DATES:
Fall:
Late September - December
(with optional London Orientation from mid-September)
Spring: January - May
Note: Students enrolled in Engineering, Geology or Math courses in the fall semester will need to sit for their exam in mid January.
PROGRAM FEE:
Paid to Mason:
--
$125 Application Fee
--
$350 Administrative Fee ($550 for year long)
-- George Mason Tuition
Paid to University of Leicester:
-- Housing (~$3000)
Not Included:
-- International Airfare
-- Passport Fees
-- Visa Fees (~$120)
-- Personal Expenses
Financial aid should apply, but you are recommended to discuss aid with your financial aid counselor when planning your study abroad.
NOTE:
If a student applies and is accepted into a direct exchange program and then drops out of the program,the $350 administrative fee is non-refundable. In addition, program fees are subject to change.
ELIGIBILITY: Email Daria Stepanova or call (703) 993-2154
This program is open to Mason students ONLY. Students must have completed at least 45 credits at the time of departure and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students should not study abroad the last semester of senior year if they plan to graduate on time.
CREDITS:
Students may enroll in a variety of courses and may transfer between 12-16 credits per semester back to Mason, provided the letter grade received is equivalent to a "C" or above. The courses are transfer credit, and therefore will not factor into the GPA of the participant.
Students can choose from a wide range of courses offered from over 25 departments including:
-- Biology
-- Engineering
--
Geology
-- Math
--
Media & Communications
-- Politics & International Relations
-- Sociology
**The Study Abroad Office at Leicester University will advise students
regarding course selection.
HOUSING:
Choose from residence halls with breakfast and dinner provided or self-catering accommodations. In catered residence halls students usually have their own rooms, though there may be some doubles. Bathrooms are shared by small groups of rooms. Internet is available in every room.
Contact
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Now accepting online applications!
Fall Semester: March 8
Spring Semester: October 1

HOUSING INFO
DEPARTMENTS AND COURSES
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
The University of Leicester is located in the Midlands, only 75 minutes north of London by train. Study abroad on this beautiful campus, overlooking Leicester's city centre and have the experience of a lifetime!
On the Leicester campus a number of university buildings offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. Victoria Park, once the city's racecourse, borders the campus and is a popular venue for sports and relaxation.

International students on the London Orientation Program offered by the University of Leicester
The University of Leicester was founded in 1921 and was granted its Royal Charter in 1957. The site for the University was given by a local textile manufacturer, Thomas Fielding Johnson, in order to create a living memorial for those who gave their lives in the First World War. This is reflected in the University motto 'Ut Vitam Habeant' - so that they may have life. Students on direct exchange are administered by the Study Abroad Office while at the University.

Gardens next to student residences on Leicester's campus
The University has an excellent library where you can find the books for your courses as well as research materials. The International Student Association at Leicester plans trips throughout England and the UK nearly every weekend. These reasonably priced trips are a great way to see the country and meet other international students.

Leicester campus building
Leicester is a lively city that shows the spirit of the new, multi-cultural Britain. The city is bisected by a river and canals and offers excellent shopping, theaters and nightlife. The city has an excellent bus system so you will have no problems getting around. From Leicester it is easy to travel throughout England and the UK by rail or bus. There are also excellent bus links to the East Midlands Airport, which allow students easy access to travel to and explore mainland Europe.

World Wars I and II Memorial Arch in Victoria Park
The British Council offers information about studying and living in Britain on their easy to navigate website- check it out for plenty of up to date info (see link below).
The residence halls have common rooms and study lounges where you can relax and meet other students. The halls often arrange social events like welcome dinners and holiday balls. Living in a catered hall is a great way to meet British students. Single and double rooms are available.

Digby Hall, one of the manor homes that has been converted into university residence halls
VISA INFORMATION:
Once accepted into a program, it will be your responsibility to apply for a student visa and/or residence permit (if required, based on your citizenship). You will receive details on this with your acceptance letter. Do not apply for a visa until after you have been officially accepted. Visit the UK Border Agency's website for further information.
MORE HELPFUL LINKS:
Maps of campus, accommodations, sites, etc.
British Council
U.S. Department of State Travel Information
University of Leicester Facebook Page
University of Leicester Study Abroad Facebook Page
Follow Leicester on Twitter @uniofleicester
HOW TO APPLY:
Consult the How to Apply section first and make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for a direct exchange program. Next, attend a Direct Exchange program information session. Do this prior to starting an application to ensure that you understand how to choose the right program and what is expected of you during the application process.
Check the course offerings at the school you are interested in applying to and check to ensure that they match your course requirements. See “Choosing Courses Abroad” section below.
Once you’ve selected an appropriate program that offers courses that match your major, complete the online application and pay the $125 application fee. Please note that all supplemental documents are also required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please contact the program officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.
CHOOSING COURSES ABROAD:
There is no list of pre-approved classes for you to take on a direct exchange program. It is your responsibility to select courses and get them approved for transfer credit. Please refer to the “Departments and Courses” link on the left-hand side of this page for a list of course options on this program. You must then complete a Petition for Transfer of Credits Form to ensure that your courses will transfer back to Mason. Download a petition form here.
Download petition form instructions for Leicester here.
You can fill out the petition form prior to acceptance into a specific study abroad program and in fact, you should begin this process when you first consider applying. Identify courses at the host institution that are similar to those at Mason that you need to take. This will increase your chances of receiving transfer credit approval from the Departmental Advisors who must sign your petition form. Follow complete instructions from the link above and contact your program officer if you have questions.
**Note: Make sure you find plenty of primary AND alternate course options before deciding on a specific program. Schedules are subject to change and registration in your preferred classes is not guaranteed, so you should have sufficient alternate course options. Also, please keep in mind that you must enroll in the equivalency of at least 12 U.S. credits per semester.
*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

