FAQs

You can also view these FAQs on the International Programs Forum

1. How much does it cost to study in London?
2. How many classes do I have to take?
3. How many classes should I take?
4. What kind of courses can I take?
5. What are the classes like?
6. Will I receive transfer credit for my courses taken in London?
7. What fields are available if I choose to participate in an internship (i.e. work placement)?
8. Which housing option should I choose?
9. What if I want to arrive prior to the start of the program or depart after the end of it? Will I have a place to stay?
10. Do I need to bring blankets, sheets & towels?
11. Are utilities included in the rent payments?
12. What kinds of student services will I have access to while in London?
13. I want to do a lot of traveling throughout Europe. Is this possible on the London program?
14. Are there organized excursions or trips outside of London?
15. What is a Resident Director? Why is Dr. Laurie Koehler so important to the program?
16. There has been terrorist activity in London recently. Is it unsafe to study there?

1. How much does it cost to study in London?

You will find that the costs of the program are very comparable to other programs offered through our office as well as other programs (outside of our office) in London. It is true that London ranks as an expensive city to live in, but if you budget wisely, student finances can go a long way. In addition, there is plenty to do absolutely free of charge.

All financial aid (for UM students) applies to the program. We offer scholarships through our office prior to application as well as a scholarship available only to accepted students. There are also a number of scholarships and loan opportunities offered outside of our office.

If you pay out-of-state tuition you may be interested in making a comparison. The cost of out-of-state tuition at UM for the 07/08 year is $11,100. The program fee for the spring in London is $8,250. Thus, students paying out-of-state tuition pay less for the academic program by studying in London.

2. How many classes do I have to take?

Student must enroll full-time while studying abroad. Thus, you must take at least 12 credits per semester while on the London program.

3. How many classes should I take?

The decision is yours whether to register for 12 credits (minimum) or 15 credits, although students taking a work placement may only enroll in 12 credits. Both course loads are manageable and your decision should be based on several factors, including: credit hours needed to stay on track for graduation, whether you wish to take advantage of as many of the unique course offerings in London as you can, and whether you have been able to manage 15 credits in the past.

4. What kind of courses can I take?

Please visit our Academics page to learn more. You must enroll in at least two of the six available University of Maryland courses, which are specifically designed for you and are only offered to program participants. In addition, you have the option of enrolling in courses at London Metropolitan University. Courses in more than 20 different disciplines are pre-approved, so whether you are a science, history, theatre, or business major, there will likely be courses available for you to keep you on track for your major and graduation. In addition, for an extra fee students can register for a work placement (‘internship’).

5. What are the classes like?

There are two types of courses. Please visit our Academics page to learn more about them.

The University of Maryland courses are taught by adjunct professors and are only offered to program participants. Class sizes are small (fewer than 16 students per class), and are specifically designed to introduce students to British arts, culture, politics, economics and history. To a varying degree courses will include London as a classroom: for instance, students are taken to the theatre, to art museums, and on historical walks, etc. The small class sizes, the quality of the instruction, the experiential nature of the courses, and the emphasis on Britain and London are always evaluated positively by students.

The London Metropolitan University courses offer students the opportunity to experience British higher education first-hand. The structure and teaching style of courses is very different from that in the USA, with an emphasis on more independent thought and motivation from students, as well as more research-based assessment. Final grades are based on fewer submissions (typically one or two essays, possibly with an oral presentation or examination).

Overall, students returning from London explain that the courses are not necessarily harder than those in the USA, but the teaching styles and structure are different.

6. Will I receive transfer credit for my courses taken in London?

Because all courses taken on the London program are pre-approved by UM departments, UM students will receive ‘Resident Credit’. This means that the courses appear on your transcript as if they were taken on the UM College Park campus. The transcript will note that your term was spent in London, but the grades you earn will appear on your official transcript and be factored in to your cumulative GPA at UM. Because all courses on the London semester are resident credit and are pre-approved (see the ‘Academics’ page), UM advisors and faculty members understand the courses you will be taking and know how they figure into your graduation requirements.

7. What fields are available if I choose to participate in an internship (i.e. work placement)?

Please see the ‘Internships’ page to read about work placements that past London students have done. This will give you an idea as to the variety of fields available if you choose to participate in this aspect of the London program.

The only fields for which there are no work placements available are the lab sciences and engineering. We cannot guarantee placement in your first choice field, although the success rate is quite high: however, some flexibility about your placement is required.

8. Which housing option should I choose?

It depends. Please refer to our Accommodations page and read over the information carefully to help you decide which option to select.

