International Students
The College welcomes applications from candidates educated in other countries onto our Further and Higher Education Courses.
We would like to offer the following information/advice in relation to courses, fees, visas and qualifications as
you will need to provide us with further information about yourself to support your visa application and to begin/continue your studies at the college.
Points-Based Immigration arrangements
- What will the new arrangements mean for me?
- Where can I find more information?
- I'm already a student at the College, does this affect me?
Tier 4 Sponsorship
- All Institutions will be licensed by the government as Tier 4 "registered sponsors" for their students for immigration purposes
and will have a more prominent role in the immigration process for their students.
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Students will have to demonstrate that they can meet a minimum number of points required for a student visa.
Points will be awarded for existing academic qualifications and for meeting a "maintenance and funds" requirement.
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It is likely that students will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents for the
first year of their studies, or for the whole course if it is less than 12 months.
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The College will be required to issue a unique "Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies" to each student who has confirmed their place,
which will be needed to gain a visa and which will contribute to the number of points required for a visa.
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The College will be responsible for notifying the UK Border Agency of students' registration
at the University and their continued attendance on the course.
The visa must be tied to the Institution in which the student intends to study. If the student subsequently wishes to change to a different Institution,
s/he will have to apply for a new visa for the new Institution. A significant fee is likely to be payable.
Do the new arrangements apply to English language courses?
Yes. Although students following courses under six months long could apply for a Student
Visitor visa, no extensions to stay will be permitted on this type of visa and there is no
permission for part-time work. If a student intends to progress to a degree course having
completed English language studies, they will need to apply for a General Student visa,
for which extensions can be granted.
I'm already a student at the College, does this affect me?
Yes, especially if you wish to extend your visa to remain in the UK or alter your student
status. UKCISA have produced an information note which we recommend all international students
read. It is entitled "What students need to do to get ready for the points-based immigration
system" and refer to the UK Border Agency website for the application process.
Visa Information:
For reference the UK Border Agency produce a useful
flowchart of different types of visa.
Tier 4 (General) visa - Full time study
Most non EEA nationals planning to study in the UK for longer than six months will
need to apply for Entry Clearance as a student under Tier 4 of the new Points Based
Immigration System, before travelling to the UK. Check the
UKBA website to see if
you need to obtain entry clearance to come to the UK for your planned study. Further
information about
Tier 4, including
how to make an application is available on our website.
Student Visitor Visa - Study for less than 6 months
If you are coming to the UK to study for a maximum of six months and are 18 or over you may be
able to apply for a Student Visitor Visa. However, please note that;
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You would not be allowed to work, even if it was part of your course
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You would not be allowed to apply for more time in the UK if your
studies were extended.
If you are coming to the UK to study a pre-sessional course and intend to continue onto further
study in the UK, you should apply for entry clearance under Tier 4 of the Points Based Immigration
System and not as a Student Visitor.
Further information about coming to the UK as a Student Visitor is available on the
UK Border Agency website.
Prospective Student Visa
If you intend to undertake studies in the UK but have not yet completed the
arrangements for your exact course of study, you may be able to apply for
entry clearance as a prospective student. You must obtain entry clearance in
this category before travelling to the UK. This visa is only granted for up
to 6 months and you would not be allowed to work in the UK.
If you enter the UK with immigration permission as a Prospective Student,
when you receive an unconditional offer from a Tier 4 sponsor (education
provider), you will need to obtain a CAS from them, and apply to extend
your immigration permission under
Tier 4 (General), from within the UK.
Before making an application please read the
guidance on Prospective
Student visas provided by the UKBA, as well as the
Immigration Rules
Immigration Directorate Instructions (IDI's).
We strongly advise that both applicants and learners refer to the UK Border Agency website
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for current information as information is updated frequently.
Where can I find more information?
As your application progresses, we may email our applicants from time to time with
important information relating to their admission and the new visa arrangements or
we may post information on the website for applicants.
The United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKICSA) publishes
a range of information for international students, including immigration advice.
More information can be found on the UK Border Agency website.
For a detailed description of UK immigration procedures, you may also wish to read
the British Council Guide.
If you are unsure if your Qualifications are accepted in the UK, please contact
UK NARIC to check the equivalence of your country’s qualifications with those in
the UK. Further information is available online at www.naric.org.uk.
Courses:
Information on our Further and Higher Education courses at our Southend Campus
can be found on our website at www.southessex.ac.uk.
Fees:
As an Overseas Student you would be liable for Overseas Fees which for 2011-12 are currently:
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Further Education /Access Courses
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£4,600.00 for each year of study*
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Higher Education Courses
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£6,750.00 for each year of study
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Please Note:
All fees are payable, in full, at enrolment and we are unable to offer any instalment
or payment plans.
* Amount subject to change.
How to proceed with your application:
Please return to us the following:
- Application Form (if you are applying for a Higher Education course please apply
via www.ucas.co.uk)
- After application you will need to provide:
- Completed Fee Status Questionnaire
- Certified Copy† of Passport
- Certified Copy† of Qualifications
†A certified copy is a copy (which can be a photocopy) of a document in its entirety
(everything within a staple) that is sworn to be a true copy by a court clerk or solicitor.
If the staple is removed then the copy loses its certified status. At our discretion we will
randomly verify certified documentation.
For all Higher Education courses we require the following:
All students are expected to be able to understand and express themselves in both
written and spoken English. If English is not your first language you will be required
to have met the English language requirement (for first-year entry onto an undergraduate
degree, all students must have an IELTS score of 6.0 or above. The College will
not accept students onto undergraduate degrees with less than this).
English Language Requirements
The following standards are required:
IELTS - 6.0 (for first year entry onto Undergraduate programmes)
TOEFL - 540 (or 207 on Computer-based test, 76 on IBT)for all degrees
Other tests including the following:
Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE)
Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP)
GCE O-level or GCSE English Language
Hong Kong Certificate of English Education
English as a Foreign Language Course (full-time)
The College offers courses from level A2 and above of the Common European Framework
of Reference for Languages. Students should be able to produce evidence that they
have studied at level A1 or the equivalent of the CEF.
International Baccalaureate English B Syllabus (Standard Level)
Applicants who are applying to enter directly into the second year of a degree scheme
will be required to demonstrate a higher level of English language proficiency equivalent
to IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 600, 250 or 100).
Secure English Language Testing
For all adult students studying on a Further Education course under Tier 4 Points Based System.
Secure English Language testing is now mandatory (excluding those on English Language courses).
Please visit the UKBA website for further guidance www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
If returning documentation by post please send to the following Freepost Address:
Southend Campus Applications:
Admissions (International)
South Essex College
FREEPOST SMU110
Luker Road
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS1 1BR
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Please Note:
The UK Border Agency website contains a vast amount of information including;
visa processing times, visa application centres, visa fees, and health screening.
The College's Immigration web pages
Immigration advice and services are regulated by the Office of the Immigration
Services Commissioner (OISC) and we as an institution have to abide by the
Commissioner’s Code of Standards. The OISC has the power to investigate complaints
made about immigration advice and services provided by an institution. For more
information please see the OISC website.