Live, learn and work in the heart of London
Live like a Londoner! The global educational and international internship opportunities are only part of the excitement. Earn 9 credit hours in this six-week, June-July program through class and an internship. You will live in a flat located in the heart of London. Through the internship experience, you will have hands-on engagement with a field related to your major such as fashion, art and design studios, advertising/public relations/marketing firms, global organizations serving families and children, financial enterprises, and more. You will also have ample opportunities to visit museums, take in theater, visit historic sites, attend art festivals and local markets, and tour landmarks from Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London.
Dates
June 4 – July 18, 2026
Application Deadline
December 2, 2025 ($450 deposit)
Approximate Cost
$9725, excluding airfare (tentative)
Program fee includes six weeks in a student flat in Central London; transportation pass for buses and underground trains; orientation program; sightseeing tour of London; a ticket for the London Eye; two theatre tickets; two full-day guided day trips from London by private coach; afternoon tea river cruise and entrance to the Tower of London; access to the computer lab and library at AIFS, British Life and Culture lectures; access to the AIFS student center, emergency contact services, services of an experienced AIFS program coordinator and student advisors; classroom equipped with computer and projector; internship placement, classes and guided tours.
Other costs: Roundtrip airfare to London, passport and Tier 4 Visa for an internship (must be obtained before arriving in the UK); UGA tuition and fees for six hours of credit; expenses in London: meals, souvenirs, and other personal expenses.
Pre-departure meetings for London are mandatory during spring semester 2026 for all students accepted into the program. Dates for meetings will be announced in January 2026.
While studying in London, students will experience
- The excitement of living in an international city while earning college credits.
- The richness of London’s museums, theatre, fashion, business, and financial districts.
- Opportunities for day trips to places such as Bath and Cambridge.
- London's historical sights such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the Royal Observatory.
- Fabulous markets, beautiful parks, and a delicious array of international foods
Courses Offered
FACS 5950/7950: London: It Suits Everybody!
This class will cover issues, trends, and designers of the global fashion industry with a special focus on British Fashion and the fashion and retail scene of London because of the lead professor’s academic background. However, since it is a FACS program, individual projects that cover financial planning, housing management policy, culinary science, nutrition, consumer economics, human development, and family science, etc., will be discussed with each program participant individually before the trip to satisfy their specific needs. The projects will explore a research question agreed upon with the student and be experiential in nature. They will involve field work that will culminate in a graded project presentation in front of the London program participants.
FACS 5711/7711: British Life and Culture
Using a global perspective to understand issues surrounding consumers and families, this course will present unique views on British culture. Of interest will be the historical nature of England’s culture including its long history of theater and plays; the education and medical systems, the social hierarchy in London and the unique relationship that exists between England and the United States.
FACS 5915 Internship/Practicum
To gain experience interning in a major international city with a business, industry, or organization related to your field of study
Information Sessions
Date: Wednesday, October 8th, 6:00 p.m
Location: Dawson Hall, Room 308
Date: Wednesday, November 5th, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Dawson Hall, Room 308
Frequently Asked Questions: London 2026
- What are all of the costs associated with the London Study Away program?
- Do I have to pay UGA tuition and fees?
- What is a SABD course?
- Can I use Hope Scholarship, Zell Miller or financial aid for tuition and fees for London Study Abroad courses?
- Can I pay in-state tuition for a UGA study away program like London Study Away?
- Where do we live in London?
- Is attendance on field trips and the British Life and Culture class mandatory?
- What are the program dates?
- Can I stay longer in London after the program ends in July?
- What should I do if I plan to arrive in London before the rest of the UGA group does?
- How do we get our internship placement? Why do I have to have a visa?
- When will I know where I will intern?
- Will my USA cell phone work in London?
- Can a family member or friend stay in the flat in London with me and my roommates?
- A family member or friend is coming to visit while I am in London. Can I miss class, internship, or a field trip to be with them?
- Can we travel outside of London every weekend?
- What is there to do in London on the weekends?
- Can we get clothes dry-cleaned while in London?
- What currency is used in England?
- How do I handle money while abroad?
- What are all of the costs associated with the London Study Away program?
Program fee
Airfare
Passport
Visa for Internship mandated by the UK Government (current cost 524 pounds).
UGA tuition and fees for 6-9 hours of credit
Meals in London. Laundry and other incidentals
- Do I have to pay UGA tuition and fees?
Yes, you must register for FACS 5711/7711 (British Life and Course) – required course for London; FACS 5950; FACS 5915/7915 (Internship). Tuition and fees MUST be paid before you leave for London!
- What is a SABD course?
The SABD course is a placeholder, and you must register for both the above courses and the SABD courses for the study away program. The courses will have different CRNs.
