London, UK

Study abroad in London

UF in London

Study and intern in London through this exclusive program for business students at the University of Florida.

Enjoy theater, extraordinary museums, history, and exciting nightlife in one of the most cosmopolitan and culturally diverse cities in the world for an entire semester. Students have the opportunity to live in the capital of the U.K. while completing courses and an internship placement. 

Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer terms

This program is ideal for UF students pursuing a business major or minor or non-business students interested in completing upper-division electives in a beautiful European city.

Start your UF in London application

Warrington’s London partner: Foundation for International Education

FIE assists in coordinating the UF in London custom program. FIE is a London-based non-profit international education organization that provides customized partnership programs for undergraduates. Since its establishment in 1998, FIE has set high standards in delivering academic programs abroad. 

FIE’s specialized academic programs allow visiting students to maximize the value of their stay, gaining theoretical knowledge, practical skills, life experience, and an international perspective. The FIE Study Centre, Foundation House, and their student residences are located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, one of the most vibrant and exclusive areas of central London. It is just a few minutes from the Gloucester Road and South Kensington Underground stations and very close to Imperial College, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, and Hyde Park.

Program dates

Spring 2025

  • January 8: Students arrive in London
  • January 8-12: FIE orientation and welcome activities
  • January 13: UF Online courses begin
  • January 13: FIE Phase 1 begins
  • March 3–March 7: Mid-semester break
  • March 10: FIE Phase 2 begins
  • April 23: Last day of UF classes
  • April 26–May 2: UF final exams
  • April 27: Program ends (onsite) — students vacate residence by noon
  • April 26–May 2: UF final exams

Please note that the on-site portion of the program ends before the end of the UF Spring 2025 semester. If you are taking a UF course during the program, your final exam will likely fall after you return to the U.S. Exam dates are not finalized until the start of the Spring 2025 semester. Please stick to the program dates above. Any onward plans other than returning to the U.S. on the designated program end date are at your own risk and will not be considered mitigating circumstances for exam scheduling.

Summer 2025

  • May 15: Program start date
  • June 23–June 27: Mid-semester break
  • August 10: Program end date

Fall 2025

  • September 3: Program start date
  • December 21: Program end date

Terms of agreement

Students must withdraw from their study abroad program on or before the following dates to avoid fee liability:

  • Summer: April 1
  • Fall: July 1
  • Spring: November 1

Students become financially obligated for the full cost of their study abroad program after these dates. Only in extreme circumstances (e.g., serious personal injury, family emergency, etc.) will a student be allowed to petition for withdrawal before the start of the program. Petitions will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean and Director of the Heavener School of Business.

Academic structure

Fall and Spring (12-16 credit hours)

All students are required to take three courses offered by FIE and participate in a three-credit internship and internship seminar offered through FIE. Students can also opt to take one online UF business course if desired.

FIE courses (3 transfer credits each)

  • Key course — British Life (Phase 1 and 2)
  • International Internship Course (Phase 2)
  • Two other FIE courses (Phase 1, though some courses may be Phase 1 and 2)
    • Other FIE course options
    • FIE’s Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, and International Trade courses are equivalent to UF’s MAN 3025, MAR 3023, and GEB 3373 courses, respectively. Accounting majors are not eligible to take these courses through FIE.

Optional: One online UF business course (4 UF credits)

These courses follow the UF Fall and Spring calendars.

  • BUL 4310: Business Law
  • ENT 3003: Principles of Entrepreneurship
  • GEB 3373: International Business
  • MAN 3025: Principles of Management
  • MAN 4504: Operations Management
  • MAR 3023: Principles of Marketing

Summer (9-14 credit hours)

All students are required to take the British Life and Business course offered by FIE, participate in a three-credit internship and internship seminar offered through FIE, and take at least one other course (FIE course and/or online UF business course).

FIE required courses (3 transfer credits each)

  • British Life and Business (Phase 1)
  • International Internship Course (Phase 2)

One to two other courses

FIE course (3 transfer credits)

International Trade (Phase 1): Equivalent to UF’s GEB 3373 course. Accounting majors are not eligible to take this course through FIE.

Online UF business courses (4 UF credits each)

These courses follow the UF Summer C calendar.

  • BUL 4310: Business Law
  • ENT 3003: Principles of Entrepreneurship
  • MAN 3025: Principles of Management **only offered Summer A
  • MAN 4504: Operations Management
  • MAR 3023: Principles of Marketing

Internships

All students are guaranteed a non-paying internship as part of the program. The internships are designed to be holistic professional development experiences that equip students with the skills necessary to compete in today’s globalized marketplace. 

Students do not source their own internships or choose the exact company/organization at which they will work. FIE oversees the internship placement process and provides the necessary support, services, and supervision to ensure that students succeed. To help facilitate the placement process, students submit a portfolio of documents — CV, Personal Statement, and Industry Area Choices — after completing the UF in London application and being accepted into the program.

A broad range of industry areas is available. Placements are almost always in startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), or nonprofits. The internship sites are located in the greater London area, so students should expect to commute for any in-person aspects of the internship, possibly around an hour or so, as is typical in and around the city. 

Due to the workplace evolution spurred by the pandemic, modality may vary between or within internships. Internships may be fully in person or hybrid, depending on the placement. Internships are generally not fully virtual but may still be possible, depending on the placement.

Placement information is typically provided approximately two weeks before the internship begins, with non-competitive interviews usually held with the company or organization around that time.

Students are encouraged to keep an open mind with respect to their placement. The most successful interns possess the following qualities:

  • Adaptability, flexibility, and creativity
  • Strong work ethic and communication skills
  • High level of initiative and self-motivation
  • Enthusiasm and commitment to ongoing learning

Check out FIE’s London internship web page for more information.

Housing

Housing and utilities are included in the cost of the program. Students will live in shared apartment-style student residences managed by FIE. There are three residence buildings, all in the Kensington area of London, within about 10-15 minutes’ walking distance of one another and Foundation House, the FIE Study Centre. The residence buildings are 19th-century converted townhouses.

Students do not choose their residence building. FIE oversees the housing assignment process. To help facilitate that, students submit a housing/roommate questionnaire after completing the UF in London application and being accepted into the program. Students will be informed of their building assignment approximately two weeks before the start of the program and their exact housing assignment upon arrival.

Students can expect the following from the residence, regardless of the building:

  • Two to four students per bedroom; configuration of bedrooms per apartment/household varies widely.
    • Bedrooms are same-gender
    • Apartments are usually co-ed
  • Bathroom
  • Living area and fully equipped kitchen
  • Laundry facilities access
  • Wi-Fi
  • Security systems and live-in Residence Life Supervisors

Check out FIE’s London housing web page for more information and photos.

Outside the classroom

London is a bustling, lively city with plenty of places to enjoy and explore. FIE provides many co-curricular and extracurricular activities around London. For Fall and Spring programs, FIE also partners with a local university, Imperial College, wherein students receive Associate Membership access to the Imperial College Union. 

We encourage students to do some research, think about how best to spend their free time, and try to connect with locals whenever possible! Check out a few resources below: