International Programmes

How to Apply

Step 1: Select Your Course

Select a course that suits your experience. Make sure that the course that you choose is a level above your previous qualification. (See bottom of this page for a list of eligible courses)

Step 2: English Language

You will need to check if you need to take an English test so that we can sponsor you for a visa. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-gene...

Step 3: Eligibility for a Student Visa

Please visit https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-gene... to check if you are eligible for a student visa and familiarise yourself with the UK Visa and Immigration Service.

Step 4: Complete an Application Form

• Please download and complete the application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed.
• All application forms must be filled in fully and emailed to international@swc.ac.uk.
• Deadline for applications from abroad: 30 June. It may not be possible to process late applications for a place that year. However, we will still consider each application and if possible, we will process it.

Step 5: Provide supplementary documentation, including:

• Copy of passport
• Copies of certificates of qualifications achieved
• Personal statement
• Immigration history form
• Evidence of funds to support living costs and fees

Step 6: Offer of a place on a SWC course

We will either:

• Make you an offer; or
• Suggest an alternative course; or
• Be unable to make you an offer Once you meet all entry requirements, we will send you an unconditional offer.

Step 7: Deposit Payment

Deposit: 50% of the first year course fees. College bank details and further information are sent with your letter of unconditional offer. Full balance of course fees to be paid at enrolment in September.

Step 8: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once your deposit payment has been received, we will send you a CAS number. The CAS is a unique reference number that will be required when you apply for your visa. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-gene.../apply for information on the visa application process.

Careers and Employability Service

The College has dedicated Careers Officers at each campus that can assist students with many aspects of their career development and planning, including CV creation and interview techniques. They can also assist with advice on articulated pathway planning from South West College to other institutions.

Student Support

The decision to attend college in another country can be a difficult one to make. Being far away from your friends and family and being thrust into an unfamiliar environment is tough. Add in the problems of linguistic and cultural differences, even among fairly similar nations, as well as the high cost of studying abroad and you can see how it might be both mentally and emotionally taxing to be an international student.

South West College recognises these challenges and has put in place supportive wraparound services to assist international students.

Student Support and Welfare

Student Support Centres at South West College are situated in the heart of each of our three main campuses, and all international students have access to:

International Officer

helps with all practical issues such as, police registration, working in the UK, bank accounts, registering with a doctor and dentist, and educational support. Our Adviser is here to support you throughout your stay and you can make appointments, or just drop in to see him to discuss any matter that may be of concern to you.

Counsellors - help any student experiencing personal problems in a confidential manner. Counselling provides a safe environment away from student’s daily routine where students can explore problems or feelings which are difficult to manage. Trained Student Support staff are available to help students who are suffering from relationship difficulties, family issues, depression, addictions or any other issues. To make an appointment with a counsellor please contact the Student Welfare Service by calling in or emailing them as stated previously.

Student Engagement Officers

offer general support to students experiencing problems whilst at the College, by listening and signposting them to other support services either in College or externally. Student Liaison Officers also support various health and well- being services offered within South West College.

Student Support Officers

are available to offer confidential help or advice on any issue relating to academic financial support, please contact your Student Support Officer by calling into Student Support or by emailing the following staff:

Dungannon Campus – Sharon Watters: Sharon.watters@swc.ac.uk

Enniskillen Campus – Dermot Feely: dermot.feely@swc.ac.uk

Omagh Campus – Judith McCusker:judith.mccusker@swc.ac.uk

South West College Student Services team are available to support all international students with every aspect of College life. The Student Services Team understands the challenges that international students face in settling into student life, a new culture, and a new living environment.

The team are here to help with the following:

• Course information
• Fees
• Funding and welfare support
• Accommodation
• Learning support
• Managing money
• Access to health service
• Cultural integration

Validated by Internationally Renowned Universities

South West College’s Higher Education courses are validated by internationally renowned universities such as The Open University, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast. We are pleased to offer a portfolio of courses to international students across a wide range of subject areas as follows:

Higher National Certificate - HNC (Level 4)

Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC in Applied Sciences (Biology)

Duration: One academic year (Full-time)
Course Fee: £6,500

Entry criteria: Age 18+. Qualifications equivalent to 4 GCSEs including a science subject and Maths, plus at least 1 GCE A Level pass in an appropriate subject. English Language IELTS Academic 6.0.

Foundation Degree Programmes (Level 5)

The Open University Foundation Degree in Sport and Exercise

The Open University Foundation Degree in Visual Media Arts

The Open University Foundation Degree in Building Services with Sustainable Energy

• Duration: Two academic years (Full-time)
• Course Fee: £6,500 per annum
• Entry criteria: Age 18+. Qualifications equivalent to 5 GCSEs including Maths, plus at least 2 GCE A Level passes. English Language IELTS Academic 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each element).

