Applying to Wigan & Leigh College

• Entry Requirements
• Course Fees
• How to Apply
• Student Visas

What qualifications do I need?
When making an application, students must provide evidence of the qualifications they already hold, from high school certificates to college diplomas. The entry qualifications required for each course vary, depending on the subject and the level. You can find the entry requirements for individual courses by using our Course Search option.

IELTS
A good standard of English will help students achieve their qualifications and realise the full benefits of studying and living in the UK. For this reason, Wigan & Leigh College asks that all applicants provide evidence of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score with their application. The required scores are as follows:

Back to Top

Tuition Fees for International Students (as at June 2011)

Back to Top

How to Apply
Once you have decided upon your chosen course of study, you can fill in our application form.

Please sign the application form and send it to us at the address below, along with a copy of your passport (pages including photo and passport number) and any certificates you have received from school / college.

The International Centre
Wigan & Leigh College
PO Box 53
Parson's Walk
Wigan
WN1 1RS
United Kingdom

You can also fax your documents to us on 0044 (0)1942 761608 or scan and email them to c.fowler@wigan-leigh.ac.uk

(Please be aware that all of our courses have a September start date. Home Office regulations stipulate that overseas students must study full-time programmes at Level 3 or above, so please bear that in mind when choosing your course.

The application process is as follows:

1. Your application is received by our office and is reviewed by a member of academic staff.
2. You are accepted onto an appropriate course depending on your qualifications.
3. We issue you a Provisional Acceptance letter which accepts you onto a course and informs you of how to pay your deposit of 50% of total tuition fees by either cheque or bank transfer.
4. We receive your deposit (please inform us when this is sent), which is processed by our Finance Department.
5. Once your deposit has been processed we will issue you with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) Statement, containing information that will assist you with your visa application. This will include a CAS reference number and our Sponsor Licence number.
6. You apply for your student visa.

Please be aware that this process can take time. Please allow both yourself and our office enough time for the application process and the visa application procedure. We appreciate your patience, as our office can be quite busy due to the high volume of applicants.

We look forward to receiving your application. If you have any additional questions, please email c.fowler@wigan-leigh.ac.uk or call 0044 (0)1942 761608.

*All courses are subject to availability.

Refunds
Prepayment is received and held on your individual account. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining your student visa, you may request a refund. You must provide evidence that your visa has been refused by sending us a copy of the refusal letter from the British High Commission.

There is an administration fee of GBP200 that will be retained from your deposit. Wigan and Leigh College reserves the right to retain some or the entire amount deposited if you decide on entry to the UK that you no longer wish to study at our College, and we are also responsible for notifying the Home Office of this decision.

Please note that if you need to extend your student visa whilst studying at Wigan & Leigh College and an extension is refused, no refund of fees will be possible.

A deposit will be held on account for no longer than 5 years from the initial date of application. After this time, the deposit paid and the application to attend WLC must be renewed.

For more information on coming to the UK as a student, please visit the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

Back to Top

Student Visa Information

Do I need a visa?
If you are not a British Citizen, or a Citizen of one of the countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA), you will probably need entry clearance, or a visa, to study in the UK. To check if you will need a visa, visit the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

Where do I apply for a visa?
You can apply at your nearest British High Commission / Embassy / Diplomatic Post. In many countries you can also find Visa Application Centres. You can search for your nearest Diplomatic Post or VAC here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

How do I apply for a visa?
You will be required to complete an application form and submit certain documents in support of this. In many countries you can apply online. You may be asked to talk about the course you have applied for and explain why you chose this programme and how you feel you will benefit from studying on it. You may also have to provide biometric information, such as finger scans and a digital photograph, and undergo a Tuberculosis test.

For full information on how to complete your student visa application, you can find a step-by-step guide on the UK Border Agency website. The application forms can also be downloaded from this site: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

Further guidance on making your application is available here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

The following website also contains useful information for international students wishing to study in the UK:http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

We recommend that you read the information on the above websites carefully before making your visa application.

What if my visa application is refused?
If your application for a visa is refused, please contact the Wigan & Leigh College International Office and send us a copy of your refusal letter. You may also contact us with any questions you may have.

Email: c.fowler@wigan-leigh.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1942 761608

Fax: +44 (0)1942 761164

Disclaimer
Whilst we try to ensure the accuracy of the information and advice given, the requirements relating to visas are complex and change frequently. You should therefore check the requirements which apply to you on the UKBA website. The International Office of Wigan and Leigh College cannot therefore accept responsibility for any inaccuracy or error in its information or advice.

Wigan and Leigh College provides its students with general guidance to assist in the Student Visa application process only. We cannot intervene in the actual application process between the applicant and the UKBIA, and we cannot accept responsibility for the outcome of any application.

The responsibility to provide the appropriate documentation as required by the immigration rules remain entirely with you, the applicant. Wigan and Leigh College cannot pursue the progress of a visa application, or request information about an application once the process has been initiated. All applications are personal to the applicant and beyond the control of Wigan and Leigh College.

Back to Top

Cherry Myint

"I wanted to come to the UK to study Hospitality and Catering. The College has excellent facilities and staff with industry experience.

I’ve really enjoyed my time here, everyone at the College is really friendly."