abroadSELECT: University College London

 

Overview: 

FOR FALL/FULL YEAR 2024-5: This program will be offered in partnership with Arcadia Abroad. Please follow the application instructions found here.
Scholarships available for this program! Contact Hillary Koller, Director, Pitt Global Experiences Office with questions.
 
On this abroadSELECT, you will study at The University College London, one of the most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom.  If selected to participate in the program, you will engage in the British tutorial system, allowing you to study a wide range of topics alongside British peers as you fulfill requirements for multiple majors or minors.  This abroadSELECT program is extremely competitive and admission will be highly selective. 
 
Please be aware this program requires two completed years of college prior to participation.
 

Learning Objectives: 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
  • a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in the United Kingdom.

 

Partner Information: 

Study Abroad and Exchange 

affiliatestudents@ucl.ac.uk

+44 (0)20 3370 1215

Location Description: 

If your first thoughts of London are the Royal Family and Downton Abbey, prepare to be blown away. English history and culture are juxtaposed against streets lined with Indian restaurants and Chinese New Year celebrations. The birthplace of the English language is now home to speakers of more than 30 other languages – and that is not counting the variety of English accents you will hear. Skyscrapers tower over 17th-century buildings while Big Ben overlooks the River Thames. Study abroad in London and you find yourself constantly surprised by what you discover in one of the world’s most diverse and global cities.
 

Housing Description: 

Part of the experience is to live like a Londoner.  The overwhelming majority of students choose to live in shared apartments – the English call them flats – spread across the city.  You will be one of as many as eight students living in a flat, which includes shared bedrooms and bathrooms, living space, and access to laundry facilities, all in a secure building.  The flats also come with an equipped kitchen; note meals are not included in the program fee.  Apartments are as varied as the city itself; no two flats are alike. 
 
Housing is guaranteed by UCL since you will be studying there for a full academic year. Once you've accepted your offer to study at UCL, you will be sent more information about accommodation. Pitt students are advised to select Catered accomodation through UCL and should apply in early June. Find the specific application date and more here

Academic Description: 

Credits taken at UCL require approval by both your academic advisor(s) and study abroad program manager. Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 and no more than 18 Pitt credit hours.

Courses taken at UCL will be treated as Pitt credits and will be marked as letter grades on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, credits will affect Pitt GPAs.

By clicking on "UCL Subject Modules" below, you can view a list of courses offered by each subject of study at UCL during the 2021-2022 academic year.  You will need to work with your academic department to realize which courses will count towards your degree.  Please note that the current list on UCL's website is a representative sample from the most recent academic year. It is not an exhaustive list, as some module options may have changed, been deleted, or replaced.  In addition, UCL has this resource to help you understand what to expect when studying as an international student.

 

Students who have attended this program in the past have taken classes in the areas of:: 
Greek Archaeology
Anthropology
English
Grading: 

Unlike Pitt, UCL’s grading scale assigns numerical values between 0 – 100, with 100 representing the highest grade achievable. It is important to understand that few students in the British system receive grades higher than 70. Participation on this Partner Program means that Pitt students will earn actual letter grades, and therefore grades earned through this program will affect the Pitt GPA, and appear on the Pitt transcript. 
Pitt will utilize the following grade scale to determine the letter grades: 

70+ = A

65 – 69 = A-

60 – 64 = B+

55 – 59 = B 

50 – 54 = B-

46 – 49 = C+

43 – 45 = C 

40 – 42 = C-

35 – 39 = D

0 – 35 = F

Program Fees: 
For Fall/Full Year 2024-5: You will pay directly through our partner.
 
An abroadSelect scholarship is available for this program! More information coming soon.
 
If awarded the abroadSelect scholarship, Pitt students can expect to pay the cost of their regular Pitt tuition, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status, as well as an additional program fee. In addition, Pitt students will also be responsible for the Study Abroad Administrative Fee.  
 
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 
The below prices are per term.
 

Estimated Program Costs

  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition Coming soon! Coming soon!
Additional Program Fee Coming Soon! Coming Soon!
Study Abroad Fee $400 $400
Total Estimated Cost    
 
The following are included in the program fees:
  • Tuition for 12-18 credits
  • Housing
  • Orientation in London and student support services
  • Health Insurance

 

 

How Much To Budget: 

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our Budgeting page for more information.

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,000 - $4,000
Food $3,000 - 5,000
Personal Expenses $3,000 - 5,000

 

Keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

  • Program Deposit ($350, to be credited to your program bill)
  • Textbooks ($200)
  • Local Cell Phone ($100)

 

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at UCL for a full academic year (two full semesters). UCL's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the partner university. Like Pitt, UCL’s academic calendar follows a Fall-Spring progression, meaning Fall is the first semester followed by the Spring semester as the second. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Hillary Koller

Hello! I’m Hillary, Director of Pitt Global Experiences. I originally hail from New Jersey, but became a member of the Pitt community as an undergraduate student in 2002 and I have been here pretty much ever since. During my time at Pitt I’ve had the opportunity to accompany students abroad, and I’m excited to work with you to make your international experience a valuable one! When I’m not in the office, you can find me spending time in the great outdoors, reading, cooking, and taking a yoga or ballet class. Get in touch with me at hkoller@pitt.edu.

 

Schedule an appointment

 

To schedule an appointment with me, send me an email and we'll find a time that works for you!

Application Instructions: 

Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to UCL. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review UCL's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as a study abroad student at UCL. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to UCL's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the partner university.  
 
The partner university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:  

  • Application Form 
  • Copy of Valid Passport 
  • Official Pitt Transcript 
  • Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment 
  • Statement of Intent or Purpose 
  • Resume or CV 
  • Official Language Evaluation 
  • Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations 
  • Up to 2 passport photos 

 
 

Additional Information: 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency either through the IELTS or the TOEFL. Please check with UCL regarding these requirements. 
 

Insurance Requirements: 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, the United Kingdom may require Pitt students to purchase additional coverage through their national health plans, depending on the length of the exchange. See the details here.  
 

Visa Requirements: 

In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

 

As part of your study abroad program in the UK, you may be required to apply for a student visa.  Please be aware that UK visa processing times may be delayed due to ongoing impacts of the global pandemic.  Obtaining a visa a solely your responsibility and is a very detailed process.  You should be prepared to do the following:

  • Begin your visa application process as soon as you receive the detailed instructions and guidance from your host institution or program manager
  • Follow the instructions carefully, checking for mistakes
  • Respond promptly to any requests for follow-up or additional information related to your visa application
  • Check to ensure that your returned passport has the appropriate visa stamp prior to departing the U.S.

Failure to follow the visa instructions fully may result in additional cost beyond the visa application fee or visa denial. 

For those without British nationality, students must obtain a Tier 4 Visa to study for a full academic year in the United Kingdom. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review UCL's website. Also, check the British Embassy or consulate closest to you for additional information. UCL will provide general direction after formal admission on for how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website. In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)