Summer in London
University of Westminster
An unforgettable summer in the middle of London
Make the most of your summer by spending it in London, one of the most dazzling cities in the world. Take stimulating classes in international business, liberal arts, media, arts, and design with students from all over the world. Our Summer in London – University of Westminster program takes place in the very heart of London. The urban campus is as diverse as this city, and you and your new friends can spend every minute of summer soaking in all this amazing city has to offer!
What to Expect:
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Language: English
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Average Courseload: 1-2 Courses (4-8 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.7
Highlights:
- Trips to Big Ben, Parliament, Oxford Street, the London Eye, and more
- Modern campus with public transportation
- An independent, urban lifestyle
- A diverse student body, with students from over 150 countries
- Easy access to other parts of the UK and Europe on the weekends
Program Details
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
- Communications
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
- Business
- Humanities
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Summer in London – University of Westminster offers classes (aka “modules”) in many unique and exciting disciplines: London International Business; London Media, Arts, and Liberal Arts. You will only be taking one class per session, but is best to get 2 classes per session approved before you go abroad. This way you will have plenty of flexibility in setting up your schedule. Consider filling your elective requirements.
Course Selection
Click here for more information on courses offered for the summer program.
Liberal Arts
Session 1:
5CLST003W Climate, Change and Culture
4HUMS001X Black London: Black History in London from Tudors to Today
4HIST008X Jack the Ripper’s London: Myth, Reality and the London Victorian Metropolis
4HIST007X Monarchy: A Royal History of London
Session 2:
TBC A Sexual History of London
4ELIT007X Art and Society
4CRIM005X Crime and the London Underworld
4HUMS002X The Holocaust in London: The History and Memory of the Holocaust in London
Business
Session 1:
4MARK003W Fundamentals of Marketing
4MARK005W Buyer Behaviour
Session 2:
4BUSS008W Global Business Environment
4MARK006W The Power of Brands
Design, Digital, and Creative Industries
Sessions 1 & 2:
4IMAG012X Photographing the City: London
TBC Computing Module
Helpful Information
Classes can be offered at level 4, 5, or 6. You can tell which level a class is by looking at the first number in the course code (ex: 6BUSS007W International Business, when offered, is a level 6 class).
Level-4 classes are regarded as introductory, and are equivalent to modules taken by full-time first-year UK university students. Level-5 modules are more challenging academically, while level-6 modules are at the standard demanded of final-year UK university students.
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 two residence halls you may be placed in during the semester: Alexander Fleming and Marlebone. Both 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 includes a stove, refrigerator, microwave, kettle and toaster. Both halls are self-catering, so you’ll use the kitchens to prepare your meals.
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
- Kitchen Equipment
- Microwave
- Single Room
- Television
- Wi-Fi
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in US 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
- Predeparture orientation
- Airport pickup
- University of Westminster orientation
- On-site support
- University of Westminster official transcript
- The Local Life cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival you’ll take part in a comprehensive orientation program. You’ll learn the “do’s and don’ts” of living in London. We’ll cover everything from 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. We’ll also give you tips on how to budget in a city that is renowned to be one of the most expensive in Europe, if not the world. We’ll also tell you all about our favorite places in town (restaurants, museums, markets etc). Oh, and you’ll 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
Though you’re not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. We’ll walk you through some of the things to expect, rehash your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights and, yep, we’ll feed you again as part of our farewell to London and England.
Program Excursions
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.
Oxford
There’s more to this city than just the famous university. You’ll explore the city’s museums, theaters, shopping centers, parks, botanical gardens, and a cathedral. Combine these with the strong sense of educational superiority, and you’ve got a city that screams “British.”
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site
Wander through the Old Town or explore the majestic terraces of the New Town. You’ll want to bring your camera to capture these UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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: Apr 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: June 15 (Estimated)
- Departure: July 6 (Estimated)
- Price: $6,090 - $6,490 (Estimated)
- Application Deadline: Apr 15 (Estimated)
- Arrival: July 6 (Estimated)
- Departure: July 27 (Estimated)
- Price: $6,090 - $6,490 (Estimated)
- Application Deadline: Apr 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: June 15 (Estimated)
- Departure: July 27 (Estimated)
- Price: $8,990 - $9,990 (Estimated)
Price range:
Lower range pricing is for Alexander Fleming Hall. Higher range pricing is for Marylebone Hall.
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.