You must have a valid passport to travel to the UK. You may also need to obtain a general student visa or a student visitor visa. If you are not sure whether you need a visa, contact your local British Embassy or Consulate or go to http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
Please visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk for complete details of the UK Immigration Rules and a full list of the evidence you need to provide to support your application to come to the UK as a student. If you apply through an educational agency, their counsellors will also be able to give you advice on making a visa application.
Excel English has been given Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status by the UK Border Agency. Our sponsorship number is AMVYA5Y78
General Student Visa (GSV)
Sponsoring students for a General Student Visa (GSV): Certificate of Acceptance to Study (CAS)
Before we decide to sponsor a student to come to the UK on a TIER 4 (General) Student Visa we must ask you to:
Prove your ability to follow a course at B2 level on the Council of Europe framework
Establish your intention to follow and complete a course of study.
If you are unable to show a relevant English Language qualification to B1 CEFR level (IELTS, TOEIC, TOFEL, FCE) we require the following:
Documentary evidence of previous English language study; A University or High school graduation certificate with a transcript showing English language grades dated 2007 or later.
We will also ask you to take an online Oxford University placement test, followed by a live Skype interview with a member of the Excel English staff to establish your speaking level. During this interview you will discuss why you would like to study in the U.K.
A student applying for a GSV can extend their student visa in the UK and can do part time work (maximum 10 hours per week) while in the UK.
Please note that you must be able to show that you have enough money to pay in full for your course and UK living expenses (a minimum of 800 GBP per month) without working in the UK.
Student Visitor Visa (SVV)
From January 10 2011 students will be able to apply for a Student Visitor Visa (SVV) for up to 11 months.
This will mean that students who want a longer course, but who are not yet B1 level, will be able to study at Excel English. Please note that students on these visas will NOT be able to take part time jobs nor extend their visas in the UK. All students requiring these extended SVVs must apply for them in advance, as it will not be possible for them to request them at the arrival airport.
Immigration Control When you arrive in the UK, you will have to go through Immigration Control. Make sure you have your passport, your Excel English confirmation letter and your accommodation details ready to show the Immigration Officer.
Registering with the Police If you are from an EU (European Union) country, you do not have to register with the police when you arrive in London.
If you are not from the EU and you are staying in the UK more than 6 months, you may have to register with the police. We can give you full details of how and where to register when you arrive at the school.
Extending your visa It is better to apply in advance for a general student visa for the whole of the time you are planning to be in the UK because the charges for extending student visas are now very high.
If you do need to extend your visa, we can help you by giving you a letter confirming your course at the school and your attendance. (You must have a minimum of 90% attendance). You can apply to extend your visa by post or in person.
Please note that you cannot extend a Student Visitor Visa or change from having a student visitor visa to a general student visa without returning to your own country.
At school Please bring your Identity Card (EU students) or Passport (non-EU students) to school on your first day. Under British law we must take copies of all passports and visas.
The UK Borders Agency has produced this video about applying for a TIER 4 (General) Student Visa:
