William Shakespeare said it best when he wrote “All the world’s a stage”—where better to study theater than the home of Shakespeare and so many other brilliant playwrights and performers?
Engage in Britain’s rich historical and contemporary theatrical tradition through theater and drama courses. In your core curriculum, you analyze the artistic, financial, and professional structures that influence theater in Britain, with an emphasis on London. You also examine key texts and performances within the relevant historical and cultural context and delve into theater criticism, reception theory, dramaturgy, and stage design.
London will be your classroom. Imagine all the shows you’ll see—at least nine with IES Abroad alone—as you witness performances at small fringe theater venues and companies, as well as larger performances to learn first-hand about the London theater industry. Expand your artistry by taking a creative workshop in playwriting. Intern as a theater assistant at a local venue to get an inside look at the London theater scene. London and all it has to offer will be part of your learning experience.
We want you to feel at home in London, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in London, from internships to cultural activities. The Theater Studies Program integrates field study into most courses, focusing on the many opportunities for learning that London presents, such as routine theater visits and a backstage tour of the National Theatre.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
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 insightful courses that explore Theater and Drama, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our professors and course options enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
All IES Abroad courses are taught by British and international faculty, and are designed to offer you a unique academic experience, combining the traditions of your home campus with the best of the British university system. You take 15–19 credits per semester. Fall and spring courses (there is no academic year option) are worth 3 credits unless otherwise noted. Credits awarded for supplementary university courses or tutorials may vary.
You create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:Required Courses (3 credits each)
Elective Courses (Select three courses from the options below to earn an additional 9 credits)
*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.
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.
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.
Supplementary courses are available at the following universities:
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.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.
*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 courses. Please also note that course selections in the Fall semester are more limited than those in the Spring.
Queen Mary, University of London (QM)Supplementary Course Option: 4 credits (Fall only)
QM 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.
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.
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:
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
Gain real work experience and skills
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.
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 1 for Fall, and by October 1 for Spring.
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.
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 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.
The IES Abroad 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 will also be 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 coursework of the Theater Studies Program, including internships, academic policies, and field trips. You receive academic advising and finalize your course registration during orientation.
Redefine the way you live and learn in London through our cultural events, such as:
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.Scotland4 Days | Fall & SpringSpend the night in Edinburgh, tour the highlands’ stunning scenery, dance at a traditional Scottish Ceilidh, and visit Loch Ness.Stonehenge & Bath2 Days | Fall & SpringVisit mysterious Stonehenge and the ancient Roman baths in Bath.
Brighton1 Day | Fall & SpringExplore the historic maze of twisting alleyways and enjoy an optional visit to the royal pavilion, one of Europe’s most exotic royal palaces.
Liverpool1 Day | Fall & SpringSpend one Saturday experiencing Liverpool. Enjoy a guided tour around the city including a visit to the Beatles Museum.
Oxford or Cambridge1 Day | Fall & SpringVisit one of these historic university towns, with their picturesque colleges and punting (like a gondola) on the river.
Stratford-Upon-Avon1 Day | Fall & SpringVisit Shakespeare’s house, place of birth, and place of his burial, Holy Trinity Church.
About the 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:
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
Kimberley Aparisio Assistant Director of Student Affairs
Sally HarrildAcademic Programmes Manager
Alice Kerby Direct Enrolment Programmes Coordinator
Dr. Diane AtkinsonAcademic Support
Simon CaustonSenior Student Affairs Manager
Natalie CrownStudent Affairs Coordinator
Beth LehlbachInternship Coordinator
Sachna Hanspal Internships Assistant
Zosia RutkowskaAssistant Director of Customised Programmes
Emily BrownProgramme Assistant
Martin HannanOffice Manager
What is it really like to live in London? Check out our virtual tour of all the places you’ll come to know and love when you study abroad there—GO!
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