London, England
Queen Mary, University of London Partnership
Program Overview
JOIN A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE STUDENT BODY IN THE MULTICULTURAL EAST END
Queen Mary, University of London is one of the UK’s leading research-focused universities, and one of the largest University of London colleges. Its flexible system allows you to choose classes from different academic departments across the university.
IFSA students in this program live and learn at the fully integrated campus at Mile End, part of London’s historic East End district. Campus is surrounded by vibrant neighborhoods, including Brick Lane and Shoreditch, which are both fashionable and rich in history. Two underground stations, Mile End and Stepney Green, provide quick, easy access to the city.
With a student body of more than 33,000 that includes 2,800 from outside the UK, Queen Mary is known for a strong sense of community and a commitment to academic success. High-caliber academics include strong business and science programs. Rare on-campus housing and 300+ clubs make it easy to join in at the Russell Group’s most inclusive university.
Before class, grab one of London’s best bagels, first sold in the East End by Jewish immigrants in the 1880s. Later, look for vintage finds at Brick Lane shops, unwind at Victoria Park, or scramble on 16K square feet of vertical at Mile End Climbing Wall.
Your program also includes IFSA excursions and activities (no extra fees) that give you insights tourists often miss. Possibilities include a West End theater performance, a session in the famous The Great British Bake Off tent, and exploring below ground with a former coal miner in Wales.
Details at a Glance
Application deadline
Minimum GPA
3.00
Credit load
16
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option
Instruction language
English
Language prerequisites
None
Visa required?
Not in most cases. Learn more.
Academics
To view available classes at Queen Mary, visit the university’s online course catalog. Be sure to filter by Associate student modules, as these are available to visiting students.
Credit Conversion
A full class load at Queen Mary is 60 credits per term, or approximately four classes. Most courses at Queen Mary are worth 15 Queen Mary credits.
15 Queen Mary credits = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
20 Queen Mary credits = 5 U.S. semester credit hours
30 Queen Mary credits = 8 U.S. semester credit hours
Study abroad students at Queen Mary can only enroll in level 4, 5, and 6 classes. Level 4 is an introductory university-level module, level 5 is an intermediate university-level module, and level 6 is an advanced university-level module. Levels often correspond with academic years.
Final assessment for fall semester modules in both the School of Economics and Finance and the School of Biological and Behavioral Sciences are conducted online in January. Queen Mary does not allow alternate arrangements to be made for either full degree or study abroad students, including IFSA students.
CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students
Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.
Level 6 Advanced/honors classes will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. classes. These are often not available to study abroad students.
School of Drama
Associate students selecting DRA modules at levels 5 and 6 must have experience of related subjects in the arts and humanities at university level. Classes have limited availability. If you are planning to take classes in this school, please return your class interest form as soon as possible.
School of Economics and Finance
School of Economics and Finance restrict all level 5 and 6 modules to students with Economics and Finance majors only. A mathematics prerequisite (equivalent of A-level maths, including calculus) is required for level 4 ECN modules.
School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Students choose from a limited set of computer sciences classes. Limited spots are available for study abroad students, and priority will be given to students majoring in these disciplines. Queen Mary offers SPZ401 Applied Data Science, developed outside the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science to avoid restrictions and enrollment caps, with study abroad student in mind. For fall semester classes that are assessed via a final exam, please note that exams will take place online in January of the following year.
School of English
School of English welcomes all students to Level 4 modules, but restrict all level 5 and 6 modules to students with English or Arts/Humanities majors only. Classes have limited availability. If you are planning to take classes in this school, please return your class interest form as soon as possible.
Department of Psychology
Students may choose from a limited set of psychology classes offered specifically to study abroad students (Fall term: Cognitive Psychology and Health Psychology; Spring term: Psychology of Emotion and Psychology of Individual Differences). The Department of Psychology does not allow study abroad students to enroll directly in psychology classes alongside degree-seeking students.
The class catalog will indicate any other classes not open to study abroad students with “not open to associate students” in the class description.
New country, new way of learning!
Here’s what to expect at Queen Mary, University of London:
- More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing 10 hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
- More advanced instruction and work than you’d find in a class at the same level in the United States. Because most English university degrees are three-year programs, students gain specialized knowledge faster here.
- Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members.
