University College London

The University College London Exchange program enables Dartmouth undergraduates to take advantage of the unique academic and cultural opportunities offered by one of the top universities in the world.  A major focus of research and teaching in the Economics Department is International Economics. A term abroad offers exciting options for students to improve their understanding of the topics the department teaches (for example, the effects of globalization), for exposing students to current economic issues and to introduce students to different schools of economic thought.

Additionally, this program will allow Dartmouth students to benefit from the experience of an urban university in a country with a social and economic system different from our own. The program enables our students to become fully affiliated members of UCL with complete access to libraries, lectures, seminars and other facilities. Similarly, UCL students coming to Dartmouth will experience an environment much different from their own institution and will have complete access to Dartmouth facilities. Both institutions will benefit from the cross-fertilization process that will result from this exchange.

About University College London
UCL is an urban university located in the heart of London.  Before the foundation of UCL in 1826, the benefits of a university education in England were available only to men and only to those who were members of the Church of England. UCL, the first university established in England after Oxford and Cambridge, was founded to provide academic opportunities to non-Anglicans and placed no restrictions on race, class or religion of its students. In 1878, it also became the first British university to admit women on equal terms to men.  

Since its founding UCL has become one of the top universities in the world.  In the latest World University Rankings, UCL was ranked seventh in the world.  UCL was the first institution in England to have an economics department and they continue to have an excellent economics department, ranked in the top 20 in the world.  UCL offers several advanced degrees, up to and including the Ph.D.  

UCL has over 16,000 undergraduate students.  Over a third of the student body is international, from 150 different countries.

The application process for this program is competitive, every year about 6 students are selected for this program. Students first apply through the Guarini Institute by the February 1st application deadline. After February 1st, faculty from the Department of Economics will review applications and make acceptance decisions. Students will be notified of their acceptance decisions on March 1st.

Successful applicants who are accepted and commit to the program will receive a nomination from the Guarini Institute. Applying for an exchange program involves two steps: if you receive a nomination from the Guarini Institute you will also need to complete the host institution's application, which is administered and reviewed by the host institution. The host institution makes the final acceptance decision. The Guarini Institute will provide further instructions on this second step to students after they are accepted and commit to a program.

For more information about applying for this program, see our webpage on How to Apply & our FAQs under section 2 (How to Apply: Application), or contact the Guarini Institute.

Course Approval
Students will have access to many courses at UCL.  Before beginning the program students should get specific approval for course credit from the economics department faculty advisor.  More information on courses at UCL can be found here:

• Affiliate Students
• Module List

Faculty regulations require that each student planning an exchange term be in good academic standing.  Application forms for prior approval of transfer credit are available at the Office of the Registrar. The application deadline is published on the academic calendar.  Oral approval does not serve in place of written approval.

Upon completion of the exchange, the exchange coordinator at the host institution will forward the transcript to the Office of the Registrar, Dartmouth College. Future transcripts of exchange program grades must be obtained by the student from the exchange institution.

Students are encouraged to apply to stay in the campus residences where they can live with other UCL students and exchange students. UCL accomodations vary between catered accomodations with most meals provided in the residence hall, and self-catered accomodations where students prepare their own meals in shared kitchens. Students may also identify and secure private, off-campus accommodations. Students will also have access to cafeterias and cafes on and near the UCL campus.  The University also offers many activities and support resources for visiting students.

Budget Sheet for University College London