In the unfortunate event of your student visa being refused, you will be entitled to a full refund of your deposit. You will be asked to send a copy of your visa refusal letter and a copy of your passport showing the refusal stamp to the admissions office before we can begin the refund process. You must return all original documentation sent to you by Admissions as well. Alternatively, we will be happy to defer your place at the college until the next intake if you wish to exercise your right of appeal against the Home Office's decision, or reapply for your visa.
Yes. As a student in the UK you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, and full-time in the holiday periods. Most of our students find a part-time job within a month of arriving at San Michael College. Our Careers Adviser will be happy to help you with your CV & interview preparation.
Currently there are approximately 250 students registered on full time courses at San Michael College.
Currently we have students from 60 countries around the world. For specific country data, please contact the
can advise you on where to live. There is a popular hostel nearby and we also have a number of approved host families in the local area. Many of our students live with classmates in privately rented rooms in areas close to the College including Edgbaston, Handsworth, Perry-Bar and Harbone.
Our Student Services department can give you information on banks in the area which are willing to help international students when you arrive at the College. You will need the following documents to open a bank account in the UK: your passport, a letter from the College confirming that you are a student, a document confirming your address in the UK, and a document confirming your overseas address.
We have specific English Language support classes and academic writing classes (ESOL).
Yes. You will study the university degree at San Michael College, where you will also sit your exams. On successful completion you will receive our partner university degree certificate.
Students who are on a Masters course beginning on or after 1st July 2006 may apply for a one year working visa on completion of their course under the SEGS scheme. SEGS is the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme but in fact applies to all students regardless of course. Other schemes are the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and the Training and Work Experience Scheme. For further information see the UKCOSA (the Council for International Education)
on 'Working in the UK after your studies'.
Birmingham is a very diverse city which has something for everyone. There are museums and art galleries. There are many restaurants to cater for all tastes as well as bars and nightclubs. Birmingham has a surprising number of parks and green spaces . There are also cinemas, theatre, markets and shopping. See
Birmingham Life section of this website for more information.
Is Birmingham welcoming?
Birmingham is very large and can feel quite daunting. People do not generally make eye contact or greet strangers. It is quite possible to never meet or speak with your next door neighbours. However, many people like the fact that they can feel quite 'anonymous' here. Birmingham does have some areas with strong community spirit, and it is easy to make friends with other students, in local churches, at work etc. For those of you who feel rather overwhelmed, the Student Services department can help you meet a mentor who will be another student willing to show you around the College and answer any questions you may have.
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What's the weather like?
The UK has a temperate climate, with warm Summers and cool wet Winters. Generally, the weather is a little unpredictable and can vary even within one day.
What should I bring with me?
It is a good idea to prepare for the colder weather with clothing which can be worn in layers such as T-shirts, jumpers, a waterproof jacket, hat, scarf and gloves. An umbrella is essential if you don't want to get wet, as it often rains. Toiletries, crockery, bed linen and towels can be bought fairly cheaply in the UK at shops such as Matalan and Asda so there is no need to bring these. You must also bring any essential documents, such as college letters, medical details, emergency contact details, and any medication you may require. A supply of passport photographs is useful as these are expensive in the UK.
What happens when I send my application in?
When your application form is received at the college, it is passed to a specialised member of the admissions team who will offer you a place on the most suitable course for you. Your certificates, past results and work experience will be taken into consideration, and a Confirmation of Eligibility Letter will be sent to you by email attachment and also through the postal service if your application is successful. It is our aim to reply to all applications as soon as possible, with each one being treated with priority. Your Confirmation of Eligibility letter will offer further guidance about future steps to take towards joining the college and also advise you of the deposit amount which must be paid to secure your place.
How many hours do I study a week?
You will study over 5 days a week, normally with 15 to 20 hours of classroom contact time per week. You will also need to study privately in your own time to achieve success on your chosen programme. To help ensure that all students are attending the required amount of lectures, San Michael College operates an electronic attendance monitoring system .
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Is San Michael College fully accredited and listed on the Dfes register?
San Michael College is registered on the Department for Universities, Innovation and Skills (DUIS) Register of Education and Training Providers. Since 1st January 2005, all international students who wish to study in the UK can only secure a student visa if applying to an institution on this register. If you would like more information, please visit
www.dcsf.gov.uk/studentsupport .
What events and societies are there at the College?
There are a number of societies at the College. Our biggest socities include the Law, Christian and Muslim societies, which hold regular meetings, host external guests, and organise related festivals and celebrations.
Social events are planned for each semester and include trips within and outside the UK. There are also parties, for example the annual Cultural Evening and the BBQ, which are very popular during the summer with our students.
How much deposit do I need to pay?
You will have to pay at least 50% of your deposit to receive your Letter of Acceptance (which you will need to obtain your visa), on all courses except the LLB London External Degree, for which you are required to pay the full fees before starting the course. Please also be aware that for the LLB London External Degree you will need to pay an administrative fee for registration and examinations to the University of London. We recommend strongly that the full course fee is paid as immigration authorities view this as a strong commitment to follow the course and it demonstrates your ability to meet costs.
Can I get a scholarship?
San Michael College offers all students early payment discounts for all students who pay their deposit two months before the start of enrolment .There are also a limited number of graduate merit awards for those students who are exceptionally high achievers in their chosen field of study. You will be considered automatically for one of these on application to the College, and are not required to complete a sponsorship application form.
Do you have a representative in my area?
We have many country representatives who can help you with your application and give you information about San Michael College.
How is the College ranked?
In the UK, Colleges do not have official rankings. However, our partner universities are ranked highly in the UK, and San Michael College itself has received the highest accreditation possible as an independent college, with the BAC, Diuss and the
HOME OFFICE REGISTER OF SPONSORS - EDUCATIONAL PROVIDERS . For more information on San Michael College's credentials visit our
Accreditations and Awards page.
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