Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the mose frequently asked questions about International Students services at Motherwell College.
A: Colleges in the UK are not ranked in league tables. However, Motherwell College is dedicated to ensuring a high quality of curriculum and is subject to regular Government inspections to ensure high standards of teaching are adhered to. From August 2009, Motherwell College will operate from its new £70million, 200,000 sq ft campus. Campus developments include a five-storey teaching block, a two-storey workshop block, a seven-storey residential block, a nursery block, the student residence, associated parking and landscaping. The development will also include conference facilities, a public learning centre, a training restaurant and bar, performing arts space, and a job shop.
A: Motherwell College provides many qualifications which are pathways to University. Students can study on a 1 year programme or for a 2 year HND, both of which are accepted by UK universities for entrance onto a degree. Courses in Hospitality, Sport, Care, Business, Computing, IT, Engineering, Animation, Media and Design are just some which are offered at Motherwell. A more detailed list of courses can be found on the college website.
A: There are two costs to consider – tuition fees and living costs. Tuition fees for non-EEA students are as follows:
- HNC courses £5500 per year
- HND courses £5500 per year
- BA degree in Hospitality Management £7500 (final year)
- Estimated annual living costs are £7500
A: Courses commence at the end of August every year so, if you want to ensure a smooth application process, the best time to apply is before May. The prospectus is available online, or you can request a prospectus brochure by calling +44 (0)1698 23 24 14. There are some courses which commence in January: prospectuses for these are usually available in October and early application is again advised. International application forms are available to download from the college website, or you can request that one be sent to you by post. You will need to include copies of your passport, qualifications and IELTS results. Every course at Motherwell College requires a minimum of IELTS 5.5. Depending on this, you will be issued with a conditional offer: conditions are usually payment of a £1000 deposit towards tuition fees, and proof of English ability if this has not already been provided. If you satisfy these conditions, you will receive an unconditional offer.
A: Before you are issued an unconditional offer, you must pay a deposit toward your fees (usually £1000). We require the remainder of the year’s fee to be settled within one month of arrival.
A: Motherwell College has accommodation available to students on campus. This is a secure, state-of-the-art living environment and each room is equipped with en-suite bathroom, satellite TV and wi fi internet access. There is also a 24 hour manned service. A nurse is available on campus and this service is free of charge to students.
A: The College has an International Centre who offer help and advice to all international students both before and during their studies. An airport pick up service is provided when students first arrive and an induction programme in the first week ensures that students settle into college life quickly and easily. You will also be given a 24-hour contact number for the international manager, who will be available to help you if you happen to have any problems. The International Office also runs various trips and events throughout the year, such as trips to museums, the Scottish countryside or to celebrate traditional holidays such as Eid or Chinese New Year. There is also an International Student Social and Enterprise Club, which all international students can join. With the help of the international office, this club organises fund raising events and plans fun trips. This is also a way for students to give feedback to the college so that teachers and support staff can recognise any needs they might have.
A: The college currently has agents in China and Hong Kong.
A: Currently, English is not available on its own as a full-time course, but there is a dedicated ESOL department for international students who require additional language support. There are also part-time courses in English language running throughout the year, from elementary to intermediate levels, which can be used as preparation for qualifications such as First Certificate or IELTS, both of which can be sat at nearby Glasgow institutions.
A: Motherwell is a large town within easy reach of Scotland’s two largest cities: Glasgow and Edinburgh. It has a busy town centre, with a range of shopping opportunities, as well as some areas of stunning natural beauty, like Strathclyde Park, a sprawling country park set in 400 hectares of countryside in the River Clyde valley. Thousands of visitors go to see the park every year and enjoy the huge range of activities available- from sailing to sunbathing, birdwatching to bicycling, water ski-ing to watching the world go by.
A: Motherwell has a busy network of local buses, as well as excellent links to Glasgow and Edinburgh by both bus and train. A train journey to Glasgow city centre takes about half an hour.
A: As well as the new £70 million college campus, a £30 million regional sports facility will also be built at the new site.
The complex will feature:
- a football and sports hall (105m x 73m x 18m high at its centre) with 400 spectator seats
- an athletics hall featuring a track and field event training areas (26.5m x 135m and clear height of 7.4m and 9.7m)
- central changing rooms and entry area
- dance studios
- outdoor football and training pitches
- interaction zones
- a strength conditioning area
- a café
- a viewing gallery
- an activity area for children.
A: Yes, you can legally work up to 20 hours per week, and more during the college holidays. The college assists all its international students to find part time work. We have links with many national and international companies.
A: Non-Visa Nationals (usually people with EU passports) can come for up to 6 months without a visa. If a non-visa national wants to stay for longer than 6 months, they must apply for entry clearance in advance of travelling.
Visa nationals must organise UK visa well in advance of departure, regardless of how long they intend to stay.
You can find out if you are a visa national at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
Please note that it is your responsibility to contact the British embassy in your country and obtain your visa: the college can only offer general advice. One of the documents you will need to supply to the embassy is an unconditional college offer or a visa support letter, both of which the college can send to you upon satisfaction of the terms in your conditional offer (usually proof of your English ability and payment of a deposit towards your fees). If, for any reason, your visa is refused, your deposit will be refunded.
If you don’t know where the British Embassy is in your home country, you can find the nearest one to you by checking the list of British Embassies Overseas at www.fco.gov.uk.
A: Yes. If you graduate successfully, you will be able to apply for a Post Study Work visa, which will allow you to stay on and work in the UK after you’ve left college.
A: Some websites which may be useful are:
Motherwell College:
www.motherwell.co.uk
Your Visa:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Your Visa extension:
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Your Entry Clearance:
www.iasuk.org
Studying in the UK:
www.britishcouncil.org or
www.ukcosa.org.uk
Scotland:
www.visitscotland.com