Student Initiated Programs: Architecture in the UK


Image of London, England
Study architecture abroad in Newcastle through an approved and accredited non-KU study abroad program.
Location: United Kingdom
Language of Instruction: English
Academic Disciplines: ArchitectureDesignUrban Planning
Program Type: Student-Initiated Program
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

Student-Initiated Programs

Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) allow KU students to earn resident KU credit for study abroad programs sponsored by other accredited U.S. universities and colleges. The SIP category also applies to degree-seeking KU students who opt to enroll directly in foreign institutions accredited by the Ministry of Education of the host country for a summer, semester, or academic year. 

Students participating in a SIP remain enrolled at KU during the study abroad program and receive KU resident credit and grades for the coursework that they complete abroad.  Continuous KU enrollment allows for access to state and federal financial aid as well as deferment of loan repayments. In addition, students on a SIP receive academic, cultural and safety information at the mandatory Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) orientation and have contact (including 24-hour emergency assistance) with SAGE while abroad. Students also receive emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage for the study period.

Program Selection

Currently the only approved university for KU Architecture students in the United Kingdom is Newcastle University, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Students may spend the fall semester of the third year of the M.Arch. degree at Newcastle. Students MAY be able to study in the spring semester of the third year, provided that they enroll in ARCH 509 at KU for the fall semester of the third year. Students interested in pursuing a third-year Spring placement at Newcastle should meet with their academic advisor in Fall of the second year of the M.Arch degree to determine whether Spring of third year will be possible.

Application

It is entirely the student's responsibility to monitor deadlines and application procedures for the non-KU program.  In addition, students must complete the KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement SIP application and scholarship application (if applicable) by the deadlines listed below, regardless of the non-KU program deadlines.

Deadline for Spring Semester: October 1

Deadline for Fall Semester: March 15

In addition to the University of Kansas Student-Initiated Program application, students nominated by KU Architecture will need to complete admissions paperwork for Newcastle University that will be provided by KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement.

As with many other study abroad options, students must meet with departmental faculty advisors and their academic advisor in their major during the application process in order to complete an Academic Plan. Through this process they will be able to determine what equivalent KU credit they will receive for their study abroad courses. Upon acceptance to the non-KU program, students must submit a copy of the letter of acceptance from the host institution to SAGE.

Orientation

All students who participate in SIPs are required to take part in the KU SAGE pre-departure orientation even if there is an on-site orientation arranged by the non-KU program. The SAGE orientation provides important academic, cultural, and safety information to all study abroad participants.

Credit-Posting

Students are required to maintain full-time student status (12 hours/semester) while abroad and post all courses to their KU transcript.  All courses must be approved prior to departure, while abroad, or upon return by the relevant academic department. They will be posted to the KU transcript as they appear on the student’s Academic Plan & Approval Form or Credit Worksheet with the accompanying grades earned.  Grades will be calculated into the student's KU GPA.

A signed and sealed official transcript (or equivalent document) must be provided to KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE). The transcript may be forwarded directly to the SAGE Program Coordinator or the student can hand-deliver a sealed copy.  Participants in Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) will want to check with their provider or host institution to find out if their transcript will be sent automatically or if they must obtain one directly. 

Failing to complete the grade posting process will prevent graduation from KU and may have other implications such as immediate forfeiture of all financial aid, including return of scholarships and repayment of loans.

Fees

The Study Abroad & Global Engagement SIP fee includes the SAGE administrative fee, KU enrollment, SAGE pre-departure orientation, 24-hour emergency contact services, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services. 

Currently, the KU program fee for participation in a Student-Initiated Program is as follows:

Summer/Short-Term: $580

Semester: $1,050

Academic Year: $1,330

The SIP fee is in addition to any tuition, fees or other expenses related to the non-KU program. The SIP fee will be billed on your KU account once you commit to the program.

All other program related expenses (non-KU program provider fees and/or host institution tuition, room and board etc.) are the responsibility of the student and will not be billed on your KU account. Students must make arrangements to pay these fees directly.

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Study Abroad & Global Engagement can do personalized financial aid and scholarship advising for students. Please visit 108 Lippincott Hall or call 785-864-3742 to set up an appointment. KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Federal Grants, and KU or outside scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

KU Study Abroad supplemental scholarships are available to KU degree seeking students. Applications are available online. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Summer and Fall and Academic Year programs and October 1 for Spring, Winter Break and Spring Break programs.

See Study Abroad Scholarships for additional information. 

KU Architecture students will enroll in one studio and two lecture courses during the fall semester at Newcastle University:

ARC2099: Architectural Design 2 (Semester 1) (ARCH 508, 6 credits + ARCH 359, 2 credits)
ARC2016: Architectural Technology 2: Construction in Detail (ARCH 626, 3 credits)
ARC2018: Cities, Cultures, Space (ARCH 359, 5 credits)

 

Students interested in pursuing a third-year Spring placement at Newcastle should meet with their academic advisor in Fall of the second year of the M.Arch degree to determine whether Spring of third year will be possible.

Typical spring courses include:

ARCH2095: Architectural Design 2 (Semester 2)
ARCH2017: Construction, Energy, Professional Practice (ARCH 627, 3 credits + 2 credits TBD)
+One additional 3 KU credit course

Once admitted by Newcastle University, KU students will be able to apply directly for Newcastle University accommodation. KU's accommodation budget estimate assumes rent of £160 per week for an 18-week accommodation contract. Newcastle University has a variety of housing options, some of which are well under our estimate, and others that are more expensive than the estimate. It is up to each student to decide which features and budget suit their own situation.

For more information on housing options at Newcastle visit their Accommodation Office website. 

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

Undergraduate or graduate students may participate in a SIP as long as they meet the minimum 2.50 GPA requirement and are in good academic standing at KU. Newcastle University requires a 3.0 GPA, though the nomination process through KU Architecture may have higher requirements. As with other programs, students must complete at least one academic term at KU prior to participating in study abroad.  In all cases, the student must meet the sponsoring institution's eligibility requirements and must be accepted to the program by the sponsoring institution.

Students searching for a study abroad program are encouraged to meet with a Peer Advisor in the SAGE Info Center, located in 105 Lippincott. No appointment is necessary.  Students who decide to do a SIP are responsible for researching their options, finding an appropriate program, and meeting with a program coordinator to discuss the program. 

The following websites are useful tools for researching non-KU programs:

IIEPassport Study Abroad

EducationDynamics

GoAbroad

Brochures for a number of non-KU programs are available in the SAGE Info Center.