Semester Study + Intern in London
University of Westminster
Learn the ropes in this economic and cultural hotspot.
Live fully, learn intently, and grow professionally on this study and intern abroad combination program! Spend a semester in the heart of London, with icons like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and the BBC a short walk or Tube ride away. Your academic base will be the historic yet modern University of Westminster, renowned for its student diversity and support. Choose from over 700 courses that take place across the University’s four campus locations. The icing on the cake (and ultimate booster of your resume!) is the internship component, which will place you at a local host organization according to your academic background and career ambitions.
What to Expect:
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Language: English
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Average Courseload: 3-4 courses (12-16 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.7 | 3.0 (for Media, Art, & Design courses)
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Visa Requirements: YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
- Central campus location places you in the heart of London
- Internship provides practical experience and exceptional resume content
- Gain independence while moving through the city from your housing to class and work
- Make new friends on campus and at work, with peers from around the world
- Choose from a variety of internship placements
Program Details
Internship

The Experience
This program is designed to familiarize you with the practices and culture of the British business sector. Students enrolled in the program will be taking several academic courses while completing a supervised workplace practicum (internship) to gain international work experience!
Internships are available in the following fields*:
Business
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Marketing
Communications
- Communication
- Journalism
- Public Relations
Social Sciences & Humanities
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Sustainable Development
Visual/Performing Arts & Design
- Design
- Fashion Design
- Music/Theater/Dance
- Studio Art/Art History
Don’t see your field? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help find the best internship for you!
*Placements in the fields above are not guaranteed due to the changing needs of the local businesses/organizations and applicant qualifications. We always try to make the best match for you!
Credit:
Your internship will be the equivalent of one course, 3-4 US credits. You will also take 2-3 other courses during the semester.
University of Westminster
At the University of Westminster, you’ll experience high-quality education on a 165-year-old historic campus in the heart of bustling London. The University is one of the largest in the United Kingdom. Situated in the center of London, you’ll have easy access to explore the city and beyond. Plus, Westminster is famed for its international community of nearly 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries. The University recently received the Times Higher Education Award for “Outstanding Support for International Students.” With the largest and longest-running U.S. study abroad programs, you’ll be making the right choice.
The academic calendar follows the U.S. university calendar, so you can easily find a term that fits with your study abroad schedule. Three of the university’s four campuses are superbly located in the center of London, near the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the BBC, and the British Museum. The fourth campus enjoys a tranquil, scenic location just 20 minutes away by public transportation, or the “Tube.” Student services will help you transition to life in the big city. At the same time, you’ll have all the freedom to explore London and make it your home.
The 2013 QS World University Rankings ranked the University’s programs in media, communications, and journalism 1st (UK), 2nd (EU), and 19th (World). The Complete University Guide (CUG) ranked the university’s art and design program within the top ten in the UK (6th) for 2014.
Accreditation(s): Privy Council of the United Kingdom and Ministry of State for Universities, Science and Cities
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
- Engineering
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Art & Design
- Business
- Communications
- Natural & Applied Sciences
- Health
- Humanities
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Study + Intern
Combine coursework with an academic internship on this unique study and intern abroad program! Alongside your part-time internship, you’ll take three or four courses, one of which will be an internship-complementing course.
Intern
Internships are part-time, with 14 hours of internship work over two or three days per week. Placements last the duration of the semester.
Internship placements are available in a wide variety of fields across essentially any industry you expect to find in a city as large and diverse as London. Placements have been made across various business sectors, NGOs, humanities, arts, and social sciences.
Your internship work is in conjunction with the Professional and Personal Skills Development course. Your experience will be reflected in that course on your University of Westminster transcript. The course encourages you to reflect on both your work and learning and prepares you for articulating your experience to prospective employers.
Learn more about the internship component here.
Study
University of Westminster offers over 700 classes, or “modules,” for CIS Abroad participants to choose from! You’ll learn from high-caliber British and international faculty alongside peers from around the world.
NOTE: Students who choose two or more courses from the Media and Design Department are automatically considered for housing at Harrow Hall. They will also have to submit a portfolio to take practical design courses. The GPA minimum for the design program is 3.0.
NOTE: Students in the four-module program can take a maximum of two practical modules from the Westminster School of Media Arts and Design and up to two London Studies modules. Students in the three-module program can take a maximum of two practical modules from the Westminster School of Media Arts and Design and a maximum of one London Studies module.
