MIT-UK creates opportunities for students and faculty to learn from and contribute to the UK’s thriving innovation environment through internships at leading companies and start-ups, faculty research partnerships with UK universities, hands-on STEM teaching and mentorship, and study abroad and exchange opportunities at some of the world's leading research universities.
Program Opportunities
Internships
MISTI’s award-winning international internship program provides a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience for MIT students: the opportunity to gain real-life work experience in leading companies and labs around the world. Best of all, all expenses are paid, including airfare.
MIT-UK works with an existing network of host companies across all sectors, and also helps students find and secure opportunities outside of our existing network. Internships typically last from 10-12 weeks during the summer, though longer placements can also be arranged. Key sectors include: computer science and artificial intelligence, biotech, pharma, life sciences, fintech and financial services, materials science and engineering, design, architecture, and sustainability.
- Mandatory pre-departure training on UK culture, travel logistics, health and safety
- Minimum GPA of 4.0
- A UROP or other relevant professional experience (internships, work experience).
- A culture course and participation in other MIT-UK campus events is strongly encouraged
- Spots for first year students are extremely limited. First year students are encouraged to delay applying to the program until their sophomore year.
There are no required courses for the MIT-UK program. However, students are encouraged to demonstrate an interest in global issues by having taken AT LEAST ONE of the following classes:
- 1.009 Climate Change
- 1.071J Global Change Science
- 1.077 Land, Water, Food, and Climate
- 1.813J Technology, Globalization, and Sustainable Development
- 2.76 Global Engineering
- 2.890J Global Operations Leadership Seminar
- 4.605 A Global History of Architecture
- 4.621 Orientalism, Colonialism, and Representation
- 11.002J Making Public Policy
- 12.021 Earth Science, Energy, and the Environment
- 12.301 Climate Science
- 12.385 Science, Politics, and Environmental Policy
- 14.02 Principles of Macroeconomics
- 14.41 Public Finance and Public Policy
- 14.42 Environmental Policy and Economics
- 14.54 International Trade
- 14.76 Firms, Markets, Trade and Growth
- 15.026J Global Climate Change: Economics, Science, and Policy
- 15.359J Engineering Innovation: Moving Ideas to Impact
- 17.115 International Political Economy
- 17.195 Globalization
- 17.263 Electoral Politics, Public Opinion, and Democracy
- 17.41 Introduction to International Relations
- 17.411 Globalization, Migration, and International Relations
- 17.445 International Relations Theory in the Cyber Age
- 17.561 European Politics
- 17.591 Research Seminar in Applied International Studies
- 17.835 Machine Learning and Data Science in Politics
- 17.925 Fundamentals of Science and Technology Public Policy Making: Science and Technology Policy Boot Camp
- 21G.019 Communicating Across Cultures
- 21G.056J The "Making" of Modern Europe: 1789-Present
- 21G.058J Race and Migration in Europe
- 21G.059 Paradigms of European Thought and Culture
- 21L.475 Enlightenment and Modernity
- 22.081J Introduction to Sustainable Energy
- 24.234 Global Justice, Gender, and Development
- 21A.402J City Living: Ethnographies of Urban Worlds
- 21G.022J International Women's Voices
- 21G.911 Independent Study focused on the UK
- 21L.020J Globalization: The Good, the Bad and the In-Between
- 21H.285 Making the Modern World: The Industrial Revolution
- 21H.382 Capitalism in the Age of Revolution
- STS.040 A Global History of Commodities
- 21L.591 Literary London
- 21G.UR Undergraduate Research
- SP.251 How to Change the World: Experiences from Social Entrepreneurs
- SP.257 MISTI Career Connections: Energy
- (New)
- WGS.225J The Science of Race, Sex, and Gender
- WGS.151 Gender, Medicine, and Public Health
- WGS.229 Race, Culture, and Gender in the US and Beyond: A Psychological Perspective
- 11.142 Geography of the Global Economy
- 11.162 Politics of Energy and the Environment
- 11.244J Race, History, and the Built Environment
- 14.773 Political Economy: Institutions and Development
MIT-UK is accepting new applications for summer 2025 - Interested students should sign up for an info session here.
- Informational meetings are available year-round. Contact program lead to schedule.
- Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – By December 1st.
- Schedule official Interview with Country Program Manager – September to February 15th (Schedule interview as soon as MISTI Launchpad Application is complete)
- After Launchpad process, notify program staff you wish to complete the UK-Specific Application
- Internship matching process – September to March
- Mandatory Pre-Departure Sessions – Mid-April to Late May, and MIT-UK campus events encouraged throughout the year for further enrichment.
- Begin Internship – Late May / Early June
- End Internship – Mid-Late August
Global Teaching Labs
Learn through teaching. GTL challenges MIT students to synthesize and present what they know, work in a team, and communicate with peers of a different cultural background, all while sharing MIT's unique approach to science and engineering education with high school students around the world. GTLs are often thematic and offered in several country options per IAP.
