- London, England
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$5 Million in Financial Aid
Academics
IES Abroad’s 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.
Courses
Academic life at QMUL involves a range of instructional styles (lectures, seminars, tutorials) as well as assessment methods (exams, essays, projects). The college is widely recognized for excellence in both research and teaching, and you are expected to contribute to the lively learning environment.
You enroll in four 4-credit courses per semester, although certain classes may have prerequisites. There is an impressive range of academic options at QMUL, but particularly excellent departments include:
- Business
- English
- Film
- History
- Literature
- Modern European Languages
- Natural Sciences
- Political Sciences
You are welcome to enroll in classes in any academic department, although certain classes may have prerequisites.
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.
- Step 1 - I'm interested in... - select Associate student modules
- Step 2 - Filter by:
- School - select the appropriate school for your course(s) of interest
- Semester - select Semester 1 for Fall or Semester 2 for Spring
- Level - select 4, 5 or 6
- 4 corresponds to U.S. 100-level courses, 5 to 200-level courses and 6 to 300-level courses
- For major credit, it is recommended that students enroll in level 6 courses
Location
East of central London, QMUL’s campus is located in Mile End, one of London’s most ethnically and socially diverse neighborhoods. The campus is self-contained, but students take full advantage of the many opportunities to experience the incredible variety of local cultural offerings.
Partner Institution(s)
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary offers you the best of two worlds: the bustling city of London and a self-contained, thriving campus. Located in the diverse East End, QM 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 (more than 25,000 students), QMUL offers an extensive range of challenging academic options. In addition, the college has a long history of internationalism: nearly 30% of the student body and staff comes from outside the UK, with more than 160 countries represented in the international student population.
Advising & Support
In a direct enrollment program, you are enrolled as a full-time student at one of our international partner institutions. Even though your local host institution is where you’ll take your classes, we’re still here to fully support you.
Advising
Choosing and directly enrolling in courses abroad can be confusing and overwhelming—we offer you predeparture advising that’s specific to your needs. Our goal is to provide support and guidance throughout your application and enrollment process.
On-Site Staff
As an IES Abroad student directly enrolled at a local British university, you have access to the IES Abroad London Center and staff who are specifically dedicated to your needs. Our on-site staff work with you and your local institution to answer any questions about academic requirements, housing, or well-being and safety.
Support
Our support services for direct enrollment students are specifically designed to help you achieve your study abroad goals. We know studying abroad is an adventure, and, at times, you may need help or just someone to talk to— that’s why our staff is there for you.
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in London, our field trips and course-related trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. These trips are partially subsidized by IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations.
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 hill-top location, and take a day trip to a wildlife reserve in the Highlands.
Stonehenge & Bath
2 Days | Fall & Spring
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.
Brighton
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Explore the historic maze of twisting alleyways and enjoy a visit to the Royal Pavilion, one of Europe’s most exotic royal palaces.
Cambridge
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit this historic university town, with its picturesque colleges and punting (in a gondola) on the river.
Liverpool
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Spend a Saturday experiencing Liverpool. Enjoy a guided tour around the city, including a visit to the Beatles Museum.
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.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in London is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or field trips that take you off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
IES Abroad Orientation
Upon arrival in London, you participate in an introductory orientation with the IES Abroad London staff. Designed specifically for direct enrollment students, our orientation program introduces you to your direct enrollment program, your fellow students, and to London.
University Orientation
You also attend Queen Mary’s orientation, where you get acquainted with the logistics of student life.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave London, it will feel like home.
As part of our direct enrollment services, we offer well-located, comfortable housing for all students because securing housing independently can be challenging. IES Abroad’s housing options meet our safety and security standards.
Queen Mary Student Village - While attending Queen Mary, you stay in the modern, award-winning Queen Mary Student Village. You and five other students (international and British students) share a secure, self-contained co-ed flat. You have your own furnished single room and en-suite bathroom. The kitchen and dining areas are shared among the six students. You have the option to prepare your meals or dine out.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in London, such as:
- Attending local sporting events, such as the English Premier League
- Going on outings to London’s diverse markets
- Going to world-class performances at London’s many entertainment venues
University Volunteering, Clubs & Events
Getting involved in the local community enriches your learning experience and creates excellent opportunities for cultural integration, especially when volunteering with Provide, the volunteering community at QM. You can give as much time as you like working with charities or volunteer groups all over London. Learn more at www.qmsu.org.
The QM student union also hosts more than 100 clubs and sponsors a wide range of social and sporting activities. The facilities include gathering spaces (eating areas, several pubs, and a nightclub), fitness resources (a gym, saunas, and squash courts), a convenience store, and computing, binding, and photocopying services. Learn more at www.studentcentral.london.
Get to Know Your New City
The best way to get a feel for this culturally-vibrant metropolis is to visit some of its 48 distinct neighborhoods.
Snap an obligatory shot of Big Ben from the Westminster Bridge as you begin your stroll along the Southbank.
Set along the River Thames, this imposing castle has been a part of the London skyline since 1078.
From small garden squares to sprawling grounds with herds of deer, you are always close to a green space in London. Whenever you need a break from the craziness of the city, relax and recharge in one of the city’s many parks.
Make the short trek to Leavesden to pay homage to J.K. Rowling and discover the magic of all things Harry Potter.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Financial Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad London Center, situated in the central London neighborhood of Bloomsbury, is a two-minute walk from the British Museum.
Features include:
- 18th century Georgian building
- Classrooms
- Library resources
- Wireless Internet
- Printing facilities
- Outdoor patio
- Staff offices
- Student lounge
- Gender neutral bathrooms
The IES Abroad London Center is recognized by The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for meeting or exceeding UK expectations as a quality higher education provider. Learn more about our recent QAA reports.
Our Staff
John Ockey
Center Director
John brings over 15 years of experience with IES Abroad, including seven years with IES Abroad Milan and nearly three years with IES Abroad Siena before coming to IES Abroad London. During his time in Siena, John developed and implemented a banner program with a strong focus on cultural immersion and academic rigor. In Milan, he played a key role in improving and developing the Milan program, notably in the areas of student housing, student activities, orientation, and supervision of the student services staff. Prior to working for IES Abroad, John received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Italian Literature and Art History from Brigham Young University and worked in Geneva for the United Nations.
IES Abroad Staff
IES Abroad Staff
Kimberley Aparisio
Assistant Director of Student Affairs
Zosia Rutkowska
Assistant Director of Customised Programmes
Sally Harrild
Academic Programmes Manager
Alice Kerby
Direct Enrolment Programmes Coordinator
Dr. Diane Atkinson
Academic Support
Simon Causton
Senior Student Affairs and Housing Coordinator
Laura Scott
Student Affairs Coordinator
Beth Lehlbach
Internship Coordinator
Sachna Hanspal
Internship Coordinator
Elaine Staunton
Internship Coordinator
Emily Brown
Programme Assistant
Martin Hannan
Office Manager
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