Westminster Study Abroad students must choose between the three and four module tracks:
Click here for the Module Catalog! Please note, you can use the courses from previous terms as a good indication of what to expect for your semester, as they don’t typically vary too much from year to year. Once the new courses have been finalized they will be updated here.
Course approval: It is best to get 8 classes approved before you go abroad. This way you will have plenty of classes to choose from and some flexibility in setting up your schedule. You should also consider filling your elective requirements.
Please note that you will not be registered for your modules until you arrive at the University of Westminster and go through their orientation program. You will, however, be pre-approved for modules ahead of time, and you will be notified if any of your module choices are not available for any reason.
Why Life in London
A hotspot for art, fashion, film, history, music, theater, and nightlife, London is an experience in itself. Explore the many diverse markets across the city, including the punk-rock-inspired Camden market and colorful Portobello Road. Visit the Globe Theatre to see some of Shakespeare’s most famous works performed live. Many of London’s museums are free and house some of the most renowned works of art and artifacts. Cruise down the River Thames or find a rooftop with a sweeping view of the spectacular city below. As the saying goes, coined by famous author Samuel Johnson, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
The London Underground makes navigating this big city easy. Also called “the Tube,” it’s the oldest underground railway in the world. Combined with London’s train and bus systems, the entire city is well connected and accessible. Walking is also a great way to see the sights. You’ll glimpse contrasts between beautiful Victorian architecture situated next to some of the most modern buildings in the world. Stroll to one of the nearby well-preserved parks to enjoy green surroundings in the midst of a bustling city.
Feel like taking a weekend trip to the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool? Or checking out a Manchester United football match? Or taking a quick jaunt to a traditional seaside town? Thanks to England’s rail system, the whole country is easily accessible by train. And if you want to travel farther afield, London’s international rail and air links make European excursions both easy and affordable!
Live The Local Life
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West End Show
London’s theater scene is second to none. Catch a musical or a play with your onsite staff!
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Victoria & Albert Museum
This incredible museum houses over 4.5 million objects and spans over 5,000 years of art. No wonder it’s one of the world’s largest museums!
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Afternoon Tea
Indulge in this fancy British tradition first introduced in 1840.
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Portobello Road Market Walking Tour
Let your on-site staff take you on a tour of one of London’s most famous neighborhoods and markets! (It’s also where the movie Notting Hill was filmed.)
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Evensong at Westminster Abbey
Hear the angelic voices of the Westminster Abbey choir during the traditional afternoon service that takes place every day in this famous UNESCO World Heritage site.
Housing in London
Location
While at the University of Westminster, students live in private rooms in apartment-style residence halls across the city. The residence halls are located within a half hour of the University campuses. London’s public transportation system allows for an easy commute.
There are three residence halls you may be placed in during the semester: Alexander Fleming, Harrow, and Marlebone. All three have single rooms, and students living in Marlebone will also have en-suite bathrooms.
Each hall is closely located to famous sites throughout London, as well as supermarkets, shops, and pubs.
Check out the video and photo gallery to see what your housing may be like. The apartments pictured are ones that have been available in the past.
Meals
Each unit has a modern well-equipped kitchen that you can use to prepare your meals. Put your skills to the test and try making your own versions of local favorites!
NOTE:
Towels, toiletries, and kitchenware are NOT provided. We recommend waiting until you arrive in London to purchase these items. It may be possible to share the cost of kitchenware with other students living in the residence hall.
Inclusions and Amenities
- BathroomSharedEnsuite
- CommutePublic Transportation
- Desk
- Single Room
- Study Areas
- Television
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing (residence halls)
- Medical and accident insurance
- CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
- Academic advising
- Financial aid counseling
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Pre-departure orientation
- Airport pickup
- University of Westminster orientation
- 4+ day trips
- On-site support
- Student Union fees
- University of Westminster official transcript
- The Local Life cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival, take part in a comprehensive orientation program. Learn the “do’s and don’ts” of living in London, like how to get around by public transportation, how to stay safe, what to do in case of an emergency, and who to contact if you have any questions. Your site director will also give you tips on how to budget in a city that is notorious for being one of the most expensive in Europe, if not the world. Also learn all about the favorite places in town (restaurants, museums, markets, and more). And join in on a welcome meal, something traditional and yummy (ever had fish and chips or a Sunday roast?) so that you can start to taste the local flavors.
Farewell & Re-Entry Program
While you might expect British culture and language to feel familiar enough, re-entering home after living in such a lively city as London will certainly change the way you perceive the world. We’ll prepare you for re-entry before you leave, walking you through some of the things to expect to help you reflect on your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights. We’ll gather ’round over a tasty meal to share our favorite memories and impart some sage advice on what to expect from reverse culture shock.
Program Excursions