Global Teaching Labs in Wales is a partnership between the Welsh Government, MIT-UK, and Equal Education. The program supports the enhancement of STEM education and seeks to raise aspiration in schools in Wales. 12 MIT students spread across Wales to support schools’ science and mathematics departments in delivering lessons, conducting workshops and offering co-curricular, extra-curricular and super-curricular support to young people. Students typically live with host families with links to participating schools.
Global Teaching Labs in Scotland is a partnership between MIT-UK and Robert Gordon's College (RGC) in Aberdeen, Scotland, 2-3 MIT students teach curriculum connected to their interests and the goals of the institution. RGC is a private, co-educational day school which was founded in 1750 with the values of independence, innovation and curiosity. Students with a background and interest in AI, Music Tech, Net Zero, and entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply. Students live in an apartment a short walk from RGC.
Global Teaching Labs in England sees MIT students work with state schools and independent schools in London and the Southeast teaching STEM subjects. In particular, students with backgrounds in computer science, physics, mathematics, sustainability, and rocket club are encouraged to apply. Housing varies depending on the host school but is typically in private accommodation rather than with host families.
- Minimum GPA of 4.0
- Interview
- Mandatory Pre-departure preparation
- Encouraged to attend all MIT-UK campus events
- Oct: Pre-selected students are invited to interview shortly after application deadline.
- Nov - Dec: Students selected to participate will attend pre-departure trainings.
- Jan: Most GTL programs take place during the last three weeks.
- Feb: Students attend a mandatory re-entry session upon return.
Faculty Led Programs in the UK
MIT-UK collaborates with MIT faculty to provide program support for faculty-led programs to the UK. Explore upcoming faculty led programs in the UK below.
Literary London (IAP 2025) | Application Deadline: Tuesday Sep 24th at 11:59pm | Apply here |
Info session: Wednesday Sep 11th 5pm in 2-105
Literature Professor Diana Henderson leads 15 undergraduate students on a 4 week immersive exploration of London's rich and vast literary history. This hands-on class will explore the locations, history and artistic institutions that have made London a world cultural hub. Through guided readings, theater performances, walking tours and visits to sites associated with major authors, you will experience the vibrancy of London’s past and present. This 9-unit subject will count for HASS-E credit and the Literature minor or major. Literary London is only open to MIT undergraduate students.
Study Abroad in the UK
The UK is home to some of the oldest universities in the world, and is renowned for its excellence in research and teaching. Students can participate in exchange programs or direct enroll programs, depending on their course of study.
Exchange Programs
Imperial College London Academic Exchange
Students from courses 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 18, and 22 can apply through their department to study for a semester or a full academic year at Imperial College London, taking classes from Imperial that are carefully matched for transfer credit with their MIT degree.
Imperial College London Research Exchange
Students from courses 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 16, 18, and 22 can apply through their department to undertake a summer research project at Imperial College London. Projects are typically 8-weeks long and begin in mid-late June.
University of Oxford Academic Exchange
Students from course 3 can apply through their department to study for the spring semester of their junior year at the University of Oxford. The spring semester is split into two UK terms. Students take classes during the first term (Jan-Mar) and focus on a research project during their second term (Apr-Jun).
Direct Enroll Programs
MIT-UK works with the following UK universities to support students who are seeking to enroll directly:
- Study Abroad Application
- Interview with MISTI and Home Department Coordinator
- Minimum GPA of 4.3
- Mandatory Pre-departure Preparation
Exchange:
- Apply for MIT exchange for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program, and apply before the deadline.
- MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable MISTI Program Manager and major department.
Direct Enroll:
- Apply directly to the host university/program provider by their program deadline. (Their deadline may be earlier than the MISTI deadline.)
- Apply to MISTI for MIT approval to study abroad before the deadline for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, use the Direct Enroll General Application to apply.
- MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable Program Manager.
Financial Aid:
Financial aid can be used to study abroad during academic terms. Awards will be adjusted based on expenses such as airfare, living expenses, and local tuition costs. Students should meet with their financial aid counselor and a MISTI Program Manager at least one term before they go abroad to start planning how aid will be affected. MISTI and Student Financial Services will work together to gather and verify cost information. Based on this information, financial aid counselors will advise students on their adjusted financial aid packages and process any refunds accordingly.
Scholarships:
Click here to learn more about external study abroad scholarships.
MIT-Imperial College London Global Seed Fund
MISTI's Global Seed Funds program supports MIT's global engagement by promoting collaborations between MIT faculty and researchers and their counterparts abroad. The 2021 seed fund is seeking applications from researchers tackling problems related to climate, pollution and health.
Meet the MIT-UK Team
Meet Your Program Manager
Get in touch with Stephen Barnes, Managing Director for MIT-UK for more information.
Meet Your Program Coordinator
Get in touch with Abby MacKenzie, Program Coordinator for MIT-UK for more information.