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Academics
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.
You enroll in 15–19 credit hours per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Credits awarded for supplementary university courses vary.
You create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
- IES Abroad courses (3 credits each)
- IES Abroad Workshops in the Creative and Performing Arts (3 credits each)
- Internship or Service Learning Placement* (3 credits for the combined internship/placement and seminar)
- Partner University Course* (supplementary course at either City University, Queen Mary, or the School of Oriental and African Studies, 4 credits each. Program fee includes one supplementary course at a local university per term)
*IES Abroad strongly discourages students from doing both an internship or service 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. Please contact your IES Abroad Program Advisor for more information.
Workshops in the Creative & Performing Arts
Creative workshops are courses that focus on the production of a piece of creative work (writing, film, or fine art). Past workshops have been offered in fine arts, film/video, and playwriting. Creative workshops frequently require long hours in addition to regular class time.
In the creative workshops, you are often asked to work on your own initiative in order to bring a piece of writing or a film clip into class. The creative work within class will by definition have a more open and experiential structure than that of an academic course.
Courses
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.
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS/CM 325 - Censored! What The British Could Not See | Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| PO/CM 350 - Media and UK Politics | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/CU 352 - British Youth Culture From 1950 To The Present | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR 315 - Theater In London: An Introduction | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/EC 330 - The Economics And Business Of Climate Change | Fall | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS/EU 335 - Visiting Europe In Cinema | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH/FA 390 - Western Art And The Convergence Of Technique And Philosophy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FI 355 - International Finance | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 345 - Passions And Repressions: Cinematic Representations Of British Identity In British Cinema | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| FS 390 - London Video Film Production Workshop | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| FS/CM 325 - Censored! What The British Could Not See | Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| FS/EU 335 - Visiting Europe In Cinema | Spring | English | 3 |
| LT/FS 340 - Britain in the 1940s: Film and Literature | Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/HL 310 - International and European Health and Human Rights | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 336 - The History Of London | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| WS/HS 366 - From Aphra Behn To The 'Blitz:' 300 Years Of London Women'S Social History | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 340 - Contemporary Business Issues And The Eu | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IR/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IB 320 - Strategic Management | Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IB 329 - Business Ethics | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IB 355 - International Marketing Management: Europe | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/EC 330 - The Economics And Business Of Climate Change | Fall | English | 3 |
| IR/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT 312 - Literature And Place | Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| LT 322 - Modern British Novel | Spring | English | 3 |
| LT 351 - Shakespeare The Dramatist | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| LT/FS 340 - Britain in the 1940s: Film and Literature | Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG 302 - Managing Behaviour in Organisations | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IB 320 - Strategic Management | Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IB 329 - Business Ethics | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IB 355 - International Marketing Management: Europe | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 317 - The United Kingdom and the European Union – A Troubled History | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| PO 325 - An Introduction To European Integration: History, Institutions, And Policies | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| PO/CM 350 - Media and UK Politics | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| PO/HL 310 - International and European Health and Human Rights | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/PS 395 - Social Welfare Policy In The United Kingdom: A Service Learning Perspective And Practicum | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/CU 352 - British Youth Culture From 1950 To The Present | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| SO/PS 395 - Social Welfare Policy In The United Kingdom: A Service Learning Perspective And Practicum | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| TH 350 - European Approaches To Text And Theater Performance | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| TH 390 - Playwriting Workshop | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS/HS 366 - From Aphra Behn To The 'Blitz:' 300 Years Of London Women'S Social History | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Partner Institution(s)
In addition to IES Abroad courses, IES Abroad London encourages you to enroll in a course offered at one of several prestigious British institutions. This is a great way to experience first-hand the British higher education system, and meet British students.
You may enroll in one supplementary course per semester for no additional fee. If you choose to enroll in more than one supplementary course, there is a per-course fee.
You must meet the university’s specific requirements, including a GPA of 3.0 or above, and, in certain disciplines, prerequisites and junior or senior standing. You should select courses only in your major or minor.
Courses can be taken at the following three universities:
City University (City)
Supplementary Course Option: 4 credits (fall & spring)
City received its charter in 1966, evolving from Northampton Polytechnic, a school which was founded nearly a century ago.
The following courses are available to IES Abroad students. Note: 2-credit courses are not available to IES Abroad students. For course descriptions, visit City University's Academic Programme site.
