International Students

student

We welcome applications from students educated in other European countries and elsewhere overseas We strive to make the process of coming abroad to study as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Around 5% of students currently studying at the College are from outside the UK, from countries all over Europe, South America, China and the Far East, Middle East and North Africa.

You will find the College a friendly place to study, and South end-on-Sea a diverse town with residents from all over the world. Southend is situated an hour from London by train, and therefore is easily accessible for those flying into London airports. South end also has its own airport which serves an increasing range of destinations. We are also within easy reach of the ports of Harwich and Dover.

We provide students from overseas with extra support to help them settle into College life and to adapt to studying and living in a different culture.

To help you to adjust to your new environment, a welcome/induction event is held for you at the beginning of the academic year, find out about college life with the opportunity to meet current overseas students and to discuss cultural differences and any fears or concerns.

Information is available at the event about how to extend your visa and immigration matters, guidance on working whilst studying in the UK as well as how to open a bank account and general information about the local area. Most importantly of all, the induction is designed to give you the chance to meet other students to build up a network of contacts and help you to settle into the academic and social life of the College and life in the UK.

We can match students with a student “buddy” to help get settled in socially and academically.

English Language Assessment

In partnership with the University of Essex, all students whose first language is not English are expected to take English Language assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to identify students who may benefit from taking English Language support classes in addition to their degree studies. The assessment is not a pass/fail examination, and is not used to determine entrance onto your course.

Students who take the assessment will be notified of their score, and on the basis of this, attendance at English Language support classes will be recommended or advised to individual students as appropriate. Only students who have taken the English Language assessment will be eligible to sign up for in-sectional English Language support classes.

Fees

As an international student you will be asked to produce evidence of your ability to pay tuition fees and to cover living expenses during your degree, either by means of a government scholarship, other award or private funds.

International Student

Tuition Fees As a guide tuition fees for the academic year 2009-2010 are £6450.00 and are subject to an annual increase with inflation. If tuition fees are paid in full either at or before enrolment a 10% discount will be applied. Alternatively we accept payment of 50% of tuition fees at enrolment with the balance due by 1st week of spring term. Please note that students from within the European Union are classed as ‘home’ students and fees are the same as for UK residents.

The Applications Process In the first instance, international students should apply to UCAS (or direct to the College for part-time courses) in the normal way. Applicants will receive a pre-arrival information pack which provides guidance and advice on a range of issues including: funding, accommodation, working in the UK (whilst studying), visas, etc. In addition to this, we would also advise prospective international students to seek guidance from The Council for International Education prior to their arrival in the UK as they provide invaluable advice and support for international students considering studying in the UK. Contact UKCISA via their website http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ or telephone their Advice Line Outside the UK: +44 20 7107 9922 Inside the UK: 020 7107 9922 The Advice Line is open from Monday to Friday, 1300 - 1600 hours (UK time).

General Entry Requirements

We are happy to make offers of admission based on the International Baccalaureate or on other qualifications that are considered equivalent to our general entrance requirements. All the information regarding entry requirements quoted throughout this website are for UK qualifications. However, we are able to accept a wide variety of qualifications which are awarded overseas and we use the UK NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to make international comparisons. For further information, visit the NARIC website at: http://www.naric.org.uk Although we follow NARIC’s guidelines, we are also prepared to consider students based on the whole application, including evidence of professional experience.

If you have any questions please contact our Admissions team on +44 (0)1702 220500 or admissions@southend.ac.uk English Language Requirements In addition to meeting our general entry requirements, if English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that you can read, write, speak and understand to a level that will enable you to undertake higher level study. Therefore, you will need to hold a recognized language qualification: IELTS (Academic Version): 6.0 (for first year entry onto undergraduate programmers) TOEFL 540 (207 on computer based test, 76 on IBT) for all degrees The following may also be acceptable: Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE) Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) GCE O Level or GCSE English Language or Use of English Hong Kong Certificate of English Education International Baccalaureate English B Syllabus (Standard Level) Some students may wish to improve their English language skills and confidence prior to their course, or during their studies.

We offer a range of English language courses at the College, as well as ESOL workshops (ESOL: English as a Second or Other Language) and study skills sessions. Information about these courses can be found on our website, www.southend.ac.uk Accommodation As an international student moving to the UK to study, you are given priority in our Student Accommodation Scheme.

We hope that you will choose to study at South Essex College, and you can be sure that you will receive a warm welcome here. Our Learner Support Services staff is here to support you throughout the whole application process and help you when you arrive in the UK. They are happy to help with any issues you may have regarding studying in the UK. You can contact the team on +44 (0) 1702 220500, asking for Learner Support Services, or email guidance@southend.ac.uk

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