Biola London

Biola London’s semester abroad is a Fall and Spring program, which allows about 30 sophomores, juniors and seniors from Biola to continue their regular course of studies in British classrooms alongside British and international students.

About Biola London

Roehampton University is the site of our program, in a quiet, residential neighborhood, just 30 minutes or so from the bustling heart of the city. During their semester at Roehampton, Biola students take 15 credits. They choose nine of these credits from Roehampton University’s catalogue (see “Selecting Courses”). Six credits are provided by a BBST 465 course and another upper-level BBST course selected for that year. For this semester, students pay Biola the usual fees for tuition and room. Plane fare and any personal travel within Britain and Europe are not included.

Arguably, our greatest educational leaps in life occur when we are moved out of our comfort zones to face that which is new, unfamiliar, and challenging. Biola London is designed to offer our students just this kind of experience in a setting that is safe, yet challenging. New places, professors, students, perspectives, weather, and foods all combine to create an experience that can powerfully stimulate student hearts and minds.

For Biola students, in particular, much of the learning experience occurs as they find themselves once again in a largely secular educational world, where they discover new and expanding applications for the integration of faith and learning, and for cross-cultural friendships. While Roehampton University has Christian origins (chapels and chaplains still function on the campus), students are not required to hold any particular faith positions. But it is their relationships with largely secular and unchurched classmates that Biola students have consistently found to be the most exciting and rewarding part of their time abroad.

The BBST courses, designed just for Biola students, help them process these experiences under the guidance of Christian instructors.

For those wishing to move beyond the Biola bubble and bring their Christian minds with them, this program can take students to a new level, academically and spiritually.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, view our FAQ page.

About Roehampton University

Roehampton University is a federation of four colleges within two miles of each other. All are located in beautiful parklands seven miles from the center of London, with easy access to international airports. The All England Tennis Club at Wimbledon, Botanical Gardens at Kew, Hampton Court Palace, and many other historic and cultural attractions are very close by. Day trips to Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon and to famous cities such as Bath and Oxford are popular. These sites offer outstanding galleries, theatres, museums, community centers, and shops, reflecting a vast range of nationalities and cultures.

The University welcomes an approximate total of 8500 students at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level, with students from 140 countries. The International Office can give you information about studying and living at Roehampton.

At Roehampton, accommodation is usually in single occupancy bedrooms with single-occupant bathrooms on each floor and other facilities. Most halls are co-ed; therefore, students cannot be guaranteed a single-sex environment.

2024–25 Program Cost (Before Financial Aid)

Airfare, passport, student visa, meals, local transportation, and textbooks are not included in the program cost. Student housing is in student dorms at the University of Roehampton. Students accepted to participate in the program will be billed the Program Cost as seen above. This cost is before financial aid. For a study abroad financial aid review, please contact The Office of Financial Aid.

Program Dates

Fall 2024: September 18, 2024–January 2, 2025
Spring 2025: January 12–May 31, 2025

Course Requirements

Students are required to take two Biola BBST courses in addition to nine credits of Roehampton Coursework. Learn about Biola London Courses and equivalencies.

Student Testimonies

"I love my flat. We all get along so well. It is such an answer to prayer. I've been making friends with a lot of the Biola kids I didn't know before, too." 

"It's such a life changing experience. It really opened my eyes, and changed my heart in many ways. I will forever be grateful, and these memories will remain in me for a lifetime."

"Biola England is one of the best experiences of my entire life. I cried twice on the way home because I knew I would never have another experience just like this. For living in a foreign country, I had the best of both worlds: the safety of being in a supervised program through Biola, and the total freedom of being in England where the pace is slower..."