- Actuarial Science
- Business
- Finance & Management
- Computer Science*
- Criminology
- Economics
- Engineering (majors and academic year only)
- Journalism**
- Languages
- Law
- Mathematics*
- Music
- Politics
- Psychology
- Sociology
*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 a 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.
Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)
Supplementary Course Option: 4 credits (Fall)
QMUL is one of the largest colleges in the group of institutions that together make up the University of London.
You will find courses in the following disciplines to be particularly outstanding. For more course information, visit Queen Mary's module website.
- Cinema
- Economics
- Geography (includes Anthropology, Environmental Studies, and Sociology)
- Law
- Languages
- Natural Science
- Political Science
- Politics
- Religious Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS)
Supplementary Course Option: 4 credits (fall only)
Recognized as a major world center of Asian, Middle Eastern, and African studies, SOAS comprises more than 200 scholars, the largest group in the world dedicated to studying Asia and Africa. SOAS courses are available in the following departments. For more specific course information, visit SOAS' study abroad site.
- Anthropology
- Art & Archeology
- Economics
- History
- Languages & Cultures
- Religious Studies
Internships
Interning abroad as part of your study abroad experience will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive market. It’s an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship.
Participating in an internship abroad helps you:
-
Add international work experience to your résumé
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Gain real work experience and skills
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Build your confidence
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Available Fields
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- Arts & Museums
- Business
- Education
- Media
- Political
- Theater
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. (You won’t have access to the internship forms until you’ve been admitted into the program.) You need to complete and submit all of your internship application materials by May 1st for Fall, and by October 1st for Spring.
Service Learning
Participating in a service 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 towards a common goal, you experience first-hand some of the social issues that affect London, while contributing your skills towards a community-driven solution.
A service learning experience consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a weekly academic, for-credit service learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structured time for reflection, discussion, and even research on the issues of your host community.
Possible placements may include organizations focusing on:
- Advocacy for the disabled
- Mental health organizations
- Fighting cancer
- Community health
- At-risk youth
- Youth with autism
- Homelessness
- Other social issues in London
Field Trips & Events
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. These trips are subsidized by IES Abroad, though additional costs may apply. Past destinations are listed below. IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Scotland
3 Days | Fall & Spring
Spend the night in Edinburgh, tour the highlands’ stunning scenery, dance at a traditional Scottish Ceilidh, and visit Loch Ness.
Stonehenge & Bath
2 Days | Fall & Spring
Visit mysterious Stonehenge and the ancient Roman baths in Bath.
Brighton
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Explore the historic maze of twisting alleyways and enjoy an optional visit to the royal pavilion, one of Europe’s most exotic royal palaces.
Liverpool
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Spend one Saturday experiencing Liverpool. Enjoy a guided tour around the city including a visit to the Beatles Museum.
Oxford or Cambridge
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit one of these historic university towns, with their picturesque colleges and punting (like a gondola) on the river.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit Shakespeare’s house, place of birth, and place of his burial, Holy Trinity Church.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad London organizes course-related trips that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of British culture and society.
Many IES Abroad London field trip destinations double as course-related trips for students enrolled in specific courses. For course-related trips that are required for a course, the cost for the trip is included in the program fee. For field study trips that are recommended but not required, you are responsible for a portion of the trip cost. Past course-related trips include:
- Performances at London’s West End Fringe and Royal Shakespeare theaters
- Architectural walking tours
- Exploration of London’s East End
- A tour of the BBC
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, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
Our orientation program takes place in and around London, and is designed to orient you to the program, your fellow students, and to London.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Program, begins during orientation and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home. Detailed information about academics, housing, public transportation, cultural adjustment, health and safety, and other important topics is also covered. Other highlights may include walking tours of London neighborhoods, and a field trip to Greenwich or Windsor Castle.
You also learn about the teaching methods of British professors and the Study London Program, including internships, academic policies, and field trips. You also receive academic advising and finalize your course registration during orientation.
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.
Residence Hall – You will live in an international student residence hall located in central London. You and another IES Abroad intern or student share a room with an attached bathroom and will either have access to a common kitchen with others on your floor or a kitchenette in your room. No meals are included, but there are many affordable eateries nearby. There are laundry facilities and common areas with wireless Internet (and 24-hour Internet access in your room) on various floors of the residence hall. Enjoy 24-hour security and a short walk to public transportation.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in London through our cultural events, such as:
- Touring Parliament, royal palaces, and gardens
- 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
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
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