Education Abroad & Exchange - United Kingdom

Study in the United Kingdom

Study in the UK is a good option for students who wish to combine rigorous academics with a cultural experience rich in both tradition and cutting-edge modernity. The UK is comprised of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, each country with its own heritage and distinctive culture. The past is always visibly present in the UK, with Celtic ruins, Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, or Victorian structures around every corner. Yet, the forward- looking British are also members of the European Union, and the current population of 50 million residents has an astounding diversity, which creates a stimulating atmosphere for international business, art, theater, cuisine, and nightlife.

How is the UK university system different from the US?

Attending a university in the UK is quite different from studying at an American college or university. British students normally do a 13th year of high school, consisting of a number of advanced placement subjects. If they score well on their exams, they may apply to universities, and they do this by applying directly to the departments of their intended majors. They then spend three years (four years with study abroad or honors) studying in their major field within a specific department. There are no general education or breadth requirements in UK universities.

US students therefore need to have selected a major and have enough background in that major to thrive in upper-level courses taught in the UK. General Education requirements may be fulfilled by courses in the UK, but students should be aware that UK students do not take classes across the curriculum. Most UK universities expect visiting students to take the majority of classes within their major departments.

The British academic year has traditionally been divided into three terms, with three-to-four week holidays separating the terms at both Christmas and Easter. The academic year usually begins in late September or early October and ends in early or mid-June. Many British universities are now introducing the two-semester system, however, the final exams for the autumn semester generally take place in January. Some universities allow students to finish the autumn semester in December by arranging for special assessments.

What is an Exchange Program?

UMass Amherst has reciprocal exchange agreements with 15 UK universities. UMass students essentially trade places with UK students for an academic year or semester. With this arrangement, UMass students pay UMass Amherst for their home school tuition and fees, plus a $750 Education Abroad Fee, and this money covers the tuition and fees of the incoming UK students. UMass students then pay for room, board and all other incidental expenses in the UK.

Exchange agreements stipulate the number of students who can participate each year, which is why there are a limited number of exchange places at each university. Some exchanges are limited to certain departments within the universities. Please see individual information sheets for details on the following universities.

Exchange partners in the UK are:
University College London (Chem. Eng. & Linguistics)
University of East Anglia
University of Kent
University of Hull
University of Lancaster
University of Leeds
University of Manchester
Manchester Business School
Oxford Brookes University (Hospitality & Tourism)
Royal Holloway College, University of London
University of Stirling
University of Sussex
University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
University of Wales Swansea
University of Warwick (Politics & Intnl. Relations)

What is a Study Program?

Some of our exchange partners agree to take additional students outside of the exchange arrangements, usually at a cost that is discounted from their Visiting Student Fee, but that is higher than the exchange cost. Other universities are willing to receive UMass students for their normal Visiting Student Fees, which are usually higher than UMass exchange costs.

Chelsea School, University of Brighton (Kinesiology)
Edinburgh College of Art (Landscape Architecture)
University of Glasgow, Scotland
University of Stirling, Scotland
University of Wales Swansea

The London Internship Program is not affiliated with a UK university, but is managed by a UMass partner, CAPA (Centers for Academic Programs Abroad). The costs are not linked to UMass tuition and fees, but are set by real prices in the UK. CAPA provides all support services including housing, internship placement, classrooms, hiring faculty, orientation, excursions, etc. Students attending are all from US universities.
The Oxford Summer Seminar is a 6-week summer program held at Trinity College, Oxford. Courses are offered in literature, history, art history, law and politics. It is not a direct enrollment program, and students attending are all from US universities.

Non-UMass Programs

There are a number of providers who place US students in UK universities for a year or semester. These providers offer services such as housing, transcripts, excursions and in-country support. Students pay for the programs in US dollars and may use financial aid. Please ask for information in the Education Abroad Advising Center.

Direct Enrollment

UK universities also accept Visiting Students who apply directly through the International Office of those universities. In this case, students will be expected to pay the UK universities in UK pounds sterling directly.

Eligibility and Applications

Students must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, particularly in the major. There may sometimes be exceptions to this standard if a student has good justification for a somewhat lower GPA. Students must show background in the major field and must assume that they will take courses in only a few subjects. Students generally study in the UK in their junior or senior years. Applications require completion of forms, an official transcript, an essay, and two academic references, preferably from within the major field. Early application is desirable, since the selection of nominees for exchange places may be very competitive. UMass Amherst accepts students as candidates for the exchange or study programs, but the final decision rests with the host universities. The London Internship Program requires a 2.75 GPA, junior or senior status, and background in the field of the internship. Students must submit one academic reference and one from a work supervisor.

Application Deadlines

October 10 for spring programs, March 1 for fall and year, however, students applying by the end of December will have first choice of exchange universities. The London Internship Program: October 10 for spring and March 25 for fall. Oxford Summer Seminar: March 1st.

Financial Aid and Tuition Waivers

UMass Amherst students may use all financial aid that they receive from grants and loans for study abroad. Employee Dependent Tuition Waivers may be used on reciprocal exchanges only. Other tuition waivers may be replaced by grants from the Financial Aid Office if funds are available. All students with financial aid must attend a workshop held by the FinAid Office in order to transfer aid to the study abroad programs.