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Summer Programs Essential Info

Study Abroad at Pembroke and King's Colleges, Cambridge University

About Pembroke and King's Colleges

Required GPA: 3.2 (4.0 scale)
Length of program: 8 weeks, late June to late August
Application deadlines: March 15
Program advisor: Chris Haynes

Program Snapshot

Adventure weekend bikes - England Study Abroad

We’re so excited that you’re considering an IFSA-Butler program for your summer abroad and have chosen Cambridge University as your destination. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!

There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.

What Pembroke and King's has to offer

Challenging academics at one of the best universities in the world
Summer program designed for American students but taught by regular Cambridge faculty
Weekend trip to London, where you’ll see a production at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and visit museums and galleries
4-day trip to Edinburgh (includes transportation and housing) also part of the program
Variety of activities and excursions organized by resident advisors and teaching assistants
Easy access to all that Cambridge has to offer, including punting (boating), sports, barbecues and visits to restaurants, pubs, theatres, cinemas and art galleries

Housing

Housing (usually single rooms) in Pembroke College or nearby King’s College
Housing is a short three-minute walk from the center of the city
A limited meal plan is available
Formal Hall, a formal, candlelit meal as it’s been served for centuries, is offered every other week

Academics

Choose three courses for a total of 12 U.S. semester credit hours
Courses are broken into two four-week modules, with some eight-week courses that run through both modules
Courses include humanities and social sciences
NEW! Subjects offered in 2012 include creative writing and materials science

We look forward to working with you!

Academics

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
Note: An updated list of courses usually is not available until late January or February.

Open the Pembroke and King's College online course catalog.
Module 1 and 2 courses are four weeks in duration. Module 3 courses are eight weeks. Each course is worth 4 U.S. credit hours.

Students will take three courses and may choose any one of the following course combinations:

One course from Module 1, one course from Module 2 and one course from Module 3
Two courses from Module 3 and one course from Module 1 or 2
Two courses from Module 1 and one course from Module 2
One course from Module 1 and two courses from Module 2

What courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

When can I choose my courses?
An updated list of available courses will be available online in late January or early February. You do not need to select your courses at this time; your program advisor will contact you when it is time to register using the Cambridge University online system.

What is the supervision option?
Students have the option of taking a supervision option in lieu of one class. This option allows students to experience the traditional Cambridge tutorial system. A faculty member will work directly with students interested in the same subject area in small, weekly supervision meetings. Frequently the supervision is related to or expands on a subject area offered in another summer course on the program, but this is not required. Students are expected to complete a series of research-based papers during the supervision or a longer 10,000-15,000 word dissertation. The tutorial system is academically demanding but can be quite rewarding for the right student. Students who would like to participate in the supervision option must write a proposal for their subject area outlining their proposed course of study.

Because Cambridge must organize a supervisor for any proposed supervisions, students may not know if they have been granted a supervision until they arrive on campus. Cambridge charges an additional tuition fee of about $400 for the supervision option. This fee will be charged in addition to the IFSA-Butler tuition fees. If a supervision is organized for you, you are obligated to participate, and you may not drop the supervision in favor of a regular summer class.

Course Restrictions

Students must meet the prerequisites for the courses in which they wish to enroll.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. At Pembroke and King’s College, a full course load is 12 U.S. semester credit hours; this consists of three classes or two classes plus a supervision, in lieu of one class. The number of courses you take depends on the individual credit value of the courses you select.

Registration

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full Pembroke and King’s Colleges course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. You will formally register online before you depart the U.S.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university’s policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting an academic record query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at Pembroke and King’s Colleges. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
IFSA-Butler program fees reflect the cost for housing in Band 2. Students will confirm housing preferences online and may upgrade to Bands 3-5. The additional cost for Bands 3-5 housing will be billed to the student by IFSA-Butler. All housing includes single rooms with shared bathroom facilities. En-suite rooms are available in Bands 3 and 5; students must request en-suite and be prepared to pay the additional fee.

Band 2 – Fitzwilliam Street, St. Clement’s Garden, Tennis Court Road Hostel
Pembroke College, 10 minutes from main campus.
Band 3 – Spaulding Hostel, Fitzwilliam Street (additional cost up to $200)
King’s College, five to 10 minutes from main campus.

Band 4 – Bodley’s Court, Webb’s Court, A Staircase and S Staircase in the Kennedy Building (additional cost up to $300)
King’s College or Pembroke Courtyard, five to10 minutes from main campus.
Band 5 – Bodley’s Court, S Staircase in the Kennedy Building, St. Edward’s Passage (additional cost up to $500)
King’s College, five minutes from main campus

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Meals

Is there a meal plan?
Yes. Included in the program are meal points for breakfast and one additional meal per weekday, or 10 meals per week. You can spend this credit how and when you like. If you use all of your points before the end of the summer, you can pay for meals using cash.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in England for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
No. Summer students are not required to pay a housing deposit.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you’ve made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing May 1 for summer programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after this date.

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Cambridge, England

About Cambridge
Population: 100,000
Location: One hour northeast of London

City features

A lively market town with wide stretches of green along the River Cam
Punting (boating) on the Cam, a university tradition
Good pubs throughout the city
Located in the heart of Silicon Fen, a high-technology center

Do more!

Soak up the Tudor atmosphere of the nearby historic town of Saffron Walden
Travel north to visit one of Europe's finest Gothic cathedrals at Ely
Go cycling or hiking in the Fens, a marsh area just to the north
Catch a train to Norwich, about an hour away, to visit the beautiful coastal region
Take a train to central London, just an hour away

Links
Cambridge University
Visit Cambridge
Cambridgeshire Tourism
Cambridge Web Guide
Ely Online
Cambridgeshire News

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

Dates for summer 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view our full summer program calendars.

Program Fees

Fees for summer 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of summer program fees.
What's included in our summer program fees
Expense calculator

Personal Cost Estimates

Personal cost estimates for summer 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of summer personal cost estimates.
Expense calculator

Forms

To apply to the Pembroke and King's Colleges summer program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to the Pembroke and King's summer program must complete additional forms as part of the application process:

Supervision Form
Housing Preference Form
A graded writing sample of at least 1500 words

We must receive these materials before we can send your application to Pembroke and King's for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the Pembroke and King's summer program, you can track which forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the student portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in England:

Program Advisor Chris Haynes prepares students to study abroad by assisting them with the application process and answering any pre-departure questions. Chris can be reached at the email link provided above or at 800-858-0229 extn: 4251. Chris graduated from Butler University where he earned his undergraduate degree, studied abroad and even played four years of collegiate football for the Butler Bulldog football team. While abroad he taught English as a second language and traveled extensively throughout Europe. He currently advises students planning on studying abroad in England and Australia.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

alt Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident directors. Click here to read more about Resident Directors Lynne Alvarez and Andrew Williams.

alt Upon return from your study abroad program, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Rhonda Hinkle processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Rhonda completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Evansville and received her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. Currently she is working on her Doctorate in Adult, Community and Higher Education at Ball State University. For Rhonda, study abroad not only increased her awareness of the world around her but also ignited her passion for travel and education. Rhonda can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4259.

Get Connected

Social Media

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:
Student Network
Student Blogs
Experiences Abroad Videos
For Students