First Year Abroad in London
Put your global education first! See London and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local English culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students.
Stay in London for the duration of your program or see more of the world on one of our Fall + Spring academic year combinations. Along the way, you’ll develop skills and knowledge you simply can’t get in a U.S. classroom. Broaden your horizons, create relationships that last a lifetime, and return home to complete your college degree with a newfound confidence.
Please note: students will be required to obtain a working holiday visa in order to participate in an academic year program in this location.
Unique Experiences
Cultural Immersion
London is a hub for cultural exploration, from iconic landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, to the vibrant neighborhoods, world-class museums, and a thriving contemporary art scene
College Credits
Stay on track with your 4-year graduation requirements and earn up to 13 credits per semester
Lifelong Skills and Friendships
Jump right into independence, far away from home, and bond with other U.S. and international students
The Destination
London is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. London is at the cutting edge of the arts scene and provides access to music, fashion, museums (which are all free!), comedy, and theater. There are abundant opportunities for enjoying London – with eight Royal Parks right in the heart of the city and more green space than any comparable city in the world.
CIEE London is within walking distance of all the tourist highlights of the city, but it is also tucked away in the University district. Located in a beautiful Georgian square just moments from the British Museum and 10 minutes from Trafalgar Square and its art galleries, CIEE London has a lounge, cafe and study areas – perfect for meeting up with fellow students outside of class. It is right at the heart of central London and the perfect place for exploring the city. In the Center, you are a 10-minute walk from the British Library, a 15-minute walk from seeing the free-ranging pelicans in St James’s Park, a 20-minute walk to the London Eye.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with marginalized identities might encounter in London.
Students may study in London for one 12-week semester (fall or spring) or two 12-week semesters (fall and spring. Working holiday visa required).
Excursions & Activities
Ample activities and day-trips will be offered to immerse you in the United Kingdom’s culture and historical heritage. Each block typically includes two day-trips or one overnight trip.
- Punt (boat) along the Cam in Cambridge or explore the colleges in Oxford; visit the beautiful Roman remains in the Georgian city of Bath; promenade along the beaches of Brighton and gape at George IV’s notorious Pavilion
- Taste some delicious food after a tour of Soho’s Chinatown or walk along the South Bank of the Thames past Shakespeare’s Globe, a Medieval cathedral, and an imaginatively gruesome prison
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when revising itineraries is always to enhance your experience. Every activity is designed to provide you with a deep immersion in your topic, local culture and sights.
Housing & Meals
Housing
All housing is within a 30-45-minute commute to CIEE London.
Residence Halls: Students usually live with a mix of CIEE students, local and international students in dormitory-like buildings. Students usually share kitchens and common areas.
Housing is on a first-come, first-served basis. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.
Meals
No meals are provided. Students prepare their own meals in their own kitchenette or eat in one of many restaurants and cafés throughout the city.
Academics
First Year Abroad offers foundational college courses taught by CIEE local instructors to start your four-year college degree. We combine rigorous intro-level academic courses with unforgettable experiences outside the classroom to create a curriculum fostering academic, intercultural, and professional skills that help you succeed in college and the world beyond.
Our curriculum includes general education courses from major disciplines that offer you college credits to stay on track. Choose lecture and lab courses from the Arts and Humanities, World Language, Natural and Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences, as well as courses specifically designed to help you develop organizational, writing and study skills to thrive in college.
Course Information
In the Fall semester, the courses below will be listed as available in Blocks II & III, rather than Blocks I & II. This is because the First Year Abroad program runs during the final two blocks of the Fall semester which is otherwise split into three blocks on CIEE’s Academic Calendar.
For information about how these courses will be transferred back to Dean College, please refer to the course equivalency chart.
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Social Sciences
History, Philosophy, Religion
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Social Sciences
History, Philosophy, Religion
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Biological and Physical Sciences
Psychology
FYA Block I
- General Chemistry I (Lab Course)
- Introduction to Composition I
- Principles of Microeconomics
FYA Block II
- General Psychology
- Introduction to Political Science
- World History II
Download the course syllabi
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Interested in an academic year program? CIEE offers exciting customizable First Year Abroad (FYA) programs in select locations. Talk to your Enrollment Coordinator if you're interested in any of these combinations, and please note that visa and departure requirements may vary depending on your chosen program combination.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2026 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring 2025 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date * | End Date * | |
| Program Fall 2025 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Fall Block II 2024 6 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | |
| Program Fall 2024 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | |
| Program Fall Block III 2024 6 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, you will pay your CIEE program fee (fee varies by location) and Dean College tuition and fees ($2,900 total for all locations) directly to Dean College.
Federal financial aid and state aid (Massachusetts residents only) is available through Dean College. Students applying for need-based financial aid from Dean College must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using the FAFSA School Code for Dean College: 002144.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Get Started
1
Start a CIEE FYA Application
You’re one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! You need to apply and be accepted by both CIEE and Dean College to join FYA. Don’t worry! We’ll help you through the process!
2
Complete the Dean College FYA Application
You will receive an email with a unique link to your personalized Dean College application after completing your CIEE FYA application.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to the FYA program.