ARCH London

Program Details

• Cost

  We are currently in the process of finalizing the anticipated costs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Please refer to the 'FIE Scholarships' section below for information on available scholarship opportunities.

  Spring 2026 program cost: Coming Soon!

  South Carolina resident students will be able to use state and federal aid to help pay for this program. Non-resident students will be able to use any federal aid.

  Fees include:

  • FIE tuition, fees, and student housing
  • Service learning placement experience
  • Co- and extra- curricular activities throughout London with the FIE Student Life team
  • 24-hour on-call site staff
  • Health monitoring and medical referral service; FIE staff presence for all serious illness or injuries
  • Student support and advice through the full complement of the FIE London team
  • Attendance and an opportunity for student presentations at the FIE Student Global Leadership Conference in London, held annually in April
  • Extended group orientation from before departure and upon arrival in London with thorough health and safety briefings and city tours before classes start
  • Oyster Card - students are provided with a Transport for London pass for the duration of their time on the program. The pass covers Zones 1 and 2 of the underground tube and all above-ground bus service. FIE will "top up" the passes of any students who have service learning placements outside of Zone 2 during the placement period.

  Fees exclude:

  • Center for International Education Application Processing
  • Transatlantic airfare, passport and visa fees (service learning placements require a Tier 4 visa for most students)
  • Meals
  • Textbooks, lab fees, and academic materials
  • Optional FIE extracurricular activities
  • Personal expenses and independent travel and expenses
• FIE Scholarships

  Students are eligible to apply for FIE's Semester Scholarships, valued at $3,000 per award. Students choose a specific "route," which coincides with FIE's values: Diversity and Inclusivity, Environmental Responsibility, or Chairty and Community. Application details can be found here.

  FIE became a Fund for Education Abroad Access Partner in 2018 to provide additional funding. More information can be found here. 

• Program Details & Class Structure

  FIE's academic and administrative hub is Foundation House, a five-story Edwardian mansion housing modern classrooms, staff offices, and a student lounge. The Administration, Academic & Experiential Education, Communications & IT, Facilities, and Student Life teams are located in Foundation House.

  Metrogate House serves as the largest student residence with laundry facilities, mail pickup for all FIE residences, a 24 hour PC lab, and our dedicated Facilities Support Team. Metrogate House also accommodates three classrooms for FIE students as well as staff offices allowing our staff to be easily accessible to students. 

  Weeks 1 through 7: Students take FIE's Key courses in British Life and Cultures which runs the duration of the program. Students take 2-3 more elective courses which will start and finish in the first seven weeks of the program and meet twice a week for three hours per session. Students will also prepare for service-learning placements. 

  Week 8: Mid-semester break

  Weeks 9 through 15: Service-learning placements and continuing coursework. Students continue to participate in their key course and begin the experiential education seminar course: International Service and Leadership Course which includes participation in the Student Global Leadership Conference. Service-learning placements will take place for 8-10 hours a week engaging students with schools, libraries, community centers, and youth projects to realize creative projects such as performances and art work with various constituencies. Training for work within diverse audiences, awareness-raising and support in student development will be provided and offered as part of the placement and coursework. London is rich with registered charities and not-for-profit organizations that serve to deliver public services working to improve life in the city and beyond. 

  Classes

  Students can choose from a selection of course work in the following areas:

  classes coming soon!

• Housing

  FIE's student residences are located in some of the most vibrant part of London, a short walk or tube ride from classes. Depending on the building, students live in double, triple, or quad occupancy rooms and each bedroom is fully furnished. Common kitchens are equipped with cookware, silverware, and dishes. Wireless internet access is available in all residences. Pay as you go laundry facilities and an 11-station PC Lab is open to FIE students 24/7 in Metrogate residence. All residences feature common living areas where students can interact. ARCH students would likely be paired up and rooming together and/or living in the same building near each other.

  Metrogate House is an essential part of your FIE London experience! It was created from three 19th-century townhouses and is located a short 10-minute walk from Foundation House and just three minutes from the amenities of Gloucester Road. Metrogate House is home to the Study Lounge and Quiet Study Area, open to FIE students from all residences. 

   

  Hyde Park Gate is an impressive townhouse is just a ten-minute walk from Foundation House. Hyde Park Gate is comprised of seven spacious apartments overlooking Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Not only is this superb residence conveniently located for students’ academic pursuits, but it is also close to High Street Kensington; a busy and bustling hub of shops, restaurants, and museums.

