Pitt in London - Summer

 

Study in one of the most vibrant, exciting and culturally rich cities in the world. Pitt in London offers a variety of courses across different disciplines. Your lecturers will be faculty from universities throughout the city along with Pitt faculty based at the CEA CAPA London Center. Whether you study English Literature, Political Science, History, or Business London will be your classroom and textbook. 

You can also get invaluable professional and intercultural experience by participating in an internship. Whether you’re an advertising or an urban studies major, or anything in between, internship opportunities offer placements in a range of majors and fields in London.

The University of Pittsburgh partners with CEA CAPA Education Abroad for this program. The CEA CAPA London Center will host your classes and CEA CAPA staff will be there for you to answer any questions and provide guidance. This immersive study abroad program will give you an incredible opportunity to live like a Londoner and challenge you to grow academically, personally, and professionally. 

And if you still have any doubts, learn about the program from the students who have done it. Read students' blog here.

 

 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity:

  • to learn how to navigate living in a big city: from using one of the world's busiest metro systems to managing time and resources
  • to explore rich and diverse culture and history of London and the UK, and analyze current political, economic and social challenges the country is facing
  • to advance your intercultural communication skills and develop deeper understanding of opportunities and challenges the globalization brings to the academic and professional environments 

 

If your first thoughts of London are the Royal Family and Downton Abbey, prepare to be blown away. English history and culture are juxtaposed against streets lined with Indian restaurants and Chinese New Year celebrations. The birthplace of the English language is now home to speakers of more than 30 other languages – and that is not counting the variety of English accents you will hear. Skyscrapers tower over 17th-century buildings while Big Ben overlooks the River Thames. Study abroad in London and you find yourself constantly surprised by what you discover in one of the world’s most diverse and global cities.
 
 

Where You'll Live: 

Part of the experience is to live like a Londoner. The overwhelming majority of students choose to live in shared apartments – the English call them flats – spread across the city. While apartments are as varied as the city itself and no two flats are alike, all of them are located in safe neighborhoods and secure buildings. Regardless of where you live, you can expect a 45- to 60-minute commute to the CEA CAPA Center.  

You can expect the following:

  • Shared bedrooms (2 or 3 students/bedroom, single bed or bunk bed)
  • Bedding, but need to bring your own towels
  • Shared bathroom
  • Shared kitchen 
  • Internet access (for general browsing, but not meant for heavy downloading or streaming)
  • Coin operated laundry 
  • It is not typical for UK residences to have air conditioning or dryers

Please note that meals and transportation card are not included in the program fee.

You will receive your address, roommate information, and neighborhood description about 2 weeks before your departure for London.

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change. Contact your program manager with any questions.

What You'll Study: 

You can receive 6-9 credits on this program.

If you are only planning to take academic courses, you can earn up to 9 credits (3 courses).  Each course is worth three credits and a letter grade basis.

If you plan to do an internship, you can receive a total of 6 credits (1 academic course + internship).

A&S Students who take:
 
ENGLIT 0580 - Introduction to Shakespeare can fulfill a Gen Ed for Literature
 
URBNST 0410 - Analyzing and Exploring the Global City -London fulfills Geographic Region Gen Ed requirement
 
 
Interested in taking Writing the City (ENGWRT1200) plus a course exploring London's most famous living novelist, Zadie Smith (ENGLIT 1199)? Head over to the Reading and Writing London program page. This program runs concurrently to the Pitt in London Summer program. 
 
Comparative Healthcare in London (ANTH1737)

This course will introduce the UK healthcare system and the context within which it operates. Students will explore the evolution of the National Health Service (NHS) from its inception in 1948 to present day; analyze case studies to compare the UK model of healthcare with other healthcare systems such as in the United States, France, Sweden, and lower income countries; develop an understanding of concepts and themes in comparative healthcare; and critically examine the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in healthcare.

Learning through Internships (ARTSC1903)

The Learning through Internships program is a unique and innovative opportunity for students to combine their internship placement (and living abroad) experience with a weekly in-class educational and mentoring experience (session), which aims to develop students' personal and professional skills while earning academic credit. The Focus Seminars and Regional Identities lectures and activities which make up an important part of the program are designed to provide theory and practice around societal themes which inform and enrich the internship experience. Students enrolling in ARTSC 1903 will earn 3 semester credits and intern 15-20 hours per week.

Contemporary British Film (ENGFLM1190)

The 1990s and 2000s saw the British film industry undergo a number of dramatic changes. From an all-time low at the end of 1980s, during the early 1990s British cinema entered a period of confidence and success that was mirrored by a major structural and financial reorganization. The course will chart the development of British film during the period 1994-2010 through the critical study of key films, and will examine the way that these films both emerge from and transform the earlier British cinema tradition. Readings will focus on the critical reception of the films and the manner in which they have been absorbed into the canon. There will also be particular focus on the political and social context of the films.

