TCU-In London Westminster

TCU-In London-Westminster offers a wide variety of course disciplines with strengths in Business and Communication. Students enroll directly in classes taught by Westminster faculty, and study alongside British and other international students. Each module (class) is worth 4 TCU credit hours. Students receive TCU credit that applies towards the TCU GPA.

Students enroll in 3 – 4 Westminster modules, for a total of 12 – 16 credits per semester. Consult the Westminster Module Catalog and scroll to the section on “Study Abroad Classes” to find courses in the Undergraduate Study Abroad Programme. Semester 1 is the fall term. Semester 2 is the spring term.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

You must abide by the academic policies and regulations of the host university, including but not limited to policies on:

• Attendance / Absence policies
• Add / Drop process
• Grade Appeals
• Final Exam schedule

TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations.

For Internship Students

As one of their modules, internship students must take 5BUSS005X Professional and Personal Skills Development. This is an academically-assessed class designed to enhance a student’s work experience. Interns work 20 hours per week for 12 weeks. Internships are not guaranteed.

Prior to departure, but no more than 90 days in advance, interns need to apply for a visa, which costs approximately $600. Visas applications require information provided by Westminster.

As part of the application, students must have their London courses pre-approved through the credit approval process.

While you are abroad, you are enrolled in 12 hours of coursework (identified as SABD) as a placeholder. Your classes will not be posted to your TCU recorded until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends, when the transcript from Roehampton is sent. Once the Registrar receives your transcript, they will record the courses using the department codes on your Credit Approvals (i.e., MARK, HIST) and a generic course code. Your dean’s office will apply these to your major / minor / electives / core as approved.

All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

Group advising will be available to explain course options and the credit approval process.

Students are required to live in housing provided through TCU and may request one TCU roommate. Housing options vary per semester by location and amenities. Students primarily live in residential flats (apartments) provided through TCU/ACCENT with other TCU students or ACCENT program participants in central London. Flats generally include fully-furnished kitchens, washing machines and dryers, Wi-Fi, central heat, entry security systems, and combination safes. Meals are not included. Students may be housed in various locations depending on the number of students per semester and may be asked to rank preferences for housing assignments from various central London locations. Any damages to housing will be posted to your TCU account.

Semester Costs for 2024-25

1. London – Westminster Program Fee: Fall 2024 – $9300 
   Pay $500 Non-Refundable Deposit to confirm your spot in the program after admission
   Program Fee is billed to your TCU Student Account before the semester begins ($500 deposit applied as a credit)
   This includes:
   — Housing
   — Start-up and mid-term activities
   — In-city transportation card for underground and buses
2. TCU Tuition: $30,825
3. Estimated Additional Expenses: For outside expenses not included in the program fee. London is an expensive city and individual budgets are highly variable. This may include:
   — Airfare: $1,400
   — Books: $200
   — Class Excursions: $200
   — Meals/Groceries: $2,000
   — Personal Expenses: $2,000
   — Travel Expenses: Highly variable

Visit the Scholarships & Aid page to learn about study abroad scholarships, through TCU and other organizations. In particular, TCU-In London – Westminster applicants should look at the:

• TCU International Studies Award
• BUTEX Scholarship for study in the UK

Withdrawal Penalties:
Financial penalties are assessed on a sliding scale, based on withdrawal date.

• To withdraw from a program, you must notify TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) in writing. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded and cannot be used towards penalty amounts.
• In the case that TCU must cancel the program, the program fee (including deposit) and tuition will be fully refunded. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded.
• Financial penalties will be billed to your student account.
• TCU Tuition refunds are subject to TCU policies :(See TCU Undergraduate Catalog: http://catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/, Bachelor’s Degree, Definitions and Regulations.)

• Minimum 2.8 GPA (or 3.0 for the Harrow School of Media, Arts & Design); petitions may be considered
• At least two semesters in residence at TCU at the time of application. Freshmen cannot apply.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing at TCU
• A valid passport (good for at least 6 months after the program ends)

• Fall Programs
  • Priority Deadline: March 22
  • Regular Deadline: March 29, if space available
• Spring Programs
  • Priority Deadline: September 15
  • Regular Deadline: September 29, if space available

If applications exceed enrollment maximums, a lottery system will determine admission.

1. Complete the Global TCU Study Abroad Forms (already started an application? Login here to finish it).
   • This step includes completing a course approval process for your courses abroad.
2. Complete the appropriate Westminster application online. You will need to create a new user and identify yourself as applying through Partner and then Texas Christian University. You can also review the Guide to Making an Online Application.
   • — Study Abroad Application (classes only)
     — Study with Internship Application (classes plus internship)

Study Abroad programs often include field components that require the ability to perform tasks beyond what is expected in a typical classroom. Many programs require extensive walking and/or the ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to independently use public transportations; and/or sleeping in shared quarters. Program and housing facilities may lack central heat and air-conditioning, elevators, and other conveniences. Unless prior accommodations have been made through TCU Student Disabilities Services, students must be able to transport and manage own luggage through airports and public transportation centers.

Managing your health and safety is an important component in having a positive experience abroad. TCU provides you with a number of resources to assist you:

1. Prior to departure, you will need to attend the mandatory orientation which covers specific health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
2. Upon arrival, you will have an orientation to reiterate health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
3. TCU provides you membership to On Call International, a premier Global Assistance program. You can call On Call for any kind of travel, health, safety, or emergency issues, including:

• help replacing a lost passpor help translating and interpreting
• help with lost luggage, along with reimbursement for items needed while luggage is lost
• assistance finding general and specialty health care
• assistance with emergency refills of prescription
• health insurance for your time abroad.

For more information, please see Health & Safety

UK Visas

The UK requires a visa only for student interns and students planning to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. If this applies to you, you’ll need to apply for a visa at least 6 weeks prior to departure. UK visa application requires biometrics (fingerprints). Visas are approximately $600. See gov.uk/apply-uk-visa.

Do not plan to travel outside the U.S. during the two months prior to your semester abroad, because you must surrender your passport when you apply for a visa. Visa processing for the UK can take 4– 6 weeks.

You MUST have a round-trip ticket prior to departure for your program abroad.

Before Departure

You must attend the mandatory TCU-In London – Westminster  orientation. You should also review the TCU-In London – Westminster handbook and Know Before You Go page.

Arrival and On-Site Information

Students will go to their flats immediately upon arrival in London.  ACCENT, TCU’s logistical provider, will coordinate a welcome dinner, city tours, group excursions, and an in-depth housing orientation. The University of Westminster will also conduct orientation activities throughout the first week.

Because you are not enrolled in TCU classes, the TCU system will show 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder while you are abroad. Your classes will not transfer back to TCU until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends. At that time, the correct credit hours will be posted to your TCU record.