International Students House, London
Encyclopedia
International Students House, London (Colloquially shortened to ISH said as one word, "ish".) is a residence for 700 British
and overseas students, interns and trainees whilst staying in London
. It is located in Central London
close to London's West End
at the south side of Regents Park and operates as a financially self supporting charity under a board of trustees. There are approximately ten applicants for every place and the selection process is distinct from that of the individual colleges and universities with students being selected on the basis of their "demonstrated willingness to participate and become involved in the life of the House." Each year the House admits Fulbright scholars and students attending schools including LSE
, Imperial
, UCL
, Kings, SOAS
, London Business School
, The Royal Academy of Music
, RADA, Goldsmiths, The Institute of Education
, The Architectural Association School of Architecture
and BPP Law School
among others. Annually the House, together with its partners, awards residential scholarships of over £800,000. ISH also has 70,000 non resident members which makes up a large proportion of the international students in London
.
in memory of students who died in the First World War. Its objectives were to provide companionship and social facilities for some of the overseas students who came to London
each year, with a view to increasing international understanding and friendship.
The House, in Russell Square
was relocated to Gower Street
in 1938 and Mary Trevelyan became warden.
The first building at 1-6 Park Crescent
, W1, was acquired and rebuilt and was opened in May 1965 by the Trust’s Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
(known as GPS because of its entrance at 229 Great Portland Street
). In 1968, a series of Nash buildings on York Terrace East in Regent’s Park (seven minutes walk from GPS) were acquired and rebuilt and subsequently named Mary Trevelyan Hall, which opened in 1971. The House also built an underground garage in York Terrace East as part of the development.
These four buildings combine to make up International Students House, providing over 700 beds (including 56 flats for students with families), three bars, a restaurant, internet access points, a fitness centre and public meeting rooms.
In 1985 the original Trust was separated into two sister charities, operating in parallel, with the International Students Trust managing the investment portfolios and International Students House owning and operating the residences and the activities.
As of 2009/10 ISH students represent over 110 nations and ISH has over 70,000 non-resident student members.
ISH accept UK
students as well as international students to live or participate. The four main areas of operation are housing, provision of social facilities and activities, welfare and advice support and the provision of residential scholarships which together with the House’s partners represents a £800,000 plus annual programme which received a Commendation in The Charity Awards
2002.
The House operates as a financially self supporting charity with a diverse number of self generated income streams. The House employs a total of around 130 staff who between them can speak at least 20 languages. ISH has been a recognised 'Investor in People' since 1997 and most recently has achieved 'Customer First' recognition in 2009.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and overseas students, interns and trainees whilst staying in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It is located in Central London
Central London
Central London is the innermost part of London, England. There is no official or commonly accepted definition of its area, but its characteristics are understood to include a high density built environment, high land values, an elevated daytime population and a concentration of regionally,...
close to London's West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
at the south side of Regents Park and operates as a financially self supporting charity under a board of trustees. There are approximately ten applicants for every place and the selection process is distinct from that of the individual colleges and universities with students being selected on the basis of their "demonstrated willingness to participate and become involved in the life of the House." Each year the House admits Fulbright scholars and students attending schools including LSE
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, Imperial
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, UCL
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, Kings, SOAS
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
, London Business School
London Business School
London Business School is an international business school and a constituent college of the federal University of London, located in central London, beside Regent's Park...
, The Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, RADA, Goldsmiths, The Institute of Education
Institute of Education
The Institute of Education is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in postgraduate study and research in the field of education and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is the largest education research body in the United Kingdom, with...
, The Architectural Association School of Architecture
Architectural Association School of Architecture
The Architectural Association School of Architecture, more usually known as the AA, is an architectural school in London, United Kingdom...
and BPP Law School
BPP Law School
BPP Law School is a UK-based provider of professional legal education and is one of the largest in the country, with branches in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, London , Manchester and Newcastle. In 2007, BPP Law School became the first privately owned, publicly traded firm in the...
among others. Annually the House, together with its partners, awards residential scholarships of over £800,000. ISH also has 70,000 non resident members which makes up a large proportion of the international students in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
History
The origins of International Students House date back to 1917, when Student Movement House, a social centre, was founded in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in memory of students who died in the First World War. Its objectives were to provide companionship and social facilities for some of the overseas students who came to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
each year, with a view to increasing international understanding and friendship.
The House, in Russell Square
Russell Square
Russell Square is a large garden square in Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden. It is near the University of London's main buildings and the British Museum. To the north is Woburn Place and to the south-east is Southampton Row...
was relocated to Gower Street
Gower Street (London)
Gower Street is a street in Bloomsbury, Central London, England, running between Euston Road to the north and Montague Place to the south.North Gower Street is a separate street running north of the Euston Road...
in 1938 and Mary Trevelyan became warden.
The first building at 1-6 Park Crescent
Park Crescent, London
Park Crescent is at the north end of Portland Place and south of Marylebone Road in London, England. It consists of elegant stuccoed semicircular terraced houses by the architect John Nash work started in 1806, but the builder Charles Mayor went bankrupt after 6 houses had been built and was only...
, W1, was acquired and rebuilt and was opened in May 1965 by the Trust’s Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
(known as GPS because of its entrance at 229 Great Portland Street
Great Portland Street
Great Portland Street is a street in the West End of London. Linking Oxford Street with Albany Street and the busy A501 Marylebone Road and Euston Road, the road forms the boundary between Fitzrovia to the east and Marylebone to the west...
). In 1968, a series of Nash buildings on York Terrace East in Regent’s Park (seven minutes walk from GPS) were acquired and rebuilt and subsequently named Mary Trevelyan Hall, which opened in 1971. The House also built an underground garage in York Terrace East as part of the development.
These four buildings combine to make up International Students House, providing over 700 beds (including 56 flats for students with families), three bars, a restaurant, internet access points, a fitness centre and public meeting rooms.
In 1985 the original Trust was separated into two sister charities, operating in parallel, with the International Students Trust managing the investment portfolios and International Students House owning and operating the residences and the activities.
As of 2009/10 ISH students represent over 110 nations and ISH has over 70,000 non-resident student members.
ISH accept UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
students as well as international students to live or participate. The four main areas of operation are housing, provision of social facilities and activities, welfare and advice support and the provision of residential scholarships which together with the House’s partners represents a £800,000 plus annual programme which received a Commendation in The Charity Awards
UK Charity Awards
The UK Charity Awards are annual awards for outstanding achievements within the UK not-for-profit sector. Categories reflect the management of charities and not-for-profits, and awards are made to individuals, departments and whole organizations....
2002.
The House operates as a financially self supporting charity with a diverse number of self generated income streams. The House employs a total of around 130 staff who between them can speak at least 20 languages. ISH has been a recognised 'Investor in People' since 1997 and most recently has achieved 'Customer First' recognition in 2009.
Stated mission
- To help students to achieve the academic, personal and leadership aims that have brought them to the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
; - To provide the best possible opportunities for overseas students to experience the many facets of life in the UK and to give them a deeper understanding of BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
society; - To give BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
students an opportunity to broaden their horizons through friendship with people from widely differing backgrounds and cultures; and - By these means to make an effective contribution to better international relations.