- Grades are often based on a single final exam or final paper, or on just a few assignments.
- Choose classes from one department to avoid scheduling conflicts. Local students usually specialize in one department for classes, which means different departments don’t schedule classes with other departments in mind.
- Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including an assigned advisor for academic support. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
- You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the semester program or one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the year program.
- Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.
Recommendation Letter
Your application to this program will require one (1) academic letter of recommendation.
TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.
Excursions
Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.
Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.
Activities
- The Great British Bake Off Experience: Step into the famous white tent and don your apron for this immersive baking experience. Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off, you’ll work in pairs and bake a dessert against the clock that will be judged by the head baker. You’ll even be able to take home your creation at the end!
- West End Theatre Performance: No time in the UK would be complete without a trip to the West End, London’s famous theatre district. Shows are chosen that provide context or different perspectives on London/the UK/Europe. Recent examples include Operation Mincemeat and Cabaret.
- Sustainability Garden: Visit a community garden started to rewild urban space and respond to the challenges of urban sustainable food production in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. By speaking to gardeners, learn more about the impact of sustainable practices on the biodiversity of urban areas and how they’re trying to widen participation in their local community. Make sure to dress appropriately because we’ll be getting our hands dirty!
Excursions
- Stonehenge and Bath Visit: Stonehenge has stood on Salisbury Plain for around 5,000 years and it’s still unknown how the prehistoric monument came to rest there! Make up your own mind during this visit and discover the fascinating theories behind these rocks. You’ll learn about Stonehenge from the fascinating exhibits and be able to enjoy a virtual sunrise as it rises over the prehistoric stones! Afterward, travel to the Roman city of Bath for a walking tour of this World Heritage city once home to Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Gainsborough, Lord Nelson, and Beau Nash. Then prepare to travel back 2,000 years to the Roman era with a visit to the Roman Baths.
- Piers and Queers Brighton Trip: Since the 18th century, Brighton has become a cosmopolitan place of recreation, escape, and freedom. A destination for people who didn’t conform. With an LGBTQ+ population now estimated at 15%, Brighton celebrated England’s first civil partnerships, and hosts the UK’s largest Pride event as well as Europe’s first Trans Pride, rightly earning its title as the LGBTQ+ Capital of Britain. Piers and Queers is a tour of Brighton from LGBTQ+ perspective. This colorful 90-minute walk along the beach and historic city center takes in more than 200 years of history including Regency Dandies, 1950s lesbian and gay life, and political activism. Afterward, there’s time for a walk on the pier and fish and chips, just watch out for seagulls!
- Big Welsh Weekend: Delve into the rich history of Wales and explore its unique culture and its complex relationship with the rest of the UK on a weekend that takes in the famous Tintern Abbey, the historic Raglan Castle, the Blaenavon coal mines, and St Fagan’s, a museum that has preserved buildings and cultural practices from Welsh history. Spend the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, and discover the Cardiff Bay area, home of the Welsh Parliament.
- Yorkshire Adventure: Explore the vibrant and historic county of Yorkshire on a weekend trip where you’ll discover how this English region has contributed to the UK’s cultural landscape. Highlights may include the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, the Piece Hall in Halifax, the Victorian model village of Saltaire, or the imposing Harewood House in Leeds.
Housing and Meals
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Single Room OptionMeals
Self-CateringDetails
As a Queen Mary student, you’ll likely live on the main campus at Mile End Student Village—a rare perk in London.
- Location: Mile End Student Village in London’s East End
- Commute: On the main campus.
- Furnished flats (apartments): Designed for four to 11 students. Most have single bedrooms with individual private bathrooms, plus living space and a kitchen. Bedrooms include a bed, wash basin, wardrobe, refrigerator, bookshelves, desk, chair, lamp, and Internet access. Kitchens have refrigerator/freezer, stovetop/oven, microwave, toaster, and kettle. Students provide bedding, towels, and kitchenware.
- Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare or purchase meals.
- Additional details: 24-hour support from campus reception; security patrols. Campus laundry nearby.
- Nearby: Brick Lane Market, Victoria Park, Canary Wharf, The Old Truman Brewery. Bus stops on campus. Walk to Mile End station, served by three Tube lines, in less than 10 minutes.
Dates and Fees
Get Started
Kevin Cañas
Enrollment Counselor
