Program

There is something irresistible about London. Maybe it’s the sights like Big Ben or the Tower Bridge that already feel familiar. Or the international character that is evident in every neighborhood, where people of different cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds live and work together. Whatever it is that has drawn you to London, don’t look back now—London awaits!

This is your chance to live and learn alongside students from the UK and around the world by directly enrolling at University College London.

You can learn more about the program on the IES London: University College London program website.

Academic Program

Students usually apply to one or sometimes two academic departments and then select courses from these and/or other departments.

The UCL undergraduate program consists of a series of lectures, seminars, and tutorials (and lab classes if enrolling in science subjects). Tutorial classes are much smaller than lecture courses and, in some departments, are taught on a one-on-one basis.

UCL offers a wide range of disciplines, with particular strengths in:

• Archaeology
• English and Literature
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Philosophy

In addition, courses are available in a huge variety of other departments, including:

• Biological and Chemical Sciences
• Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Fine Art
• Management
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Physics and Astronomy
• Management
• Mathematics
• Political Science
• Psychology

Courses

You will work directly with IES Abroad and UCL to select and finalize your courses schedule after you have been formally accepted to the program.

You can find more information about the academics at UCL, as well as a list of available courses, course descriptions, syllabi, etc. on the IES Abroad website.

You will enroll in four courses (16 semester hours) per semester.

Transcripts and Grades

Your courses will be graded using the US letter grade system. IES Abroad will send your grade report to the University of Iowa several weeks after the end of your program. Your grades will then be applied to your cumulative GPA as transfer credit, the same way credit transferred from any US college or university would be.

Students can expect their grades to appear on their UI grade report around two or three months after they return from studying abroad.

Applying credit toward a UI degree

Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course.

If you plan to apply the credit you receive for your program course to a major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, contact your UI study abroad advisor for details on the process. 

Cultural Activities

Even though your adventure starts in London, IES’s 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.

You can find more information about excursions and activities on the IES program website.

Program Dates

Program dates vary from year to year, but typically follow the University of Iowa’s academic calendar.

This program is not offered during the summer session.

You can find the specific dates for the upcoming programs on the IES program website.

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with IES Abroad, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Where You Will Study

This program is hosted by IES Abroad, a study abroad program provider with more than 60 years of experience offering programs all over the word.

Features include

• 18th century Georgian building
• Classrooms
• Gender Neutral Bathrooms
• Library Resources
• Outdoor Patio
• Printing Facilities
• Staff Offices
• Student Lounge
• Wireless Internet

University College London (UCL)

Founded in 1826, the University College London’s (UCL- http://www.ucl.ac.uk/) is considered one of the world’s top universities. It is consistently ranked in the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom, and in the 20 universities in the world overall, and is particularly known for its Archaeology, Geography, Psychology, Engineering, Medical Science, and Natural Science departments. It currently enrolls 17,800 undergraduate, and 20,400 graduate students, including students from more than 140 countries. UCL is located in the heart of the Bloomsbury neighborhood of London. It boasts several world class museums and libraries on its campus, and is steps away from the British Library, British Museum, and other major sites in London.

London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, and the largest city in the UK London is a leading global city in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, research, tourism, and transportation. It is a tremendously diverse city of 8.6 million people, representing dozens of cultures and hundreds of languages.

London holds something for everyone- as the saying goes, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

England, United Kindgom

England is a member of the United Kingdom, which also includes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It features a diverse landscape, friendly people, and a rich history.

The United Kingdom (UK) refers to the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This is in contrast to another common name, Great Britain, which excludes Northern Ireland. Life and culture in the UK is different from that in the US. Experiencing this rich tradition is what studying in the UK is all about!

Some general facts about the UK:

• The UK uses the British Pound as its currency.
• Communication from the UK is easy. Cell phones are relatively inexpensive, the internet is easily accessible, and post offices are plentiful.
• British food is unique! Try fish and chips, bangers and mash, steak pie, Indian curry, neeps and tatties, haggis, and more!
• The UK is a relatively safe environment. Police are helpful and visible. Emergency services are reliable. Pharmacies, called 'chemists', are common and carry a wide variety of medicine and other essentials.
• The UK has a temperate climate, influenced by the ocean that surrounds it. It is never too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. Rain is common most of the year. Make sure to take plenty of warm clothes and waterproof shoes.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

IES Abroad helps to arrange housing at one of UCL’s student accommodations. You can learn more about IES housing options on the IES program website.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements (Flights)

Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.

Local Transportation

London has an excellent public transportation system comprised of the world-famous ‘Tube’ system, buses, and taxis. London's modern, international airport provides a hub to all major European capital cities, as well as other major cities around the world.

Eligibility

This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment- Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter, and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
• Minimum 3.3 - 3.7 cumulative GPA- Students must have at minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA to participate in this program. Students who wish to take courses from the English or Management departments must have a 3.5 GPA. Students who wish to take courses from the Economics department must have a 3.7 GPA. Students must meet the published GPA requirement for their desired department of study to be considered.
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Junior or Senior status- Participants must have Junior or Senior status at the start of the session abroad.
  
