10 points - Funds

If the course you are applying for is nine months or less, you will be required to evidence sufficient funds to pay the full cost of your course fees, plus £800 per month.

If the course you are applying for is more than nine months, you will be required to evidence sufficient funds to pay the first year of fees, plus £7,200.

30 points – Sponsorship

You need to present CAS number from the institution holding a sponsor licence (30 points)

Students on courses of less than six months may apply for a Student Visitor visa, which is currently outside the points-based system.

It is no longer possible to change from a visitor visa to a student visa while you are in the UK in any circumstance.

 

How to apply

For information on how to apply, find your country in the UKBA list of UK Visa Application Centres.

You will need to apply under the 'general student' category. It costs approximately £145.00 to apply but fee levels do change.

If you are applying for a postgraduate course you may need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval certificate before applying for UK entry clearance. To check if you need one and to apply, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Advice on applying to study in the UK is available from the British Embassy or the British Council.

We will support you through the visa application process by giving you the latest information and issuing appropriate letters and documents.

We recommend that you do not buy your travel ticket until you have all the required documents for entry.

Health

There is a very small chance you may be stopped for a health inspection when you arrive in the UK. This could delay you leaving the airport, so please consider this when you are making travel plans.

If you are from Bangladesh, Ghana, Pakistan Sudan, Kenya and Thailand, and you are studying in the UK for more than six months, you will be tested for active tuberculosis (TB) as part of your visa application. Please check the visa application website for further information and any updates. Also you should bring your certificate and chest X-ray report (CXR) to the UK with you.

You should bring your vaccination record to the UK with you.

If you are studying in the UK for more than six months, you are entitled to free healthcare from the National Health Service from the beginning of your stay.

If you are in the UK for less than six months, only emergency treatment is free, so you should purchase medical insurance before you leave home.

If you are in the UK for less than six months, only emergency treatment is free, so you should purchase medical insurance before you leave home. For further general information on healthcare for international students please visit the UKCISA website.

Immigration at the airport

You should have no problems going through the immigration controls, but if you do it is your right to speak to the office of the UKIAS (United Kingdom Immigration Advisory Service), where you can get advice and help. Ask if you can do this, and also phone us at the LWA on 020 7902 1904.

Changes when entering the UK

Please note: From 30 November 2009, the UK Border Agency is introducing fingerprint checks at the border for passengers with biometric UK visas, entry clearances and identity cards for foreign nationals (ICFNs).

On arrival in the United Kingdom, you will need to have your fingerprints scanned at border control in addition to the normal checks. These fingerprints will then be checked against those that you gave when you applied for your visa in your home country.

The checks will verify that you are the correct person entering the United Kingdom and that you are the same person who gave your biometrics when you applied for your visa, entry clearance or ICFN.

European Union currency controls

If you are entering the UK and carrying £8,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) you must declare this at the place of your arrival. If you fail to declare any cash, travellers' cheques or bank drafts you are carrying, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete information, you could receive a fine of up to £5,000.
You must use the C9011 form to make this declaration. Forms are available at ports and airports.

Arriving in the UK

London Waterloo Academy is conveniently located in the centre of London, and there are good transport links to all airports. We recommend you fly to any of London Airports where we can meet you and bring you to the Academy.

Police Registration

This requirement is usually imposed on all non-Commonwealth students (other than EU, US and Japanese nationals) who have been admitted to the UK for a period of more than 6 months. Please check your visa, which will stipulate whether or not this is a requirement.

Currently, nationals of the following countries need to register with the Police:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, PR China (including the Special Administrative region of Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (North), Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

You must register with the Police within 7 days of your arrival in the UK.

At your appointment, you will need to bring:

• Your passport

• One passport-sized photograph

• Your unconditional offer letter of acceptance from the Academy.

• The fee of £34 (cash only). Please try to bring the exact amount with you

• Letter from sponsoring company or organisation (if applicable)

 

Following registration, in accordance with the 1971 Immigration Act, you must inform the police within 7 days if there is a change to your circumstances, including:

• Change of address

• Change of studies

• If you are granted an extension of your leave to remain

Please note that updates to your Police Registration Certificate may be made at any local Police Station.

 

Orientation programme

Your first week will be very busy and exciting as you explore your new home. As well as your course induction, we will organise events for all new international students, to help you find your way around, settle in and make new friends.