Students are advised to obtain a student visa from the British Embassy or the British High Commission in their own country. To obtain the student visa, applicants need to produce the Certificate of Enrolment which the College issues upon receipt of the full (or half) of the tuition fees. For students wishing to obtain Entry Clearance before coming to Britain, the following guidelines have been drawn up after consultation with Embassy officials:
Visit the British Embassy/High Commission in person and take the following documents with you:
• Letter of Enrolment from the School which states that tuition fees have been received by the School and a place reserved on the course.
• Any other relevant documents sent by the School
• Your passport
• Documents showing the availability of funds in pounds sterling to cover the cost of living in the UK
• Original copies of relevant academic certificates already obtained
• Documentation to demonstrate that you have the intention to leave the UK after completion of studies
Students encountering any difficulties with their visa application should contact the School for further advice and assistance. Students are strongly advised to make sure that they understand the visa regulations and conditions.
Apart from students from the European Union (EU), all international students require some form of entry clearance which can take two forms:
• Visa nationals require a visa (entry clearance) BEFORE leaving their home country
• Non-visa nationals do not need prior entry clearance to study in the UK. They may acquire a visa at the point of entry.
To find out whether you are a visa or non-visa national, contact the British Embassy/High Commission in your country.
It is advisable not to seek entry as a visitor if your intention is to study for longer than six months. In certain cases it may not be possible to switch from visitor to student visa status after entering in the UK.
Contact the British Council Office and have a preliminary fact-finding meeting with the Education Counselling officer. Find out if your visa application will be processed in one day or if applicants are expected to attend two interviews. If you are recalled for two interviews, find out the expected number of days before the second interview is granted. Also check the office hours when the British Embassy remains open.
Considering the above, apply for your visa well in advance to ensure that you reach the UK before the commencement of the course.
Visit the British Embassy/High Commission in person. To avoid spending a long time queuing, try to reach the office before opening time.
The visa officer would like to confirm that
- You are a bona-fide student
- You can meet the cost of your course and are able to pay for your living expenses without working in the UK or claiming welfare benefits
- You intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies
To prove your case, you are advised to take with you appropriate documentary evidence.
For a) take with you all letters/documents sent by the School including the Certificate of Enrolment. Also take with you, past record of examinations taken, schools/colleges attended etc.
For b) take evidence of the availability of funds. This means a bank draft or a receipt from the School of the amount of maintenance funds that you might have been sent. In addition, a letter of sponsorship from your sponsor, a brief profile of the sponsor including the profession that they are engaged in, their personal or business bank statements.
For c) take evidence of your links with your family living in your country, and details of property owned by your family.
If your course of study at London School of Science and Technology is also offered by educational institutions in your country, the visa officer may like to know the following:
a) Why you wish to travel abroad to do the same course
b) How studies abroad would help your career opportunities in your country.
The visa officer may like to be satisfied that you are fully aware of the course, its duration and its usefulness for you. They may also like to ascertain that you have the necessary qualifications, ability and motivation to complete the course.
The interview(s) with the visa officer is held in English. If your English is weak and you are enrolled on a course which is NOT English Language, you will have serious difficulties in obtaining the visa.
The visa officer would also like to be satisfied that you have made appropriate arrangements for your stay in the UK. Make sure that you have evidence of the availability of accommodation for at least a few days upon arrival in the UK.
• Have you a valid passport?
• Have you all the original documents including letters/certificates from the School?
• Have you somewhere to stay when you first arrive in the UK, even if it is temporary accommodation in London?
• Have you received instructions from the School on how to get to the School?
• Have you made financial arrangements to pay for your living expenses in London?
• If your course of study is for less than six months duration, have you arranged to take out a medical insurance policy?
• Have you ordered British currency and traveller's cheques for your immediate expenses on arrival in the UK? It is advisable that you have about £200 in cash and the rest in traveller’s cheques.
• Have you obtained a letter from the doctor for any prescribed drugs that you may need to bring with you?
• Have you details of necessary contact numbers at the School?
• Have you made arrangements to reach your destination in London from the airport?
• Have you a letter from the bank confirming your bank account details in your home country?
