Applications for International Students

Types of Visa:

Student Visitor

You can apply as a student visitor if you are 18 years old or over, you want to come and study in the UK for up to 6 months, and you do not want to work while you are here.

You cannot switch and apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa while you are in the UK as a student visitor. If you want to apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa, you must apply from the country you live in.

Prospective student

You can apply as a prospective student if you want to come to the UK to help you decide which course to study, or if you plan to start a course of study within 6 months.

You will be able to switch and apply for a Tier 4 (General) or Tier 4 (Child) student visa while you are in the UK.

Applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa

Choose the course you want to study, and check that it is at a level UKBA accept

At KCC the course must be at Level 3 or above and must be 15 hours per week (3 days) of organised daytime study

Check the provider of the course is a licensed Tier 4 sponsor.

KCC is a sponsor for Tier 4 (General) NOT for Tier 4 (Child)

Work out how much money you will need to cover your course fees and living costs when you submit your application.

See the UKBA website for more information.

You will need to:
- apply
- be interviewed
- and accepted for the course you are interested in.

To apply for a course

Find the course you are interested in on our website and click on the apply now button next to the course details.
Fill out your details and click submit.
KCC will contact you about an interview date.

The Interview

You will be interviewed in person for your chosen course.

Items to bring, (all or some maybe copied as evidence)

Original Documents e.g. exam certificates.
Translated documents - If one/more of the documents are not in English, you must bring the original and a fully certified translation by a professional translator or translation company. This translation must include:
- details of the translator or translation company's credentials
- confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- the translator or translation company's contact details.
- It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company.
UK NARIC (www.naric.org.uk) Is the National Agency responsible for providing information, advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide. They are managed on behalf of the UK Government, and provide the only official source of information on international qualifications to individuals wishing to study in the UK.
Proof you have English at B1 or above (If you are not from an English Speaking country).
Passport
£10 for your CAS number (From 6th April 2012 this will be £13).
£100 Non-refundable deposit for your course.

You will need to provide original documents as evidence to obtain a place on the course. This evidence will be recorded against your CAS application.

If you are not from an English Speaking country you will need to prove a level of English at B1 or above. (South Africa is not considered an English Speaking country) Council of Europe Levels

You must bring your passport to the interview, this will be photocopied, and the details will be recorded against your CAS application

Accepted on a course

If you are accepted unconditionally on the course a CAS application will be made for you this will cost £10 (From 6th April 2012 this will be £13). It is this number that you use to apply for your visa.

You will have to pay a £100 non refundable deposit for your course to guarantee a place. You are not fully enrolled until your visa has been agreed by the UKBA and presented to the college and you have paid the balance of your fees.

Confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)

Once you get a CAS from KCC you can apply for your Visa, you get 30 points towards your Visa application for having a valid CAS. This number is valid for 6 months

Visa Application

You will need to gather all the documents you used to obtain your CAS. Including the original documents you used at interview. See the UKBA website for more information.

You will also need to gather all the documents you need to prove that you meet the money requirement. You get 10 points for showing that you can cover your course fees and living costs. See the UKBA website for more information.

Complete the application form, and add your supporting evidence and your visa application fee. You can only apply for your visa 3 months before the start of the course. See the UKBA website for more information.

Applying for a student visa in the UK

If you are already in the UK, the process of applying for a student visa under Tier 4 (General) is:

Submit your application by post or in person.
See the UKBA website when and where to apply to find out how you can submit your application.
Arrange to enrol your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at one of our enrolment centres. We will then send you an identity card for foreign nationals.
See the UKBA website Biometrics to find out what you will need to provide.

Applying for a student visa outside the United Kingdom

If you are outside the UK, the process of applying for a student visa under Tier 4 (General) is

Go to the Visa services website to find out which visa issuing post you should use, and to see how you may need to apply in your country of residence.
Use the Visa services country finder to find your nearest visa issuing post.
Take or send your form(s), visa fee and supporting evidence to the visa issuing post. You must also arrange to enrol your biometrics, which is usually done at the visa issuing post.
See the UKBA website Biometrics to find out what you will need to provide

Enrolment

You are fully enrolled

Once the balance of the fees has been paid. This should be prior to the course start date.
Once we have seen and copied your visa and ID card.
We also need details of your UK address telephone number and mobile telephone number. This we will check each term.

What will happen if I fail to turn up, don't attend classes or withdraw from the course?

KCC will have to report to the UKBA

If you fail to turn up at the start of your course.
If you fail to turn up for 10 college days without notification.
If you withdraw from your course at any time.

Can I work while I study?

You will be able to work for 10 hours a week during the term time and full time in the holidays.

Can I do extra studies while I am in the UK as a Tier 4 student?

You are allowed to do extra courses (such as evening courses) in addition to your main studies.
The course can be on any subject, and does not have to relate to your main course of study.
You do not need to obtain UKBA permission in order to do extra studies, and you do not need to tell your Tier 4 sponsor.
But you must ensure that the extra course does not get in the way of the course that you have permission to stay for.