Gates. You do not need to see a border agent. Lost Luggage If your luggage is lost while in...

How to Request Housing Read through the Housing Options below to determine your preferences and contact your IES Abroad Program Advisor with any questions. NOTE: Housing Options and details may not be readily available until later in the predeparture process. Please be patient as we secure housing that will keep you healthy and safe during your semester abroad. When housing details are available, they will be posted here and you will get an email from your IES Abroad Advisor letting you know they are ready. Check with your study abroad advisor at your current college or university for...

Course-Related Excursions Several IES Abroad courses include a compulsory course-related excursion. Required field trips are either included in the program fee, or will require a discounted additional cost. This will be clearly communicated to students during the preregistration process. Students who are not enrolled in a particular course may also be allowed to attend the field study trips for an additional fee. You will learn the costs and destinations during the preregistration process, prior to your departure for London. As part of the Theater Studies program, students are required to...

Spring 2026 Program Calendar

IES Abroad staff will provide you with guidance on how to apply for Queen Mary housing. You will receive your housing offer from Queen Mary via email, and will be responsible for accepting their housing offer online. Detailed instructions will be given by IES Abroad staff on how to do this.

Once you have been offered a place to study at UCL, you will be contacted by IES Abroad London staff giving you instructions on how to apply for student accommodation online. All UCL students apply for their own accommodation online, following the detailed instructions provided by IES Abroad. There is a quick turnaround time for this process, so it is important that students are proactive and apply immediately when instructed to do so. Housing is allocated on a first-come first-served basis by UCL, and IES Abroad has no jurisdiction over this allocation. There are strict deadlines in place...

Spend your term in London's center for university students and young professionals. Walthamstow boasts a vibrant social scene, numerous local shoppes and restaurants, and the beautiful Walthamstow Reservoirs at your doorstep. At Mannequin House, your private room will have a bed, bathroom, desk, and storage. The linked document provides more details on Mannequin House. Additional Fee *Please note an additional fee applies for Mannequin House. Please review the program costs for more information. Study London Health Practice and Policy Theater Studies Film Studies Literature & Arts Social...