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UCL - UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LONDON Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 18 |
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- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
England
England is the most populous home nation of the United Kingdom (UK). It accounts for more than 83% of the total UK population, occupies most of the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and shares land borders with Scotland, to the north, and Wales, to the west. Elsewhere, it is bordered by the North Sea, Irish Sea, Atlantic Ocean and English Channel.
England is named after the Angles, one of a number of Germanic tribes believed to have originated in Angeln in Northern Germany, who settled in England in the 5th and 6th centuries. This is also the origin of its Latin name Anglia. It has not had a distinct political identity since 1707, when Great Britain was established as a unified political entity; however, it has a legal identity separate from those of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as part of the entity "England and Wales".
London
London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. London is also the most populous city in the European Union.
London produces 17% of the UK's GDP, and is one of the world's major business, political and cultural centres. London is a leader in international finance, politics, communications, entertainment, fashion and the arts and has considerable influence worldwide. London is one of the world's major global cities (along with New York City, Tokyo and Paris).
London has an estimated population as of 1 January 2005 of 7.5 million and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. London's population includes an extremely diverse range of peoples, cultures, and religions, making it one of the most cosmopolitan, vibrant and energetic cities on earth. A resident of London is referred to as a Londoner. Over 300 languages are spoken in London, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. London is also known by other names in other languages.
London is the home of many global organizations, institutions and companies, and as such retains its leading role in world affairs. A city where cutting-edge meets tradition, London is a major tourist destination and an international transport hub. It has many important buildings and iconic landmarks, including world-famous museums, theatres, concert halls, galleries, airports, sports stadiums and palaces.
PROGRAM DATES
Academic Year: late September - mid June
Spring Term: mid January - mid June
Fall Term: late September - mid December
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the fall or spring terms or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2004
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
UCL is the most prestigious division of the University of London. Tech students have an excellent opportunity to study in a premier British university with a variety of disciplines. UCL was founded in 1826 as the original university of the University of London, and it was the first university after Oxford and Cambridge to be established in England. UCL has a well-defined campus and the academic buildings, offices, residence halls, student union, and other facilities are located within walking distance of one another. UCL recently ranked 9th in the world on the THES-QS World University Rankings.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Architecture
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Building Construction
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- History, Technology, and Society
- International Affairs
- Literature, Communication, and Culture
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy, Science, and Technology
- Physics
- Psychology
- Sociology
PLEASE NOTE
The exchange with UCL is for Engineering and Computer Science students only. This means that students in those majors pay Georgia Tech tuition and fees for the program. Students must be admitted to one of the following departments: Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Geomatic Engineering, Management Science and Innovation, Mechanical Engineering, or Medical Physics and Bioengineering. Students must take 50% of their courses in their admitting department. Other courses can come from outside departments.
Students from other majors may still study at UCL, but they must pay UCL tuition and fees. For 2009-10 tuition rates, click here.
Language Information
All courses are taught in English.
Course Information
For detailed course information: click here
Global Citizenship Programme
UCL offers a semester or year-long multidisciplinary program for study abroad students that focuses on science studies, history, politics, media studies, sociology, geography, and modern languages. For more information, click here. If you are interested in this program, please talk to an OIE advisor. This program would charge UCL tuition and fees. Top
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions click here
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
UCL uses the following credit transfer system:
1 UCL unit (1 year-long course) = 8 GT credits
0.5 UCL unit (1 semester-long course) = 4 GT credits
GRADING SYSTEM
UCL uses the following grading system listed below:
UCL Grade = US Grade
64-100 = A
50-63 = B
40-49 = C
35-39 = D
0-34 = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COSTS
Georgia Tech and UCL only exchange students in the field of engineering and computer science. This means that GT engineering and computer science majors pay GT tuition and fees to GT for their term abroad at UCL. Participants in all other majors must pay UCL tuition and fees directly to UCL, for UCL tuition/fees information: click here The cost of living in London is substantially higher than in most other parts of the UK. Financial aid including the Hope Scholarship is available for eligible students. Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and plane ticket. Because London is more expensive than the United States, you will want to devise and use a budget.
The currency in all of the United Kingdom is the British Pound (GBP). The sterling pound is made up of 100 pence. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Students who participate in this program may be eligible to apply for a study abroad scholarship for incoming students to the UK:
BUTEX Scholarship: click here
Following are cost estimates for one semester at UCL (for engineering majors) that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $818 Books and Supplies $250 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $680 Roundtrip Airfare $900 Room and Board $5,800 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $11,633 (in state) $11,883 (out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
Participants will live in residence halls with British students. Another option is to live in nearby off-campus residence halls or houses. These types of accommodation still have easy access to the UCL campus and the city center by public transportation. For more information about housing at UCL click here
Meals
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INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Students have access to the Senate House library, students' union, recreational facilities, and student clubs and organizations. Some specific activities include basketball, cricket, fencing, hockey, horse riding, karate, rugby, sailing, skiing, volleyball, water polo, crook, and debate.
Exchange students also have free membership to the International Students House, a social and culture center in London. The ISH hosts culture nights, lectures and debates, free movies, a restaurant with live music & trivia nights, team sports, and fitness classes. ISH also boasts a travel club, convenience store, internet cafe, and wireless internet.
CLIMATE
There is no season when the weather is predictably wonderful. In May, June and October, day temperatures tend to be cool, while July through September are warmer. Average temperatures run 40ºF in January, 64ºF in July. Though it rains more in other parts of the country, London typically gets some rainfall half the days of the year especially in winter. Take along an umbrella and sweater no matter when you go.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here
Depending on how long you will be in the UK and whether or not you intend to work, you may or may not need to apply for a visa prior to departure. Visa regulations and interpretations can change, so be sure to check the UK Border Agency web site frequently: click here
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
London
England
Europe
Semester
18
12
English
For more info, contact OIE.
Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host universitys students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.
In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.
In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
GTs International Plan: More than just study abroad
Your major is participating in this new initiative!
The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, "BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan." For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here