How many classes do I have to take?


Student must enroll full-time while studying abroad. Thus, you must take at least 12 credits per semester while on the London program.

How many classes should I take?


The decision is yours whether to register for 12 credits (minimum) or 15 credits, although students taking a work placement may only enroll in 12 credits. Both course loads are manageable and your decision should be based on several factors, including: credit hours needed to stay on track for graduation, whether you wish to take advantage of as many of the unique course offerings in London as you can, and whether you have been able to manage 15 credits in the past.

What kind of courses can I take?


Please visit our Academics page to learn more. You must enroll in at least two of the six available University of Maryland courses, which are specifically designed for you and are only offered to program participants. In addition, you have the option of enrolling in courses at London Metropolitan University. Courses in more than 20 different disciplines are pre-approved, so whether you are a science, history, theatre, or business major, there will likely be courses available for you to keep you on track for your major and graduation. In addition, for an extra fee students can register for a work placement (‘internship’).

What are the classes like?


There are two types of courses. Please visit our Academics page to learn more about them.

The University of Maryland courses are taught by adjunct professors and are only offered to program participants. Class sizes are small (fewer than 16 students per class), and are specifically designed to introduce students to British arts, culture, politics, economics and history. To a varying degree courses will include London as a classroom: for instance, students are taken to the theatre, to art museums, and on historical walks, etc. The small class sizes, the quality of the instruction, the experiential nature of the courses, and the emphasis on Britain and London are always evaluated positively by students.

The London Metropolitan University courses offer students the opportunity to experience British higher education first-hand. The structure and teaching style of courses is very different from that in the USA, with an emphasis on more independent thought and motivation from students, as well as more research-based assessment. Final grades are based on fewer submissions (typically one or two essays, possibly with an oral presentation or examination).

Overall, students returning from London explain that the courses are not necessarily harder than those in the USA, but the teaching styles and structure are different.

Will I receive transfer credit for my courses taken in London?


Because all courses taken on the London program are pre-approved by UM departments, UM students will receive ‘Resident Credit’. This means that the courses appear on your transcript as if they were taken on the UM College Park campus. The transcript will note that your term was spent in London, but the grades you earn will appear on your official transcript and be factored in to your cumulative GPA at UM. Because all courses on the London semester are resident credit and are pre-approved (see the 'Academics' page), UM advisors and faculty members understand the courses you will be taking and know how they figure into your graduation requirements.

What fields are available if I choose to participate in an internship (i.e. work placement)?



Please see the 'Internships' page to read about work placements that past London students have done. This will give you an idea as to the variety of fields available if you choose to participate in this aspect of the London program.

The only fields for which there are no work placements available are the lab sciences and engineering. We cannot guarantee placement in your first choice field, although the success rate is quite high: however, some flexibility about your placement is required.