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London - Theater Studies
$5 Million in Scholarships & Aid
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 insightful courses that explore theater, drama, and 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.
You take 15–19 credits per semester. Fall and spring courses (no academic year option) are 3 credits unless otherwise noted. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
- IES Abroad Theater courses (required, 3 credits each)
- DR355 Theater in London: Analyzing Text & Performance
- TH355 The Theater Industry: Inside & Out
- Elective Theater Courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- TH390 Playwriting Workshop
- LT351 Shakespeare the Dramatist
- TH350 European Approaches to Text and Theater Performance
- Elective Course at City, University of London or Queen Mary, Univeristy of London (optional, 4 credits each)
- Internship placement and seminar* (optional, 3 credits)
- Service learning placement and seminar* (optional, 3 credits)
- IES Abroad Study London Program elective courses (optional, 3 credits each)
*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.
** PROGRAM CHANGES STARTING FALL 2020 & BEYOND
- IES Abroad Theater courses (required, 3 credits each)
- DR355 Theater in London: Analyzing Text & Performance
- TH355 The Theater Industry: Inside & Out
- Elective Theater Courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- TH390 Playwriting Workshop
- LT351 Shakespeare the Dramatist
- TH350 European Approaches to Text and Theater Performance
- Elective Course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts or Queen Mary, Univeristy of London (optional, 3-4 credits each)
- Internship placement and seminar* (optional, 3 credits)
- Service learning placement and seminar* (optional, 3 credits)
- IES Abroad Study London Program elective courses (optional, 3 credits each)
*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.
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 | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| PO/CM 350 - Media and UK Politics | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/SO 352 - British Youth Culture From 1950 to the Present | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR 355 - Theatre In London: Analyzing Text And Performance | Fall, Spring | 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 - Representations of Identity, Nation and Values in British Cinema | Spring | English | 3 |
| FS 390 - London Video Film Production Workshop | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| FS/CM 325 - Censored! What the British Could Not See | Fall, 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 | 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 | English | 3 |
| LT 322 - Modern British Novel | Fall, 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 | 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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/SO 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 355 - The Theater Industry: Inside And Out | 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 our courses, we encourage you to enroll in a course offered at one of several prestigious British institutions. This is a great way to experience the British higher education system first-hand, meet British students, and study theater in a different context.
You may enroll in one supplementary course per semester for no additional cost. If you choose to enroll in more than one supplementary course, there is an additional per-course cost.
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. See the following for more specific information about each institution.
Courses can be taken at the following universities:
City, University London (City)
Supplementary Course Option: 4 credits
City received its charter in 1966, evolving from Northampton Polytechnic, a school that was founded nearly a century ago.
Courses in the following disciplines are particularly strong:
Note: 2-credit courses are not available to IES Abroad students. For course descriptions, visit City University's Academic Programme site.
- Actuarial Science
- Business
- Computer Science*
- Criminology
- Economics
- Finance
- Foreign Language
- Journalism** (majors only)
- Management
- Media & Communications
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Statistics
*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
Located in the diverse East End, QMUL is one of the largest colleges in the group of institutions that together make up the University of London. QMUL offers numerous drama courses, all worth 4 credits each.
Some possible options include:
For more course information, visit Queen Mary's module website.
- Early Modern Drama (spring)
- Feeling It: Emotion & Sensation in the Theatre (spring)
- Costume Dramas (spring)
- Cultural Histories of Theatre (fall)
- Culture, Performance & Globalization (fall)
- Just for Tourists: Travel, Event, Performance (fall)
- London/Culture/Performance (fall)
- London Performance (fall & spring)
- Naturalism (spring)
- Performance & Celebrity (spring)
- Performance & Community (fall)
- Performance, Sexuality, Identity (fall)
- Performing Illness & Disability (spring)
- Popular Theatre & Performance (spring)
- Race & Racism in Performance (fall)
- Show Business: Theatre & Capitalism (spring)
- Voice, Gender, Performance (fall)
You are welcome to enroll in classes in any academic department, although certain classes may have prerequisites. Please also note that enrollment in Queen Mary courses is limited in the spring term due to a conflicting final exams schedule.
