Study Abroad Administration

Academic Environment
 
What is a British Exchange Program (BEP)?

The British Exchange Program (BEP) is the largest and oldest exchange program at the University of Illinois. Each year approximately 70 students from every college on campus spend a year or semester at one of thirteen universities in England, Scotland and Wales. It offers University of Illinois students the best of all worlds: an affordable way to spend the academic year at one of thirteen universities, AND the chance to continue studying courses which will fulfill graduation requirements. As a participant in the BEP program, you enjoy the benefits of direct enrollment at a British university. You take all of your classes with British students, live in student housing with other British and international students, and have access to all the sports facilities and clubs of your host university.  

The BEST option for students is to spend the entire academic year in Britain. The benefits of the year program are numerous: much wider choice of classes, more integration in your British university and more opportunities to experience the regional differences of England, Scotland and Wales. In fact, many past participants feel that a single year is almost too short a time at their host university!

Where you will study

Swansea University has the perfect environment in which to live and study. The parkland campus has a spectacular seafront location within easy reach of a vibrant city. With a long history of academic success and a modern approach to study, Swansea could be the right choice for you.
 
The sheer variety of courses taught at Swansea means that there are many different approaches to teaching; one-on-one tutorial support, stimulating lectures and hands on practical sessions in their state-of-the-art facilities. The main library covers most subject areas, with two additional libraries filling in the gaps. All together, the library system is home to 700,000 books and periodicals along with 1000 study spaces. Computer facilities are provided in clusters around campus, with several open 24 hours.

  

Student Life

The Students' Union provides a vast array of entertainment, catering to all tastes. In addition to operating the two major bars on campus, they also operate the Nursery, the Travel Agents which offer discounted travel prices and organize trips around Europe and the UK, two shops and a café.
 
They also run around 70 diverse student societies, which provide social, educational and supportive activities throughout the year. The sports center offers two sports halls, a swimming pool, squash courts, a fitness center, a weight room and a climbing wall. There are two sets of playing fields for outdoor sports and activities. There are artistic clubs such as dance, drama and art, cultural societies such as the Chinese, Malaysian and African Societies and much more.
 
Swansea nightlife is excellent with a huge choice of clubs, bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from, as well as a major cinema complex and bowling centre. To learn more about student life in Swansea, click here.

Class size

The class sizes will vary with courses taught mixing lectures, seminars, tutorials, labs and fieldwork. Large lectures are accompanied by smaller discussions, which range from 15-30 students per classroom. 

Language

All classes (called “modules” in the UK) in this program will be taught in English.

Courses 

Students can earn up to 36 hours of credit for the academic year and 12-18 hours of credit per semester.
 
For a full listing of courses, click here.
 
For a listing of courses offered that already have Illinois equivalencies, please click here.
 

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Onsite Support
 
International Student Office

Swansea University has its own international student office to assist with local issues (class scheduling, housing, etc.) and to occasionally plan social events. Find out more about Swansea University’s international student office by here.

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Accommodation
 
All international students are guaranteed a place in the University's residences, which offer free networking, a telephone and internet connection point. Accommodation is provided in five catered halls, all with large common rooms and laundry facilities. There are a few double rooms available, but the majority of students stay in a single room and share bathroom facilities. There are also two self-catered sites where 4, 6 or 7 students each have a single room with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. These are about two and a half miles from the campus, and are known as the Student Village.
 
Swansea University's accommodation is the 3rd cheapest in the UK. In fact, life in Swansea costs a great deal less than other cities in the UK!

 
 
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• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Completed 2 university semesters at the time of application

• 1 letter of recommendation - done electronically (must be an Illinois academic advisor, TA or professor)
• Personal essay questions
• Official transcript
• Online questionnaires 

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Resources and Contact Information
 
Walk-In Advising Hours
Monday - Friday
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Study Abroad Office Resource Center (112 International Studies Building)
 
First Steps Info Sessions:
Click here for the dates and times of the First Steps Info Sessions.
 
Program Contact Info
Mike Nelson
sao-europe@illinois.edu
112 International Studies Building
910 South Fifth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6322
Reception hours: 9:00 am - 4:45 pm


 

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Program Dates

Please review the program dates table below: