United Kingdom: Lancaster University

• Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
• Clean record with the Office of Community Standards and good academic and College standing
• Professional application: materials are submitted on-time, are edited before submission, and are thorough and thoughtful.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• This program has a required advising session (30 minutes) as part of the application process. Please visit our home page to schedule an advising appointment.

Fall 2023

• October 2: Required arrival date
• October 2 - 6: Welcome Week
• October 6: Semester begins
• December 15: Semester ends

Spring 2023

• Jan 11: Required Arrival Date
• Jan 11 - Jan 13: Welcome Week
• Jan 13: First Day of Classes 
• Mar 24: Term ends
• Mar 25 - Apr 20: Spring Break
• Apr 21: Semester resumes
• June 30: Semester ends 

Spring 2024

• Jan 12: Semester begins
• Mar 22: Lent Term ends
• Mar 23 - Apr 18: Spring Break
• Apr 19: Semester resumes
• June 28: Semester ends 

Flight & Orientation

The International Office runs an orientation program at the beginning of each semester.  This program includes a welcome service during the arrival days and is designed to help you learn about the campus, your classes, and life in the UK.  Students are responsible for booking their own flights. DO NOT FLY THROUGH DUBLIN! This may cause problems with your student status in England.  The closest airport to Lancaster is Manchester, but students can also fly to London and take a train to Lancaster. 

Visa

US citizens who will be full time students for less than 6 months do not need to obtain a visa beforehand and will be able to enter the UK with visiting student status. For general information about the visa process and visas for non-US citizens, see our Passports and Visas Page.

Lancaster University

Lancaster University has been consistently ranked among the top fifteen universities in the United Kingdom and among the top 200 in the world.  Just over 16,000 students attend Lancaster, including international students from more than 200 countries.  Lancaster University is situated on a beautiful campus just outside the charming, small city of Lancaster, England and near the famed Lake District, one of the most picturesque landscapes in England with opportunities for outdoor pursuits—hiking, boating, biking and more.  Lancaster is halfway between London and Edinburgh, and both are easily accessible by train.

Courses

Just like at Rollins, some courses may be unavailable due to schedule conflicts, over-enrollment or prerequisites, but in general, visiting students may select from a wide range of excellent courses. For a full list of academic fields and courses available, check out the Study Abroad Module list.

In the fall semester, students participate in the introductory course "International Cultural Experience or ICE" before beginning the regular semester. 

A Warning About the British Educational System

In the UK there are generally fewer class, or contact hours, per week than in the U.S., and there is less continuous assessment of your academic performance. Semester grades are typically based on only one or two major assignments, such as a midterm and final exam. There will be a great degree of self-discipline and self-directed study required. Contact with professors is more limited, and most professors have a lecture-based teaching style. Students are generally expected to keep up with coursework and reading without prompting.

In addition, students entering university are typically already focused in their major or academic specialization. Thus, 200-level, or second-year courses are generally considered upper level courses.

Transfer of Credit

Courses are worth 2-4 credits and most students take 4-6 courses for a total of 16-20 credits. Courses on this program appear on the Rollins transcript as transfer credit; the grades are displayed and are factored into the Rollins GPA.  It can take up to three months for grades to be processed and appear on the Rollins transcript. For information on approving courses for major/minor and General Education/rFLA requirements, and other academic policies, please visit our Academic Information page.

Housing

Students live in residence halls in one of the eight undergraduate colleges.  Each college forms a unique residential community within the larger university.  Activities and events are sponsored by the colleges and help to develop the sense of community, while also providing international students with excellent opportunities to meet and mix with their fellow students.  Rooms are typically singles with private bathrooms.  For more information about the housing, peruse the Lancaster University accommodation website.

Please Note: Housing is not provided between the introductory course and Michaelmas terms in the fall semester, and during the spring break, though Lancaster provides storage space for students. Students will need to budget for additional housing and/or travel expenses during these breaks.

Meals

As is typical for a British University, there is no meal plan on campus.  Instead, residence halls have shared kitchens and students cook for themselves.  There is a grocery store on campus, as well as several on-campus eateries including coffee shops, restaurants, bars and a bakery.

Like most British Universities, Lancaster has an incredibly active Student Union that sponsors a huge array of student societies and intramural athletics.  We strongly encourage students to get involved in the extracurricular activities as that is the best way to get to know local and other international students. The Sports Centre offers excellent facilities including a swimming pool, weight lifting room, tennis courts, and a rock climbing wall.  Lancaster has an incredible engaging campus community and students who get involved on campus have very positive experiences.  Various student societies and the International Office will usually sponsor discounted trips to locations of interest in the UK.

Things to Consider

Students with mobility disabilities may find accessibility and accommodations different from the United States. Check the US Department of State Travelers with Disabilities and specific to the country, Mobility International USA, and the IP Your Identity Abroad page for resources.

Program Fee

Most Rollins financial aid and scholarships will apply to the semester abroad.

• Tuition: $29,150 (includes International Summer Programme in Fall)
• Housing: $4,925

Also Includes

Orientation, program administration, and emergency insurance.

Estimated Additional Costs

• Transportation: Round-trip airfare from FL $1,100, onsite $730
• Meals/food: $1,670
• Housing is not provided during the term breaks so students will need to budget for additional housing and/or travel expenses.
• Refundable Housing deposit: $250 (returned to student after program end)
• US Passport: $165
• Books, course materials, supplies: $300
• Personal expenses: $1,130
• Federal student loan fees if applicable: $40
• Professional licensure, certification or credentials costs: $0

Scholarships

Scholarships based on financial need are available to off-set costs associated with international airfare and other costs associated with study abroad, including, for this program, the additional housing during breaks. Students can apply for scholarships through the Rollins program application. Students can also apply for additional scholarships through the Lancaster website.

Living and Working

Having a credit card while abroad is very helpful. The United Kingdom has a slightly higher cost of living than the United States. Students can work part-time on a student visa while in the United Kingdom.