Why should I come to study in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland’s tradition of excellence in education is world renowned. It has 2 universities and 6 Further & Higher Education Colleges.

Where is the College?
North West Regional College is a multi-site campus with 3 main campuses in Derry/Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane. There are frequent flights from City of Derry Airport between London and Glasgow and the flight takes approximately 1 hour. Regular bus and rail links to Belfast take approximately 90 minutes.

Is the area safe for women?
Of all the UK towns and cities, those in Northern Ireland are amongst some of the safest, so women can be confident and happy about living in Northern Ireland.

What is the weather like in Northern Ireland?
The climate in Northern Ireland is notoriously unpredictable, especially on the west coast, where a bright, sunny morning can turn into a downpour. The west coast receives more rain than the rest of the country and the east coast gets more sunshine. The west coast is also milder in the winter due to the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Generally speaking, May to September are the warmest months, with an average summer high of around 18-19°C and, though they are often the driest months, you can expect rain at any time of the year, even in high summer.

What courses are available?
The college offers courses in Art and Design, Food and Hospitality, Built Environment and Construction, Communication and Media, ICT, Sport, Travel and Tourism, Business and Finance.  However, do please check through the college website or contact the college for places available.

What are the requirements for English language?
For admission, the College requires students to obtain IELTS 5.5 or equivalent. 

How do I apply for a course?
Download the International Application Form from the college website and post it to us together with other supporting documents as required. When we receive your application we will contact you advising you of your application result.
Please make sure that you provided as much detail as possible in the application form including your full home address and post-code.

When do I need to apply?
You need to make your application no later than the end of June for the following autumn session.

Do I need to pay a deposit for admission purposes?
To help the College secure your place of study, we require our students to pay £1000 as a deposit which is fully refundable if your visa application is not successful and you inform the college appropriately.

How can I pay the deposit?
The College accepts major bankcards including credit/debit cards, cash and cheque. Students can also make the payment by bank transfers and the College account information is available on request.

How long do I need to wait for my application to be processed?
On average, it takes the College 3 weeks to assess your application and make an offer to you.  However you should allow up to 5 weeks to receive your offer letter.

What is the difference between an ‘Unconditional offer’ and a ‘Conditional offer’?
If you meet the requirements on English language and already have the results of your examinations, and they are suitable, you will be given an 'Unconditional Offer' after you have paid your deposit. This means that if you decide to accept our offer of a study place, your place is guaranteed and you should go on to apply for you visa as soon as possible.
If you are still taking your examinations or are waiting to hear your results or haven’t paid the deposit, you may be given a 'conditional offer'. A 'conditional offer' means that we will offer you a study place if you achieve the grades we ask for in the subjects that are specified in the offer. If you do not pass your exams or get lower grades than you are asked for, or haven’t paid your deposit, you will still be considered, but a place cannot be guaranteed.

When do our courses start?
Entry to our Higher Education programmes is generally at the beginning of September although some courses will have a January start (check our website for details)

Do I need to send the Offer Acceptance Form back to the College?
Yes, you do. You may receive offers (conditional or unconditional) from more than one institute. You have to decide which to accept. If you accept an offer from one institute, you are guaranteed a place to study.

How are the students assessed in their study?
Students will have continuous assessments throughout their study.

Can I study part time?
UK immigration regulations require students from abroad (except those from EEA countries) to study full-time in order to qualify for entry as a student. If you are in the UK with immigration status other than a student, e.g. you are dependant of a student, you can study part-time.

Can I continue to do a degree course after HNC/D?
Yes, successful completion of your HNC/D programme would qualify you to join a degree course from the 2nd or 3rd year in a UK university.

How much are the tuition fees?
For Higher Education courses 2009/10, the tuition fee is £4000 and £3000 for Further Education per year.
For some courses, students are required to buy uniforms and equipment which cost about £100 - £200. You may be able to supply your own uniforms and tools only after discussion with your course tutors.  The above tuition fees do not include costs for uniforms and equipment.

