International Students

Studying overseas can be both exciting and daunting!  The following information and links to useful websites will hopefully help you to answer some of the queries you may have about traveling to and living in the UK.  Preparation is necessary to a successful transition into a new culture and new environment.

Before starting the application process, it is important to see what the UK Government requires in terms of immigration rules and regulations. In 2009 the UK Government introduced a new ‘Points Based’ immigration and Identity Card system.  The system for students is called ‘Tier 4’. 

You can find details of Tier 4 at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk 
Visa information for overseas students applying from outside the UK is found at: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Trinity School of Theology is accredited by ASIC as a premier College. ASIC works closely with the UK Border Agency to ensure that Trinity complies with all UK government regulations. For more information, visit http://www.asic.org.uk .

Trinity School of Theology is a Highly Trusted Sponsor registered with the UK Border Agency and as such can offer courses at degree level to overseas students.

Finances:
The UK Government requires that all prospective non EU students can demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to pay for their fees, accommodation, travel, books, and daily living expenses.  The British Council estimates that it costs between £7800 - £9,000 per year to live and study in the UK and the UK government would expect that you have access to this level of funding in order that you can confidently claim that you will “have no recourse to public funds”.  As a minimum you need to provide evidence of £5,400, plus your fees.

From July 2011, all new international students will not be able to work whilst in the UK for the duration of their studies. This is due to new regulations from the UK Border Agency but it does not affect those students who are already in the UK under Tier 4. Do not plan to depend on working in the UK as a means to pay your fees.

Dependants:
From July 2011, international students will not be able to bring their dependants with them to the UK due to new regulations from the UK Border Agency. This does not affect those students and their dependants who are already in the UK.

Scholarships and Bursaries:
Trinity School of Theology is a small college with limited resources and we therefore cannot offer any Scholarships.  We can however provide a small bursary which is applied for and assessed on an individual basis once the offer of a place has been made.

English Language:
Competency in written and spoken English language will be essential in order to cope with the demands of the course. Therefore, you must be able to provide us with some evidence that you are competent in this area. We ask that you take a test with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS - academic reading and writing modules), organised by the British Council in your home country (please note: you should take the academic training modules not the general training modules). You will need to achieve Band 6.0 overall.

If you have already taken these examinations, or are taking them whilst at language school, then you would need to tell us and provide evidence of this.
Please go to the British Council website for further information on how to access the IELTS course in your country
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-ielts-in-your-country.htm)

Cultural Adjustment:
Cultural adjustment (also experienced as Culture Shock!) is well known and affects most international students to some degree.  Information on cultural issues can be found on: http://www.educationuk.org/UK/Article/UK-life-and-culture