Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Travel to one of the most vibrant cities in the world - and site of the London 2012 summer Olympics - with a group of your UW-Madison peers! The UW in London program is located in the heart of London, snug in the Royal Borough (neighborhood) of Kensington and Chelsea. From here, you can navigate by foot or hop on a double-decker bus to explore long-established libraries, theaters, palaces and museums. Take advantage of program events and activities to experience British culture and life in the UK.
This exciting spring semester program allows you the unique opportunity of selecting 1-2 courses specifically designed by a UW-Madison professor. You'll also have the freedom to choose from a variety of additional courses taught by well-respected British instructors. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, and are specially designed for American students new to London. Field trips and weekend excursions with your UW-Madison classmates offer a unique way to contextualize all that you learn about local art, history, theatre and more.
Interested in learning more? Contact Danielle, an IAP Peer Advisor who participated on the program. Or, check out the UW in London online info session!
The Kensington and Chelsea neighborhoods are an excellent hub for all that London has to offer. As viewed from the top of the London Eye or from a cafe window during afternoon tea, there is a lot to explore. Work your way through rustic libraries and an assortment of museums, including the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria Museum and Albert Museum. To enjoy the outdoors, shop at local markets and lounge in the Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park or Holland Park.
World famous department stores, such as Harrods, and trendy boutiques are intermittently located next to convenience stores and supermarkets. In the heart of it all, Kensington Palace lends an added touch of elegance to the city, accompanied by Royal Albert Hall, the Royal College of Art and the Royal College of Music.
Getting to Your Program
You will be given guidelines for arrival dates and times, but are responsible for making your own travel arrangements.
Visa
Prior to departure, you must obtain a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the end of the program. You will enter the United Kingdom as a Student Visitor, which requires specific documentation upon your arrival in the U.K. IAP will assist you with this process.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program. Upon arrival, there is an on-site orientation arranged by London staff.
Housing
You will share a flat (apartment) with other program participants in the Kensington neighborhood. Each flat has its own bathroom, kitchen and living area. All housing is located within walking distance of the program office and classrooms. Dining options such as grocery stores and restaurants are also conveniently located nearby.
Excursions and Activities
Enrich your appreciation for the fine arts in the West End theatre district, at a ballet production or musical performance with your peers. Snap a photo by the tower of London, tour the British Museum and visit the Houses of Parliament. Spend your morning at Stonehenge or Oxford and participate in fanfare at a soccer match in the afternoon...the possibilities are endless!
Part of the program fee includes an allowance for organized group excursions and activities to help you capture the full London experience. Past participants have covered a lot of ground and so can you! These excursions are prearranged and often include a local tour guide to answer any of your questions. Past participants have called these trips "one of the best things about the UW in London program." They allow you to see as much of London as you want without having to plan each outing. The outings are optional, but most students take advantage of almost all of them. You can choose to do as many or as few of these as you want, but they’re a great way to see different parts of the city!
On the weekend, many students choose to explore England and surrounding areas by traveling. Additionally, a one-week spring break is built into the semester, allowing you to expand your travels to neighboring European destinations. Our on-site program staff are happy to help provide suggestions and advice for activities during your free time in the city.
You will receive a student ID card to utilize the student union at Imperial College, a local British university. You can access sports facilities, cafes and bars, print shops, special interest clubs, guest speakers and live music. This is also where students may join clubs and associations, which is an excellent way to meet British students.
Insurance
All participants in IAP programs are enrolled in health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). The cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
On-Site Support
The on-site staff is ready to assist you with anything you may need while abroad. The UW in London office is located in Foundation House, and you will probably find yourself stopping by at least once a day to chat or check out the latest events planned for the program. The staff are an excellent resource for questions you may have about the city, England, or Europe in general. They are incredibly friendly and approachable.
Returned Student Network
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here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Student Profiles
Check out student profiles to learn more about their experience abroad.
Elizabeth Macias Chris EppingJillian Levy
Student Testimonials
"Living and traveling in Europe is perfect for students who are interested in some of the world's earliest modern cities. The people, the art, the music, the architecture are all so amazing and beautiful and interesting, it's hard to imagine that anyone wouldn't love studying in London." - Jillian L.
Video
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Jillian L
The UW in London program allows you to cater your course load to reflect your interests in humanities and social science. Throughout the curriculum, expert instructors emphasize British culture, integrating historic details about London and revealing stories about its celebrated artists and historical figures. These hands-on courses are only available to UW-Madison students.
In the Spring of 2014, UW Professor Lee Palmer Wandel from the Department of History will be teaching two courses for the program. Your course schedule will include at least one of her classes. More info about the specific courses she'll be teaching will be posted soon.
