Khalsa College London : International Students

Student life in London:

London as one of the oldest capital cities in the world is one of the few cities enjoying a tourist as well as business interest in it. London is a truly multi-cultural city with people from diverse backgrounds making it their home city. The diverse cultural groups in London bring with them many of the finer aspects of their homelands, such as the food. The variety of restaurants in London is staggering, and there are probably few, if any, people who cannot find whatever type of food they want somewhere in the city. There are definitely some favourites though, such as Indian food. If you didn't know better, you would almost assume that curry was native to the British Isles. The diversity of London creates an unparalleled atmosphere for those wishing to pursue an international education or international business opportunities.

London's universities see over 300,000 students a year walk through their doors, including 58,000 students from overseas. The schools are prepared to deal with this type of diversity, and all their students are provided with the educational opportunities they need to thrive and grow in a diverse environment. Class formats often encourage a great deal of independent effort and allow students the opportunity for many discussion and seminar-based classes. These seminars foster student interaction. This helps students to develop cultural sensitivity and understanding while learning about their field, as they are encouraged to explore rather than ignore their different perspectives.

London is also the principal business centre for Europe and provides the best opportunities for those wishing to become involved in international business. It is the world's financial capital. Currently 13,510 overseas companies from 92 countries are based in London. The city is also home to over 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies. With unrestricted access to almost 375 million European Union consumers, it is not hard to see why so many people are attracted to the city. Those wishing to explore the world of international business need look no further than London's intense, international business scene.

London also provides superb cultural exposure. The variety of arts, theatre, performances, and other cultural venues available in London is incredible, and almost all of them provide student rates. London has some of the best museums, historical attractions, and buildings in the world, and these places capitalize on the city's turbulent and varied history. From the violent past of the Tower of London to the stately grandeur of British Museum exhibits, London has much to offer.

Accommodation:
Staying in London can be fairly expensive. But students can take advantage by staying in groups so as to share the costs and support one another. The accommodation office of the college will provide a list of properties suitable for students according to their budget and convenience in the vicinity of the college premises. On an average accommodation costs in London vary from £55 - £60 per person per week on a sharing basis. Students are exempt from any council or local taxes.
Procedure for booking your accommodation prior to arriving in London:

§ The accommodation office of the College liases with local residents willing to provide accommodation on rent to its students. It maintains a list of properties within its vicinity for the convenience of the students and checks on the same.
§ Students pay a deposit of £200 along with their fees to the College to book a place in the College Approved accommodation.
§ The college will help the students in organising flatmates who will share accommodation facilities with them.
§ On arrival in London a representative of the College will meet the students at Heathrow airport and escort them to the allocated houses.
§ The college representative will also take the students on a guided tour of the surrounding local areas to familiarise them with the local facilities like banks, post-office, police station, bus station, train station, underground, shopping centres, supermarkets, playgrounds and recreation centres, restaurants and fast food centres.

Please allow up to ten working days in India (thirty working days in Bangladesh and sixty working days in Sri Lanka and Nepal) for a visa to be issued by the Visa Office.
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Visa Requirements: To obtain a student visa the British High Commission requires applicants to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO):
§ That the student has an unconditional offer to study a full time course at a recognized British Education Institution.
§ That the student is genuine in his/her intention to study in the UK (Statement of Purpose)
§ That the student has sufficient funds in liquid assets to cover his/her tuition fees and living cost for the duration of the course.
§ That the student can afford to spend this amount of money on his/her education without causing any undue financial hardship to his/her family.
§ That the student will leave the UK on completion of his/her course and not overstay their student visa.
Please note that funds being used to pay for your education in the UK should be in the form of liquid assets, for example:
§ Cash Savings in a bank account
§ Fixed Deposit Certificates
§ Share Certificates
§ Bank Loan for study purposes
§ Scholarship Award / Prepaid tuition fees
Students must be careful that their loan papers clearly demonstrate that their loan has been sanctioned unconditionally and not sanctioned in principle.
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Visa Facilitation Services (VFS): The British High Commission has announced new improved visa application facilities and procedures for customers in India. To make the application process easier, eleven Visa Application Centres have opened across India during the month of February 2003. They will be located in: New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad,Cochin, Bangalore and Kolkata.
Students from Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to apply at the British High Commission.
VFS will charge a fee of Rs 300/- for services rendered. All applications will then be immediately forwarded to the High Commission in New Delhi, or to one of the Deputy High Commissions in Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata who will take the decision regarding the visa application.
It is important to understand that VFS is not the deciding authority with regard to issuing visas but merely a facilitation body to ease and speed up the process. VFS does not have the authority to issue visas.
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Sponsorship:
If sponsored by your parents:
§ Sponsorship declaration from your parents
§ Bank statement for the latest six month's period; fixed deposits receipts, bonds, securities, salary certificates etc.
§ Financial statement from a Chartered Accountant, summarizing the savings held in the bank(s), fixed deposits, scholarship awarded, loan sanction letter from the bank, properties etc.
§ Sanction letter from the bank, if you are taking loan for the educational expenses
§ Income-tax returns for two years
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If sponsored by a company in India:
§ Sponsorship letter from the Chief Executive of the company
§ Profile of the company
§ Company balance sheets/profit & loss A/Cs, bank statements and income tax returns for two years
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If you are sponsored by your relative or friends from abroad:
§ Sponsorship declaration, confirming the relationship with you and why they are sponsoring your studies and the extent of sponsorship. Also, Accommodation available in case of providing accommodation during the stay in the UK.
§ Photocopy of the passport (all pages)
§ A letter from the employer indicating the job contract and salary particulars
§ Bank statement for 2 years
Students undertaking courses for more than 6 months duration will be required to undertake a medical examination prior to issue of student visa.
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Please note that this information is intended as a guide only.

Part-time Employment:
The conditions covering the hours and type of work the student may do are:
§ The student must not work for more than 20 hours per week during term time except where the placement is a necessary part of their studies and with the agreement of the educational institution.
§ Full-time work during vacations and breaks (40 hours / week). Normally there are no restrictions on a spouse working in the UK, if the student will be studying longer than one year.
§ The student must not engage in business, self-employment or the provision of services as a professional sports person or entertainer.
§ The student should not pursue a career by filling a permanent full time vacancy.
Part time work is usually done in the evenings and at the weekend when the student has no classes. Hence the type of work a student gets is usually in the service industry such as working in a restaurant, café or bar, Petrol Bunks, Departmental stores.
You can roughly expect to earn £5 - £6 per hour.
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Full Time Employment in the UK on finishing your course:
Your prospects of employment, salary and promotion will be improved whether it is in your own country or abroad by studying in the UK. British qualifications are highly regarded and accepted throughout the world.
Should you be wish to work in the UK after completing your course and are from a non European Union Country you will require a work permit and visa from the Department of Education and Employment.