UF in London Application Checklist
It is strongly recommended that you discuss options with a Heavener International Programs advisor prior to selecting a program. Once you have chosen your specific program, follow the steps below.
Checklist Steps
Complete the following steps by the application deadline:
- Open an application
- Go to UF in London and click the “Apply Now” button. Login using your GatorLink username. Select desired term and click “Apply.”
- You may begin filling out the Questionnaires and Signature Documents or otherwise wait until after your appointment with a Heavener School of Business International Programs advisor (see below).
- Meet with a Heavener School of Business International Programs advisor
- Call 352-273-0151 to set up an appointment.
- During this appointment, the Academic Advising Form will be filled out, where you will make preliminary course selections. If time permits, the Budget Worksheet will be discussed. You may wish to set up an additional appointment to go over the Budget Worksheet further, if needed.
- Meet with other departments/colleges (if needed)
- You will need to acquire approval on the Academic Advising Form from additional departments and/or your college if you are a non-business major and/or plan to utilize the academic coursework you are taking abroad towards a non-business major and/or minor.
- You will need to acquire approval on the Academic Advising Form from the Innovation Academy if you are an Innovation Academy student.
- Finish application
- Return the completed Academic Advising Form.
- Ensure all Questionnaires and Signature Documents are complete on the online application.
- Pay $425 non-refundable deposit via the online application.
At this stage, your application will be reviewed by the Heavener International Programs office and UF International Center. Note that reviews may not happen immediately. They are done in batches on a rolling basis, typically beginning about two months before the application deadline and continuing biweekly thereafter. If your application is approved, you will have additional tasks to complete prior to departure (see below).
Complete the following tasks after your application is approved. A more detailed version of this checklist with dates and deadlines will be sent to you upon approval.
- Attend the First Meeting
- This meeting is mandatory. You will meet the rest of the students on the program, and all of the post-approval tasks will be reviewed.
- Passport Information
- Complete the questionnaire on your UF study abroad application online. The passport upload should be a color scan of the data and signature pages.
- The passport must be signed and valid at least six months after your expected return date.
- Non-U.S. citizens should also upload a copy of their visa for the U.S.
- Applicants may be withdrawn if they are unable to obtain a passport accordingly.
- FIE Application
- Complete FIE’s online application. Instructions will be sent to you upon approval of your UF study abroad application.
- Note that this application includes submitting the following documents:
- C.V. (Resume)
- Personal Statement
- The Heavener International Programs staff will upload your transcript and passport directly to the FIE online application, so you do not have to do those yourself on the application. The Heavener International Programs office will also handle the Study Abroad Advisor Confirmation.
- UF International Center Pre-Departure Modules & Assessments
- Complete the modules & assessments on your UF study abroad application online.
- UK Student Visa
- More information and a breakdown of the steps will be provided by FIE once you are in ‘Committed’ status and have your passport information on their online application system. The visa is not required for UK citizens.
- Note that the visa application process will require the following information:
- Parental information
- Travel history
- Legal incident history
- Proof of sufficient finances (does not apply to U.S. citizens and citizens of certain other countries; if you are an international student check the immigration rules)
- Note that the visa application process will also require you to attend a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center. There are none located in Gainesville; check the list of ASCs in Florida. You should not delay in scheduling the biometrics appointment and should take the earliest available appointment.
- Visa application processing times can vary, so it is important for students to adhere to the timeline provided by FIE. Otherwise, students may need to consider rebooking travel. It is typically suggested to complete all aspects of the application process no later than eight weeks before the start of the program. Note that it can take multiple weeks to complete the various steps on the application process, as there are no guarantees on when biometrics appointments will be available.
- The visa application process entails sending off your passport for processing. You therefore cannot travel internationally until you have received your passport/visa back. For this reason, it is suggested not to fly too early before the start of the program, as well as to refrain from international travel in the months leading up to the program.
- Clear Registration Holds
- The Heavener International Programs office will register you for your chosen UF online business courses, as there are special sections reserved for study abroad students.
- Do not register yourself, add, drop, or change any courses without notifying the Heavener International Programs office.
- Flight Information
- Complete the questionnaire on your UF study abroad application online.
- Refer to the program website for arrival and departure dates. Always double-check with the Heavener International Programs office prior to booking if you are unsure about the flight.
- Do not arrive in the UK any more than one week earlier from the listed arrival date. Do not depart the UK any more than five days after the listed departure date.
- Attend the Pre-Departure Session
- This session is mandatory and will cover important information and details specific to the program.
- Note: Attendance at this session is in lieu of the UFIC Pre-Departure Orientation, although students are still welcome to attend that event.
- Attend the Study Abroad Survival Session
- This session is mandatory and will cover general pointers about how to navigate a semester abroad.
- Laptop Check
- Have your laptop checked by the Technology Assistance Center (HVNR 206).
- Call 352-273-0248 for an appointment or go as a walk-in.
- Additional FIE Requirements
- There may be additional tasks to complete through FIE beyond the initial application.
- Pay careful attention to your FIE application online, as well as email, and follow through with instructions provided by their staff.
- Obtain passport
- If you do not have a passport, or if your current passport is set to expire sooner than six months after your expected return date, you must obtain a new passport.
- Visit Travel.State.Gov for more information. UF Passport Services offers passport support on campus.
- You will need to have this passport almost immediately after the program deadline. Choose Expedited Service as needed.
- Applicants may be withdrawn if they are unable to obtain a passport accordingly.
- Apply for scholarships
- Apply for a Heavener School of Business scholarship.
- Apply for a UFIC scholarship.
- Apply for an FIE scholarship.
- Review additional possible scholarships.
- If you receive a Pell Grant, consider applying for the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship.
- Research other scholarship opportunities; the list above is not comprehensive.
Note that scholarships have different requirements, deadlines, and notification dates. Some require an open study abroad program application, some require an approved study abroad program application, etc.