Fees

Financial considerations are one of the most important aspects when considering studying abroad.  Remember that when you apply for your visa, you will need to demonstrate that you have enough funds for both your tuition fees and cost of living. 

You can use an online calculator to assist you in planning your finances for coming to study in the UK.

A useful currency converter can be found at www.xe.com

 

Fees for courses commencing in academic year September 2010 - August 2011

Tuition fees

£5999 for each full academic year

10% deposit payable on application (refundable if application is refused) and balance due on or before enrolment

Additional English language support

Minimum £6 per group hour

£40 per individual hour

To be agreed on enrolment

Examination and registration fees

Minimum £50 per subject studied

To be included on initial invoice

Basic materials fee

£35

To be included on initial invoice

Basic materials and texts are supplied though students will need to purchase some text books and other materials according to subject/course studied - estimated cost of £250 per year

Accommodation arrangement fee

£70

 

Cost of living

Accommodation

Eating, socialising and shopping

 

Transport

We make every effort to accommodate our international students near to the College but some may need to make a short bus journey.  If you do need to travel by bus there are a number of bus ticket options available. 

 

The 'County Ticket' and 'County Ticket PLUS'

These are annual student bus passes provided by Somerset County Council (SCC).  They are the usual bus pass purchased by home students attending Strode College (but SCC subsidise home students' tickets).

The County Ticket entitles the holder to travel throughout Somerset and on cross border routes to and from Wiltshire, Dorset and Devon.  The County Ticket PLUS entitles the holder to the same as above PLUS cross border routes to and from Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.

The only restriction for both these tickets is that your journey must be unbroken and either starts and/or finishes in Somerset.  It will not cover journeys that are wholly outside Somerset.  Both tickets can be used seven days a week and on any bus at any time with the exception of Berry's Superfast and National Express services.  In addition to travelling to College you can use it to travel at weekends, evenings and during College holidays including multiple journeys per day.

The ticket is valid for one academic year from 1 September - 31 August at a cost of £505 for the County Ticket or £615 for the County Ticket PLUS.  You will need to complete an application form (and supply a photograph) when you arrive at the College and the College will submit your form on your behalf.  You will then have to make alternative arrangements until the pass arrives, which may be a few weeks.

County Ticket - £1.77 per day for 365 days travel

County Ticket PLUS - £2.07 per day for 365 days travel

There is also an optional Pass Protection scheme for an additional £50 which covers you for one replacement ticket whether lost or stolen.

 

Weekly/monthly/single/return

Bus operators also offer single and return tickets on a daily basis and most offer various types of season tickets at a discounted rate.  These may be more cost effective if you are not likely to make full use of the County Ticket or County Ticket PLUS.

As an example, for the route covering Bristol/Bath to Strode you would need to purchase a one-off student travel card for £10 then buy a weekly ticket for £16.20 (on the bus) or a monthly ticket for £61.50 (from a First Travel Shop - the nearest is in Wells).  Season tickets can be used 7 days a week and run from the day that the card is first used (validated by the machine on the bus). Ticket prices for other routes may vary.

Weekly Ticket - £2.31 per day for 7 days travel

Monthly Ticket - £2.05 per day for 30 days travel

You will need to consider how many days in the year you are likely to travel either into College or elsewhere within the county of Somerset before making a decision.  More information and advice on your transport options can be given to you on arrival at the College for enrolment.  Your Homestay host family will be able to advise you about the location of the nearest bus stop.

(Prices correct at time of publication 24/02/2010)

 

Insurance

Endsleigh provide many different types of insurance to both home and international students and are the only provider approved by the National Union of Students (NUS).  They offer insurance for your possessions, travel insurance and a special international student insurance policy.  Quotations are tailored specifically to each individual student and will vary according to cover.

Even if you are entitled to NHS treatment whilst in the UK you should consider taking out insurance which covers the additional possible costs resulting from illness, which can be substantial. 

If you are not entitled to NHS medical treatment you should make sure you have adequate medical insurance to cover medical costs if you fall ill and also to cover the additional possible costs resulting from illness.

It is essential for all students to arrange insurance to cover their possessions, personal effects and valuables against the unlikely event of loss, accidental damage or theft.