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University of the Arts London Summer: London College of Fashion

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University of the Arts London Summer: London College of Fashion

Program Overview

FASHION WITH A FOCUS ON INNOVATION, INCLUSIVITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY

This summer, follow alumni Jimmy Choo and Iona Ciolacu to Europe’s largest specialist arts and design university. During this eight-week session, learn from amazing designers with active ties to the fashion industry. Take a step toward an exciting future with classes built around practical, studio-based workshops plus seminars and lectures.

Plus, travel to Paris for five days to explore the city that’s home to haute couture and many leading designers. Your program also includes IFSA activities that give you deeper insights into UK culture, with no extra fees.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Summer: March 15

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn more.

Apply Now

Academics

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.

Select the subject of your choice to see class options at London College of Fashion.

Paris Trip
The London College of Fashion summer program includes a five-day trip to Paris, with visits to museums, galleries, churches, food markets, flea markets, designer boutiques, department stores, typical shopping districts, and the major sites.

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.

Course descriptions in the online course catalog include prerequisites and portfolio requirements that you must fulfill in order to apply to the course when applicable. You will be accepted to study in Year 1 or Year 2 of the course you have chosen, on the basis of your course background and experience. Students can take only one course of study in one subject, even if you have background and coursework in multiple areas.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at the University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion:

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 to 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 year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
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.

London’s Southbank Walk and Borough Market: Wander the River Thames then nosh on fish and chips, Thai curry, and more—there are hundreds of produce and street food stalls to choose from. Soak up some history as you refuel—food markets have stood here since the Middle Ages.
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!
Buckingham Palace: On the bucket list for countless UK visitors, here’s your chance to see the majestic London home of British monarchs since Queen Victoria in 1837. (Look for the Royal Standard’s yellow, red and blue squares that signify the king is in residence.)
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: London is famous for its diverse, creative and unexpected theater landscape. During the warmer summer months, students can enjoy all the London theater scene has to offer in the stunning surroundings of a royal park.
Independence Day BBQ: You may be in the UK, but you can still celebrate the fabulous U.S. Independence Day with a festive get-together and meal.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Students live in UAL residences or in flats (apartments) provided by IFSA.

Housing in UAL residences

Explore Costume Store (a UAL residence named as a nod to its previous life as storage for the BBC costume collection) to see what your London home might be like:

Location: North Acton in West London
Commute: North Acton Tube station is across the street. It’s a 60-minute ride to the College of Fashion site, with easy connections to other UAL sites.
Furnished flats: Designed for four to nine students, with single bedrooms, some with private bathrooms, some with shared bathrooms. Shared living space and kitchen with refrigerator, freezer, microwave, oven, and kettle. Sheets and towels not included.
Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare or purchase meals.
Additional details: Student art gallery. On-site laundry, coffee shop, and small supermarket. Receptionist on staff.
Nearby: Shepherd’s Bush, BBC Television Centre, Wembley Stadium; easy access to all of London via Tube

Housing in IFSA flats (apartments)

Students live in furnished flats (apartments) selected by IFSA, with IFSA students as flatmates.

Living space: Each flat contains single bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom.
- Bedrooms include bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and light for each student.
- Comfortable space to cook, eat, socialize, and study either in your flat or in convenient common areas.
- Linens, except towels, are typically provided.
Meals: There is no meal plan. Students cook or purchase their own meals. Some flats have private kitchens, others include shared kitchens. Most are fully equipped; if not, kitchenware is easy to purchase nearby. Flatmates say cooking and eating together is a fun, social part of their day.
Commute: Varies by location. Expect a 40- to 50-minute trip via local train services, the Tube (the London subway), or bus.

Sample housing

Explore Vita Lewisham, one housing option, to see what your London home might be like:

Location: Lewisham, an area in southeast London undergoing substantial regeneration, particularly following its tenure as London Borough of Culture in 2022. Lewisham Shopping Centre, a five-minute walk away, is home to over 70 stores. Across the street is Glass Mill Leisure Centre, with gym, pool, sauna, and steam room. Two-minute walk to Lewisham train station.
Commute: 50 minutes by Docklands Light Railway to the UAL Stratford campus.
Single rooms: Rooms include one double bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and TV. Bed linens provided. Studio rooms include private kitchen with oven, stove, refrigerator, and microwave. Other rooms are part of cluster flats: six single rooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen, and living space. Kitchenware provided.
Meals: No meal plan. Students purchase meals or prepare food in shared kitchens. Breakfast available in the reception area on weekday mornings. Free coffee 24/7.
Common spaces: Three private dining rooms, a bar, study spaces, a gym with dance studio, and a games room.
Other details: Unlimited Wi-Fi, staff and security on site 24/7. Laundry facilities on-site. Cleaning provided every two weeks. The residence runs a full social calendar.
Nearby: The bustling Greenwich area, home to Greenwich Market, renowned museums, and Greenwich Park (where the Eastern and Western Hemispheres meet)—five minutes away via Docklands Light Railway. (Watch for celebrities: Greenwich frequently stands in as London and occasionally Paris in film and television productions.) Central London is 15 minutes away via train, so it’s easy to get to London Bridge and Charing Cross, the historic center of London.