The history of Exeter University can be traced to 1855 when a School
of Art was founded in the city of Exeter. In 1922, it became the
University College of the southwest, and the present-day university
received its royal charter in 1955. The university currently enrolls
about 12,000 students and offers an excellent environment in which
to live and study.
Location
The Exeter campus—just two hours from London—is built
around a country estate overlooking the city of Exeter, rated one
of the best places to live in the United Kingdom. Students enjoy
a lovely green environment with lakes, parkland and gardens, with
Exeter’s High Street just a 15-minute walk away. The surrounding
countryside offers everything from beaches to moors.
Areas Of Study
DU students have access to all departments at the university.
Special areas of study include archaeology; Arab and Islamic studies;
biological sciences; business and economics; classics and ancient
history; computer science; drama; engineering; English; geography;
history; languages; law; politics; and sociology.
Activities
The University of Exeter offers nearly 100 student societies
and many sporting clubs. Its location near the Exe estuary makes
for great opportunities for water sports, and its proximity to
the city of Exeter allows for community involvement through a university
volunteer program.
Accommodations
Most study abroad students choose to live in self-catering flats
that are either on campus or within easy walking distance. You
most likely will have a private room but share the bathroom, kitchen
and living space with 5 to 12 other students. Some en-suite rooms
are also available. Applications must be made early as placements
are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Academic Calendar
Fall semester: September–December
Spring semester: January–June
In cooperation with City University in London, DU offers a program
featuring two classes taught by a DU professor, a class at City University
and either an art history course or a Shakespeare class offered by
DU adjunct faculty.
Location
The capital city of the United Kingdom and Europe’s largest
city, London is known for its robust business community, world-class
museums, lively theater scene and countless historic landmarks.
It is also a convenient launching pad for travel throughout Britain
and Europe—thanks to the Channel Tunnel, students can take
a train directly to Paris.
Areas of Study
Students take two courses from the DU faculty leader: one Core
course and one SOCS or AHUM Foundations course. In addition, you
will choose between an art history course with an adjunct professor
who turns the London art galleries into a classroom or a Shakespeare
course taught at the world-renowned Globe Theatre. Finally, you
will choose one course from the various options at City University.
Music majors may take lessons at the Guildhall School of Music.
Activities
Cosmopolitan London offers everything from theater to art galleries
to pub life. In addition, the Union at City University offers many
extracurricular activities.
Accommodations
You will share a central London flat with other DU students.
An underground pass allows you to commute to your classes at City
University and to other metropolitan-area locations.
With 10,000 students from more than 100 countries, Lancaster University
recently was ranked ninth among all United Kingdom universities as
a research institution. The university was built in 1964, but the
city’s roots date back to the first century A.D. Lancaster
is recognized for its distinctive independent studies curriculum
and its women’s studies and creative writing programs. It is
also an excellent choice for students with disabilities.
Location
The City of Lancaster, with a population of 50,000, is located
in England’s famous Lake District, at the end of the Lune
River Valley and just 4 miles from the sea. The natural beauty
of the Lake District provides fantastic opportunities for outdoor
pursuits. The university is only a 10-minute bus ride from the
city center.
Areas of Study
Lancaster offers courses in accounting, art, business, chemistry,
communications, creative writing, economics, education, engineering,
English, environmental sciences, geography, health studies, history,
international relations, law, mathematics, music, philosophy, physics,
politics, psychology, religious studies, sociology and women’s
studies.
Activities
In addition to a diverse arts program, the University hosts numerous
concert series, orchestras and solo artists. Visiting students
can choose from more than 80 nonsporting student organizations
and 30 sports clubs that compete against each other and against
other university teams in the region. Hiking, mountaineering, sailing,
canoeing, rowing and golf are available in the nearby Lake District
and at Yorkshire Dales and Morecambe Bay.
Accommodations
Accommodation is guaranteed in self-catered residences on campus.
Most rooms are single study rooms with washbasins. The residences
have communal kitchen areas where you can prepare your meals. You
can also buy inexpensive meals at cafeterias on campus and in town.
Academic Calendar
Fall term: September–December
Winter and spring terms: January–June
As one of the largest colleges of the University of London, Queen
Mary is a major international teaching and research institution.
With about 9,000 students, Queen Mary is one of the few universities
in London with more than 1,000 students living on campus. Although
quite different from the tourist areas of the West End, the lively
working-class neighborhood surrounding Queen Mary is quintessentially
British.