  Manson Place is a townhouse located in the heart of South Kensington. It has a variety of accommodations ranging from two bedrooms to large, multi-bedroom apartments. This residence is within easy walking distance to the Foundation House as well as other FIE residences.

   

  For complete details about each residence and some 360-degree virtual tours, please see here. 

• London Immersion Opportunities

  FIE encourages students to proactively take advantage of and participate in the many opportunities to interact with local people and culture FIE offers. 

  • The FIE Student Life Team plans weekend or day trips for all FIE students to participate. They often have local activities to explore and enjoy London, but sometimes plan weekend trips for those who wish to travel outside London. The Student Life Team will also help in planning more elaborate trips around the UK and Europe for students who wish to travel more on their own time during weekends or break. 
  • London students have associate memberships in the Imperial College Student Union which offers more than 300 clubs and societies and access to Imperial's various student cafes and restaurants. Imperial also hosts a variety of social events like pub quiz nights, free concerts, and community fora, all of which are open to FIE students
  • In addition to joining a sports/fitness society through the Imperial College Union, FIE has a relationship with a local gym where students can join for a discounted fee
  • HOST is a voluntary UK organization that aims to help international students make the most of their time in the UK by bringing them together with friendly British families - FIE subsidizes the student participation fee
  • All FIE courses required 3-4 co-curricular trips (museums, walks, class outside, historical visits, etc.) so students are guaranteed to explore London using it as a classroom
• Student Support Services

  Accessibility, Health, Counseling, Safety, Security, & Emergency Medical Support

  FIE prides itself on going above and beyond the typical offerings of a study abroad provider to ensure that students are well supported in every facet of their experience. Safety for program participants is FIE's highest priority.Their approach ensures participants are supported and well educated on issues that affect their physical safety, emotional well-being, and overall preparedness.

  • FIE works closely with its university partners, placement sites, and affiliated organizations to provide an accessible experience for all students. FIE Accessibility Manager will assist your students with their accessibility needs or queries, from pre-application through their entire study abroad experience
  • FIE London has a licensed counselor/psychotherapist who can meet with students who are exploring difficulties during their time abroad. Three counseling sessions and referral for ongoing counseling is a complimentary service offered by FIE
  • Health monitoring and medical referral service; FIE staff presence is offered for all serious illness or injuries and in cases of hospitalization
  • Emergency 24/7 support is available in person or via telephone from Metrogate Residence front desk staff
  • Providing program participants with critical pre-departure information on issues related ot health and safety preparedness
  • Training participants on potential health and safety issues that may arise during their stay, including situational analyses and ways to identify dangerous situations, along with culturally specific guidelines to acceptable behavior, clothing, and overall conduct
  • FIE staff and faculty are trained in US Title IX and Clery responsibilities and will coordinate with Title IX and Clery staff on the home campus as needed

  Student Life Team

  The FIE Student Life Team is responisble for student health and well-being. Throughout the semester, they offer ongoing help, information, and advice on a broad number of issues in a well-rounded 'drop-in' Student Life Office.

  Access

  Wireless Internet access is available in all residences. Pay as you go laundry facilities and a 11-station PC Lab is open to FIE students 24/7 in Metrogate Residence. All residences feature common living areas where students can interact.

  Residence Life Supervisors

  Residence Life Supervisors, or "RLS," live in all FIE residences and assist students with various residence life questions and concerns outside of standard hours. FIE RLSs draw on their experiences of living and working in the education sector in London to enhance residential experiences. 

  Transportation

  Students are provided with a Transport for London (Oyster Card) for the duration of their time in the program. The pass covers Zones 1 and 2 of the underground (tube) and all above-ground bus service.

• More about FIE

  The Foundation for International Education (FIE) is a London-based non-profit educational organization established in 1998 to provide customized partnership programs and individual student enrollment programs in London, Dublin, and Amman. FIE's partner institutions find value in our expert staff, experienced faculty, sound infrastructure, unique curriculum, and global stewardship. They offer a varienty of ways to build and deliver academic programs rich in experiential learning. FIE's coursework spans a variety of disciplines, and emphasis is placed on academic rigor and the utilization of London as a classroom. FIE is a leader in academic internship provision, and over the years has developed a robust network of partner organizations trained to receive student interns from the United States. 

• Who is eligible to participate?

  ARCH London is an exclusive study abroad opportunity only for students in the ARCH Scholars Program. This study abroad program will run during the spring semester only. ARCH students are welcome to participate in this study abroad during their first or second year of the ARCH Program.