Frequently Asked Questions
1) How do I apply for a Student Visa?
2) How do I qualify to come to the United Kingdom to study?
3) Do I need to have an IELTS or a TOEFL English Test?
4) What are the Entry Requirements?
5) What is the application process? (Overseas Student)
6) Is there any registration fee?
7) What accommodation is available?
8) Do I need Private Medical Insurance?
9) What is the closing date for Applications?
10) Am I allowed to work in the UK while I am studying at North West College Reading?
11) Do you offer any preparation programmes?
12) What do I need to know before travelling to the UK?
13) Will my qualifications from North West College Reading be recognised internationally?
14) What are the starting dates of the programme?
15) Does North West College Reading provide any scholarships?
16) Will College help me in extension of my visa?
17) May I bring my spouse and children with me?
18) Is my spouse allowed to work?
19) 19. What if I invite any family member or spouse while I am studying at North West College Reading?
20) How much money do I need to show to the British Embassy/ High-Commission?
21) How much is the estimated Living Expenses?
22) What do I take into consideration when applying for a student visa?
23) Do I need to apply via UCAS?
24) Do I have to pay home or overseas student fees?
25) How much does a student visa cost?
- 1) How do I apply for a Student Visa?
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If you are overseas student, you should contact the British High Commission or Embassy in your country. If you are in the UK, you may contact the Home Office. You will need to complete an application form and also original documents that are used to get a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Applications must be made on the Tier 4 General application form. The College will assist you in applying your student visa in the UK. If you need specific advice, contact your local British Council or High Commission.
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- 2) How do I qualify to come to the United Kingdom to study?
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You need 40 points to be able to apply for a student visa and must provide the proof needed with your application form.
Points
What you gets points for
Proof and documents needed
30
Doing a FULL-TIME course with North West College Reading (also known as sponsorship)
CAS from the College, and the documents used to get the CAS
10
Having enough money to cover your course fees and monthly living costs (also known as maintenance)
Bank statement or letter confirming that you have enough money available to cover your course fees and monthly living costs for up to one year, at the time you submit your application
You must be able to prove that the money you need to apply has been in your account for 28 days before you submit your application.
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- 3) Do I need to have an IELTS or a TOEFL English Test?
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Yes. You must demonstrate an English Language competency for you to qualify for a course of study at North West College Reading. You must have English Language certificate from approved test provider i.e. Cambridge ESOL, TOEFL, IELTS or PEARSON’S. Please click this link to find out more detail about approved English Language qualification for UKBA. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf The English Language competency requirements are detailed as follows:
Below Level 6 Courses : CFER B1 (e.g. IELTS minimum 4 in each band or Pearson Test ofEnglish Academic (PTE Academic) 36 in each bands.
Level 6 and above: CFER B2 (e.g. IELTS minimum 5.5 in each band or Pearson Test of
English Academic (PTE Academic) 51 in each bands.
You will be exempted from English Language Test if you are a national of the following Countries. Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
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- 4) What are the Entry Requirements?
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Applicants to North West College Reading are assessed on an individual case by case basis - provided they have completed their A-Level or equivalent overseas qualifications. We may also consider your work experience in the related fields. Please also check the entry requirements of the course you are interested in.
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- 5) What is the application process? (Overseas Student)
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You can apply online on our website. Alternatively, an application form should be completed and returned to the college along with transcripts of results from any school or college or University students have attended. English translations should be provided and all documents should be notarised. An application may be assessed using faxed copies or photocopies of any of the above. Successful applicants may firstly be sent the conditional offer letter by e-mail or fax to confirm that the student is satisfied with all information within 1-3 weeks.
Students applying from abroad: If you have applied online, once you receive offer email from us you need to send at least half of the tuition fees and all above mentioned documents including your passport copy in order to get the CAS at North West College Reading for your visa purpose. The CAS will also provide information about fees, course duration and awarding body. Bank account details are provided with the conditional offer letter. The student uses the CAS to apply for a student visa/entry clearance. Once the Student Visa has been approved, the student must report to the college on their arrival. If the College is arranging the accommodation and airport transportation to students, the arrival details must be sent to the College at least two weeks prior to arrival in the UK.?
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- 7) What accommodation is available?
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North West College Reading has teamed up with local estate agents and residents to provide an affordable accommodation. Accommodation can be arranged temporarily for the first four weeks and confirmation of accommodation can be sent for visa application support. You are required to pay at least £400 (£100 non-refundable plus £50 booking fee) as a deposit for this facility. The remaining balance of accommodation is paid back to you if your student visa is denied. Once you arrive in the UK, you must make monthly payment in advance to the landlord directly for continuous accommodation. Otherwise, you have to make your arrangement for an alternate accommodation.
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- 9) What is the closing date for Applications?
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Applications may be accepted up to the course start date. For those applying from outside the UK, please allow sufficient time for visa processing (check with the British Embassy in your home country for the latest visa processing times).
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- 11) Do you offer any preparation programmes?
