Northern Ireland is famous for its rich history and beautiful scenery, including the North Coast and the Giants Causeway. The capital city of Belfast has a population of about 270,000 people, including 60,000 university students. Up to 3 students may be placed at one of four participating institutions during the coming academic year. Applicants must be current sophomores or juniors with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Academics
Academic calendar: Students can study abroad through the Irish American Scholars Program for the fall or spring semester. Fall is recommended as there are generally fewer opportunities to place students in spring. The typical program dates are:
Fall: early September – mid-December (final exams may be held in January)
Spring: early January – mid-June
Courses: Students will take all courses at the institution/campus where they are placed. Placement decisions are made by a selection committee in Northern Ireland. Participating institutions include:
- Queen's University Belfast is one of the 20 top research-intensive institutions in the UK. While the university does not offer courses in all disciplines, most U.S. students will find appropriate subjects at Queens University.
- Ulster University has a national and international reputation for excellence. With four distinct campuses across Northern Ireland, students are placed at a specific campus based on their field of study.
- St. Mary’s University College specializes in liberal arts and teacher training, and is integrated into the larger Queen’s University system. In 2011, St. Mary’s was ranked third amongst all universities in the UK for student satisfaction with their overall university experience.
- Stranmillis University College, within the system of Queen’s University Belfast, is highly recognized for its teacher training curriculum, but also offers courses in early childhood and health and leisure studies.
Grades/credits: Students must take a cull course load of 60 UK credits and must earn the equivalent of a “C” or better in each course to be awarded a full course load of transfer credit. Hendrix policies on transfer credit apply. Grades will not appear on the student’s transcript and do not figure into the cumulative GPA.
The host institution’s study abroad office will be the best starting point for accessibility questions and services.
Housing & Meals
Accommodation will vary by institution/campus, but students can generally expect to live in off-campus student housing in a private room with shared bathrooms and common areas. Student housing is typically spread throughout the city, but students should expect to have a commute. Walking and public transit (train, bus) are commonly used modes of transportation by locals and visiting students.
Meal plans are not available, and students typically buy groceries and cook on their own.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
Students will owe Hendrix tuition and fees during their semester(s) abroad, but not room and board. Students may request that the lump sum of their housing fees, which are established by the provider in Northern Ireland, be invoiced to Hendrix so they can be applied to the student account. Any required housing deposits must be paid by the students in order to confirm their participation and secure a housing placement. Hendrix charges an administrative fee of $500/semester abroad, excluding summer programs.
Normally, all financial aid applies, including Hendrix scholarships. Students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid with any questions about their aid package.
Non-billable expenses students should budget for include roundtrip airfare, passport and visa fees/travel (if required), all meals, incidental expenses (local transit, textbooks, etc.) and personal expenses.
Application Procedures
Students must first submit an internal application for study away. Internal applications are due in early November for this competitive program. The Committee for International & Intercultural Studies (CIIS) reviews all applications and clears students to move forward in the application process. Approved students will receive a Study Away Student Handbook and instructions for submitting the program-specific application directly to the partner institution for consideration. Partner institutions make all final admissions decisions.
GPA requirement: 3.2
Entry Requirements
All travelers are required to have a valid passport. Currently, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to study in the UK for a period of less than 6 months, but an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be required for entry. The host institution and the Office of International Programs at Hendrix provide supporting documentation and general guidance, but it is each student’s responsibility to research their entry requirements based on their personal circumstances and obtain the appropriate entry clearance following official acceptance by the partner institution.
International students who are not U.S. citizens will need to research the entry requirements for citizens of their country. F-1 visa holders must discuss maintaining status with their Designated School Official in the Office of International Programs.
Program & Country Resources