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 Visa Letter from MCL, which will be given to you when you have paid your full tuition fees.

3. The British High Commission/Embassy will consider your visa application. Please ensure that you have all the required documents e.g. letter of sponsorship (were applicable), your bank statement or that of your Sponsor and evidence of your educational qualifications, along with your Visa Letter. All these should be original documents and not faxes or photocopies. Please ensure that the documents you submit are genuine documents.

4. Remember that obtaining a visa takes time. You should allow at least 8 weeks from applying and remember also that you have to allow time for our letters to reach you.

5. You have to demonstrate to the Entry Clearance Officer that you are able to fully finance your studies and living expenses in UK for the first year 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. The British High Commission/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 £3,600.00 to £4,160.00 at the rate of £300.00 and £346.00 per month 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. Students applying to our College will need to have £5,400.00 in their account  (or a joint account with their sponsor) in order to satisfy the Maintenance and Funds test.

Overseas students who do not have family or friends to stay with on 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 up to 10 and 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week 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 Entry Clearance Officer to have available to you sufficient sums 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.