Faculty-led Program in England & Scotland

Academic Course

SW 3159/5159: Comparative Social Work Practice in the US and UK (3 Credit Hours)

Can count as elective credit for undergraduate and graduate students studying social work

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025
Program Dates: Monday, May 18 - Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Dates tentative)

Schedule A Meeting

To get started, click the link below to schedule a meeting with an advisor. During this meeting, we will go over important information regarding academics, day-by-day itinerary, housing, costs, scholarships, and answer any questions you may have at this time.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the winter of 2027 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open.

Study Abroad Waitlist

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Issues like poverty, addiction, and mental health issues are found everywhere in the world, but the role social workers play varies in different countries. This course will expose you to a range of social work settings and practices in and around both London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, with plenty of time to explore and take in the sights.

Course Leaders

Libby Fry, Clinical Associate Professor

Department: Social Work
Phone: 319-273-7204
E-mail: elizabeth.fry@uni.edu
Campus Address: Sabin 243

Libby spent six months living and working in London after finishing her MSW at UNI. During that time her passion for international travel was ignited! Besides England, she has visited Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Antigua, and Iceland. This is her first time working with UNI Study Abroad and she is excited to embark on this journey with students!

Rebecca Dickinson, Associate Professor

Department: Social Work
Phone: 319-273-7859
E-mail: rebecca.dickinson@uni.edu
Campus Address: Sabin 241

Rebecca worked for two years as a child protection social worker for the London Borough of Croydon in south London, England, after finishing her own MSW many years ago. She is an avid international traveler and loves collecting stamps in her passport and trying local foods. Although this is her first study abroad experience with UNI, she previously was part of social work focused study abroad programs to India while completing her PhD at the University of Iowa. She is excited to give students a peek into her second home.

Academics

SW 3159/5159: Comparative Social Work Practice in the US and UK (3 Credit Hours)

This course will count towards elective credit for both undergraduate and graduate social work students.
Although the course will specifically focus on social work practice, this course is open to students of all majors. Students from other programs are encouraged to participate but should obtain approval from their department for this course to count towards their specific major or minor requirements.

This course will introduce students to social work practices in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Students will be familiarized with U.K. social work approaches to various social welfare areas such as child welfare, mental health, homelessness, foster care, and geriatrics, allowing for comparing and contrasting of social work practices in the U.S. and U.K.

No prerequisites. All majors welcome. Participation in this program requires several class meetings throughout the spring semester, although participants will be enrolled into a summer course. The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Program Activities

Embark on a transformative journey through England and Scotland to explore social work practices in diverse settings. This immersive study abroad program offers firsthand engagement with community organizations tackling real-world issues—from poverty and child welfare to addiction and geriatric care. Planned highlights include visits to an animal-assisted therapy farm, frontline services serving a variety of populations across the field of social work, and campus engagement with the social work program at the University of Chichester. Group reflections and cultural excursions, including famous London highlights, Alnwick Castle, and Edinburgh’s historic charm, deepen understanding and inspire global perspectives on equity, care, and social justice.

Studying abroad offers rich cultural immersion, but it may also involve unfamiliar sensory experiences. You might encounter new sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and environmental conditions that differ significantly from what you're used to. These can be exciting but also overwhelming for some individuals, especially those with sensory sensitivities. We encourage all participants to approach these experiences with curiosity and adaptability. If you have sensory sensitivities or specific concerns, please reach out to program staff.

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in hotels and hostels arranged by the Study Abroad Center while abroad. The cost of these housing accommodations are included in the “Program Cost” line item of the program cost estimate. A few meals are built into the “Program Cost” (example: all breakfasts at hotels and some additional group meals). Students will pay for the remaining meals out-of-pocket while traveling and are encouraged to try the local foods.

Health & Wellbeing

Health Preparation for Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it also requires careful planning—especially when it comes to your health. To ensure a safe and successful experience, we strongly recommend the following steps:

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider Early
At the time you are selecting your study abroad program, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or specialist to discuss:

Medication Legality: Some prescription and over-the-counter medications that are legal in the U.S. may be restricted or illegal in other countries. Your provider can help you determine if your medications are permitted in your destination and suggest alternatives if needed.
Chronic Conditions or Health Concerns: Discuss how your health needs might be affected by travel, climate, time zone changes, or access to care abroad.
Mental Health Support: If you are currently receiving mental health care, talk with your provider about how to maintain support while abroad.

2. Schedule a Travel Health Consultation (6–8 Weeks Before Departure)
A separate travel health consultation is essential and should be held at least 6–8 weeks before your departure. During this appointment, a travel medicine specialist can:

Review your destination-specific health risks
Recommend or administer necessary vaccines
Provide guidance on food and water safety
Prescribe medications for travel-related illnesses (e.g., malaria, traveler’s diarrhea)
Offer tips for managing jet lag, altitude, and other travel-related challenges

These appointments can be held at the UNI Student Health Clinic. For more information on their services, please visit their website.

Accessibility and Study Abroad: Plan Ahead for a Smooth Experience

If you are a student with a disability or accessibility concern—whether related to mobility, learning, mental health, chronic health conditions, or other needs—we encourage you to connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as early as possible, ideally during the program selection process. Early communication allows our team to understand your specific needs and preferences and explore available accommodations in your host country.

Accessibility resources and standards can vary widely by country, so advance planning is essential to help us advocate for your needs and create a positive, inclusive experience abroad.

Reach out to Student Accessibility Services to start a conversation. The sooner we know, the more we can do to support you.

Important Information to Review

A faculty-led study abroad program combines academic learning with cultural immersion, guided by university faculty. Students earn credit through hands-on experiences and site visits tailored to the destination. The program fosters a strong sense of community through shared housing, group activities, and cultural events, creating lasting bonds among participants. This type of program has limited individual free time and days will be spent primarily with other group members. If you are interested in a more individualized program experience, we encourage you to check out our partner university summer school opportunities.

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Meet Your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Scotland, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Identities Abroad

The Study Abroad Center (SAC) wants to support you as you prepare for your study abroad experience. In addition to course planning and arranging accommodations, it is also important to engage in personal reflection before your departure. There may be certain aspects of your identity that could potentially impact your international experience in ways that you have not faced or thought about previously. As we are here to help guide you, you may want to consider meeting with the SAC staff to discuss this as you plan your abroad experience. Please visit our Identities Abroad page for more information and help.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to the United Kingdom

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $6,324 - $6,924

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$6,324 - $6,924
Estimated U-bill Charges	$4,016 - $4,416
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,308 - $2,508

England/Scotland Cost Estimate for 2026 (PDF)

Students participating for graduate credit will pay the graduate tuition rate, regardless of whether the student is at undergraduate standing at the time of application. Graduate tuition is reflected on the following cost estimate: Graduate - England/Scotland Cost Estimate for 2026 (PDF)

Click here for additional scholarships for your program.

What's Included

Tuition and Fees	Housing and Meals	Program Activities
Pre-Departure Advising	Travel Health Insurance	Transportation

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). View eligibility requirements.