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The transition from a foreign country to North West College Reading can be highly challenging particularly when those studies take place in English. North West College Reading recognises the need for helping international students to make this adjustment. We may organise a preparation course prior to the commencement of academic programmes to teach students the special skills they will need to study for any specific course in North West College Reading. Suplimentary courses to prepare you for study such as an intensive course in English language , Mathemetics and Accountancy may be provided if students found weak to proceed their course. You may be charged extra fees on it.
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- 12) What do I need to know before travelling to the UK?
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General Information about the UK
The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Greater London covers an area of over 600 square miles and has an ever-growing population, currently over 8 million people.
Throughout its history, Britain's own culture has been enriched by many other nationalities. Sometimes by conquering nations! Other times by those seeking asylum or choosing to emigrate here. London, especially, is home to many different nationalities which provides a fascinating variety of culture, food and entertainment.
Climate: The UK has a very varied climate. November to March are typically cold and wet with the possibility of snow on higher ground. Average temperatures are between 0º and 10º C (50º F). The temperature in summer (July and August) can reach up to 32º C (90º F).
More detailed information is available on the BBC (the national news service) www.bbc.co.uk/weather
Clothing: Whatever the time of year, it is best to have warm clothing with you. During the winter months, a warm waterproof coat is essential. If you plan to explore the UK during your vacations, please remember to bring appropriate clothing, especially if you are travelling to the north of the UK.
Working/Opening Hours: Supermarkets are open from 8:30 to 20:00 throughout the week and usually 10:00 to 17:00 on Sundays. Some supermarkets in cities are now open 24 hours a day.
In major cities such as Reading, there are many specialist shops selling a wide variety of food so you may still be able to cook up your favourite meal!
Shops are generally open from 9:00 to 17:30 (Monday to Saturday) with some shops opening later on certain days or open for a few hours on Sunday. In some smaller towns "half-day closing" occurs. On one day in the week most shops will close at lunchtime. This no longer happens in larger stores and in cities. Offices hours tend to be 9:00 to 17:00. Banks open from 9:30 to 5:30 (some Banks are opening on Saturday morning).
Public Holidays: There are 8 public holidays when colleges, offices and most shops will be closed.
New Year's Day - 1st January.
Good Friday and Easter Monday - this can occur between mid-March and the end of April.
Early May Bank Holiday - first Monday in May.
Spring Bank Holiday - last Monday in May.
Summer Bank Holiday - last Monday in August.
Christmas Day - 25th December.
Boxing Day - 26th December.
Health: If you are planning a short visit to London on a visitor visa to look at different colleges before applying, please remember to buy health insurance.
If you have come from a country with a health-care agreement with the UK or are staying for more than six months, you may be able to obtain free medical or dental treatment under the NHS.
If you are a long-term student (more than 6 months), it is advisable for you to register with a local Doctor. We can provide contact details for doctors in your area. You will need to contact the doctor to see if they are accepting new patients and you will normally need to have an appointment to provide basic information about your medical history.
You can get more information from the Department of Health:
Website: www.doh.gov.uk/overseasvisitors
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7210 4850
Public Transport:
Reading itself is in a prime location in the South-East of England and has excellent transport links to London and other cities. Reading's railway station has high speed links to and from London Paddington (30 mins), as well as regular services to and from other cities around the UK. There are direct services to and from both London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports. There is a Railair (Bus) service operating to and from London Heathrow Airport to Reading providing links to stations in Feltham, Woking and Watford Junction. Buses are most popular means for local transport within Reading.
Internal flights also operate between major cities.
Social Customs and Leisure: British people are generally reserved and value their privacy. It is customary to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time, whether male or female. Other physical contact is generally avoided with anyone other than family and close friends.
Good manners ("please" and "thank you") and personal hygiene are valued very highly.
With the wide variety of cultures in Britain, please use your common sense and try to respect all beliefs and customs.
Smoking is not allowed in public places including restaurants and other public buildings. Please respect this and refrain from smoking.
In London there is a wide range of activities available to suit all budgets, you can:
- experience food, music and entertainment from many countries;
- see a variety of sports in the city's large arenas (which also host musical events);
- enjoy a range of world famous "West End" shows;
- visit museums, art galleries and exhibitions to suit all tastes;
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- 14) What are the starting dates of the programme?
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Generally, the starting dates are January/February, April and October/November of each year. Please check the course you are interested in.
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- 15) Does North West College Reading provide any scholarships?
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Yes. North West College Reading provides special scholarships for exceptional performing students in their examination results normally from their second year of studies.
However, the UK government offers a limited number of Scholarships through the Chevening scheme - http://www.chevening.com/
A scholarship search is available through the British Council site - http://ukscholarshipsdatabase.britishcouncil.org/
Your own government may offer scholarships for international studies - contact your local British Council offices: www.britishcouncil.org/where/index.htm
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- 16) Will College help me in extension of my visa?
