Applying for a Student Visa

1.         Obtain a Visa Application Form from the British High Commission/Embassy (whichever is applicable).

2.         Complete the application form and submit it to the British High Commission/Embassy in your country. You will require a letter of enrolment from MCL, which will be given to you when you have paid an initial deposit of between £500.00-£1000.00 (whichever is applicable).

3.         The British High Commission/Embassy will arrange a preliminary interview with you. They may grant you a visa at this interview or require you to attend a further interview. This often occurs because further documents may be required. Thus, make sure that when you attend your first interview, you have all the required documents e.g. letter of sponsorship, bank statement of Sponsor and evidence of accommodation, along with your letter of enrolment. All these should be original documents and not faxes or photocopies.

4.          Remember that obtaining a visa takes time. You should allow at least 10 weeks from applying and remember also that you have to allow time for our letters to reach you.

5.         You have to show the Immigration Officer that you are able to fully finance your studies and living expenses in UK for the entire duration of your course. If you are allowed to work in Britain , your hours will be extremely limited. They will also need to be satisfied that you intend to return to your country upon completion of your studies and that the qualification you are aiming for will be of use in your future career.

 6..      We advise that you should never pay money to anyone who claims to be able to obtain a visa for you. The British High Commission or Embassy considers each application on its own merits, which application must be made by the person applying for the visa.

7.        Never attempt to falsify documents. Everything will be checked and if you are tempted to hand over false documents,
            please note that your application will be refused immediately if you are discovered.

Accommodation in UK
As a prospective student, unless you intend to stay with friends or family in the United Kingdom (rent free) for the duration of your studies, you will be expected to make financial provision for the cost of your accommodation in UK . Hence, when you attend your visa interview, it is imperative that you demonstrate to the Interviewing officer that you have made appropriate arrangements for your accommodation in the United Kingdom , either with a relative/family friend (rent-free) or that your College (MCL) has arranged for accommodation on your behalf in UK . Current estimates of single room and double room accommodations range between £2,860.00 to £3,380.00 at the rate of £55.00 and £65.00 per week respectively over a period of one year.

Sufficient Funds
Overseas students are expected to have sufficient funds available to them to meet the costs of their studies (school fees books) as well as general maintenance (lodging, feeding, clothing, transportation and welfare) in the United Kingdom without working engaging in business or having recourse to UK public funds.

Overseas students who do not have family or friends to stay with o arrival in UK are advised to secure shared accommodation in order to reduce their cost of living in UK . As an overseas student, If you choose to stay in a rented accommodation, you will be expected to know how much your accommodation will cost, at least for the first one year of your studies.

Part-time Work for Overseas Students
Overseas students are allowed to work part-time under current regulations without requiring work permits. You will be allowed to work part-time for 20 hours during school session and 40 hours during holidays.

Though you are allowed to work part-time, you are still required to be able to finance your studies independently of whatever you earn from you part-time work. Hence, as a prospective overseas student, you will be expected by the Interviewing Officer when you attend your visa interview to have available to you sums in the region of well over £10,000.00 to finance your studies in the United Kingdom . For example, your visa application should be supported by a bank statement showing the funds available to you and committed to your studies and maintenance in UK.