Before You Go - London

In this email from the Administration Team ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about the FIE Kensington Campus, details on registering for the US State Department STEP service and reminders to complete questionnaires and materials through the STEP Registration.

In this email from the Experiential Education Team (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about your FIE Internship Advisor, your Internship and Interview Schedule, what to pack for your internship, and a reminder about your Internship Seminars and the required text.

In this email from the Academic Team (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about Courses and Syllabi, textbooks and reading packs, academic accommodations, Writing Support Tutors, mental health, and guidance if you’re bringing medications to the UK.

In this email from the Residence Life Team, you’ll receive information about our team of Residence Life Supervisors, the residence where you’ll be living, your mailing address, the local area, arriving in London, and details of where and when to check-in.

In this email from the Student Life Team ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about activities, counseling & mental health, medical services, travel insurance, gyms & fitness facilities, as well as some preliminary information on orientations and arriving in London.

Internship, Service Internship, and Service Learning programs:

• British / Irish passport holders are not subject to immigration control and do not require a visa to study in the UK. Read our immigration guide
• EEA (European) passport holders must obtain a student visa prior to their arrival (new Brexit regulations). Read our immigration guide
• USA passport holders (and other non-EEA countries) must obtain a student visa prior to their arrival. Read our immigration guide

For most students, the steps to obtain a visa are usually as follows:

Step 1: Complete a visa application online by using the supporting information provided by FIE (which you will receive once you have completed your application and received an offer)

Step 2: Pay for your application and attend a biometric appointment near you

Step 3: Mail your documents (passport, etc.) to ‘UK Visas & Immigration’ in New York City (if you are currently residing in the US)

Step 4: Within 6-8 weeks (timeframe may be subject to change) - receive your passport back with a visa vignette (sticker) inside

Please note:

• You can only start your visa application once you have received the relevant supporting documents from FIE
• You should plan to apply for your visa as soon as possible
• You must complete the visa application by using FIE’s visa guide and the bespoke supporting information prepared for you.
• This student visa system was formerly known as Tier 4 (General)
• Do not hesitate to contact FIE’s This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you need any assistance!

STUDY ONLY PATHWAY

Study only programs

• British / Irish passport holders are not subject to immigration control and do not require a visa to study in the UK. Read our immigration guide
• Citizens from an EEA (European) country or from countries such as the USA or Canada (‘Non-visa national countries’) on the study-only pathway do not need to apply for a visa before they travel to the UK. Instead, they can obtain immigration permission to enter as a student at the border when they arrive in the UK. Read our immigration guide
• Citizens from other countries (‘visa nationals’ such as Chinese and Indian passport holders) will need to apply online for a specific student visa before they travel to the UK. Read our immigration guide

Visa nationals and non-visa nationals: check this webpage for more information- Appendix 2 / Visa nationals list): if your country is not listed, you are a non-visa national

• Students are not permitted to work either under the Visitor route or the Student Visa route. The only exceptions are:
  • Internships (for Student Visa holders)
  • Volunteering (30 days maximum)
• Volunteering must be done with a registered charity.
• There must be no pay or contract of employment. Cannot take place of a regular employee. Sustenance/travel can be reimbursed.
• Work must support the organization, but not fulfill primary roles that support the business (e.g., admin, retail, sales, fundraising)
• Any other type of work is likely to be considered in breach of the immigration rules.
• Breaching the rules is a serious offense and can lead to your visa being curtailed, and you being asked to leave the UK. It can also impact any future visa applications.

If you have questions about your visa and whether you can volunteer, please contact FIE’s Immigration and Compliance Officer before undertaking any volunteer work by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You must have a working and accessible cell phone and provide your phone number to FIE. You can submit your cell phone number via the ‘Contact Number While Abroad’ questionnaire on the application portal. If your phone number changes upon arrival or during your time in London, you must update your number via this portal – you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any issues using the site.

On the Student Life FAQ page, you’ll find guidance on buying a UK cell phone, SIM card, or phone plan along with a local area map which shows our nearest phone stores.

FIE offers 24 hour support, 7 days a week. If you need urgent support while studying abroad with us, you can contact our emergency number on: +44 (0) 207 808 0131. An alternate line is also available as a back-up: +44 (0) 207 589 0728. We advise you to save both of these numbers to your phone in advance of your arrival in London.

Please be aware that the number for the UK emergency services is 999.

If you are a U.S citizen or U.S national, register with the U.S. State Department's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will enable you to receive security messages, as well as make it easier for your nearest U.S Embassy or Consulate to locate you with information and support should an emergency arise. Please note that the US Embassy London is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US.

If you are a non U.S citizen or national, check with your embassy, consulate or high commission in the UK to see if there is a similar registration program – a full list, along with addresses and contact details, can be found here on the UK government website.

You will be covered by FIE's group travel insurance policy with Endsleigh Insurance, unless insurance coverage is provided by your home institution. Please visit our insurance page and read through all the information and policy documents carefully before your depart.

Whether you are covered by FIE’s group policy with Endsleigh or with another insurer, we advise you to save both the policy documents and the insurer’s emergency numbers to your phone, so that you can easily access these in case of an emergency.