UMD Exchange: University College London (United Kingdom)

 

All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.

Host Institution
University College London (UCL) is London’s leading multidisciplinary University. Located in the heart of London, UCL was founded in 1826 and is now home to 38,000 students from 150 countries. UCL has consistently ranked in the top 10 of the QS World Rankings for a number of years.

As an exchange student at UCL, you can study in a variety of academic disciplines while living studying and living in the heart of London.
 

Host City
UCL is located in the Bloomsbury neighborhood in central London, known for its Georgian architecture and parks. Its prime location gives students access to all London has to offer-- from approximately 250 museums and galleries, hundreds of libraries, sporting venues, to countless restaurants and options for entertainment. As an international and cosmopolitan city, London is the cultural capital of the UK across a wide array of academic and professional disciplines.

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Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:

• 3.5 GPA
• Completion of 2 semesters at UMD

Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.

Student Visa Information
A student visa is required for participation on this exchange. For more information, please visit our study abroad visa guide to view instructions for the country you will be visiting. Please note that visa information is subject to change and you are responsible for checking the embassy website for updates.

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1. Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
2. Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program. 
3. After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
4. If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
5. Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.

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Academic Planning

Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:

• Pre-Departure Course Selection & Approval
• Finalizing Course Enrollment Abroad
• Transcripts and Credits on your UMD Record

Coursework

The UCL Exchange is open to students studying in the following departments at Maryland:

• Anthropology
• Astronomy (Full-year or spring only)
• Geology
• History 
• Math (Full-year or spring only)
• Physics (Full-year or spring only)
• Statistics and Probability (Full-year or spring only)

Exchange students at UCL are limited to studying in specific subject areas. You will apply to one subject area in which you will take 50% of your courses. The remainder of your courses can be chosen from across the university.

 

There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD).  If you are interested in taking a course not listed in the SACD, please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.
 

Credit

All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree.  Most UCL courses will be converted as follows:

UCL Credit	UMD Credit
15 UCL credits	4 UMD credits

The chart above was last approved by the UMD Transfer Credit Committee on November 15, 2018. 

Grading

Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.

UCL Grade	UMD Grade
40	C -

 

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Housing in one of UCL’s central London Halls of Residence is guaranteed for full-year exchange students if they apply by the housing deadline. Students studying for one semester may apply for UCL housing, but it cannot be guaranteed. For more information about on-campus housing at UCL, please view the Accommodations tab. Students will be sent more information regarding on-campus housing after they have been accepted to the program.

Off-campus housing is also available and the UCL Student Union provides information on finding off-campus housing around UCL.

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Exchange Program Cost of Attendance
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
 

Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.

You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.

Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
• Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)

Additional Financial Resources

• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Financial Policies

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Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!

Student Clubs and Organizations
With a wide range of clubs and organizations to choose from, every student has the opportunity to participate in an extracurricular activity!

International Welcome/Orientation
The International Student Orientation program offered allows for a smooth transition for new international students studying at UCL. 

Counseling & Health Services
UCL offers counseling and other mental health services to students to support them as they work through mental, emotional, or psychological concerns.
 

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