The London program at Birkbeck College offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to spend a full semester of study at a distinguished college of the University of London, located in the heart of the city. The Saint Joseph 's University program is offered in cooperation with the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA), Butler University. The Institute administers programs of study abroad in Great Britain for more than 600 American students from 150 colleges and universities.
Birkbeck College enjoys a most advantageous site in the centrally-located University of London precinct of Bloomsbury. One of a handful of the University of London institutions situated in the precinct, Birkbeck shares its prime location with University College London, the School of Oriental and African Studies, the Institute of Archaeology , and Senate House, where the central administration of the University of London is housed. Many of the main University of London facilities are also located here, including the Senate House Library, with over one million volumes, and the University of London Union.
ACADEMICS
Classes at Birkbeck have a special emphasis on the role of London and England in the subject matter, and most take advantage of London as a living laboratory. You'll head out on field trips to historic homes, museums, galleries, and the other riches of London to help you better understand your coursework. All classes are taught by Birkbeck's excellent faculty. For more information on the courses please go to: www.bbk.ac.uk/lsp/courses.htm
Students take 4 courses during the semester in London. The semester schedule is similar to a semester at SJU. Because of differences in British and US calendars courses are arranged exclusively for semester study abroad students and are not integrated with British students.
Since students can only take 4 courses on this program, students are able to use the SJU 4 Course Policy. This policy allows students to either 1) have a free elective waived or 2) take an overload and not be charged for it. For a full explanation of the 4 course policy please click here.
Internships - Birkbeck also offers wonderful internships to complement your courses. For more information on Internships, please contact CIP or visit IFSA-Butler's website: www.ifsa-butler.org/programs/internships/birkbeck/
Student Services
A full range of student support services are provided by the IFSA. The IFSA's London office is staffed by full-time professionals who have many years of experience in guiding and supporting U.S. undergraduates studying in Great Britain. The London staff provides administrative and academic support services for the Birkbeck London semester program as well as other IFSA programs in the U.K. They also act as liaison for the students, Birkbeck College and Saint Joseph's.
Pre-departure Instructions and Information
To ensure that students are well-prepared for their period of study abroad, pre-departure meetings are organized each semester on campus. Students are required to attend these meetings during the semester prior to studying in London. In addition, the IFSA Butler sends each student a mailing, which covers transportation options, housing arrangements, the family stay and course information. A handbook with practical information regarding financial matters, travel documents, health care, etc. is sent early in the application period to help students prepare for overseas study.
Orientation During the first week in London, the IFSA staff conducts a three-day orientation program, which will consist of meetings, lectures, social activities and tours to provide you with information on various aspects of life in the U.K. Students will be given an opportunity to explore London on their own at the conclusion of formal meeting times. The orientation program is followed immediately by a family stay program.
Family Stay
As part of the program, IFSA arranges for participating students to live with a British family for a three day period during their first month in London. These arrangements are made by the British Experiment in International Living, an organization that promotes international understanding through people-to-people contact in daily living situations. The Experiment draws host families from across Great Britain, and makes every effort to place students with families sharing their interests. We consider this initial period in the semester an important introduction to life in Britain and full participation is required.
Health Services
The IFSA's London staff maintains a list of physicians you can consult for medical advice. The cost of private medical care and hospital stays must be paid at the time medical services are provided. Remember that students enrolled for less than a full year are not covered by the British National Health Service. It is suggested that you check with your insurance agent to verify whether existing coverage is valid in the U.K. Additionally, IFSA-Butler will provide accident and illness insurance to all program participants. For additional information on this insurance, please visit their website at: www.ifsa-butler.org/students/hlthsafe/insurance.html
Saint Joseph 's does not provide medical insurance. However, you will receive emergency medical coverage through your International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which all SJU study abroad students are required to purchase. It is strongly recommended that you supplement this coverage.
Excursions
Students are offered three or four weekend (one-day) excursions at no charge. While the destinations vary from semester to semester, they have included such locations as Stratford-on-Avon, Windsor, Salisbury, Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury and Brighton.
HOUSING
IFSA-Butler students live together in Notting Hill, a neighborhood known for its quirky shops and trendy eateries. The Notting Hill Gate area of London is just off the northwest corner of Kensington Gardens. Housing is within a 20-30 minute commute (by subway) of Birkbeck College. Rooms are doubles and triples with a few quads and singles. There is a shared kitchen facility, dining area, TV room, and pay phone for outgoing calls. Bath and shower facilities are shared and are usually on each floor. A house typically accommodates 40 American students. All accommodation is self-catering; there are no meal plans. The kitchen is adequately equipped to allow students to prepare their own meals. Beginning in the summer of 2004 wireless internet was installed in the house in Notting Hill.
Transportation
IFSA arranges for optional air travel from the east coast to London. Saint Joseph's students enrolled in the program will receive further detailed information regarding this option. Students participating on the group flight are met upon arrival in London and transported directly to their semester housing.
Students who opt to forgo IFSA-arranged travel will not be met at any of London's airports; such independent travelers will be provided with information and maps by IFSA on meeting with the orientation group in central London.
REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and receive the approval of Saint Joseph's for participation on the program.
- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Students should have junior or high sophomore status
COSTS
Students will remain registered at SJU and pay SJU tuition for the semester or year they will be studying abroad plus a Continuing Registration Fee of $100. Tuition rates are assessed to a student based on the student's primary matriculation at Saint Joseph 's University as determined by the academic policies of the University.
Saint Joseph's University will then pay IFSA-Butler for the tuition portion of the program. Students will also be billed for housing by Saint Joseph's University. To request a copy of the Financial Information Sheet which outlines additional estimated costs for this program, please send an email request to: cip@sju.edu
IFSA-Butler Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available for all of Butler's programs. While scholarship amounts range from $500 to $3,500, the majority of awards range from $750 to $1,000. You can request a scholarship application by calling Butler at 800-858-0229, or you can download an application from their Web site at www.ifsa-butler.org. Deadlines for England are April 1 st for Fall semester and academic year and October 1 st for Spring semester. For more information on scholarships and financial aid for study abroad visit our scholarships page.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Students are required to submit all of the following application documents to CIP before the deadline:
1. SJU Study Abroad Application
2. IFSA - Butler Application: copies available in CIP or from the IFSA-Butler website at: www.ifsa-butler.org/apply/eng_app.pdf. The IFSA Butler application must be submitted to CIP with the following:- Two Faculty Recommendations - use the Butler Academic Recommendation form from the Application packet. Butler only requires one recommendation, however CIP requires a 2nd recommendation. Therefore make an extra copy of the blank Butler Recommendation form and submit this to a 2nd faculty member. All Recommendation forms are to be returned to CIP - not mailed to Butler as the Recommendation says.
- Undergraduate Program Approval (included in the Butler application) Students fill out top and sign; CIP completes rest.
- 8 ID sized Passport photos (2" x 2")
- $40 Check made out to Institute for Study Abroad (for Butler 's application fee)
3. CIP will obtain a copy of your official transcript and forward it to IFSA-Butler on your behalf ONLY after we receive your completed application materials and your application is approved by our office.
Students interested in an internship must complete an additional application.
Applications that have been approved by our office will be forwarded to IFSA-Butler for their review and final approval. Approval by the Center for International Programs does not guarantee admission into the program.
You should begin to think about getting a passport. If you do not already have a passport go to the following site to apply for one: http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html
If you already have a passport check the validity dates. Your passport will need to be valid for 6 months after the END of your program.