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The following is a list of frequently asked questions about our full-time courses. By selecting a link, you can read the answer to the question. Please read them carefully and if your question is not answered here, please try searching the site. Otherwise please contact us with your query.

Applying to study at the College

Fees

Living Expenses

1. How much money will I need for my living expenses?

There is no single answer to this question because everybody's circumstances and lifestyles vary. However, we recommend that per month of study you budget at least the following:


Accommodation:	(Dormitory/twin room with meals)	£362/£438

Travel:	(All-London bus pass)	£36

Pocket money:	(Suggested minimum)	£225

Of course, you will need substantially less than this if you are fortunate enough to have friends or relatives with whom you can stay rent-free.

It is also a good idea to budget slightly more for the first few weeks or months of your stay. If you arrive in winter you may find that you will need to buy warm clothing and other essentials. However, as you gain experience you will increasingly be able to take advantage of student discounts that are available on a wide range of items. Also, most students supplement their income by taking a part-time job. However, you might not find the 'right' job straight away. It might take a matter of weeks or longer so be prepared to wait if necessary.

For more information about working please go to question 'Can I work whilst studying at the College?' which you will find below in the Timetable/Work section of these FAQs.

Student accommodation

1. What types of accommodation can the College arrange?

As Europe's largest city London offers a vast range of accommodation, with students tending to stay in hostels, with host families (also known as Homestay) or renting a flat or house and sharing with other students.

Although the majority of students will probably end up renting a shared flat/house this is probably best arranged once you have been in London for a little while, to gain experience, to get your bearings and to have time to make friends.

So, if you are coming to London for the first time we recommend that you choose to either spend at least the first few weeks in a hostel or with a host family, both of which we can arrange.

Hostel Accommodation
The College can arrange hostel accommodation with one of eleven London Hostel Association residences (see: www.london-hostels.co.uk). Hostel accommodation is popular because it is good value, all-inclusive and the hostels are conveniently located in central London (travel zones one and two). Hostels provide a clean, secure living environment and are ideal for students who are new to London.

The weekly rate includes a continental breakfast and an evening meal on weekdays, with a cooked breakfast and an evening meal at weekends. The hostel provides a variety of dishes each mealtime, with at least one vegetarian option always available. Hostel bookings are made for an initial period of three weeks. If you would like to stay longer you can extend your booking on arrival.


Hostel prices (valid from 27/3/10 - 31/3/11)	Weekly rate per person	Price of 3 week booking

Type B (Shared twin room: 2 beds)	£125.00	£375.00

Type C (Shared triple / dormitory: 3/4 beds)	£101.00 (triple)* £98.50 (dorm)	£303.00 (triple)* £295.50 (dorm)

Other Hostel Accommodation
In addition to the catered LHA Hostels used regularly by the College there are many other hostels that provide long-term student accommodation. Below is a list of useful website addresses from which you can find out more about other hostels, their room rates and availability.

Homestay Accommodation
We can also arrange Homestay accommodation. Living with a British family is a good option for those keen to improve their English and learn more about British culture. Families can help students familiarise themselves with London and provide comfortable accommodation within easy travelling distance of the College. Homestay bookings are made for an initial period of three weeks. If you would like to stay longer you can extend your booking on arrival.


Homestay prices per week (guideline only - please contact WLC for details)	Budget Zone 3-4 (from)	Standard Zone 1-2 (from)	Booking Fee

Self-catering (includes use of kitchen)	£115.00	£140.00	£25.00

Bed and breakfast (no use of kitchen)	£110.00	£135.00	£25.00

Half board (breakfast and evening meal)	£135.00	£155.00	£25.00

Flat/House Shares
Sharing a flat/house with friends or classmates is a very popular option with London's students. Students often feel that this type of accommodation represents the best value for money, particularly as they are able to exercise choice when it comes to facilities and location.

However, it may be difficult to find this type of accommodation prior to coming to London. Before committing yourself to anything it is advisable that you visit the accommodation and meet the people you will share with.

Once you are here in London the following websites will give you some ideas about what type of accommodation is available. In addition, WLC students regularly advertise rooms and houses on the College's notice boards.

You can also advertise for flatmates and house shares on the college facebook page on:

General Advice and Information
London's students (of which there are over a quarter of a million) are fortunate in having many very good websites all offering them first-rate advice, guidance and services. We have listed some of the best below:

Please email Kelly for more information on kelly.relph@westlondoncollege.com

Timetable/Work

Visas

1. Do I need a visa (entry clearance) before I travel to the UK?
- The facts:
  - If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EU plus Norway and Iceland) or Switzerland you do not need a visa.
  - If you are a British National (Overseas), you can apply for a visa on arrival in the UK. However, this visa will only be valid for six months and will prohibit you from working. If you want to work alongside your studies you will need to apply for entry clearance before you travel. For further information see the UKCISA (The Council for International Students) web site.
  - If you are an 'overseas student' (non-EU, EEA or Swiss) and you intend to follow a course of more than six months then you must apply for entry clearance from your local British Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.
  - If you are coming for six months or less and you are not a 'visa national' (see UKvisas) you can apply for a visa on arrival, although you will not be permitted to work.
  - For more information and advice about visas take a look at the UKCISA (The Council for International Students) web site and the British Government's UKvisas web site.
2. Can the College contact the Embassy or High Commission to help me get a visa?
- Put very simply, to get a student visa you need to show that you have been accepted on a course provided by a recognised academic institution (which West London College is), and that you have the financial means to support yourself in the UK without the need to work or receive support from the government.
  
  We can certainly help you meet the first requirement. On receipt of your course fee, we will send you a WLC Visa Letter (VL). The VL is an unconditional letter of acceptance. It confirms that a place has been reserved for you on a course of study with the College, which is BAC accredited (see our accreditations page).
  
  The VL also states how much of your course fee and living expenses have been paid to the College, and in this respect it may also help when it comes to meeting the second requirement. (The more you have paid to the College the less the likely it is that your financial viability will be called into question.) However, regardless of how much you have paid to the College you will still need to show in your visa application who paid your fees and, crucially, that you have access to further funds to support you for as long as you intend to stay in the UK. This most important aspect of your application is entirely down to you, your parents or your sponsor. Clearly the College can't be expected to vouch for something that it can know nothing or little about.
  
  So, the VL tells the Embassy or High Commission all that we know about you that is relevant to your visa application. We can't do anymore than that, which is why we don't contact the Embassy or High Commission.

WLC is a member of the British Study Centres group of colleges, a non profit making company limited by guarantee. Registered office: Parliament House, 35 North Row, Mayfair, London W1K 6DB. Registration No: 2749354. As well as WLC, British Study Centres group consists of 4 English schools: BSC London, BSC Oxford, BSC Brighton and BSC Bournemouth as well as another vocational college - Hove College, Brighton