Semester in London
University College London
Estimated Expenses other than tuition
Health Insurance and Medical Facilities
Please stop in to the International Office and read what past students have said about UCL.
General Information
The Semester In London ( SIL) is one of a large number of study abroad opportunities available to UT students at The Law School. The program permits students to study at University College London (UCL), which is also a college of the University of London. The UCL Semester in London site gives all the latest information about the program at UCL. The SIL program allows UT law students to spend the fall semester of their third year of law school studying at the University of London. Students enroll in five or six approved courses, primarily international or comparative law, and receive twelve to fourteen credit hours toward the JD degree. The fall term begins late-September and lasts through the end of December.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements to UCL are based on academic merit. Interested students are able to apply during the first term of their second year of studies. GPA requirement is 3.00.
Number of Students
Semester in London-UCL program is open to twelve students each fall semester.
Term Dates
Mandatory induction (orientation) is the last week of September. 1st day of classes is the first week of October with exams right before the December holiday vacation.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar can be found on the UCL website.
Courses
Registration for courses is during the mandatory induction period the last week of September. You will be allowed to shop around for one week for classes. You are required to schedule your classes over a minimum of three days. Many classes at UCL are all year long classes; UT students will attend the first semester of the yearlong class. You are required to take a minimum of five classes; with permission you can take six.
Classes are subject to change and some half-courses not may be taught in the first term. Please look over the listing of courses before you arrive.
Exams
Courses taken by Semester in London students are assessed either by a 2 hour written exam, organized by the Faculty of Laws and held during the week following the end of term, or by a paper handed in on the last day of term. The method of assessment is at the discretion of the lecturer concerned. Both methods of assessment are graded on a pass/fail basis
The exam information given in the class syllabi (see above) are for full year LLM students only and are not relevant for SIL students.
Credits
Students must take and pass five classes and will receive 12 credits for the semester.
Students have the option to take and pass six classes and will receive 14 credits for the semester upon approval of The University of Texas School of Law.
Mandatory Program Evaluation
Students will not receive academic credit until their program evaluations are received in the International Student Programs office.
Course grade and conversion
Students must satisfactorily complete their courses at University College London. Program evaluations must be completed and turned into the International Student Programs Office. Acceptance of credit, or grade, for any course taken in the program is subject to determination by the University of Texas. Upon the student’s completion of the program and receipt of the official transcript by the International Student Programs Office, the academic record will be updated to include the coursework taken. The International Student Programs office in the Law School will convert the credits earned for study aboard to either "CR" for passed classes and "F" for failed classes, and submit the recommendation to main campus registrar for the University of Texas unofficial and official transcripts. The Law Schools Registrar in the Student Affairs Office will record the courses and credits into the law schools data system. If a grade of F (1.30 grade points) is recorded, it will also be used in calculating the student’s grade point average.
Criteria for selection
The International Student Programs Committee, which consists of faculty and staff, reviews the completed application and takes into consideration the following criteria:
- Academic record at The University of Texas School of Law to date
- The student's motivation (personal statement) for study abroad including educational objectives and how they are related to their educational and professional development
- Generally, students who are approved for study abroad have achieved a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.30
- The committee will review each student’s proposal to reach a decision whether to approve the student for study aboard
- Selection for each study abroad program may have different requirements (GPA, language)
Educational Objectives
Study abroad offers our students an opportunity to be exposed to other legal systems and cultures. Students will gain a broad exposure to foreign law while learning different approaches to governmental problems. Our study abroad programs fulfill an academic need that cannot be met at The University of Texas School of Law or by its international programs. Skills learned from the study abroad experience will provide students with the information, skills, and experience to work more effectively as attorneys and the opportunity to represent clients from counties and cultures different from their own.
Disabilities
If a student wishing to study abroad has a disability which requires accommodation during their semester abroad, please contact the International Student Programs office in advance. We will work together with the Services for Students with Disabilities Office on main campus to assist with our students needs. It is highly suggested that each student research the foreign university website, the city and country they will be visiting for details concerning the accessibility to individuals with disabilities.
Cancellation Policy
Students will be notified of cancellation of their program by telephone or e-mail immediately upon foreign schools notifying The University of Texas. If the program is cancelled, tuition and the activity fees will be fully refunded.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for 2011-2012 are as follows:
- Payable to UT Austin:
- Registration for Affiliated studies $400, online registration $50
- Payable to UCL:
- Tuition fees for the Semester in London program at UCL for 2011/2012 will be £5,500 per person (for students taking up to five classes); for students taking six classes the fee will be 6,160 £. The tuition evaluated by UCL will be announced in Spring of each year for the following year.
Estimated Expenses other than tuition
The estimated living cost other than tuition for the Semester in London program is approximately $14,000.
Bank Transfers – Forms for bank transfers can be found on the UCL website (direct link to Word document).
The bank details are as follows:
Barclays Bank Plc190 Tottenham Court Road London W1T 7LH
Account Number: 70197157 Sort code:20-10-53
Swift – BARC GB 22 IBAN: GB40BARC20105370197157It is imperative that when instructing their bank, students insist that their invoice number along with their name and initials are quoted so payment can be directed to the correct account.
Credit Cards – Payment can be made in advance by telephone using a credit card. A 2% fee will be assessed for credit card use. UCL does not accept American Express, Diners Club or JCB.
Phone: +44 20 7679 4125 or +44 20 7679 4128It is advisable to contact your credit card company in advance to ensure you have sufficient credit available to you.
For more information visit the UCL website page on Invoices and Payment Procedures.
Financial Aid
Students who participate in the study abroad program may be eligible for financial aid and are encouraged to apply (primarily in the form of federally guaranteed loans). Students must complete the financial aid forms by March 31 of each year to be considered for assistance. Students must complete the financial aid forms by March 31 of each year to be considered for assistance.
All financial aid documents are to be turned into Linda Alba, in the Student Services Suite (Room 2.125). Questions about Financial Aid should be directed to Ms. Alba at 232-1130 or lalba@law.utexas.edu.
Scholarships
Global A$$ist is a single application for all available scholarships.
To access the scholarship application, you need to click on the GET STARTED banner.
System Highlights for students:
- Students complete one profile – the profile includes their core academic information, employment and honors information as well as previous international experience.
- The profile engages interactively with the scholarship database to MATCH students with funding sources.
- Students complete additional requirements per scholarship online (essay, resume, personal statements, etc).
- Student’s list references and the system automatically email the listed person to obtain the reference.
- Students no longer have to purchase a transcript or obtain an unofficial transcript for the purpose of the application, as the information is connected to their application electronically.
Exchange rate
Housing
Private Flats:
Types of Accommodation
UCL offers several types of residence to its students. Click the links to find out more about the different types of accommodation and details of the individual residences. Most of the previous students have recommended Schafer House (a "Student House") and Lillian Penson (an "Intercollegiate Hall").
Housing is extremely difficult. Please respond immediately to your offers. You are not guaranteed the hall of your choice but can list preferences.
- Halls of Residence features catered accommodations.
- Student Houses is self catered and self cleaning
- Intercollegiate Halls are international independent halls
- Married housing is difficult to obtain, priority is given to both people as students to UCL. Housing assignments are sent in September for all students.
For housing applications, visit the UCL accommodation application site.
Health Insurance and Medical Facilities
Each student traveling internationally will be automatically enrolled in the CISI health insurance policy. This coverage is required and will cost $19 per week. The Overseas Insurance cost will be assessed to the Tuition and Fee bill or What I Owe page. Due to the nature of these three coverage types, students will not be allowed to opt out for any reason. More information can be found on the main study abroad website.
NOTE: All students are strongly encouraged to maintain their U.S. health insurance coverage in case treatment is necessary upon return to the United States.
Library and Computer Facilities
Library facilities are at the Advanced Legal Studies and the UCL Library. Once you are registered you will have full computer access.
Passport/Visa
- Passport
You can get directions on how to obtain a password on the U.S. Department of State site.
- Visa
University of Texas School of Law students attending our Semester in London program for less than 6 months will not need a visa for entry, you can enter the country as a student visitor. You will need 3 documents with you to show to the immigration officer when you arrive in the UK. It is advisable to have these three items with you on the plane, perhaps tucked inside your passport and have them available.
- The letter of acceptance from your host university
- A valid passport
- Proof of funding for your period of study
Location in London
The Faculty of Laws is situated in the Bloomsbury area of Central London.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/maps/ucl-maps
Airports/LondonTravel
Overseas visitors normally arrive by air at one of London's three airports, Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted.