Introduction to Shakespeare (ENGLIT0580)

For a portrayal of the variety and depth of human emotions, Shakespeare has never been equaled. In this course, a selection of plays will be studied in depth, with equal focus on the genres of comedy, history and tragedy. Through visits to Shakespearean plays in performance, to the Globe theatre workshop, and through guest speakers, the plays will be examined not only textually but also as living plays that tell us as much about modern identity as the development of the early modern identity. Students will examine the notion of Shakespeare as 'timeless' to understand how vitally he moves from the concerns of his day to ours. This course requires an addition $70 fee to cover the cost of theatre tickets while in London.  You will pay this via credit card upon arrival.

Post-war Pop Culture in Britain (ENGLIT1760)

This course will look at some key theories of popular culture, and include case studies of selected examples from the British Isles since 1945. Popular culture versus subcultures will be examined. The main aim will be to enable students to think independently about this topic. The course will include study visits to galleries, museums and other sites as an important learning experience. This course aims to draw in the students' previous educational and life experiences of culture and history, including oral cultures, popular and ethnic cultures and social and religious movements. It will compare British and American experiences of popular culture, the differences, similarities and cross-influences.

Global Perspective on Nursing and Midwifery History (NUR1061)

This course will explore the development of nursing practice from the perspectives of medical, nursing, and midwifery history. Students will explore the impacts of social change, evolving attitudes to care, and the role of the Enlightenment, French Revolution, and American Independence, as well as the transition from Agrarian to Industrial Society in shaping nursing care; consider contributions made by Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, and Mrs Bedford-Fenwick to nursing practice; examine the effect of religion, philosophy, ethics, law, sociology, and economics on clinical practice and the professional role and practice of nurses and midwives; and reflect on related historical changes.

Child Development in a British Context (PSY1050)

This course investigates the aims and principles of developmental psychology as a scientific discipline, and describes the methods used to obtain knowledge about children and their development. Issues such as children's early attachments, the development of the self, the emergence of consciousness, and the role of play are examined, with an emphasis on the role of education and child care practices and policies in the UK in shaping children's development.

Analyzing and Exploring the Global City -London (URBNST0410)

This interdisciplinary course focuses on the modern development of one of the world's most significant global cities in comparative context. It examines London's changing identity as a world city, with a particular emphasis on comparing the city's imperial, postcolonial, and transatlantic connections and the ways in which past and present, local and global intertwine in the capital.

Experiential Learning Description: 

More than 75 percent of Pitt in London students complete an internship, and with good reason. Whether your post-graduation plans include entering the workforce, going to graduate school, or pursuing a different path, professional work experience always stands out on a resume.

Internships in London are 20 hours per week, excluding commuting time. In addition to workplace experience, you will also meet with peers and faculty for internship seminars to help you get the most out of the experience. Internships are always unpaid, always for three credits, and always pass/fail.

You can sign up for an internship regardless of your major as a part of the application process.  Keep in mind that you will not know what your internship placement is until 14 days before departure.  While this may seem like a long time to wait, remember that our partners are searching for an internship just for you. Your past experiences, coursework, and desired placements areas are all taken into account.  This kind of personalized service takes time but is well worth the wait.

Get in touch with your Pitt in London program manager, to learn more about internships. Please note that internships are availble for students in their second semester of sophomore year or higher. 

Pitt runs this program in partnership with CEA CAPA Education Abroad. CEA CAPA works with institutions of higher education to build programs that meet students goals for learning abroad. 
The CEA CAPA London Center is housed in 2 connected Victorian townhouses in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and their staff will be there to assist with any questions or challenges through out the program. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Kelsey Sobecki

Hello! I’m Kelsey, Program Manager for Arts & Sciences students. I am a native Pittsburgher and studied abroad in Rome, Italy as an undergraduate at Duquesne University, and received my Master’s degree at University College Dublin in Ireland. I have been in the field of International Education for 10 years, which includes time spent living and working on-site with study abroad students in both Rome and Dublin. I am so excited to support Pitt students in their study abroad journey! Please feel free to reach out to me at kls299@pitt.edu or make an appointment to start planning your global experience!

 

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!
Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me at kls299@pitt.edu!

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Program Fee $9,999 $10,199
Study Abroad Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pit $10,299 $10,499

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Airfare $1,000 - $1,500
Personal Expenses and Meals $1,000 - $2000
Local Cell phone $100
Visa (for interns and non-US citizens) $500
   

 

What's Included: 

As a part of your Pitt in London fee, the follow are included in the program:

  • Tuition for 6-9 credits
  • Housing
  • Orientation in London
  • Cultural Events and Activities 
  • Health Insurance
  • Membership to the Student Central facilities