Learning Abroad Center
A group of students pose for a photo in front of William Shakespeare's house

Shakespeare in London & Stratford-upon-Avon

Europe
LAC Program
Embedded
Instructor-Led

Explore Shakespeare’s world in London and Stratford-upon-Avon through lenses of the early modern period and English literary culture of today. While learning about the world's most famous play writ and poet, you will experience the history and culture of England and the United Kingdom firsthand by attending theater performances, visiting historical sites associated with Shakespeare's life, and traveling to idyllic Stratford-Upon-Avon. 

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Program Details

Location icon
Location
London & Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
Term icon
Term
Spring Break
Housing icon
Housing
Hotel
Languages Taught In icon
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

Student Type icon}
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year icon
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA Requirement icon
GPA
2.5

Events & Info Sessions

Thursday, September 10th, 3:00–3:30 pm

Winter Break & Spring Break Instructor-led Programs Info Session

Hybrid, Heller Hall 230C

Details & Registration

Monday, September 14th, 10:00–10:30 am

Winter Break & Spring Break Instructor-led Programs Info Session

Online, Learning Abroad Center

Details & Registration

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Shakespeare in London & Stratford-upon-Avon

About

Explore Shakespeare’s world in London and Stratford-upon-Avon through lenses of the early modern period and English literary culture of today. Spend your time exploring significant cultural sites related to Shakespeare and his world. Attend performances of his famous plays while in London and enjoy walking tours of the medieval village of Stratford-upon-Avon he once called home.

Housing & Meals

You will live in shared rooms with fellow program participants. Welcome and farewell meals, and some additional meals are included in the program fee. We will eat additional meals in the housing or at local restaurants.

Excursions

Excursions in London may include:

  • Walking tour of Shakespeare's London
  • Tour of the Globe Theatre
  • Visit to the British Museum
  • Visit to the National Gallery
  • Visit to Tate Britain Museum
  • Guided tour of Westminster Abbey
  • Visit to the Tower of London
  • Tour of St. Paul's Cathedral
  • Multiple theatre performances including a performance at the Globe Theatre complex

A 3-day excursion to Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon may include:

  • Tour of Shakespeare’s birthplace
  • Visit to Holy Trinity Church (where Shakespeare and his family are buried)
  • Tour of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (Shakespeare's wife’s home)
  • Tour and performance at Royal Shakespeare Company theaters

Accessibility

If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.

Flight

All program participants will take the coordinated group flight to and from the program site. The cost of the group flight is included in the program fee that will be posted to your student account. Do not book your own flight; you will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about your seat on the group flight once your participation has been confirmed.

Important Note: A passport book is required to travel on this program. If you do not currently have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past your return date, or are still needing to apply for a new one, start the process as soon as possible. Visit the UofM Passport Office website for more information.

Learning Outcomes

  • Socialize as global professionals who understand that human interaction and culture are relevant to achieving professional goals
  • Discover and connect with the University of Minnesota campus and community
  • Think critically, analyze topics, and appreciate diverse perspectives through pre-departure coursework, studying abroad, and guided reflection
  • Function as an effective team member by utilizing personal strengths in a group setting
  • Develop an understanding of the importance of future international and intercultural learning
  • Understand the role of creativity, innovation, discovery, and expression across disciplines
  • Acquire skills for effective citizenship and lifelong learning

Faculty & Staff

This seminar is taught by Dr. Katherine Scheil, PhD, a professor in the department of English in the College of Liberal Arts. Dr Scheil has led this program multiple times previously.

Program Structure

Program Level
3000-level course
Courseload

One 3-credit course

Course Schedule

This is an on-campus class during spring semester. Abroad term takes place during Spring Break 2027.

The course meets: Spring Semester 2027, Tuesday & Thursdays from 4:00–5:15 p.m.
Abroad term: March 5–14, 2027

Coursework

If you are interested in English culture and how Shakespeare influenced today’s art and literature, this program is ideal for you. Explore performing and literary arts, both historical and modern, to understand how they have impacted English identity. While on campus, your projects will include reading and elaborating on Shakespeare’s works. While abroad, you’ll apply course concepts and gain memorable experience with English literary culture.

Receive Credit for: ENGL 3032W

Fulfills: Shakespeare requirement for English Majors and Minors.

Liberal Education Fulfillments: Literature, Writing Intensive

Draft Syllabus for Shakespeare in London & Stratford-upon-Avon (PDF)

Dates Details

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

TermProgram DatesApplication DeadlineConfirmation Deadline
Spring Break 2027March 5–March 14, 2027December 1, 2026TBD

Program dates are subject to change.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 20 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.

Learning Abroad Center Information Sessions

These information sessions provide an overview all instructor-led program options within a specific term (such as Winter Break or May Term). Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.

DateTimeLocationLink
Tuesday, Nov. 1710–10:30 a.m.Hybrid (in-person & Heller Hall 230C)Details & Registration
Wednesday, Nov. 183–3:30 p.m.Hybrid (in-person & Heller Hall 230C)Details & Registration

Events & Info Sessions

Event Date Time Location Registration Link
Thursday, September 10th 3:00–3:30 pm Hybrid, Heller Hall 230C
Monday, September 14th 10:00–10:30 am Online, Learning Abroad Center

On Campus Dates

The course meets: Spring Semester 2027, Tuesday & Thursdays from 4:00–5:15 p.m.

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. 
  • LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
  • LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
  • Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Fees

The estimated program fee range for Spring Break 2027 is approximately $6,200–$7,500. An updated and more detailed breakdown of the program cost and the additional costs listed will be provided soon.

The cost of participation includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, airfare, airport transfers, international medical, security, & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions.

You must also budget for visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.

The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

If you are registered for less than 13 credits or if you are a non-UofM student or a UofM graduate student, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.

Flight & Deposit Advance

The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Apply

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

  • Application Essay

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Next Steps

  1. After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
  2. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
  3. If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
  4. Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
    • Passport Information
    • Emergency Contacts
    • Health Information Form
    • Online Health & Safety Orientation
    • Release & Waiver
  5. You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
  6. Apply for a passport.

Register for On-Campus Course

Your participation on this program is secured by applying and confirming through the Learning Abroad Center application process.

You will also need to register for the on-campus course ENGL 3032.

Note: Registering for the course, but not confirming through the Learning Abroad Center, will not hold your spot in the program.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Anna DeWitt at [email protected], or call at 612.626.2234.

Contact Program Alum

Program Alumni

  • Abby C.—English major, Creative Writing minor, Spring Break 2026
  • Bella S.—English major, Art major, Spring Break 2026

Testimonials

"[During this program] I found joy in the places I didn't know I would be going and in the small moments with my classmates. I was so surprised to find myself making friends that I wanted to keep contact with and still am to this day. I miss London and Stratford and I promise to go back."

—Abby, Spring Break 2026 participant

"The study abroad portion of this class is integral to the understanding of why Shakespeare continues to be culturally significant. Through historical tours, sightseeing, and visits to the theatre, I was able to forge my own personal connection with Shakespeare. Seeing quotes and references to Shakespeare in my daily life now feels akin to running into an old friend."

—Bella, Spring Break 2026 participant