• Approval by IES and UI Study Abroad- Applications will be reviewed by UI Study Abroad, and by IES Abroad, and students will be accepted based on their review of their application materials.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming- Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programing presented by UI Study Abroad and IES Abroad.
• 18 years of age- Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
  

Additional notes on eligibility

• Program eligibility requirements may change per IES Abroad policies. Before applying, it is important that you review the eligibility requirements listed on IES Abroad website for your program to ensure you meet all listed requirements.

Costs

Students will be responsible for paying many of their program costs through their University of Iowa U-Bill, while other costs will be out-of-pocket costs paid by the student directly to vendors before and after going abroad. Refer to the cost sheets below for details on the costs associated with this program.

The cost sheets outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session. Final cost sheets for future sessions are typically available early in the semester before the session begins.

Cost Sheets

• Cost Sheet- IES London: University College London Spring 2025

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• The course fee/tuition, housing costs, plane tickets and transportation costs, personal expenses, visa and immigration fees, and other costs of attendance per the IES Abroad program website.

The cost sheet does not include the following optional additional costs:

Additional Optional Costs Paid to IES Abroad

• Optional Tours with IES Abroad
• Optional immigration processes
• Course materials for optional IES Abroad classes
• Surcharges for designated Science and Engineering-related subjects, and courses in Anthropology, Archaeology, Fine Art, Geography, and Psychology.

Optional fees vary by session, and will be available shortly before the upcoming session.

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

The cost of personal travel depends entirely on each student’s individual travel plans and spending habits. Estimates for personal travel costs provided by past students on this program vary significantly from $1,500 to as much as $9,000 or more per session.

More Information about Optional Additional Costs

Students should budget additional funds to cover the costs not described on the program cost sheet. Contact IES Abroad for more information about these optional additional costs.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application Fee (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Course Fees- Includes program tuition, housing, some meals, IES health insurance (charged shortly before departure)
• Study Abroad Fee (charged shortly before departure)
• CISI Health Insurance (charged shortly before departure)

Out of Pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids- (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse.)
• Food- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad.)
• Visa fees- (paid by student on arrival to the UK, or shortly before arrival/before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed. See the Immigration/Visa section under the Predeparture tab for more information.)
• Local Transportation- (paid at student’s discretion while abroad.)
• Cell phone- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Passport- (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.)
• Textbooks- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Medical Exam/Immunizations- (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad.)
• Optional IES tours, course materials and additional surcharges, optional immigration processes, and personal travel expenses- (paid as needed while abroad)

Financial Aid & Scholarships

You can find information about options for funding your study abroad experience, including financial aid, scholarships, grants, etc, on UI Study Abroad’s Funding Website.

In addition, take a look at IES Abroad’s Scholarship website for information about scholarships offered directly through your program provider.

How to Apply

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353 or through the Advising Appointment section of your MyUI account.
• Meet with your academic advisor to review your program and ensure that it is a good match for your academic and personal goals.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, request the online UI study abroad program application for your chosen program from your UI study abroad advisor. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Create an account in the IES Portal and complete the online application for your desired program.
• Complete all of the online sections of the application. Note: The IES online application takes 1-2 business days to activate. Submit your application 1-2 days before the IES application deadline to ensure it is received in time to be considered.
• Send an official University of Iowa transcript to IES Abroad. You can find information about requesting an official transcript here: Requesting a Transcript
• Upload any additional documents required for your IES application.
• Your Study Abroad advisor will complete the Home School Authorization once you have completed the UI application and the IES application.
• IES Abroad will contact you by email to inform you of your acceptance decision within several weeks.

Post-Acceptance

Confirmation

If you are accepted to your IES program, you will be asked to commit to participating in your program by submitting 1) the University of Iowa Confirmation of Participation form, and 2) the IES Abroad Intent to Enroll document.

After you have formally confirmed your plans to participate, you will work both with UI Study Abroad and with IES Abroad. Follow instructions from both. Later in the semester, your UI study abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Fall and Academic Year is February 24.

The application deadline for the Spring session is September 2.

Health & Safety Planning

All students preparing to study abroad should review the following:

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Immigration/Visa

All program participants are required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in your host country. UI Study Abroad and your program provider/host institution abroad will provide you with immigration instructions prior to departure.

Note that permission to enter and study in your host country is provided exclusively by the host country’s government based on that country's immigration requirements. Your host country’s immigration requirements may include considerations related to specific national origin, national heritage, criminal background status, and similar issues that can make it impossible to receive permission to enter the country in some cases. Contact your UI study abroad advisor for more information.

It is essential that you thoroughly review all of your immigration materials before you leave for your host country to ensure that they are absolutely complete and accurate. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that all of your immigration materials are in order and fully accurate before you leave for your host country. If any of your immigration materials contain inaccurate information of any kind, contact your UI study abroad advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Do not take steps to complete your host country’s immigration requirements until you receive more information from UI Study Abroad.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.