Applications for the fall semester at UCL must be preapproved by the Office of International Programs at Rensselaer.
Please contact Karen Dvorak, dvorak2@rpi.edu before starting a fall application.
Study Abroad Office
University and Location
University College London was founded in 1827, and was one of the two founding institutions of the University of London system. UCL was founded on the principles of opening higher education to students of any race, class or religion, and of academic excellence and research aimed at addressing real-world problems. Today, UCL is ranked among the top 10 universities in the world with superior academic offerings in a wide range of disciplines. UCL boasts a student population of over 22,000 representing 140 nationalities. Rich in galleries and museums, theaters and concert halls, shops, and restaurants, London offers endless opportunities for intellectual, social and leisure pursuits.
Available Fields of Study
The following departments have restricted/very limited availability for spring 2024 exchange and study abroad students:
Biochemical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Earth Sciences
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Geography
Management
Mathematics
Phonetics and Linguistics
Political Science and International Relations
Psychology
Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) (Economics modules are more limited than other areas)
Social Research Institute
Exchange students take regular courses alongside UCL degree-seeking students. While students may select classes from more than one department, they must affiliate with one department within the
Faculty of Engineering Sciences (excluding the Faculty of Computer Science) the
Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, or the
Faculty of Population Health Sciences and take 50% of their courses (generally 2 classes) in that department. For a complete list of academic offerings and restrictions, please visit the list of available
subjects on the UCL study abroad web pages.
Program Dates
The academic year at UCL begins in September and is divided into three terms. The Rensselaer exchange is available for fall semester by OIP permission only, or for spring semester. The spring semester is made up of the second (spring) and third (summer) terms, with most teaching during the second term and the third term reserved for revision and examinations.
Spring semester applicants are expected to be in residence for both the second and third terms - it is not possible to attend for second term only.
Fall semester: mid-September- mid-December
Spring Semester (spring term AND summer term):
Spring Term: early January - late March - most classroom instruction
Summer Term: late April - early June - revision and examinations
Course Selection
Students will select courses from the
UCL Subjects website or at individual UCL department websites. Some classes may be listed in the
Transfer Course Guide maintained by the Registrar's Office, but still must be reevaluated and approved. Remember that course approval does not guarantee that the course will be offered during your semester abroad - you must select your courses based on their availability as indicated by the UCL site, not by their appearance in the Transfer Course Guide.
Courseload
Courses at UCL have credit value expressed both as US credits and ECTS (the European Credit Transfer System). You are expected to take the full course-load for your period of study at UCL, which for a full year student is equivalent to 32 US credits or 60 ECTS, and for a student attending from January to June is equivalent to 16 US credits or 30 ECTS.
Grading and Academic Evaluation
Assessment is based largely on the results of an end of year/semester exam, although in many classes there will also be continuous assessment in the form of assignments, lab work, etc. Students are expected to be self-directed and independent in their studies. Grades are assigned on a numerical scale of 0-100; a grade of 40 or above (the equivalent of a C-) must be achieved in order to earn Rensselaer credit. Classes may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
Accommodation and Meals
Students will apply for accommodation after they have been formally accepted by UCL. Students studying at UCL for a semester will normally be allocated housing, but this is not guaranteed. UCL offers accommodation either in Halls of Residence (catered facilities) or Student Houses (self catered). For more information please see the
Accommodation Office website.
Estimated Expenses and Cost of Living
Exchange students pay regular Rensselaer tuition in addition to airfare, accommodation, meals and living expenses. Students should budget approximately $1500 per month to cover basic living expenses including housing, meals, local travel, books and supplies and toiletries. Personal expenses vary by lifestyle.
If you have additional questions, please contact
Karen Dvorak.