Location
The capital city of the United Kingdom and Europe’s largest
city, London is known for its robust business community, world-class
museums, lively theater scene and countless historic landmarks.
It is also a convenient launching pad for travel throughout Britain
and Europe—thanks to the Channel Tunnel, students can take
a train directly to Paris.
Areas Of Study
You will have access to all departments at the university. Subjects
include biology; business; computer science; economics; engineering;
English and drama; film and communication; geography; history;
mathematics; modern languages; philosophy; physics; and politics.
Activities
From theater, to art galleries, to pub life, London has it all.
Students are encouraged to participate in the University of London
Union, which offers many extracurricular activities.
Accommodations
You will share college accommodations with three to six students
on the Queen Mary campus. Most rooms are singles in modern, self-catered
flats.
Academic Calendar
Fall semester: September–December
Spring semester: January–June
With its three campuses in the heart of London and an additional
campus in the northwest suburbs, the University of Westminster accommodates
nearly 20,000 students by offering a wide range of subjects. The
university has a reputation as a top-quality research institution
in a number of areas, including business, communications, and cultural
and media studies.
Location
The capital city of the United Kingdom and Europe’s largest
city, London is known for its robust business community, world-class
museums, lively theater scene and countless historic landmarks.
It is also a convenient launching pad for travel throughout Britain
and Europe—thanks to the Channel Tunnel, students can take
a train directly to Paris.
Areas Of Study
Students have access to all departments at the university. Subjects
include biosciences, business, communications, computer science,
criminology, digital design, economics, English, fashion, film,
geography, history, journalism, law, media studies, politics, psychology,
sociology, tourism and urban studies.
Activities
From theater, to art galleries, to pub life, London has it all.
Students are encouraged to get involved in the University Union
and join any of the many clubs and societies.
Accommodations
Students live in single-study bedrooms in a range of University
residence halls across London. All halls are self-catered and equipped
with communal areas and kitchens. Residents generally must commute
by public transportation to get to classes.
Academic Calendar
Fall semester: September–December
Spring semester: January–June
Founded in 1963, the University of York is now one of Britain’s
most highly regarded universities, with a national and international
reputation for high-quality teaching and research. With about 8,000
students, the University of York provides a stimulating academic
experience within a friendly, welcoming environment.
Location
Situated on the edge of the historic city of York, the university’s
main campus is focused around a lake in an attractive parkland
setting. The university also houses some departments in the city
center, near the famous York Minster. York has a population of
around 130,000 and is located halfway between London and Edinburgh.
It has been an important city in England since the Romans made
it a major settlement nearly 2,000 years ago.
Areas Of Study
Areas of study include archaeology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry,
computer sciences, economics, education, electronics, English,
environment, health sciences, history, art history, management,
mathematics, music, philosophy, physics, politics, psychology,
social policy and sociology.
Activities
The campus is largely self-contained with shops, an athletic
center, tennis and squash courts, a travel agency, a health center,
theaters and concert halls. Visiting students can join any of the
student social, athletic or musical groups. The city of York, with
its medieval walls, minster and castle ruins, offers a number of
cultural and outdoor attractions.
Accommodations
Visiting students are guaranteed accommodations at the university.
All housing is on campus or within a 15-minute walk. Visiting students
typically live in a single room with shared kitchen and bathroom
facilities.
Academic Calendar
Fall quarter: October–December
Winter quarter: January–March
Spring quarter: April–June
Bloomsbury—the group of English artists and scholars that included
Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster—was so named because its “members”
met at each others’ homes in London’s Bloomsbury area.
From 1455 to 1487, civil wars raged between the Houses of Lancaster
and York, two branches of the Plantagenet family descended from King
Edward III. Because of the badges worn by the two houses—the
Red Rose of Lancaster and the White Rose of York—the wars became
known as the Wars of the Roses.
Geoffrey Chaucer, best known for The Canterbury Tales, wrote poetry
as a diversion from his job as customs comptroller for the port of
London. Chaucer is believed to have been murdered in 1400, possibly
by the enemies of Richard II, his patron.
1953 was an eventful year for Winston Churchill, then England’s
prime minister: He was knighted, and he received the Nobel Prize for
Literature for “his mastery of historical and biographical description
as well as for brilliant oratory in defending human values.”
Theories abound about the construction of Stonehenge, one of England’s
most recognized landmarks. Some believe it was a temple for the worship
of ancient deities. Others contend it was an astronomical observatory
or a sacred burial site.