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How to apply

Most courses start in September (Student Route) and with courses filling up fast you will need to get your application in quickly to secure your place. Below you will find details of our application process for Student Route students.

For applicants wishing to study one of the English Language courses the process is slightly different, please see our English Language School page.

Step 1. Initial Enquiry

View the information on this website. Don’t forget to take a look at our course guides, where you will find a lot more detail. If you need help choosing the right course then please contact the International Team. 

You should be aware that we provide education for 16-18 year olds and adults aged 19+ for both home and international students. We do not accept students under the age of 16.

Step 2. Application

International Application Form

Remember to attach everything on the checklist.

DOCUMENTS THAT NEED SUBMITTING AT TIME OF APPLICATION

Qualifications

  • Copies of qualifications – If you are using documents that are not in English, you must also provide an official translation. The translation must contain:

Confirmation from the translator or translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document

    • the date of the translation
    • the full name and signature of the translator or of an authorised official of the translation company
    • the translator or translation company’s contact details.

 

English Requirements for Our Courses

It is an academic and visa requirement to provide evidence of your level of English. An English Language proficiency certificate is required and scores are dependent on the level of the course chosen.

Please note that if you need an IELTS test for UK visa applications, you can only take them at a UKVI approved IELTS test centre.

Additionally you can also take a SELT with the following new providers:
• Language Cert (UK or overseas)
• Trinity College London (UK only)
• Pearson (UK and overseas)

Alternatives to English Certificates are:
Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18.

View the Gov website for SELT information 

ID Documents

  • Clear copy of your passport cover and personal details page

Personal Statement

  • Detailing reasons as to why you wish to apply for the course

Financial Documents

  • Financial evidence of maintenance and tuition fees – bank statements / certificates confirming that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees for the first year and £1,023 per month for living costs up to a maximum of 9 months, also referred to as maintenance.
  • Please note that you must be able to prove that the money has been in your account or your parent/legal guardian’s account for 28 days. Do not submit your Student Route application unless you meet this requirement or your visa will be refused.
  • Official Sponsorship certificates will be accepted for sponsored students.
  • Birth Certificate must be provided as evidence of relationship if parents are paying the tuition fees

Student visa : Money you need – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

References
References from previous educational institutions

TB Certificate
Required for selected countries (see list of countries)

Step 3. Offer Letter

Once we have processed your application, we will issue you with a conditional offer if you meet the international admission and course entry criteria. This offer will be subject to a number of conditions which must be met before your place can be confirmed, including a Skype interview.

Step 4. Payment of Fees

When we confirm that you have met all conditions of the offer you will then need to pay the full first year’s fee, the preferred method is bank transfer. Our bank details will be supplied in our letter to you.

PLEASE NOTE: The first £450 of this fee is a non-refundable administration charge.

International Courses Refund Policy

 

Step 5. CAS

When we are in receipt of your fee, we will assign your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). You will use this to apply for your visa.

Step 6. Visa Application

Your visa application will need to be made online. If you do not have an agent, we will guide you in this process but you can view our basic visa information page.

Step 7. Guidance on how to apply for your Student Route Visa

The earliest you can apply for a Student Route Visa is six months before the start date of the course.

  1. Complete the online Student Route application form
  2. Pay Immigration Heath Surcharged (IHS) https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay  and https://visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk/
  3. Book your appointment at a visa application center (to get a biometric residence permit and to have your fingerprints scanned) as part of your application
  4. Attend biometrics appointment (scan and upload your documents before the appointment)
  5. If asked, you will have to attend a creditability interview.

For further information and guidance please visit Student visa – GOV.UK

During your interview a UKVI member of staff may ask you to attend a credibility interview. The credibility interview is to assess two things:

  • To check that you are a genuine student whose main purpose for coming to the UK is to study the course at South & City College Birmingham
  • To check if your English Language is at the right level to study in the UK
Questions UKVI may ask are:
  1. Motivation for studying the course?
  2. Reasons for wanting to the study in the UK?
  3. Reasons for choosing the college?
  4. How do your study plans fit into your career?
  5. What information do you know about your course
  6. Arrangements for living expenses?
  7. Home Office will contact you with a decision within 3 weeks and depending on the type of service used but visa processing times vary by country)
  8. In case of visa refusal, please contact the International team (international@sccb.ac.uk) and attached your visa refusal letter.
How to prepare for an interview: As part of your application, you may be interviewed face-to-face or online.

Here are a few tips on preparing for your interview:

  • Always be honest
  • Be calm and don’t panic
  • Explain your reasons for choosing the course if asked
  • Give your reasons why you chose South and City College Birmingham
  • What are your course modules
  • How will this course help you in the future
  • What knowledge you will gain from taking this course
  • Research on the institute, the location, travel time from home to college
  • How big is the college, campus and facilities
  • What are the other courses you had a look at
  • Did you consider any other institutes
  • Accommodation costs, work out a budget, such as living expenses and bills

If you have applied for a visa or entered the UK as a visitor on or after 9am on 1 December 2020, you are able to study for up to six months at an accredited institution (not at a state funded school or academy). You will need to prove that you have enough money to cover all reasonable costs.

Once you have arrived in the UK, collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 10 days of your arrival and book your police registration within 7 days of UK arrival.

Step 8. Confirmation of your enrolment

Please inform our International Office as soon as your visa is issued so that we can send you an enrolment letter. Please ensure you inform our international office of your arrival date and time.

We can also arrange local accommodation before your arrival in the UK. If you need a taxi transfer from the airport, this can also be arranged at an additional cost.

You must see a Border Force Officer on arrival and get your passport stamped. You should NOT use the eGates at airport arrivals, even if you hold a passport that entitles you to use them.