What accommodation will you offer me?
We do our best to help you to secure Student accommodation in Student Halls of Residence which can be booked in advance. The lease is normally for 1 year minimum and the cost is approximately £200 to £350 per month.
If you plan to find your own accommodation after you arrive, the College can also arrange temporary accommodation upon receiving your booking. For short-term accommodation, the cost is about £100 per week.

How can I book my accommodation?
You must contact Student Support Staff at least 1 month before you arrive in the UK and indicate clearly which type of accommodation you require.

How to contact the College once I arrive?
The college offers free airport pick-up from City of Derry Airport, if you inform us of your travel plans in advance. Alternatively if you arrive via George Best Belfast City Airport or Belfast International Airport a regular bus service operates provided by Airporter and can be pre-booked via their website.  Students are welcome to come to the College or phone the college by dialling 0044 287127 6000.

How do I pay my tuition fees?
You can pay your fees in two ways:
1. in one lump sum before the last week of July and you will receive a £100 discount off your whole year tuition fees.
2. in two instalments  – £1000 before the last week of July and the balance on enrolment, however, you will not receive a discount.

What are the living costs in Derry/Londonderry?
It is very difficult to estimate an individual’s living costs as we all have different requirements.
Based on the recommendation by the UK Border Agency, you must budget no less than GBP £7200 for your living cost in Northern Ireland.

Can I work while studying in the UK?
Full-time students can work part-time 20 hours per week during term-time and work full-time during the holidays in the United Kingdom.
If you are joining a course of six months or less with a Student Visitor visa, you are prohibited from employment. 

Will my qualifications be recognised?
Yes. Many overseas school-leaving certificates, college diplomas, university degrees and other qualifications are recognised.  To check the equivalence of your qualification with those in Northern Ireland write to NARIC – the National Academic Recognition Information Centre – for advice:
UK NARIC
ECCTIS 2000 Ltd
Oriel House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham
GL50 1XP
T:  +44 (0) 1242 260010
F: + 44 (0) 1242 258600
If your qualifications are insufficient it might be necessary for you to study an access / foundation course or a lower qualification than you intended in order to achieve the required level for entry to your desired course.

How do my qualifications compare to UK qualifications?
The National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) can give information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with those from the UK. Find them at: www.naric.org.uk

Will a Northern Ireland qualification be recognised in my home country?
A degree or qualification obtained in Northern Ireland has the same status as any other qualification obtained in the UK.  All UK qualifications are generally recognised and well respected throughout the world.

Do you offer scholarships to International students?
The college doesn’t offer scholarships to individual students at the moment but tries to keep fees low for all students.
However, you can search for all the scholarships available for international students on http://ukscholarshipsdatabase.britishcouncil.org or alternatively contact your local British Council office for information on scholarships. You can also look at www.britishcouncil.org/education/funding/index.htm which is a web version of a leaflet, which is given to international students wishing to study in the UK. The leaflet is a basic guide to possible sources of funding, and has been produced by the British Council, UKCOSA, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Do I need Entry Clearance (a visa) to study?
Before arriving in the UK, the nationals of certain countries must obtain entry clearance. These countries, known as ‘visa-national’ countries, are determined by the British Government.
The UK visas web site features a visa enquiry form where applicants can check if they require a visa. Go to www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
Yes, but only your spouse and your children. Your children must be under the age of 18 when they first enter the UK.

What if I have a complaint after I have started my course?
If a student has a complaint about any aspect of their education, the College has systems in place to deal with complaints internally.

What is the food like?
Northern Ireland has restaurants specialising in the cuisine of many countries, reflecting the rich cultural and religious diversity of the population

How many holidays do students get through the year?
Students have the following holidays link to college calendar.

How do I open a bank account?
The British Banking Association produces a leaflet which explains how to open a bank account in the UK. UKCOSA (the Council for International Education) also produce a leaflet aimed specifically at students.  You can find out more by downloading this document: www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/bank.pdf

What is the NHS?
The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s state health service that provides treatment for UK residents through a wide range of health care services. Some services are free, and some you will have to pay for. You can find out more about the NHS at www.hscni.net