How to Apply

The College has appointed a number of agents to act on our behalf.  If you are not able to apply via one of our agents please follow the process below:

Step 1

Complete the international application form using Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 or later.  Alternatively you can print out the form and fill it in by hand and either fax it to us or send it in the post to the address below.  You will need to attach copies of your supporting documents which should include English translations of your high school transcript. If your are using an educational agent, please apply through the agent.

Step 2

Send your completed application form and supporting documents as detailed above to:

International Admissions
Strode College
Church Road
Street
Somerset
BA16 0AB

Email: international@strode-college.ac.uk

Fax: +44 1458 844411

Step 3

Strode College may now arrange for you to be interviewed by a member of our staff and complete our English language test.

If you are accepted onto the course you will be sent a conditional offer letter and an invoice for the 10% deposit.  Return this deposit and acceptance of your offer to secure your place.

Bank Transfer

A 10% deposit is required to hold a place on all courses.

International Money Order Payment in Sterling (charges to be pre-paid) to:

Bank: National Westminster Bank

Branch: Street branch

Account Name: Strode College

IBAN: GB63NWBK60210143013937

Step 4

You will now be sent a visa letter and a receipt for your deposit.  Once all your documents are in order, the college will electronically complete a CAS for you which the visa authorities will access during discussions with you.  You can find out more on www.ukvisas.gov.uk or www.ukcisa.org.uk

Step 5

You should now print and read the guidelines for students in Homestay and our pre-departure information sheet.

You should also complete and return the Homestay accommodation application form if you wish to stay with a Homestay host family.  You must also now download the consent form which should be completed and signed by your parents and brought to enrolment.

You also need to decide if you would like a member of our staff to meet you at the airport (see "Airport Welcome" below).  Please send us your flight details (date, time, flight number, airport and terminal) at least 2 weeks in advance so that we can arrange your collection.

Step 6

The Accommodation & Welfare Officer will then contact you with details of your Homestay accommodation and airport collection arrangements, should you choose these options.

Step 7

You arrive and enrol at Strode College.  If you have not already done so you will be expected to pay the remainder of your fees at this point.

Appointing a Guardian

Strode College strongly recommends that parents of international students under the age of 18 at the start of their course appoint a guardian in the United Kingdom. Students over the age of 18 at the start of their course should preferably have a guardian appointed in the United Kingdom by their parents. If parents do not know anyone in the UK who can act as their child's guardian we recommend that they use a registered guardianship agency. AEGIS is the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students and further information about guardianship agencies is available from their website www.aegisuk.net. The name and contact details for your child's guardian should be entered on the consent form and submitted at enrolment.

Immigration and Arrival

Visa and entry clearance

The College will not provide a CAS unless a minimum of 10% deposit has been paid. If you are an international student on student conditions then you must have a minimum of 15 hours of organised daytime study per week.

The visa application process can take several weeks, or sometimes months at peak times (in the summer) so it is important that you apply early.

Contact the Visa Office at the British Consulate in your country for a visa application pack.

We recommend that you contact one of the following websites for accurate, up to date advice regarding your visa application.

www.ukcisa.org.uk
UKCISA website (UK Council for International Student Affairs).
Follow the link Advice for International Students 'Immigration, including visas'. What do I need to do about immigration?' This website also offers many other valuable guidance notes and is a good source of information for students coming to the UK for the first time.

www.ukvisas.gov.uk
You can access the British government's website for details and further advice.

www.fco.gov.uk
The Foreign Office website will give you details about how to apply in your own country.

www.educationuk.org
The British Council's website offers advice to international students wanting to study in the UK.  First Steps - a guide to immigration and entry clearance can be found on this site.

To apply for your visa you must have a visa letter. The College will send you this when you have paid your 10% deposit.

Airport Welcome

You can travel to the UK secure in the knowledge that should you wish you will be met at the airport by a member of our staff and taken direct to your accommodation or to meet your Homestay host family.  Your family can be assured that you will be safe.

We request that you do not plan to arrive in Street before 30 August 2010 which is one week before the start of term.  Please inform the Accommodation & Welfare Officer of the date, airport, terminal, flight number and time of your flight at least 2 weeks in advance.  If you do not want to be met at the airport please let us know your expected arrival date so that we can inform your accommodation provider.

Most international students fly into London Heathrow.  The taxi transfer will cost approximately £170* and you should have this money in cash available to pay the driver at the end of the journey.  If you choose to fly to Bristol International (via a European airport) instead the taxi transfer will cost approximately £50*.  Please be aware that if you pass through another European airport you must check beforehand whether you require a 'transit visa'.

*This price is approximate and does not include a waiting time charge for late arrivals.