Heathrow to UCL- By London Underground (Tube) – Take the Piccadilly Line to either King's Cross or Russell Square Station and then either walk (about 10 mins.) or take a taxi.
- By Train – Heathrow Express to Paddington. Trains run regularly, every 15 minutes and the journey takes approximately 15 minutes. From Paddington you can take a taxi or a tube to Euston Square Underground Station.
- By Bus – Take the Air Bus (A2) which leaves every half-hour from the terminal buildings, to either Russell Square or Euston Station and then either walk or take a taxi.
- By Taxi – This is by far the most expensive way and can cost in the region of £50 depending on the time of day and density of the traffic. Use only registered taxis from taxi ranks.
- By Train – Take the Thameslink train to Farringdon and then transfer to the Tube and take either the Metropolitan, Circle or Hammersmith and City lines westbound to Euston Square. Alternatively take a taxi from Farringdon. The Gatwick Express runs from Gatwick to London Victoria, and from there you can take the tube (Victoria Line) to Warren Street. However, this is slightly more expensive.
- By Bus – Take flight line 777 from Gatwick North Terminal to Victoria and then either transfer to the tube, bus or a taxi. Flight line departs Gatwick at 5:15 am, 6:12 am, 6:42 am and then every 52 minutes past each hour throughout the day. Flight line 777 departs from Gatwick South Terminal 10 minutes after the time given above.
- By Taxi – The taxi fare will cost you well in excess of £40. Use only registered taxis from taxi ranks.
- By Train – The quickest way to reach UCL is to take the Stansted Skytrain direct from Stansted Airport station to Tottenham Hale and then take the London Underground Victoria Line to Warren Street. UCL is a 5 minute walk from Warren Street (local area map posted in station).
- Tubes/Underground – One of the first things you should buy when you get to London is a London A–Z. This is a map book of the whole city and each street is listed alphabetically. You will find this essential for living in London and getting around the city. You can buy an A–Z at most newsagents or bookshops. All street listings have the post code. The London A–Z can now be found at the iTunes App Store and for Windows Phone 7.
The London Underground is a popular and safe way to travel around London. Roads are very busy and it is often quicker to travel on the underground or "tube" as it is known. The tube system is arranged into zones for ticketing purposes and you must buy a ticket that covers all the zones you will be traveling through. Zone 1 is the University zone. The most economical way to get around London is with an Oyster card which can be bought at all tube and rail stations. You will need a photo card to obtain your Oyster card. Take two passport photos along to any ticket outlet for the free photo card. When you go to register at the Mile End University campus, you should go to the Student Union to get forms for a student discount on your travel.
Travel Safety
State department travel advisory
International Travel Safety Information for Students
Orientation
Mandatory induction is typically scheduled the last week in September at University College London. At orientation you will
- decide on your courses
- register with UCL school of Law
- be advised on how to register with the main campus UCL
- reserve places for various social events
Social Events
Each year there is a social program organized especially for Semester in London students and provided free of charge. Recent events have included:
- Sights of London Bus Tour with Guide - A chance to enjoy the most important tourist sites of London with the benefit of an accredited "Blue Badge" London guide
- Guided tour of Palace of Westminster- SIL students are given the opportunity to tour the Palace of Westminster, visiting both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
- International Dinner - One of the highlights of the SIL social calendar is the program dinner (free of charge for SIL students) at an Italian restaurant; it is held towards the end of the term and, as it provides an opportunity for some celebrating before the exam period gets underway, it is always a great favorite.
Applications
Deadline for applications at UCL is 30th April.
Deadline for signed acceptance offer at UCL is 31st May.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/prospective/international/sil/registered-students/affilform.pdf
Contacts
Law Faculty – Graduate Office
E-mail: p.celentano@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7679 1464
Graduate and International Programmes Administrator
Andrea Ledwig
E-Mail: a.ledwig@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7679 1464
Ian Fletcher
LL.D. (1993), Ph.D (1979), MA (1969), M.C.L. (1967), LL.M
(1966)
Bencher (Lincoln's Inn)
Professor of International Commercial Law
Director, Semester in London Program
Sherry Clark
International Program Coordinator
University of Texas, School of Law
727 East Dean Keeton St.
Austin, TX 78705
Tel: 512-232-2042
Fax: 512-475-7970
Email: ISP@law.utexas.edu
*Most of the information has been taken directly from the UCL website for the use of our UT law students attending UCL in the Semester in London Program.