The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) announced in November that it would be pausing or otherwise capping its study abroad programme to King’s College London (KCL). The prestigious Ivy League university blamed administrative and admissions issues at King’s for the pause.
Penn Abroad – the university’s study abroad programme – has now suspended the scheme for all but Department of English and Wharton Business School students. It is understood that these exceptions are due to special pre-existing arrangements.
Speaking to The Daily Pennsylvanian, the programme’s director stated that the university “[has] experienced several semesters of numerous qualified Penn students being either denied admittance to KCL based on the KCL admissions process or experiencing significant challenges enrolling in KCL coursework needed to maintain academic progress at Penn.”
The scheme’s internal application pages note that the “decision reflects student feedback and a change to King’s College London’s application process.”
It is unclear as to whether KCL’s reciprocal programme with Penn Abroad is still in place. King’s study abroad pages had not changed as of publication.
Penn Abroad did not disclose the exact issues caused by King’s admissions. It also mentioned “recurring difficulties” with KCL’s “evolving admissions procedures”.
A King’s College London spokesperson told Roar:
“King’s is proud to offer transformative opportunities for academic and personal growth for students around the world through the King’s Study Abroad programme. This programme is highly competitive and demand often exceeds availability in studentships and places on modules.
“We are pleased to continue our valued partnership the University of Pennsylvania through the reciprocal exchange agreement for English courses and King’s Business School.”
Study Abroad Troubles
The pause comes amidst a difficult time for the attractiveness of British international study programmes. Figures published in October showed a small resurgence in sponsored study visas but still a 34% fall from its peak in 2023. Numbers for US students have remained almost exactly the same for over a decade.
Kaveh Kordestani is a staff writer for Roar
