International Students @ NLC

Students from all parts of the world come to United Kingdom in pursuit of an outstanding education.New London College is committed to maintaining and supporting a multicultural community, and our international students are a key part of this commitment. Our students come from many different racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds.

NLC offers international students independence, opportunity, and challenge. The faculty members contribute to the international outlook of NLC’s campus.

What the students find during their study here is a highly challenging and rewarding academic experience, friendships with students and professors that will last a lifetime, and the confidence that they can succeed at whatever they set out to do.

International Student Services

While the curriculum offers students exposure to new ways of learning, the college provides support services and a space where students from diverse backgrounds may convene to study and gather informally. A student advisor for international students works with other staff at the college to create services and an environment that will promote the goal for which the college was established. Among the services provided by the College are the following:

In the case of an overseas student, where a friend or relative in the UK will be acting as his or her sponsor by providing living expenses and accommodation on their behalf, it will be necessary for the sponsor to complete and sign a sponsorship form and provide evidence confirming their financial ability to maintain the student. The sponsor should contact the College for further details, and the appropriate form.

Travelling to UK:

We recommend that you arrive atleast a minimum of one week before your course is scheduled to start. This gives you sufficient time to recover from your journey, to get to know your way around, and settle into life in London. If you have a choice of date, try to come on a weekday, so if you encounter any problems we are available to help. If you anticipate a late arrival please tell us by fax or email when we can expect you. If you know that you will not be here in time, you may wish to delay your journey until close to the next start date.

When booking a flight to the UK, you may be able to get a discounted student airfare. Show your travel agent proof of student status such as your Visa Application Document or the visa itself.

Comming to UK :

Making sure you bring all you need, will help you settle in quicker. We have made a list of our recommendations, but ultimately you can decide what you will need to bring and what you can find here once you arrive.

• Bring adequate rain protection and cold weather clothing if you can.
• For various reasons you will need passport-sized photos which may be more expensive in the UK than at home.
• In order to open a bank account once you arrive, you may need to show proof of your overseas address and in some cases a letter of recommendation from your bank in your home country.
• Copies of your previous qualifications, in order to register with the examination bodies.
• Your CV and a reference letter from a former employer or teacher can help in applying for part time work.
• A medical letter, if you have any pre-existing conditions (such as epilepsy, diabetes etc.)
• Any medicines from home that you may need that would not be available in the UK.

Arrival in the UK:

On arrival at the port of entry the immigration authorities will want to see the following:

• Your passport
• Your letter showing your enrolment at NLC
• If you do not already have your visa (i.e. you are not required to apply in your home country) you will need to show evidence of enough finances to support yourself for the duration of your course without relying on part time employment. This can be in the form of bank statements. If these belong to your sponsor you will also need to show your letter of sponsorship.

They may also want to see medical documents showing evidence of immunizations or health checks if you have come from infected areas.

Make sure these documents are presentable and easily accessible.

If you are a national of few listed countries you may be asked to register with the Police within 7 days of arrival. Ask at the College for details of how to do this.

Airport Pickup:

On your arrival in the UK , we can arrange for you to be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation (if requested) or brought to the college (office hours only). If you are arriving late at night or early in the morning or you would like the easiest option, you can order a taxi in advance.

If you would like us to arrange for any of these services, please use the booking form. Please fill the correct flight details. These should include the name of the airline, the flight number, the date and time of arrival, airport you are flying from and the airport you are arriving at. The college would charge £45 per student for the service, which has to be paid in advance.

The Heathrow International Airport is just in the vicinity of the college, and is just 3.5 miles (5 minutes) away. So it is advised the students book their tickets on the flights that terminate at Heathrow.

Once you have booked your flight you can go ahead and reserve your accommodation.

Accommodation:

NLC takes care of the accommodation needs of all its International students. As the living conditions have a great impact on the students’ performance, we ensure that our students are accommodated in the best accommodation available.

We have arrangements with local letting agents, who would be providing help to the students to obtain accommodation nearby to the college. The college arranges for accommodation of the student on prior written requ est by the student.

Reporting at NLC:

You should report to the college reception for registration on the day stated in your letter of enrolment. It is important that you bring the following with you:

• Your letter of enrolment or Visa Application Document
• Any tuition fees that are due
• Your passport (if you are a non-EU national)
• Your address (with postcode) and telephone number in the UK
• Your overseas address.

On this day you will meet the Admissions Officer to whom you will pay any fees which are due and who can give advice on how to manage your finances.

You will have your photograph taken for the NLC Student Identity Card. You will then be issued with a student handbook. Please take the time to read it carefully as it contains a large amount of useful information.

International Student Advice:

The International Student Adviser (ISA) provides information, support and advice to international students at the College. Following are the services that the College and the ISA provide for the International Students.

There are a number of information sheets for International Students which are available from the Admin Office.The Student Advisers also produce a wide range of information covering most aspects of student entitlements, including information on loans and awards; postgraduate funding; Income Tax and National Insurance; Home Office procedures; entitlements of EEA, EU and International students.  These are available from the Administrative Office.   

Counseling Services:

The College recognises that, from time to time, personal and emotional difficulties can affect your ability to concentrate and study effectively and to perform to your full potential. That is why we have a counseling service.

The Service offers individual and group counseling on a short or long term basis, depending on needs and availability. In addition, a wide programme of workshops and events are organised throughout the academic year.

Click here for detailed information on Counselling

Working as a Student:

NLC will provide you with a work permit letter when you arrive at the College to show the prospective employers. Additionally, we can also provide advice and guidance on how best to approach employment in the UK .

Further information on Student Working Regulations

Tax & National Insurance:

The college provides basic information on the questions students most frequently ask. They do not cover all topics or situations. 

Students are liable to pay Income Tax and National Insurance on the same basis as anyone else but the Student Loan and any additional grants are not counted as part of your taxable income.

If you work part-time during term-time or during the vacation, you may have to pay tax and National Insurance, depending on how much you earn.

Check out further information on Tax & National Insurance.

Health Care:

Overseas students who are in the UK for 6 months or longer are entitled to medical treatment under the National Health Service(NHS) and therefore medical insurance is not necessary. We do advise, however, that students register with a doctor as soon as they arrive in London . On request the college would provide you the information about the nearest health centre and the procedures for registration.

Treatment under Britain 's National Health Service will be given to students on courses of 12 weeks (3 months) or longer. We will assist you in making appointments with a doctor or a dentist if you need treatment during your stay. The College will be happy to help long-term students to register with their local General Practitioner (Doctor). For those students studying for less than 12 weeks, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance.

Further information on Health           

Need more information? Visit http://www.doh.gov.uk

Private Bank Accounts:

Our friendly administrative staff can help you to open your own private bank account in the UK . The College has special arrangements with some major banks and we recommend you to open an account with them. You will need to study for a minimum of six months at the College and the application should be made at the start of the course. If you wish to bring a substantial amount of money into the country for your living expenses, we suggest you open a bank account with an international bank (such as Barclays) and notify them that you wish to operate your account in the UK .

Further information on Banking

Council Tax:

If you are living in private rented accommodation you must be aware of your rights in relation to Council Tax.  Council Tax is a property tax. There is one bill for each property regardless of whether it is owned or rented, the type of property it is or the number of people living in it. In order to prove that you are exempt from Council Tax, you will need to collect a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from the college office. The Admin staff at the College provides you with all the information and assistance in providing the required documentation.

Further information on Council Tax

Travelling Abroad:

The student advisers at the college would always help you with the relevant information, if you want to go on a holiday to other European countries.

There are three main things that you need to consider:

Further information on Travelling Abroad

Also check Student Information Services

ACCA