Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to study in the United Kingdom ?
Your need for a visa to enter the UK as a student is dependent on whether or not you are from a visa national (VN) or non-visa national country (NVNC).  

The categorisation of whether or not you are from a VN or NVNC can easily be determined by your need for a visa to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor. If you require visa to enter UK as a visitor before you depart from your country, then you are from a VN country. On the other hand, if you do not require visa to enter UK as a visitor before you depart from your country, then you are from a NVNC.
 

Is MCL an approved and recognised College?
MCL is recognised by the Home Office in the United Kingdom and British High Commissions/Embassies all over the world as a bona fide private education institution, which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance. MCL is accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education (BAC) and also on the DfES Register of Education Providers in the United Kingdom .

What is the cost of living in London ?
Living in London is not cheap. The major expenses for students studying in London are as follows:

a.        Accommodation, including bills for heating, electricity and telephone

b.        Travel – Underground, British Rail and Bus

c.         Books and other learning materials

d.        Food, Entertainment, Clothing and Laundry

The British Council provides useful information to students wishing to study in the UK . The figures below are based on average spending of UK students. Students studying in London must expect these prices to be higher. Accommodation or rent average £70.00 outside London , whereas students living inside London (i.e. within the M25) should expect to pay up to £85.00 per week. Bills average £32.00 per week, though in some accommodations, the bills may be included in the rent. Food and household shopping average about £30.00 outside London and £40.00 within London . However, if you wish to purchase ethnic food, you will need to budget a bit higher. Budget for Clothing should be in the region of about £10.00 per week, whilst allowance of £8.00 per week should be made for laundry.

Is Accommodation easy to find in London ?
Accommodation for students is relatively easy to find and locate depending upon location. Our College is located in Wealdstone in Harrow , a leafy surburb of north-west of London . Accommodation in and around Wealdstone are relatively affordable and range between the sum of £65.00 to £75.00 per week for shared or single room accommodations.

Can the College assist in finding Accommodation?
MCL will render all necessary assistance in helping our student find accommodation, including overseas students coming to the UK for the first time. We have arrangements with local estate agents, whereby short term accommodations can be provided whilst the student attempts to locate more permanent accommodation with our assistance.
 

Is living in London safe?
London is a major international City with a population of at least 8 million people. Living in London is relatively safe as we have a very good and active Police Force. However, students are advised to be careful and act safely in all aspects of their behaviour whilst living in London .

How many hours a week do I need to study?
All courses are timetabled and students are required by immigration regulations to attend at least 15 hours per week as a full time student. Our courses are designed generally for 16 hours per week on average, which is inclusive of classroom teaching and tutorials. Some courses e.g. Computer Studies require students to undertake practical work, which adds additional hours for the individual student concerned.
 

Will I have English lessons as part of the course?
Students who have difficulty in English Language will be provided remedial assistance where it is judged that the student will benefit greatly from additional tuition. MCL has an English Language department specialising in English Language tuition for speakers of other languages. Terms and Conditions concerning additional English Language tuition will be dependent upon the circumstances of the individual student concerned.
 

Are overseas students allowed to work in UK ?
This is subject to the terms and conditions of your student entry visa. In general terms, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during school holidays. However, we must stress that you have to comply with the terms and conditions of your entry clearance as a student with respect to employment during your stay in the UK . We also advise overseas students to consider carefully their need to work, as your studies may be affected if you engage in employment when you are supposed to be in the classroom.

Are books and manuals provided as part of the course?
Professional bodies and examining bodies recommend a variety of books to support the study of their subjects. Each subject may require the student to have access to a set text book and other supplementary text books. MCL does not provide these books as a part of your course. However, notes and handouts are provided as part of the teaching process. MCL also provides photocopying facilities for students, though students must also consider that photocopying of books and published materials are subject to copyright restrictions and regulations.

Can I get a free refund if I leave the course?
Students who have commenced their course of study are not entitled to any refund of fees where the decision to leave the College is theirs alone. However, where MCL is unable to offer a course, which the student has enrolled for, MCL will make the require refund of fees paid.

Can I get assistance from the College to extend my visa?
All student visas are granted for a determinable period e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. Before the expiry of the visa, every student must submit an application for renewal. Each application has to be completed and submitted to the Home Office with the required supporting documents. MCL will be required to certify that the student has been attending his/her classes regularly and he/she has made progress in his/her studies. The extension of student visas is at the discretion of the UK Government, taking into account all criteria as set down in the UK Immigration Rules.

Where a student requires legal assistance to make applications for visa extensions, Solicitors for MCL will be prepared to assist such students for a nominal fee, should the service be required.

Do I need health insurance during my stay in the UK as a students?
The UK Government operates a National Health Service and all students have access to the Service in case of illness. Students are advised to register with their local GP nearest to where they live. Names and addresses of the local GPs can be obtained from the local Post Office. Consultation with a GP is free, but medicine and prescriptions have to be paid for. There is a fixed charge for medicines and prescriptions irrespective of the medicine or prescription dispensed.

Do I have to be registered with the Police when I arrive in the UK ?
Students who come from countries other than the British Commonwealth or EU must register with the Police.