International Students
Swindon College welcomes applications from international students. The college has a growing number of links with institutions abroad and is well positioned to understand the needs of students coming to the UK for the first time to study.
If English is not your first language, you may be advised to undertake some intensive study before you enrol at the college. You may also be asked by a tutor to undertake additional study in English when you start your course.
Application for admission to all BA (Hons), Foundation Degrees and HND courses is made through the UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admission System) at www.ucas.ac.uk.
Applications for all other courses including MA/PG Dip is made directly to Swindon College, contact Student Services on Freephone + 44 (0) 1793 491591.
GETTING A VISA:
Your nearest British Council office will be able to tell you whether you need a visa to enter the UK, or you can check the Foreign & Commonwealth office website. Processing time of visas depends on the British Embassy or High Commission you are applying to.
Immigration Rules
If you are a national of the EEA (the member states of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) the following does not apply to you. If you are not a national of the EEA and want to enter the UK as a student, you must be able to show that:
1. You have been accepted for a course of study:
- that is at a level that the Uk Border Agency will accept
- with a provider that is a licensed Tier 4 sponsor
- that is at least 15 hours per week of organised day-time study
Under the new Points Based System you will need to have the course acceptance confirmed with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) number to gain 30 of the 40 points required. The college can issue this CAS number once we have all received the relevant documentation and a deposit from you.
You must also show that:
2. You can meet the costs of your course, accommodation and living expenses. Under the new Points Based System you need to claim 10 points for these costs.
For an initial application, made out of the UK, you will need to show that you have the total student fees for the academic year (unless you have already paid in full.) If you have paid in part you need to show the remainder of the course fees for the academic year and the maintenance fees, as well as providing the receipt of payments already made.
and that
3. You intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies. Your visa will only be issued for the length of your course with a small amount of time prior to the start and at the end to allow for entering the UK and preparing to leave.
2010-11 Fees
Fees for Overseas Students (i.e. not living in the UK for the last 3 years) for courses offered directly by Swindon College are as follows:
Foundation Degree: Full Time - £11,000
Foundation Degree: Part Time - £5,500
HND - £9,000
HNC - £4,500
International Learners who wish to pay by Instalments are required to pay a deposit of 50% and the remainder will be split into 3 and charged each subsequent month commencing in September.
For all courses offered by other institutions and delivered at Swindon College, please refer to the provider's web site for fee information.
Immigration Information for International Students
Swindon College welcomes students from abroad, however Britain has very stringent immigration laws. If you arrive without the correct documents you are likely to be denied entry by an immigration office. It is therefore important that you begin your preparations for studying in the UK well in advance.
It is very important for anyone entering the UK as a student to comply with UK immigration requirements. The regulations for entry into the UK are constantly changing and it is vital that you check UK visas and the Home Office Border Agency (UKBA) websites on a regular basis. For further details please check the following links:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Since 1 September 2007 all students need a student entry clearance to enter the UK to study, except those on a course of study of six months or less who may qualify for entry under the category of student visitor. For further details please check the following link:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals
Students from the countries listed below who have been accepted on a course of study are entitled to enter the UK freely, upon production of a valid passport or national identity card, and have the right of residence for the duration of their course. In addition, they should have sufficient resources for the duration of their stay without claiming public funds (benefits):
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are EEA member states, but they are not members of the European Union (EU).
Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the EEA. However since 1 June 2002, Swiss nationals have similar entry rights which are similar to those of nationals of EEA countries. The information in this area of the website applies to both EEA and Swiss nationals.
NOTE: If you have permanent residence in, but not citizenship of, any of these countries, you are not an EEA national.
For further information and complete guidance please check the UKCISA website at the following link:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/eea.php
Application Procedure
Applications for entry clearance should be made through the British Embassy or High Commission in the country in which you are living.
An online visa application is also available and detailed guidelines can be found on VISA4UK website at: www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk .
For more detailed information and advice on completing your application form please visit the UK visas and Home Office Border Agency (UKBA) websites:
