University of Miami Start Abroad in London

May 01, 2026: Submit your $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit to confirm your enrollment at the University of Miami for the spring semester.

May 05 (11:59 p.m. EDT): Start Abroad applications are due. Late submissions are not accepted.

End of May, 2026: Students will be notified of admission to the Start Abroad program

June 15, 2026: Deadline for payment in full of the program fee

Throughout the summer: Attend a mandatory virtual pre-departure orientation and info session. Dates and links will be provided to students as they are assigned.

August 26, 2026: Arrival in London and move in to housing

October 19-23, 2026: Mid-term break

December 12, 2026: Program ends / housing check-out

Students studying in London with FIE will be welcomed to Foundation House, FIE's study centre in South Kensington. Located conveniently across the street from Gloucester Road Underground Station, our students, faculty, and visitors get to enjoy one of the most beautiful and historic learning environments in the world. Within walking distance are some of Europe’s great cultural institutions including the Royal Albert Hall, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum, as well as the shopping districts of High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road. Find out more about our study centre and take a virtual tour here.

FIE’s academic and administrative hub is Foundation House, a five-story Edwardian mansion housing modern classrooms, staff offices, and a student lounge. Our Administration, Academic, IT and Student & Residence Life teams are located in Foundation House. All of the classrooms in Foundation House offer advanced IT infrastructure including high-speed fibre internet and Clevertouch screens. 

FIE students can enjoy the world of Kensington at their doorstep with easy access to hundreds of museums, shops, and historical centers. Thanks to Kensington Palace (less than a mile from Foundation House and half a mile from Metrogate House), the childhood home of Queen Victoria, students live and learn in a 'Royal Borough'. One of the largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park sits on 350 acres and offers many recreational opportunities for biking and running and lies just to the east of Kensington Palace.

During the fall semester students will enroll in 12-15 college credits in full-time status. With a broad array of coursework that is appropriate and relevant for most majors available, elective courses offered include business, communications, humanities, and social sciences.

As part of the Start Abroad in London program students are required to take the British Life and Cultures course, and the College Writing: Britain as a Text* course. Students then select two or three additional courses from FIE’s course offerings. These courses are eligible for transfer to UM as transfer credits. All courses are taught by local professors. On returning to campus, courses successfully completed with a grade equivalent of a “C” or higher will be eligible for transfer credit. Courses will appear on students’ University of Miami academic records as transfer credit but will not be calculated into their UM Grade Point Average.

*Please note that the University of Miami has confirmed that College Writing: Britain as a Text is part of the core curriculum overseas and will transfer back as WRS 105 to ensure that students are on track for their spring semester at the University of Miami.

The following courses are open to University of Miami students, pending confirmation from UM:

 
*Courses offered are subject to change by term based on academic programming needs, student enrollment, and faculty availability.

Students that hold a passport from the USA, Canada or an EEA (European) country do not need to apply for a visa before they travel to the UK and are classified as ‘Non-Visa Nationals’. Instead, you obtain immigration permission to enter as a student at the border when you arrive in the UK. You are, however, required to obtain Electronic Transfer Authorisation prior to you travel to the UK.

Students that hold a passport from other countries will need to apply online for a Standard Visitor Visa before you travel to the UK and are classified as ‘Visa Nationals’. A full list of Visa National countries can be found here. if your country is not listed, then you are a Non-Visa National.

Students that hold a British or Irish passport do not require a visa to study in the UK and are not required to obtain the Electronic Transfer Authorisation.

FIE’s student residences are located in some of the most vibrant parts of London, a short walk away from our Foundation House study center. All FIE student housing and study facilities are in the city center Zone 1 locality and well-serviced by the 24-hour public transport system. By residing in Zone 1, you can optimize your study abroad experience by easily visiting and familiarizing yourself with all the city has to offer, from museums to clubs and cafes. FIE is ideally situated for ease of study, travel, and visiting cultural and historic places.

Student residential buildings in the Kensington area are usually mid to late 19th century converted townhouses. Some are flats and some are floor style. Most students will live in double, triple, and quad occupancy rooms. Each bedroom is fully furnished. Common kitchens are equipped with cookware, silverware, and dishes. Metrogate House, our main housing facility in London, offers app-operated laundry facilities for use by FIE residents. All residences feature common living areas where students can interact. Students will be notified within 30-days of the program start date and given details of their housing placements. Roommate requests are accepted but not guaranteed. The FIE London Residence Life Supervisors (RLS) live in the residences and provide support outside of office hours and throughout the weekend as well as organising community events during the semester.  

For more information about our housing, including pictures and virtual tours, please visit our London Housing webpage.

London’s Student Life team is here to help you make the most of your time studying abroad. We provide a comprehensive orientation program, organize activities outside of the classroom, offer travel advice, support your health and well-being, and can provide guidance on other opportunities and services in London. You probably have tons of questions about life in London such as what extra-curricular activities do you offer? What is the local area like? Where can I find a gym? How do I use the Tube? All these questions and more are answered in our Student Life webpage.

Whether you're looking to enjoy the breathtaking views from the London Eye or want to delve into the medieval world of the Tower of London, FIE is your guide to maximizing your study abroad adventure with a diverse range of exciting activities in London. The FIE London Activity Calendar is a series of extra-curricular events offered at a subsidized rate for the FIE community - a perfect opportunity for you to get to know your fellow students while enjoying fun events! Full details on upcoming activities will be sent directly to your inbox during your program, but take a look at our activities webpage for a sneak peek at some of the upcoming events.

The health, safety, and well-being of students is of the utmost importance to us here at FIE. Through preparation, orientation, and an open-door office, we ensure that everyone is fully supported throughout the entire study abroad experience. Visit our dedicated London Health and Safety webpage for more information on local support and resources.

In addition to being covered by comprehensive, easy-to-utilize international travel insurance, FIE students also have access to professional counseling services if needed. You can find more detailed information regarding travel insurance, our mental health provision, and our disability policy on the FIE website.

Our Before You Go pages have additional information about what you can do before you travel to ensure you begin your study abroad experience positively and safely.

Included in your program fee is an Oystercard, the reusable smartcard travelpass for London’s public transportation network with unlimited travel for the duration of your program provided across Zones 1 and 2. This card provides access to London’s vast transport system and gives you many ways to travel sustainably across the capital. The London Underground, the subterranean sibling to the train that is frequently referred to as the “tube”, is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to get around the city. All London Underground stations are easy to identify as they are signposted by the iconic roundel symbol. Transport for London (TfL) has information on all tubes across London, including maps, timetables and service updates. You can access this information on the TFL website or app, or via the Citymapper app, that allows you to view some maps offline.

From exploring London on the iconic red London buses, or on the world's oldest underground train system, to jumping on a train to experience the diversity, history and beauty of the United Kingdom, you will have access to a broad and well-established network of transportation options. Visit our Travel webpage for an insight to what awaits you!

England and the United Kingdom (which also includes Norther Ireland, Scotland and Wales) uses the Pound Sterling (GBP) as the official currency. Once students arrive in London, they'll have access to ATMs to cover immediate (cash) needs with most places accepting cards as a form of payment. It is important that students notify their bank that they will be studying in England prior to arrival to ensure that usage of the card abroad does not trigger a security alert or account suspension. We also recommend checking with banks to see what kinds of foreign transaction fees may apply.