The following information is a guideline only and not intended to be wholly relied upon

Q.  How do I get student visa?

A. From 31st March 2009 there is a new system in place which is more logical ever than before. You need to earn 40 points to get your visa. You need to find a college which is in UK Border Agency list (tier 4) and satisfy their admission criteria. College will then send you Unconditional Acceptance Letter now called The Visa Letter which will give you 30 points. Along this letter you need to show funds equivalent to first year fee and living expenses in UK.  This will give you 10 points. After earning these 40 points you will become eligible to apply at your country’s British high commission.

Q. What is the average cost of living in Manchester as an International student?

A. Manchester is a reasonably priced city offering good quality affordable living and abundant accommodation. Students will need of £600 a month to cover living expenses. This includes accommodation, food and transportation. However, this may vary depending on your budget for rent, food, transport and leisure activities. According to UKBA (Home Office) regulation, students on courses of nine months duration or less will be required to provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover the full costs of their course £600 per month for each month of the course up to a maximum of nine months; while students on courses of more than nine months duration will be required to evidence sufficient funds to pay the first year of fees only, plus £5,400 (i.e: nine months) to cover a typical academic year in the UK.

Q. Can I work part-time?

A. Students are permitted to work 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during the vacation period. The college is not responsible for finding any type of student employment except work placements under our practical training scheme which is part of your studies. Many international students work part time in the retail, tourism and hospitality industries. However, as work cannot be guaranteed it should be viewed as a supplementary source of funds only and cannot be used to cover tuition or living costs.

Q. Can I give fee deposit draft to MCHEMT Representative/Agent?

A. Normally students are required to pay a deposit prior to enrolment. Your offer letter will mention the details as regards to the payment of this deposit. Fee deposits should be paid by way of Bankers draft favouring "Manchester College of Higher Education & Media Technology".

Q. How much deposit I should be paying?

A. The amount of deposit required to be paid is mentioned in the student offer letter.

Q. Can defer or change my course after my arrival in Manchester?

A. Students will not be allowed to defer or change the course in Manchester, unless they have a confirmation from the college prior to the arrival in Manchester. All changes additional requirements should be clarified before an application is made.

Q. Do I need to have an IELTS or a TOEFL English Test?

A. Students must demonstrate an English Language competency. Applicants who did not have English as the formal language of instruction are expected to demonstrate a reasonable command of the language by taking a TOEFL or an IELTS test (for a TOEFL a score of 500+ & written test score of 4.0+ in conventional is required; or a score of 200+ is required for a computer based TOEFL test; for an IELTS test a score 5.5+ is required). However, in cases where such a score is not available, the students are required to enroll on English language course along with their main course.

Q. What are the Academic Requirements?

A. Applicants to MCHEMT are assessed on an individual case by case basis - provided they have completed their A-Level or equivalent overseas qualifications. We may also consider your work experience in the related fields. Please also check the entry requirements of the course you are interested in.

Q. What is the application process? (Overseas Student)

A. You can apply online on our website through online management system. Alternatively, an application form should be completed and returned to the college along with transcripts of results from any school or college or University students have attended. English translations must be provided and all documents should be notarised. An application may be assessed using faxed copies or photocopies of any of the above. Successful applicants may firstly be sent the conditional offer letter by e-mail or fax to confirm that the student is satisfied with all information within 1-3 weeks.

Students applying from abroad: If you have applied online, once you receive offer email from us you need to send the initial deposit mentioned in your offer letter and all above mentioned documents in order to get acceptance letter for your visa purpose. This acceptance letter will also provide information about fees, refund policy and visa application. Bank account details are provided with the offer letter/email. The student uses the Acceptance Letter to apply for a student visa/entry clearance.  Once the Student Visa has been approved, the student should notify the college of arrival details. This should be sent at least two weeks prior to arrival in the UK in order that the accommodation and airport transportation can be arranged.

Q. What is the closing date for Applications?

A. Applications may be accepted up to the start of the Academic Year. For those applying from outside the UK, please allow sufficient time for visa processing (check with the British Embassy in your home country for the latest visa processing times).

Q. Am I allowed to work in the UK while I am studying at MCHEMT?

A. You may usually take part-time or vacation work subject to the following conditions: 

- You must not work for more than twenty hours per week during term time, except where your work placement is a necessary part of your studies with the agreement of your education institution.

- You must not engage in business, self-employment or the provision of service as a professional sports person or entertainer.

- You must not pursue a career by filling a permanent full time vacancy. 

You must check the terms of your Visa carefully as this may differ.

