studyeurope - Council on International Educational Exchange

London, England university college londonACADEMIC PROGRAMThe CIEE Study Center in London opened in 2000. The University College London (UCL)was added as a host institution in 2006. It is designed for students who are highly motivated,think creatively, and look forward to living in a different culture. Cross registrationamong CIEE host institutions is not possible. Students who apply to study at UniversityCollege London should be serious-minded and motivated to work hard in their chosendiscipline. Students may participate for a semester or academic year at UCL.At UCL students will apply to one academic department where they take at least 50% oftheir courses. Students admitted to a single department are allowed to take one or twocourses in another department (without being admitted) after consultation with theappropriate tutor on arrival at UCL. Study abroad students may sometimes be admittedto two departments on a joint basis. This might be advisable where the student has arequirement to take a course at UCL which will count towards their major at their homeinstitution. CIEE students may apply to any courses available to study abroad studentsfor which they meet the UCL prerequisites. During the application process, studentsselect the courses in which they plan to enroll but final course selection is made uponarrival at UCL. The normal course load is four courses per semester.ACADEMIC CULTURECIEE participants will notice a striking difference between the educational system in theUnited States and Britain. The British educational system allows students greater responsibilityand initiative in a less structured environment. The CIEE program is geared towardsstudents who are motivated, self-sufficient, and fully interested in experiencing the Britisheducational system. To aid in this transition, the CIEE London Academic Advisor will coverthese differences during orientation and will be available throughout the semester.CIEE students take courses offered by the college, fully integrated with both British andother international students. As with the regular undergraduates studying at UCL, studentstake four courses for the semester or eight courses if studying for the academic year.Students take a series of lecture courses which run in parallel at a fixed time each week.Associated with each lecture course are seminars, tutorials, and possibly laboratory classes.Students are normally expected to prepare work in advance for seminars and tutorialsand this can take the form of researching a topic for discussion, writing essays, or solvingproblems. Lectures, seminars, and tutorials are all one hour long, while laboratory classesusually last two to three hours.Much emphasis is put on the private study nature of the British system and students areexpected to spend at least as much time studying by themselves as being taught. Eachstudent has a UCL tutor whom he or she can consult on academic or personal matters.The fall term at UCL runs from September to December; the spring term runs from Januaryto March; and the summer term runs from April to June. Students participating in the U.S.spring semester attend UCL for the spring and summer terms. There is a four-week breakbetween terms. Students may not enroll for the UCL spring or summer term only.ASSESSMENTThe method of assessment for each course will depend on the course and the departmentin which it is taught. Where possible, students will be assessed in the same wayas their UCL undergraduate peers. Academic year and spring semester students willnormally be required to take the end of the year examination during the UCL summerterm. Fall semester students will be assessed by their UCL departments either througha special examination or by producing extended end of semester term papers. Themethod of assessment is clearly stated in the subject/departmental entry and canbe confirmed when finalizing course registration upon arrival at UCL.ORIENTATIONThe program begins with a mandatory three-day orientation at a central London hotel,allowing students the opportunity to meet each other and get adjusted to London beforemoving into the University residence halls. The orientation, led by the Resident Director,includes an introduction to British society and culture, a review of London transportationand safety, and excursions in and around London. Orientation is maintained on a groupand individual basis throughout the program.CIEE students also take part in orientation activities provided by UCL for all internationalstudents. This orientation introduces students to the academic requirements of theUniversity, campus life, and the services available at the University administrative offices.HOUSING AND MEALSHousing is included in the program fee. Students are typically housed in single, selfcatered,rooms with shared kitchens and baths. However, UCL housing cannot beguaranteed and students may be placed in alternative accommodations, in the formof an intercollegiate hall, private residence hall, or shared student apartment. The UCLstudent residences are located within a short walk or tube commute of the main UCLcampus. Students are responsible for their own meals during the program. Meals maybe taken at cafeterias and University restaurants, at restaurants throughout London,or prepared in the residence’s kitchen facilities.INTERNETStudents have Internet and e-mail access through computers available to all studentsin open-access cluster rooms and some University residences. Many departments havecomputers for use by their own students. Students are encouraged to bring laptops.COSTCIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below.Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significantchange in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. Fees for spring 2006 willbe available after August 15, 2005. Fees for fall 2006 and academic year 2006–2007will be available after December 15, 2005. The actual cost of the programs may varyslightly for students from different institutions.CIEE FEESSpring 2006: available 8/15/05 Fall 2006: available 12/15/05Academic Year 2006–07: available 12/15/05CIEE fees for 2006–07 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing,orientation, cultural activities (visits to museums, galleries, and sporting events), and aweekend trip out of England (such as Paris, Scotland, or Wales), pre-departure advising,insurance, and a host institution student card.ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL COSTS (Fall 2005)Transportation (New York to London round-trip) $ 700Personal Expenses $ 2,500Meals $ 1,500Books and Supplies $ 200Local Transportation $ 500Visa Fee $ 160Total Estimated Additional Costs $ 5,560CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPSCIEE excursions help students explore all aspects of contemporary London during their stay,including trips to museums, sporting events, concerts, and the theater. Each semester alsoincludes a weekend trip out of the country. Past participants visited Scotland, Ireland, Wales,or France.UCL has a large and diverse Union which forms the focus of student life at UCL. There areover 120 Union-affiliated clubs and societies; cultural, sports, arts, religious, media, anddepartmental. The groups have access to meeting rooms, rehearsal spaces, and a resourcecenter. The performing arts societies may have the opportunity to perform at UCL’s ownWest End theatre. Sporting facilities include a newly refurbished and well-equipped fitnesscenter, and a sports ground for team sports. All UCL students are part of the University ofLondon Union which is located a few minutes away and houses a swimming pool, gyms,and lounges. The Union’s Volunteering Services Unit helps students get involved in a widerange of volunteering opportunities in community action projects around London.pg/30