FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• What happens if my visa is refused?

  In the unfortunate event of your student visa being refused, you will be entitled to a full refund of your deposit, subject to a small administrative fee as per our terms and conditions. You will be asked to send a copy of your visa refusal letter and a copy of your passport showing the refusal stamp to the admissions office before we can begin the refund process. You must return all original documentation sent to you by Admissions as well. Alternatively, we will be happy to defer your place at the college until the next intake if you wish to exercise your right of appeal or administrative review against the Home Office's decision, or reapply for your visa.

• Can I work whilst I study?

  Whether you can work in the UK depends on when you applied for your visa.   

  If you applied for your visa before 4 July 2011 then you should be given permission to work on a part time basis. Please check what your passport states on your entry clearance or residence permit. If you are in the UK with limited leave to remain and your passport states “Work (and any changes) must be authorised” or Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State”, you will have permission to work during your studies. if your passport states “No work”, you must not work in the UK.

  If you applied for your Tier 4 visa after 4 July 2011 then you will not be given permission to work. Holborn College is a private higher education college. Only students studying at a higher education institution (HEI) will be given permission to work part time. 

  For more information about working in the UK visit our page.

• How many students are there at the College?

  Currently there are approximately 1500 students registered on full time courses at Holborn College.

• Where can I live?

  The Accommodation Officer can advise you on where to live. There is a popular hostel nearby and we also have a number of approved host families in the local area. Many of our students live with classmates in privately rented rooms in areas close to the College including Charlton, Woolwich, Plumstead and Thamesmead. For more information contact the Accommodation Officer

• Will you help me open a bank account?

  Student Services Department can give you information on banks in the area which are willing to help international students when you arrive at the College. You will need the following documents to open a bank account in the UK: your passport, a letter from the College confirming that you are a student, a document confirming your address in the UK, and a document confirming your overseas address.

• Will I get help with improving my English Language?

  We have specific English Language support classes and academic writing classes.

• What's the weather like?

  The UK has a temperate climate, with warm Summers and cool wet Winters. Generally, the weather is a little unpredictable and can vary even within one day.

• What should I bring with me?

  It is a good idea to prepare for the colder weather with clothing which can be worn in layers such as T-shirts, jumpers, a waterproof jacket, hat, scarf and gloves. An umbrella is essential if you don't want to get wet, as it often rains. Toiletries, crockery, bed linen and towels can be bought fairly cheaply in the UK at shops such as Matalan, Primark and Asda; so there is no need to bring these. You must also bring any essential documents, such as college letters, medical details, emergency contact details, and any medication you may require. A supply of passport photographs is useful as these are expensive in the UK.

• What happens when I send my application in?

  When your application form is received at the college, it is passed to a specialised member of the admissions team who will carefully review your application. They will also review your academic eligibility, taking your prior work experience into account.

  Usually, you will receive an offer letter for your course via email within two working days of us receiving your application. You can then accept your offer by paying the necessary deposit. After paying your deposit you will receive your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) via email within two days of receiving your payment. This will allow to apply for a student visa at your local British High Commission.

• How many hours do I study a week?

  You will study over 5 days a week, normally with 15 to 20 hours of classroom contact time per week. You will also need to study privately in your own time to achieve success on your chosen programme. To help ensure that all students are attending the required amount of lectures,

• Is Holborn College registered with the UK Border Agency

  Kaplan Financial and Holborn College are both Trusted Sponsors with the UK Border Agency. We take our role as a sponsor very seriously and we will support you throughout your studies. If you meet the criteria for your chosen course this means that as your sponsor we can issue a “Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies” (CAS) number which will give you 30 points towards your application for a student visa.

• What events and societies are there at the College?

  There are a number of Student Societies at the College. Our biggest societies include the Law, Christian and Muslim societies, which hold regular meetings, host external guests, and organise related festivals and celebrations.
  
  Social events are planned for each semester and include trips within and outside the UK. There are also parties, for example the annual Boat Party and the BBQ, which are very popular with our students. You can view the events for Current Students here.

• How much deposit do I need to pay?

  You will have to pay at least 50% of your deposit to receive your Letter of Acceptance (which you will need to obtain your visa) and your CAS statement, on all courses except the LLB London Degree, for which you are required to pay the full fees before starting the course. Please also be aware that for the LLB London Degree you will need to pay an administrative fee for registration and examinations to the University of London. We recommend strongly that the full course fee is paid as immigration authorities view this as a strong commitment to follow the course and it demonstrates your ability to meet costs.

• Can I get a scholarship?

  Holborn College offers all students early payment discounts for all students who pay their deposit two months before the start of enrolment. There are also a limited number of graduate merit awards for those students who are exceptionally high achievers in their chosen field of study. You will be considered automatically for one of these on application to the College, and are not required to complete a sponsorship application form.

• Do you have a representative in my area?

  We have many who can help you with your application and give you information about Holborn College.

• How is the College ranked?

  In the UK, Colleges do not have official rankings. However, our awarding universities are ranked highly in the UK, and Holborn College itself has received the highest accreditation possible as an independent college, with the BAC, Dfes and AIHEP accreditations. We were also the first College in the UK to win the Queen's Award for Export Achievement. Find out more about Holborn College's Accreditations & Awards and our Awarding Universities.

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