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
** PROGRAM CHANGES STARTING FALL 2020 & BEYOND
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA)
Supplementary Course Option: (3 credits)
Founded in 1904, RADA offers vocational training for actors, stage managers, designers, and technical stagecraft specialists. RADA’s facilities are a 10-15 minute walk from the IES Abroad Center. In partnership with IES Abroad, RADA offers a course uniquely to our Theater
Studies students.
AGES & STAGES OF ENGLISH DRAMA (3 credits)
This course includes several weeks of intensive instruction at RADA where instructors will lead skills workshops focusing on five stages of English drama: Medieval Drama, Shakespeare’s Theatre, Restoration Comedy, Victorian Melodrama, and Contemporary British Theatre.
Following the weeks of instruction at RADA, students complete independent research under the guidance of IES Abroad faculty who will also conduct workshops on casting and audition techniques and actioning.
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 toward a common goal, you experience first-hand some of the social issues that affect London, while contributing your skills toward a community-driven solution.
A service learning experience consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a 3-credit service learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structured time for reflection, discussion, and even research on the issues of your host community.
All IES Abroad service learning placements are supervised. Placement examples include:
- Education
- Mental Health Outreach
- NGO Administration
- Public Health Administration
- Social Outreach
Internships
Interning while you study in London gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:
- Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
- Add global work experience and skills to your résumé or your application for graduate school
- Improve your confidence
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal internship placement that fulfills your academic and career goals. We’ve placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently work with a business or organization in your field of interest, we will search for a placement that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always seeking out new opportunities for our students.
- Arts & Museums
- Business
- Education
- Media
- Politics
- 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.) Talk to your IES Abroad Advisor for more information on deadlines.
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.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad London organizes course-related trips that complement our courses and contribute to a general knowledge of British culture and society.
At least nine theater visits with live performances and tours are incorporated into the program as fundamental supplements to classroom learning. You share the cost of these visits with IES Abroad.
Some Study London Program electives include a tour of London’s East End, as well as architectural walking tours. Many courses integrate theater visits and tours into their curriculum. Past trips have included attending a London Mime Festival Show, recording a voiceover in a professional studio, meeting with a professional casting director, actor, or designer from one of the shows you attend, and more.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in England is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation 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.
Orientation
The IES Abroad orientation takes place in and around London, and is designed to orient you to the program, your fellow students, and the city.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
Other highlights include a London bus and walking tour, a welcome event, and a visit to the Tower of London. 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.
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 in Central London – You and another IES Abroad student share a room with an en-suite bathroom and have access to a common kitchen or ensuite kitchenette. Meals are not included.
There are laundry facilities and WiFi access throughout the building, and you will have access to a fitness facility.
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
Get to Know Your New City
Explore Neighborhoods
The best way to get a feel for this culturally-vibrant metropolis is to visit some of its 48 distinct neighborhoods.
Walk Along the Thames
Snap an obligatory photo from the Westminster Bridge as you begin your stroll along the Southbank.
Tour the Tower of London
Set along the River Thames, this imposing castle has been a part of the London skyline since 1078.
Unwind in Parks & Gardens
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.
Take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter
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.
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Edward Mowatt Endowed Scholarship
These scholarships are for students on IES Abroad London semester and year programs.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Scholarships & 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
Jasdeep Dhanda
Academic Development Manager
Hayden Gray
University Liaison Officer
Dr. Diane Atkinson
Academic Support
Laura Scott
Student Affairs Manager
David Watt
Student Affairs Coordinator
Beth Lehlbach
Internships Manager
Sachna Hanspal
Senior Internships Coordinator
Elaine Staunton
Internships Assistant
Zosia Rutkowska
Assistant Director of Customised Programmes
Emily Brown
Customized Programs Coordinator
Martin Hannan
Head of Operations
Latest from London
Here is Queen Elizabeth I's Court from Hope Summer Repertory Theatre's production of Shakespeare in Love. I am second from the left. Costumes were designed by Stacy Hicks.
Contact a Past Participant
From budgeting tips to housing insight, 500+ IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad experiences and advice.
