Cornerstone UK is a spring semester study abroad opportunity offered exclusively to AU first year students. Cornerstone UK allows you to get a jump start on your international education—letting you experience British culture firsthand while supported by AU and international university partners. 

Students must maintain satisfactory academic performance and continue to meet the AU Abroad 3.00 GPA requirement. Students who fall below these requirements prior to going abroad could be withdrawn from Cornerstone Abroad.

In addition, any disciplinary action resulting in probation occurring after your admission into Cornerstone Abroad may result in American University rescinding and revoking your participation and program enrollment. In these cases, students will not receive a refund and will be responsible for any expenses incurred on your behalf prior to the date of withdrawal from the program.

AU Cornerstone has between 25 – 30 students. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

You can find a breakdown of the cost of the program on the program cost page.

The Cornerstone program is reserved for full time, first year degree-seeking students at AU; therefore, financial aid is available for those who qualify and may be applied to this program. For information about financing options, consult with your university financial aid counselor.

The courses provide students the opportunity for active learning, collaboration, teamwork, and interactive discussions. More information on the program courses is available on the curriculum page.

You have access to the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) on AU's campus. ASAC can be reached by phone at 202-885-3360. More information about ASAC accommodations and services is available online.

New requests for accommodation should follow the Three-Step process. Once students receive information from AU's ASAC regarding approved accommodations, Cornerstone staff will work with host institution to request accommodations for the semester abroad. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that facilities or support services will be available in the same range and quality as on AU’s campus.

Students will travel to host institution from their "home" state/country.

You will have access to campus facilities. These include computer labs, library, fitness center, resource centers, clubs, campus events, etc.

There will be a pre-departure orientation at AU, as well as an on site orientation at host institution.

U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa in advance to study in the United Kingdom for less than six months. Students from other nationalities will be responsible for researching the requirements for their visa and obtaining adequate permission to enter the U.K. 

AU Cornerstone students are a part of a University College cohort and will be housed with that cohort for the entirety of fall semester. Cohort placement is determined by your chosen Complex Problems seminar. Not all members of your UC cohort will be in AU Cornerstone. We will connect students after the deadline with others in their cohort. If you'd like to be with another AU Cornerstone student in your cohort, you can match with them during the roommate matching process. Students in living-learning communities will room with other students in the same cohort.

University College housing is mandatory for Cornerstone students.

In the Spring, students are assigned to a room within the Wroxton manor house. Wroxton is a 17th century abbey that has been modernized to accommodate current university students. Bedrooms come in singles or doubles and no two rooms are alike.

Students can visit any number of sites, detailed on the Excursions page.

DC law and American University policy states that all students must have health insurance - through their parents or through AU. If you have insurance by way of your parent's plan or your own, you can waive AU Health Insurance through your myAU.american.edu portal. More information about the Student Health Center and insurance requirements is available on the website.

Students will be enrolled in AU's Emergency Medical Insurance for international travel. However, this only covers students during the program dates and in the country of the program site (and is for emergencies only). Students will have additional medical insurance through Wroxton for healthcare within the United Kingdom.

Veteran Affairs does not allow students to use Yellow Ribbon benefits for study abroad programs.

There is an option to store your things on campus while you are abroad. AU in partnership with UPS offers storage for students who will be away over the spring and summer next year. You can inquire here for more details about this option. 

You are able to add your name to a waitlist by selecting the waitlist option on the UC and Cornerstone Reservation Form. There are no guarantees a spot will open, though you can still be included in University College.