The University of Western Ontario is located in London, a modern city (with Victorian elements) of 300,000 people, about 100 miles south west of Toronto. It was originally incorporated in 1878 and has a long and distinguished history. The 162 hectare campus is close to the River Thames (sounds familiar) in North London (OK, not that familiar). The University now has over 26,000 students; there are many overseas students with a large contingent from the Far East.

Western's campus is like a small town it has high quality academic facilities (its eight libraries are particularly impressive) alongside pubs, restaurants, a concert hall, art gallery, residences, a stadium and other recreational facilities, with the University Community Centre at its heart. Western is now recognised as one of Canada's leading universities.

The subjects taught at Western include: Administrative Studies, Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, English, Film, French, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, German, Greek, Hebrew, History, Journalism, Latin, Mathematics Modern Eastern Civilisations, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Physiology, Political Science, Polish, Psychology, Religious Studies, Russian, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish, Visual Arts, Women's Studies.

Up to four exchange places are available (two at London and two at Huron).

The exchange covers the tuition fees only for the year at Western Ontario; all accommodation, travel and other personal expenses are the responsibility of the student. Medical subscriptions, sports fees and extra curricular fees are not covered.

It is likely that exchange students will be able to obtain university accommodation.

It is possible to spend the year at Western Ontario either as an integral year or as an additional year.

If the year is spent as an additional year, there will be no credit towards the University of London degree for the courses taken, but a report on each student will be provided by Western at the end of the year. This arrangement allows exchange students to take courses from outside their main academic field of study if they wish.

If the year is taken as an integral year, students are required to prepare a study plan for the period abroad. The study plan must be approved by the student's department before the application for the exchange is submitted and, subsequently, when course availability is finalised.

Students in any department who are in their first or second year may apply for an exchange place at Western Ontario if they wish to spend the year as an additional year in between their first and second or second and final years at Royal Holloway.

Students who are in their first year may be able to spend the year as an integral year ie. the second year of a three year degree. Eligibility for any credit transfer arrangement will vary from department to department (see general notes). In departments where the transfer of credit is difficult, it will be more appropriate to spend the year as an additional year.