European (EU and EEA) Nationals

If you are an EEA national and have been accepted onto a course of study, you are entitled to enter the UK freely and have the right of residence for the duration of your course. You may also wish to apply for a resident permit during your stay in the UK. To obtain a resident permit, you should complete the application form EEA1, available from the UK Border Agency website.

ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

To be able to travel to the United Kingdom as a general student (Tier 4), you must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points before you travel.

• 30 points for a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the licensed sponsor i.e West Dean College.This is a virtual document, valid for six months, which is submitted to and held by the UKBA and will contain the information upon which our offer of a place to you was based. A CAS statement will be sent to you by the Academic Office with details of this information in order for you to comply fully with the requirements outlined on the visa application form. Our sponsor licence number is JRGX42YC6 and we have highly trusted status.
• 10 points if you can show you have enough finances available to cover your course fees and monthly living expenses for up to 12 months (known as maintenance).

You should contact your nearest British Embassy or High Commission and explain that you wish to apply for entry clearance on a general student visa (Tier 4). Please note that you cannot apply for your visa until 3 months before the start date of your course. We strongly advise however that you begin to prepare your application and collate all the information and documentation well before that date. Please refer to the UKBA website http://ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or the latest information and to download the application form and student notes.

Another valuable source of important information for students is the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and their website is http://ukcisa.org.uk. UKCISA also have a student advice line – please see their website for details. Changes to the Tier 4 visa rules have been introduced from 21 April 2011 and you must consult the UKBA website to acquaint yourself with all of these changes before submitting your application. One change for students for whom English is not their first language is a stricter English language requirement. In order for the College to issue a CAS you must provide us with a valid and current certificate from a UKBA approved English language testing body which shows that you have attained SELT level B1for programmes below degree level, and SELT level B2 for all programmes of degree level and above. Please note that a student may be refused a visa or entry to the UK if he/she cannot speak English without assistance.

THE DUTIES OF A STUDENT VISA HOLDER

The UKBA has introduced strict rules for sponsors with regard to their sponsorship licence responsibilities. Our records must include copies of all students’ passports, copies of visas, full and up to date contact details, records of attendance, details of unauthorised absences from the course, and failure to complete the course. We are required to report any noncompliance of these rules by a visa holder to the UKBA. The UKBA will also make unannounced visits to licence holders to check student visas and college records.Students are obliged, under the terms and conditions of their visa, to advise the Academic Office immediately of any changes in their circumstances, to attend classes regularly, and to notify the Programme Leader if unable to attend.Please contact Sue Powell, Academic Manager for more details.