- Can I use Hope Scholarship, Zell Miller or financial aid for tuition and fees for London Study Abroad courses?
Yes you can, be sure to make an appointment with a Financial Aid officer to let them know you are considering studying away.
- Can I pay in-state tuition for a UGA study away program like London Study Away?
Yes, out-of-state students must be enrolled for ALL study abroad courses for any given term in order to be assessed the in-state tuition rate.
- Where do we live in London?
Students will stay in twin-bedded rooms within a student residence. Residences are centrally located in London within a maximum of one hour travel time to the AIFS Center. Student residences also include a shared kitchen and living space. Linens and free wireless internet are provided.
- Is attendance on field trips and the British Life and Culture class mandatory?
Yes, all field trips and British Life and Culture (BLC) class lectures are mandatory and are part of the requirements to receive a “S” for satisfactory for FACS 5711/7711, along with other course requirements. For more information on field trips, see the section titled “Field Trips.”
- What are the program dates?
For 2026, the program dates will be June 4 through July 18.
- Can I stay longer in London after the program ends in July?
Yes, but you have to find another place to stay in London aside from the housing provided by AIFS. You will also have to organize your own transportation back to the U.S., as AIFS does not offer later departure dates in its transportation package.
- What should I do if I plan to arrive in London before the rest of the UGA group does?
You will need to find your own accommodation in London or wait for the group at the airport. You must meet the UGA group at a predetermined location on their arrival date and scheduled time for Orientation and housing placements.
- How do we get our internship placement? Why do I have to have a visa?
AIFS staff members will interview all of the students for internships. She/he will also tell you about applying for a Tier 4 Visa, which the British Government requires you to have for an internship in the UK. You must complete the processes and pay for the Visa BEFORE you leave for London. The cost is around $705 USD.
- When will I know where I will intern?
AIFS may know your internship placement before you leave for London. They will usually email you directly. In many cases, they are calling to reconfirm the internship and may have changes at the last minute, so most students will not find out until arrival.
- Will my USA cell phone work in London?
Most cell phones from the USA work in London, but you will need to check with your service provider about this and get an international phone plan. In the past, some students bought inexpensive mobile (cell) phones in London.
- Can a family member or friend stay in the flat in London with me and my roommates?
AIFS’s policy is that students cannot have non-AIFS London participants staying in the flats.
- A family member or friend is coming to visit while I am in London. Can I miss class, internship, or a field trip to be with them?
Since the program is only six weeks long, you are required to be at all activities (class, internship, lecture, etc.). You will forfeit the “S” grade if you miss an activity, internship day, or lecture.
- Can we travel outside of London every weekend?
There will be two or three weekends that do not have an activity planned for Friday. Those are the weekends to go to Paris, Amsterdam, up to Scotland, or over to Ireland. These are easy places to get to and back for a weekend.
- What is there to do in London on the weekends?
Lots! Many museums are free, there are numerous historic sites, and of course, fun, inexpensive markets, the theatre, and restaurants and clubs/pubs students enjoy frequenting.
- Can we get clothes dry-cleaned while in London?
Yes, but it is very expensive. Bring clothes that can be hand-washed or taken to a laundromat.
- What currency is used in England?
The British pound sterling (£). As of August 2025, £1 = $1.35.
Most of the rest of Europe uses the Euro. Northern Ireland and Scotland use the British pound, whereas the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro. As of August 2025, 1€ = $1.17.
The values of the British pound sterling and the euro relative to the U.S. dollar change every day. There are several currency converters online where you can check the exchange rates.
- How do I handle money while abroad?
You can get British currency from your bank before you depart, and/or you can withdraw money from bank machines in London using debit or credit cards. For the latter, you should check with your bank or credit card company regarding fees, including fees associated with using a different bank’s ATM machine as well as possible exchange fees.
Debit cards work best. Make sure you check with your bank to see which banks they recommend for using their bank card in London and other places in Europe to get the best rate. You might take a credit card as backup. Check with your bank or credit card company to see if they charge international transaction fees.
Be careful when getting money out of ATM machines in crowded or touristy areas. Some banks have ATM machines inside the bank, which are easier and safer to use, for the most part, than those outside of a bank.
Most U.S. credit and debit cards will work at stores and restaurants in England, although some may require a PIN number for credit cards. As with cash withdrawals, check with your bank to determine if there are foreign transaction fees for such purchases.
Pickpockets are common in large cities in England and Europe. It is safest to carry your money and credit cards either in a travel pouch tucked under your shirt or one that is secured to your belt. If you carry a backpack or crossbody bag, carry it on your front, secured to your chest. Pickpockets can get into your backpack without you ever feeling it. Do not carry your cell phone in your back pocket. Do not hang your purse or backpack across the back of your chair while at a restaurant or pub.