Brighton
Join us for a daytrip to one of England’s most famous seaside towns. With its iconic pier and beautiful pavilion built by King George IV, Brighton is a popular, easy to reach destination for those looking to escape London’s bustle. Spend time walking along the rocky shore or playing in one of the many arcades. And complete the trip with a bit of fresh fish and chips!

Hampton Court Palace
Visit Henry VIII’s elaborate Tudor palace on the banks of the River Thames. See the Great Hall where he entertained hundreds of guests with sumptuous banquets and entertainment. Listen out for the cries of Catherine Howard’s ghost as we tour the Haunted Gallery. Then tour William and Mary’s apartments, designed by the great architect Christopher Wren before exploring the gardens and getting lost in Hampton Court’s world famous maze.

Windsor Castle and Eton
Windsor Castle has been the royal home and fortress for over 900 years, and along with the surrounding town demonstrates the essence if British life. The castle is the Queen’s official residence and is also used for state visits and other formal duties. In addition to the Castle, Windsor is home to St. Georges Chapel which has been used for hundreds of Royal weddings, christenings, and funerals. Eton College lies just across the peaceful River Thames, and the city is also a perfect place for nature lovers who can explore Windsor Great Park and weave their way around the castle.
Site Director
Travel Tip:
Save money on your Oyster Card and walk everywhere. There are so many different neighbourhoods that await to be explored and hidden treasures to be discovered. Get lost in the city and take time to enjoy the experience!
Travel Tip:
Save money on your Oyster Card and walk everywhere. There are so many different neighbourhoods that await to be explored and hidden treasures to be discovered. Get lost in the city and take time to enjoy the experience!
About:
Anna holds a B.A. in English and German from Ca’Foscari University of Venice. The Italian village where she was born was never enough for her, and from a young age she decided she wanted to see the world and meet a lot of people from different cultures. Fascinated by foreign languages and traveling, she first studied abroad in London when she was in high school and then at Humboldt Universität in Berlin a few years after. New York City holds a special place in her heart, ever since he was an intern at the Italian Cultural Institute there. After volunteering and working for the not-for-profit association AFS Intercultural Program, helping hundreds of high school students enroll and prepare for their experience abroad, she moved to London and focused on working with university students. She has been part of the CIS Abroad on-site team in London for almost five years now and has extensive knowledge about all our London programs. She loves musicals, fashion, playing tennis, hiking, drinking green tea and matcha, and is an intrepid backpacker.
Your Support Staff

Make sure to explore the city that you’re in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they’re studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens’ so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don’t neglect what you have right in front of you!

You’ll be supported every step of the way!
Advising
Kaylee Klinger, our student advisor and 2x CIS Abroad alum, can help match you with a program that fits your academic and personal objectives. It’s not always an easy choice, but you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve decided, we’ll guide to you submit an online application.
Enrollment
Once you’ve submitted your initial application and the fee, you’ll be assigned a Program Enrollment Coordinator. We’ll work closely together to guide you through the enrollment process and prepare you for a life-changing experience!
Dates & Prices
ADVISOR TIP: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
- Application Deadline: Sep 20
- Arrival: January 14
- Departure: May 20 | May 27
- Price: $22,490 - $23,690
- Application Deadline: Apr 15
- Arrival: September 16
- Departure: December 16
- Price: $23,290 - $24,290
- Application Deadline: Sep 20 (Estimated)
- Arrival: January 13 (Estimated)
- Departure: May 18 (Estimated)
- Price: $23,290 - $24,290 (Estimated)
Lower price is for standard housing at Alexander Fleming/Harrow and higher price is for premium housing at Marylebone.
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.