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Yes. If you have already been studying here you can apply for an extension of stay for further studies in the UK provided you are enrolled on a full-time course with the college and meet the UKBA criteria.?
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- 17) May I bring my spouse and children with me?
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Your spouse and any of your children under 18 may be able to apply to accompany you during your studies provided you can maintain and accommodate them adequately without recourse to public funds. Please check the UKBA website for the rules.
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- 18) Is my spouse allowed to work?
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Your spouse may be allowed to work if you were granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for 12 months or more and you are studying NQF Level 6 or above course. You must check the terms of your spouse's Visa carefully as this may differ.
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- 19) 19. What if I invite any family member or spouse while I am studying at North West College Reading?
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North West College Reading provides you full assistance in lodging visa applications and helping the student. We also will assist you if you want to invite some one to your Graduation ceremony.
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- 20) How much money do I need to show to the British Embassy/ High-Commission?
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Applicants must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in the UK, including emergencies, without recourse to the public funds. This must cover the total tuition fee and the living expenses such as accommodation, food, travelling, clothing, etc. Bank statements which clearly identify the holder together with a transaction and details of conversation rates at the approximate date of application are required.
The money that you need includes course fees and monthly living costs. The monthly living costs needed depends on where you are studying.
Length of course
Money needed
Nine months or less
Course fees
and
£600 for each month of the course
More than nine months
First year of fees
and
£5,400 to cover none months in the United Kingdom
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- 21) How much is the estimated Living Expenses?
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We advise our students that the cost of living for a year is approximately £5400. This includes accommodation, travel and exam fees. These prices are an example:
Travel: as a student you will get discounted travel on Reading buses, London Buses and the underground train system. Food: you would expect to pay about £20 / £30 per week on food for one person.
Exams: membership fees and exam entry fees for the first year are about £150 to £200 for NQF level 4 & 5 courses depending on the course awarding body.
Books: there is a recommended reading list for students. Tutors may also suggest additional books which may be helpful. We would suggest budgeting about £100 to £300. You also must buy your own stationery (pens, paper, etc).
Accommodation: We have teamed up with local estate agents and residents to provide students with affordable accommodation. We can arrange host family accommodation for you at a cost of at least £100 per week. Many of our students will do this as a short-term option and then arrange to share accommodation with fellow students (this usually works out a cheaper).
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- 22) What do I take into consideration when applying for a student visa?
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You need the following for a successful visa application:
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from North West College Reading
- You also need a valid passport
- Documents which prove your financial security to pay for your course and living expenses in the UK for yourself and any dependants without working or help from public funds. These documents could be your or parents bank statements.
- You may also need confirmation of accommodation from the College.
- You also need original of your relevant academic qualifications.
You will also need to convince the visa officer of the following:
1. Your intention to return to your home country once you complete your course of study. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the UK. “Ties” to your home country are the things that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. If you are interviewed, the interviewing officer may ask your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long- range plans, and career prospects in your home country. Each person’s situation is different of course, and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter, which can guarantee visa issuance.
2. Evidence that you can financially support yourself and any of your dependents during your studies without any recourse to public funds or engaging yourself in full-time employment. According to the Home Office new proposal, students on courses for longer than 12 months will have to show they have sufficient funds to pay their first year of fees, plus £5400 to cover their first year living expenses in the UK. Students wishing to bring their dependants with them will need to show they have a further £400 per month for each person they bring.(Please see UKBA Guidelines for updates)
3. Your main purpose of coming to the United Kingdom should be to study, not for the chance to work before or after graduation. While many students do work part-time during their studies, such employment is incidental to their main purpose of completing their education. You must be able to clearly explain your plan to return home at the end of your course.
4. If you are married and your spouse and children are remaining behind in your country, be prepared to address how they will support themselves in your absence. This can be an especially tricky area if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the visa officer gains the impression that your family members will need you to send money from the UK in order to support themselves, your student visa application will almost certainly be rejected.
5. An important point that you must also consider is what benefit you will gain from studying your chosen course and why you have chosen to study this course outside your home country. Make sure you have carried out intensive research regarding your chosen course, chosen institution, the British educational system and any alternatives available to you. If you are not able to explain the reasons you will study in a particular course in the UK, you may not succeed in convincing the visa officer that you are indeed planning to study, rather than to immigrate. You should also be able to explain how studying in the UK relates to your future professional career when you return home.
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- 24) Do I have to pay home or overseas student fees?
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If you need to apply for a student visa from abroad to study in the UK, you will be categorised as an overseas student and overseas fees will only apply to you for the first year of your study. However, the College has certain fee exemption schemes for students who are already residing in the UK on a student visa or other forms of permanent residency permit to be considered for Home Student status for the purpose of calculating their tuition fees. Please contact the Admissions Department for further detail.?
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- 25) How much does a student visa cost?
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The student visa application fee depends on where you apply from:
Inside the United Kingdom by post - £357
Inside the United Kingdom at a Public Enquiry Office (PEO) - £628
Outside the United Kingdom - £199
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