Bachelor of Honours Degree Top-Up Programme (Level 6)

The Open University BEng (Hons) in Building Services with Sustainable Energy (Top-up)

The Open University BSc (Hons) in Computing Science (Top-up)

The Open University BSc (Hons) in Construction Engineering and Management (Top-up)

The Open University BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise (Top-up)

The Open University BA (Hons) in Visual Media Arts (Top-up)

Duration: One academic year (Full-time)

Course Fee: £9,500

Entry criteria: Age 18+. Qualifications equivalent to 5 GCSEs including Maths plus a L5 qualification.

English Language IELTS Academic 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each element).

Will I need a visa to study in the UK?

South West College is a UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Tier 4 Probationary Sponsor. International students need to apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa, or a Student Visitor Visa to come and study as a full-time student at our College. You will have to obtain your visa before you travel.

Please contact our International Office for information on the different types of visas, our full-time courses, fees assessment and our application to study process.

What evidence will I need to have to enrol on a course?

• Passport and any other immigration documents;
• Evidence of your English language ability;
• Documentary evidence of your educational qualifications;
• Details of your UK immigration history (including details of any studying you have done in the UK previously);
• Details of any criminal convictions in the UK or elsewhere;
• Results of health screening. This is applicable to certain countries only;
• Bank statements showing proof of availability of funds for tuition fees and maintenance.

What funds will I need?

As part of your application for a Tier 4 Student Visa, you will be asked to show that you have the funds to support yourself while living in the UK. This is approximately £1,023 per month for up to nine months, in addition to the first year fees which you are to pay to the college.

Will my qualifications be recognised?

Many overseas school-leaving certificates, college diplomas, university degrees and other qualifications are recognised. To check the equivalence of your qualification with those in Northern Ireland, contact UK ENIC (the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills) for advice and translation. The full and original translation must include:

• Confirmation from the translator or translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document;
• Date of the translation;
• Full name and signature of the translator or of an authorised official of the translation company; and
• Translator or translation company's contact details.
• UK ENIC https://www.enic.org.uk/ T: +44 (0) 330 912 0030

A degree or qualification obtained in Northern Ireland has the same status as any other qualification obtained in the UK. All UK qualifications are recognised and well respected throughout the world.

How long will it take before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will be issued?

South West College will issue a CAS letter when international students have received and accepted an unconditional offer and paid 50% of the fees, providing they have met all of our academic and immigrations assessments. A CAS will not be issued more than three months prior to the course start date.

Can I work while I am in the UK?

Students attending South West College on a Tier 4 Student Visa will not have permission to take paid work. Students on a Short Term Study Visa cannot work while they are in the UK and must also leave the UK as soon as their course is finished.

Can I bring my family with me?

Dependents e.g. spouse, partner or child of Tier 4 students who study at South West College who wish to come to the UK, must apply in their own right as a general visitor. You can only apply to bring a dependent to the UK if you are:

• sponsored by a higher education institution on a course at level 7 on the Ofqual register or above that lasts 1 year or more
• a new government-sponsored student on a course that lasts longer than 6 months
• a Doctorate Extension Scheme student

I have a disability - will this affect my application?

UK institutions are legally required not to discriminate against disabled students, and not to treat them less favourably than students without a disability. Institutions are also required to make adjustments to services for disabled students so that they are not disadvantaged in comparison with non-disabled students. These laws apply to international students as well as to students who are UK citizens.

Do I have to register with the Police?

Some nationals are required to register with the Police within seven days of arriving in the UK. When you are issued with a visa it will indicate if you are required to do this.

What if I become ill?

As a student in the UK, registered on a course for more than six months, you can receive medical care, including hospital treatment, from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). If your course lasts less than six months, you will not be entitled to treatment except by a hospital in an emergency, unless you come from a country which has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.

When you arrive in the UK, you should register with a General Practitioner (GP). If you are ill you should go to your GP for treatment unless there is an emergency. The majority of this will be free, but you will normally have to pay for dental and optical treatment. Please note that these laws are subject to change and all students, whether or not eligible for NHS treatment, must have insurance to pay the costs of returning home in an emergency or if you have an accident in the UK – “emergency repatriation.”

Contact information

For further information click on the links below or contact the International Office email: international@swc.ac.uk

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-gene...

https://www.britishcouncil.org...

www.study-uk.britishcouncil.org/options

Learning Environment

South West College is proud to offer students a supportive learning environment. College staff are highly experienced and well-qualified to assist and support students and fully understand the difficulties faced by students in their new learning environment and always strive to create a lively and friendly atmosphere. Students have access to the College’s multimedia facilities and Learning Resource Centres, which will support them during their study at South West College.

Face to face academic support is complemented by 24/7 access to our virtual learning environment with a range of interactive resources designed to support study.