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England & Wales

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Accommodations and Accessibility

The IFSA team is ready to help you plan for various accommodations you might need abroad. We’re here to support you and help you prepare for a successful study abroad experience.    

Early planning is key. First, know that options for accommodations vary by country, city, and university. This makes it important to share your requests for academic, mental health, diet, religious practices, housing, physical disabilities, and other accommodations early in the planning process. Connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor or with our Health, Safety and Wellness team at hsw@ifsa-butler.org as soon as possible.   

The information you share on your health and wellness and housing forms supports this process. After receiving these forms, our Health and Wellness team will follow up as needed to help you arrange accommodations you may need. Our goal is to plan carefully with your help, working with our UK team as needed.   

Academic accommodation. In the UK, the law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Keep in mind that accommodations may vary depending on the UK program you choose and may also be different than what you’re used to at your home university. We have the most flexibility with classes taught by IFSA instructors. If you’re enrolling at a UK university, our team is here to help you navigate the process of setting up support. We encourage you to let us know the areas and programs that interest you most so we can help ensure proper accommodations can be arranged.  

Mobility. Generally, UK public transit is accessible for individuals with disabilities. Some city buses have ramp systems and priority seating. Transport for London (TFL) service can provide support and assistance when requested in the city of London, providing information about specific routes and arranging for a mentor to help you with your first trip. Sidewalks in city centers are typically accessible, with curb cuts, curb ramps, visual and audible crosswalk signs, and smoother sidewalks. Expect less of these accommodations outside of city centers.  

There is good access to most major areas and tourist attractions in UK cities. In more rural cities, expect limitations from older architecture including cobblestone, narrow entryways, and smaller indoor spaces. Centuries-old designs may make it difficult to navigate. 

Religious and dietary preferences. Contact your UK-based IFSA team or the chaplain or student faith organization at your UK university for guidance and resources for navigating religious holidays and dietary restrictions. 

Mental and Physical Health

Maintaining your mental and physical health while abroad is a priority, and we’re ready to help you plan to support both. We’re here to help you work with CISI insurance to find local health care abroad, as well as to create a plan for your specific needs. Early planning is key, so don’t hesitate to work with our Health and Wellness team early in the application process and ask for guidance from your Enrollment Counselor. Please share your needs on our health and housing forms, so we can follow up.  

Mental health. IFSA will provide resources and opportunities for you to get direct support from our resident staff while you’re abroad. In addition, each UK university has mental health, wellness, and general health resources you can access. For information on UK universities that support mental health, go to the IFSA Student Portal, click on Resources, and go to the identity-resources section.  

More to explore: 

Sports and fitness. Whether you want to join a club team or walk local trails, there are plenty of options in the UK. Each university has facilities and clubs; some require membership or charge a participation fee.  

Check with the IFSA team about CISI insurance coverage for injuries sustained during sports. Coverage is generally broad but there are exceptions for high-level competition. 

Eating healthy. Sampling local favorites is a fun and exciting part of studying abroad. Check out some of these healthy restaurants in London, Cambridge, Kent, Sussex, Leeds, Oxford, and Wales.    

More to explore:  

Faith Communities

Studying abroad will likely introduce you to new religions and faith communities around the world. If you plan to practice your religion abroad, consider researching the customs, laws, and places of worship at your destination. 

UK society is increasingly secular. After Christianity, the most prevalent religions include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism. Freedom of and from religion is protected by law in the UK. Most universities in the UK have a student union where faith-based and other student organizations can be found. Campuses typically also have prayer rooms, multi-faith chaplaincies, and other services.  

If you have any questions or concerns about religious accommodations and/or dietary restrictions, please ask the IFSA team.  

More to explore: 

Considerations for Women

As of 2023, there was still a significant wage gap between male and female employees in the UK. The UK reports instances of sexual violence than the U.S., but this may be distorted. British media outlets are less likely to cover these stories due to strict liable laws in the UK.  Women are underrepresented in the UK parliament and government, only about a third of the members of parliament identify as women.   

Safety. Approach safety as you would in the U.S. By world standards, the UK is considered relatively safe. Violent crime is low and firearms ranging from guns to pepper spray are illegal. The most common crime in the UK is petty theft, and tourists are common targets. IFSA will provide tips on maintaining personal safety in the UK.  

Dress. Dress and fashion norms in the UK are very similar to those in the U.S. You can dress casually for class, but wearing sweatpants or tight-fitting leggings may make you easily identifiable as a foreigner. Dress more conservatively when you visit religious establishments.  

More to explore:  

Race and Ethnicity

While London and other major urban areas are more ethnically, culturally, and financially diverse than smaller towns in the UK, students tend to report finding the UK on a whole to be welcoming and tolerant of difference. Explore international news and IFSA Student Stories for a window into the experiences of people of color in the UK. Overall, the proportion of people of color have been steadily increasing in the UK over the past two decades. 

Some students have reported experiencing microaggressions and other challenging experiences. As an American, you might also experience othering related to your status as an American, despite your race or ethnicity. Sometimes students are mistakenly singled out as American, even if they’re from a different country, but seeking a degree in the U.S. The IFSA team is always available to support you. Just reach out anytime. 

Additional cultural tips: English people are generally more reserved than Americans. Pub culture and alcohol consumption are part of the social scene. Businesses close earlier in the evening. English people are generally less patriotic than Americans. Tipping is not expected in restaurants.   

More to explore:  

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

As in any space, you can share according to your own comfort level when you study abroad. If you wish to join and/or participate in LGBTQIA+ organizations or events, there are many places to find community. However you identify, we’re here to provide inclusive support and resources, and help you find additional resources and organizations at your UK university and beyond. 

Acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community in the UK took time, but today’s society is generally diverse, understanding, and accepting. The government has focused on making the UK a place of acceptance and tolerance for the LGBTQIA+ community, eliminating barriers to help this community access opportunities and contribute to culture and the economy. In 2018, the UK created the National LGBT Action Plan, which was designed to advance the rights of LGBTQIA+ people both at home and abroad and improve the way that public services work for them. 

Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013 and is increasingly common. In England and Wales, UK census data from 2021 shows more than 1.3 million identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. London has higher proportions of people identifying as transgender men and trans women than the rest of England and Wales.  

Safety, support and health resources:  

UK pride events: 

More Support

From help managing money to supporting first-generation college students, our professional advising staff and onsite teams are here for you. On a budget? Ask your UK-based IFSA team for a list of free and more affordable activities.   

Student Perspectives

Read about living and learning here: Student Stories: England, Wales.