International Students House (ISH) is cheaper and allows more interaction with students outside the program. It is a dorm comparable to those in the USA (with communal bathrooms and kitchen facilities), so a certain amount of privacy must be sacrificed. There are only eight places available at ISH for the London program and these are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so those students who choose ISH are given places based on the date of submission of the completed application and the payment of the deposit. Students choosing this option must live in a double room with an international (i.e. non-American) roommate.

The Euracom flats offer more privacy and include a living room and kitchen, so it is more expensive than living at ISH. Students are housed in buildings with long-term tenants, so you must abide by tenancy rules and landlord requirements. Because Maryland student participants live together, you must make an effort to get involved in an outside activity it you wish to meet the ‘locals’. There is no limit to the number of spaces available for students wishing to live in a Euracom flat.

Finding your own flat in London is recommended to those students who are truly independent, comfortable with negotiating a lease, and willing to be ‘thrown in at the deep end.’ Searching and identifying a flat are rather time-consuming, but for the right kind of student this option is a unique opportunity to live in a flat with residents of London. The Resident Director offers guidance if required.

9. What if I want to arrive prior to the start of the program or depart after the end of it? Will I have a place to stay?

Your housing contract is valid only for the duration of the program. Please see the Dates & Fees page for these specifics.

If space is available, students can request temporary housing at International Students House on a cost per night basis, either before the housing contract starts or after it ends. Please notify us well ahead of time so that we can put you in touch with the appropriate people.


10. Do I need to bring blankets, sheets & towels?

For the Euracom flats, all of these are provided in the cost of the rent. At International Students' House, you will not be provided with towels, but you will be provided with blankets and sheets.

11. Are utilities included in the rent payments?

Yes, as a charge of approximately 10 pounds per student, per week. Additionally, at the end of the semester all meters are read (electricity, gas), and the calculation is made for internet use. The total amount is divided amongst the number of students in the flat and any residual funds are returned to the students together with remaining funds from the deposit; all as a credit to the credit card. Deductions from the deposit include a mandatory final cleaning and any damages.

12. What kinds of student services will I have access to while in London?

Students have access to:

• The University of London Senate House Library. Students enrolled in London Metropolitan University courses will also have access to their library.
• The Gower Street Clinic for routine medical care.
• The University of London student union, its services and activities, including a recreational center.
• International Students House (ISH), its services and activities.
• The on-site Resident Director, Dr. Laurie Koehler.

13. I want to do a lot of traveling throughout Europe. Is this possible on the London program?

London is a wonderful city from which it is relatively simple and cheap to travel to the rest of Europe. Exposure to all that Europe has to offer is worth pursuing. However, a balance needs to be found between travel and living (and studying!) in London: this may be the only real chance you have to live in a foreign county and get truly involved and immersed in a different culture. Too much time spent traveling and seeing sights abroad instead of getting to know people in London will invariably result in regrets at the end of your stay – we have ample evidence of this from past participants.

If you take advantage of all that London and the United Kingdom have to offer while living there, it will remain a ‘second home’ to you. Please see the ‘Living in London’ page for more information about what to do in your free time.

14. Are there organized excursions or trips outside of London?

Yes! The University of Maryland will subsidize one excursion allowing you to visit a part of Great Britain you might otherwise not see. The choices for excursions change each semester based on destinations on offer by the travel agent we work with, but we generally try to include two excursions with an overnight stay and one day trip. Students must make a nominal contribution if they choose to take an overnight excursion; if they select a day trip, the cost is completely covered by the program fee.

15. What is a Resident Director? Why is Dr. Laurie Koehler so important to the program?

The administration of any study abroad program includes work handled in the USA and on-site management. The Resident Director in the UK is the primary administrator abroad, who lives in London, is very familiar with the area, its customs, etc., and is in constant contact with the home campus staff in order to ensure the most successful and rewarding experience for the students.

Dr. Laurie Koehler has been the Resident Director for the Maryland-in-London program for almost 15 years. She is originally from the USA but moved to Germany and then to London, where she has lived for the past 25 years. Dr. Koehler earned her Ph.D. in Germany and is well-known in the area of UK study abroad. She manages all aspects of the London program and is available to deal with any needs students may have while studying there, be it personal, academic, professional, or otherwise.

16. There has been terrorist activity in London recently. Is it unsafe to study there?

Although we cannot ensure the safety of anyone on our program, policies are in place for emergencies. Please visit the Safety & Security section, which explains the measures our office has in place prior to an emergency, and the steps it takes in the case of an emergency.

No one can ever guarantee a student’s safety on a study abroad program. In general, however, we have found that as long as students prepare themselves by reading pre-departure materials, attend all recommended or required orientations, and remain vigilant while overseas, it is rare that they experience safety or security problems.

We understand that this topic is very important to both students and their parents, so if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. We would be happy to speak with you and to answer any questions you may have.