Q. Do you offer any preparation programmes?

A. The transition from a foreign country to MCHEMT can be highly challenging particularly when those studies take place in English. MCHEMT recognises the need for helping international students to make this adjustment. We organise a preparation course in the months prior to the commencement of academic programmes to teach students the special skills they will need to study for any specific course in MCHEMT. Additionally, the student handbook also contains very useful information to help student adjust to the local environment.

Q. What are the starting dates of the programme?

A. Generally, the starting dates are January, April, June/July and September of each year. Please check the course you are interested in.

Q. Will college help me in extension of my visa?

A. Yes.  If you have already been studying here you can apply for an extension of stay for further studies in the UK  provided you are enrolled on a full-time course with  the college.

Q. May I bring my spouse and children with me?

A. Your spouse and any of your children under 18 may be able to apply to accompany you during your studies provided you can maintain and accommodate them adequately without recourse to public funds.

Q. Is my spouse allowed to work?

A. Your spouse may be allowed to work if you were granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for 12 months or more. You must check the terms of your spouse's Visa carefully as this may differ.

Q. What if I invite any family member or spouse while I am studying at MCHEMT?

A. MCHEMT provides you full assistance in lodging visa applications and helping the student. We also will assist you if you want to invite some one to your Graduation ceremony.

Q. How much money do I need to show to the British Embassy/ High-Commission?

A. Applicants must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in the UK, including emergencies, without recourse to the public funds. This must cover the total tuition fee and the living expenses such as accommodation, food, travelling, clothing, etc.  This is important as recourse to the public funds might have a detrimental effect on the person's future immigration prospects. Bank statements which clearly identify the holder together with a transaction and details of conversation rates at the approximate date of application are required.

Q. What do I take into consideration when applying for a student visa?

A. Applicants Profile: The applicant's profile should appear to match the course of studies proposed. The applicant's prospects of obtaining a visa are enhanced by the submission of verified details of their profile, including family background, history of study, employment in the related fields of the course, fees paid etc.

If the applicant is in employment the employer must state that all course costs are being met by the employer or a job guarantee letter on completion of the proposed course with a higher pay. If the employee is meeting the costs, the employer must state that in the opinion of the employer the employee has the financial resources to meet all such costs the length of leave being granted to the employee and this must not differ from the stated duration of the course on which the Applicant has been accepted the purpose of participation in the proposed course of study the applicant's level of pay and the currency its received in.

Consistency within application: None of the details within the application or its supporting documentation should be of a conflicting nature. e.g. the proposed length of stay on the application form should not conflict with the verified course acceptance. Change of status full details of course duration should be disclosed in the initial application in so far as they are known. The following details must be supplied to allow the request to be considered and applications that do not supply all the required documents will be refused; Itemised details of payment of relevant fees; Details of the course of studies proposed; Accommodation arrangements; Evidence of financial self sufficiency;  A copy of the passport exhibiting the original visa must be lodged.

Q. Do I have to pay home or overseas student fees?

A. If you need to apply for a student visa from abroad to study in the UK, you will be categorised as an overseas student and overseas fees will only apply to you for the first year of your study. However, the College has certain fee exemption schemes for students who are already residing in the UK on a student visa or other forms of permanent residency permit to be considered for Home Student status for the purpose of calculating their tuition fees. Please contact the Admissions Department for further detail.

Q. Do the college offer the work placement to students? Why?

A. Yes, MCHEMT offers students the opportunity to undertake a work placement. Our Work Placement programmes are primarily designed for students wishing to undertake a work placement as part of their study. A work placement lasting up to 6 months, mainly in the fields of Business Management, Computing & IT, Hotel Management and Travel & Tourism. During your placement, which will be supervised and may even pay a salary, you will have the opportunity to study your host organisation and the role you play within it – focusing on how academic theory and knowledge translates into practice in the workplace. In many cases, non-native speakers of English can significantly improve their language skills simply by working in an English-speaking environment. Work placements are a very useful way of gaining relevant, professional experience and knowledge of a particular industry sector, as well as potential references. Graduate recruiters often use such schemes as a means of assessing potential candidates for employment after graduation.

Q. How about my accommodation?

A. Many international students do not have friends or relatives with whom they can stay while studying in Manchester. At MCHEMT we are happy to provide assistance to students who require inexpensive, safe, comfortable and well located (nearby the college and amenities) accommodation. Different types of accommodations are available, including: Shared Apartment, Studio Flat, and Room in Shared House. Accommodation can be arranged by the college on the student’s behalf.