International Students
How to Apply for a Course
PLEASE NOTE:
International students who wish to apply for a course commencing in September 2010, are advised to submit their applications as early as possible, and no later than 31st May 2010.
The procedure set out in this section applies to applicants who are not nationals of the UK or any of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and who require a Student Visa to enter or remain in the UK.
You should be aware that the UK Border Agency (Home Office) has implemented a points-based system for issuing Student Visas. Further information on this can be obtained from the following websites:
UK Border Agency www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
UK Council for International Student Affairs www.ukcisa.org.uk
Because you will not be required to attend an interview at Lambeth College, it is important that you follow the procedure described below very carefully.
If you live outside the UK or EEA, we are not able to accept an online application. You must complete a hard copy of the application form which you can obtain by:
· downloading a copy by clicking on the file link below
· going to the ‘Prospectuses’ section of this website
· emailing courses@lambethcollege.ac.uk
· phoning the Course Information line on 0044 207 501 5000
Before applying for a specific course, please check that:
· The course will be suitable to apply for a Student Visa. It must involve daytime study of at least 15 hours per week.
· If you are aged 18 or older, it must be a course at Level 3 or above (as identified in our course descriptions). You will need to apply for a General Student Visa.
· If you are aged 16 or 17 and wish to study a course below Level 3, you will need to apply for a Child Student Visa. However, if you wish to study a course at Level 3 or above, you can choose whether to apply for a Child or a General Student Visa. Note that a Child Student Visa has a potential advantage of extra flexibility.
· You have the necessary qualifications to be accepted on to the course. The required UK qualifications are listed in our course descriptions. If you are unsure whether your qualifications are equivalent to those stated, the best place to check would be the British Council in your country.
· You will have sufficient funds to pass the UK Border Agency maintenance test. This requires you to demonstrate that you have funds to cover the course fees, plus at least £800 per month (£7,200 for a one-year course) to meet your living expenses in the UK.
Click here for the international student course list and links to the course information pages.
Stage 1 The application form
Click here to download an application form.
Complete the application form thoroughly. Send it to the Course Advice and Information Service, Lambeth College, 56 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1QS, United Kingdom. It must be accompanied by:· photocopies of the certificates stating your educational qualifications. (Do not send the originals of these. You may be asked to show them to the UK visa/entry control authorities, and the College will need to see them should you start the course.)
· and (if you are from a non English-speaking country or if your first language is not English) an educational reference to confirm that your level of English language proficiency is suitable for you to undertake a Level 3 course (or the course for which you are applying, if you are under 18)
Stage 2 The offer of a place on the course
On receipt of your application form, the College will check that you have the appropriate entry requirements for the course for which you have applied, and that the course meets the requirements for a Student Visa. The College will then write to you indicating whether we are able to offer you a place on the course. If we offer you a place, the fees you need to pay will be indicated. You must return your 'Acceptance of Offer' form as soon as possible to confirm that you wish to proceed with your application.
Stage 3 Fee payment
Only at this stage should you pay your fees. Please refer to the section on ‘International Fees’.
Stage 4 Fee receipt
When we have received your fully completed 'Acceptance of Offer' form and your payment has been cleared, we will issue you with a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) Reference Number. You will need to include this on your Student Visa application to the appropriate British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. You should keep copies of all correspondence for your own reference and also to present to immigration officers on entry to the UK.
Please note that once you have applied for a visa using this CAS Reference Number, you will have to make a fresh visa application if you decide to attend another college.
Stage 5 Starting at Lambeth College
Before you start the course, we will need to see the originals of your educational certificates and will require you to take a college entry assessment.
While we will try to ensure that you are offered a place on the right course, it is essential that you have the necessary ability and motivation to follow your chosen course. However, as you will not have attended an interview or taken the college entry assessment prior to being offered a place, we cannot guarantee that the course will fully meet your needs. The College, therefore, retains the right to review your placement on your chosen course when you arrive or during the first few weeks of term. Should this be necessary, you may be offered a place on another course which is deemed to be more appropriate for you.
If for any reason the course for which you have been accepted does not run, we may be able to offer you a place on another appropriate course.
You should be aware that if there is no other suitable course that meets the requirements of your Student Visa, your may lose your right to remain in the UK.
