Santa Clara University

SCU London Academic Policies

 Please note: Withdrawal, add/drop, and housing policies for London and other study abroad supersede procedures outlined in the SCU Bulletin. Any change to your schedule in London must be approved by the Program Director at SCU (Dennis Parnell, SJ). It is not possible to drop courses or withdraw from the program electronically via the internet. All requests must be submitted in writing to the director. If you have any questions about academic and student life policies please contact International Programs.

Change of Grade Policy 

The Santa Clara University grading policies apply in the London Program. A request for a change of grade for a London class may only be made in the case of a clerical error, not for a qualitative reassessment of course assignments.

The 2005-2007 SCU Undergraduate Bulletin states:
Only the instructor in charge of a course may assign grades. All grades become final when they have been assigned and reported to the Student Records Office. An instructor may report to the Student Records Office a correction of a final grade only if a clerical or procedural error was made in assigning, transmitting, or recording the original grade. A grade may not be changed as a result of re-evaluation, re-examination, or the submission of additional work after the term ends. Any grade change must have the approval of the department chair and the associate dean of the student’s school or college. No grade may be changed after one year.

Procedure to Request A Change in a London Grade

The student submits a formal written request to the SCU/FIE instructor with a description of the clerical error in grading. A copy of the request is also to be submitted to the Program Director at SCU (Dennis Parnell, S.J.). In the event the instructor agrees to propose a change of grade, the approval of the relevant SCU department chair, associate dean of the student’s school or college, the FIE Director of Academic Programs and the Director of SCU in London are also required.

Add/Drop Policy *

The normal course/unit load in London is four classes/20 units for the Fall term and four classes/17 units for Spring. Enrollment in the minimum number of courses/units required by the University. A reduction below the required number of classes/units must be approved by the Director of the London program and cannot be completed via the SCU add/drop website. The student recognizes that the classes British Life and Culture and Internship/Community-Based Learning are required of all participants. Any other changes to the student's course load must have the approval of the London Program Director and the FIE. Non-required courses may be added or dropped during the first two weeks of the term with appropriate approval. After the first two weeks, students will receive a “W” for any classes dropped. The student acknowledges that all courses in the London Program become part of their official University academic record and apply towards fulfillment of graduation requirements. The student acknowledges that they are responsible for informing themselves about University academic regulations and maintaining progress towards graduation.

*London Add/Drop policy supersedes Add/Drop policy for courses taken on the SCU home campus.

Refund Policy *

If a student gives written notice sixty days prior to the commencement of the London program, they will received a full refund of their deposit, tuition, and other program fees. Students withdrawing forty days before the published start date will be charged the $500 deposit. Since virtually all funds are committed once the program begins, no tuition, housing, or other fees are returned if the withdrawal occurs on or after the program start date. Please note that students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete a withdrawal form and an exit interview with the program director. Students who leave the University during a quarter without formally withdrawing are subject to failing grades in all courses in which they were registered and are ineligible for refund of fees.

Students withdrawing after the program start date will also be required to pay full quarter tuition if they wish to enroll on the Santa Clara home campus. Participants in the Santa Clara in London program are provided international health insurance. This policy offers coverage for eligible illness, accident, and related travel costs. Health insurance, however, does not cover loss of tuition, housing, or other expenses related to study in London. It is highly recommended that students consider acquiring tuition insurance to cover any losses associated with a health-related withdrawal from the London program.

Information on tuition insurance is available through the SCU Bursar’s Office website at http://www.scu.edu/bursar/general/index.cfm  

*London withdrawal policy supersedes housing, tuition, and fee refund policy for home campus enrollment described in the SCU Undergraduate Bulletin.