Alchemea “An International College”
Alchemea is proud to have trained students from all corners of the globe for nearly 20 years. We appreciate that for many students English is not a first language and therefore make every effort to help our international students feel welcome and relaxed. Our small class sizes ensure that all our students are guaranteed plenty of personal attention and guidance throughout their course of study. While it is essential to have a reasonable command of written and spoken English to take a course at Alchemea, our lecturers are very experienced in teaching students for whom English is not their first language.
Guidance For Visa Students (Tier 4)
Alchemea have been awarded Highly Trusted Sponsor status by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). We are also an “A rated” licence sponsor therefore genuine international students should have no problem obtaining a student visa to attend Alchemea.
What is a CAS?
CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies. A CAS is a unique number provided by the learning provider that is required by a student before they can apply for a Tier 4 (General Student) visa. After your application has been accepted and you have met our criteria, we will use the UK Border Agency’s online sponsor management system to generate this unique reference number. We will also provide you with a CAS statement which will outline all relevant information relating to you and your chosen course.
Due to our limited allocation we employ tight controls regarding how we issue a CAS. If we waste a CAS it will not be re-instated by the UKBA therefore before we will issue a CAS we require applicants to have paid the full course fee up front. Paying the full fee in advance will improve the chances of your visa being accepted. We also require that applicants complete and sign our CAS questionnaire. If for any reason your visa application is unsuccessful we will refund you full course fee minus a £60 administration charge.
We have found that students visa’s are usually rejected because of insufficient maintenance funds (living expenses). It is a requirement that these funds have been in your bank account for at least 28 days. The other main reason for rejection is the omittance of the correct supporting documents (academic qualifications / English language certifications etc)
Because we have a limited allocation, please DO NOT apply for CAS unless you are 100% serious about taking a course at Alchemea. We charge a £500 administration fee to issue an additional CAS (allocation allowing).
English Language Testing for Tier 4 Visa Students
One of Alchemea’s duties as a migrant sponsor is to ensure that all Tier 4 students are competent in English language at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF). To support your application for a full time course you will need to submit a signed and dated copy of your approved English test certificate. We will not issue a CAS unless you have attained an approved English Language Qualification (CEFR level B1).
We will need to see evidence that applicants:
• are from a majority English-speaking country (as outlined on the UKBA’s website)
• have successfully completed a course as a Tier 4 (Child) student (or under the student rules that were in force before 31 March 2009, if they were granted permission to stay while they were under 18 years old) which lasted at least six months and ended no more than two years before the date when the CAS is assigned
• have passed an English language test with an approved test provider for Tier 4, and has achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
How can I get tested?
We currently recommend the “International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Pearson’s PTE Academic testing system, both of which are robustly aligned with the Common European Framework (CEF), the worldwide benchmark for language ability and most importantly approved by the UK Border Agency for Tier 4 Student Visas. A full list of approved English Tests can be downloaded as a .PDF from the UKBA’s website.
What type of student VISA will I need?
There are 3 types of student visa you can apply for: The type of visa you will require is determined by the duration of your course.
1) Student Visitor Visa
For courses under 6-months in duration student will need to apply for “Student Visitor Visa”. This will allow students to stay for the full length of the course plus 7 days after the end of the course. Importantly, as a student visitor, you will not have the full student entitlements in the UK, which means you will not be able to work part-time.
A student visitor visa is therefore required for the following courses at Alchemea: • 8-week Studio Assistant Certificate (SAC): “Student Visitor Visa” • 16-week Diploma in Live Sound Engineering (LSD): “Student Visitor Visa”
Upon successful application we can issue you with a letter of acceptance. You will need this letter to apply for your student visitor visa. You will also need to show that you have the money to cover your course fee and living expenses (£600 for each calendar month of the course).
2) Adult Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
For courses over 6-months in duration you will need to apply for an adult Tier 4 (General) student visa. During your stay you will be allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term- time; work full-time during vacations and if required do a work placement as part of your course.
An adult Tier 4 (General) student visa is therefore required for the following courses at Alchemea: • Diploma in Studio Sound Engineering (9-months) • Diploma in Studio & Live Sound Engineering (up to 18 months)
Student visa applications and monitoring is now managed using the UKBA’s online sponsor management system (SMS). Upon successful application we will issue students with a SMS generated reference number. This is called a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies). We will also provide a supporting CAS statement which details course information and the documents you have provided to support your application for a CAS.
Like with the student visitor visa you will also need to show that you have enough money to cover your course fees and living costs. For the Studio Sound Diploma you will need £800 for every calendar month of the course and for the Studio & Live Sound Diploma you are required to have a total of £7,200 which is intended to cover living costs for 9-months.
Please refer to the UKBA’s website for a detailed guide to applying for an adult student visa – Tier 4 (General). Please refer to our “how to enrol” page for information about our entry requirements.
3) Prospective Student Visa
You can apply as a prospective student if you want to come to the UK to help you decide which course to study, or if you plan to start a course of study within 6 months. You will be able to switch and apply for a Tier 4 (General) or Tier 4 (Child) student visa while you are in the UK.
4) Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
The youth mobility scheme is for young people from participating countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco) who would like to come and experience life in the UK. If you have a Tier 5 (youth mobility) you will be eligible to take a course at Alchemea.
Can I switch from another college to Alchemea?
If you are currently studying with another approved learning provider and wish to switch or continue your studies at Alchemea you will have to apply to extend your student visa. You cannot simply leave one college and join another however you can apply for an extension to your student visa which will link you to the new learning provider (sponsor). You can apply for an extension inside the UK and will need to provide the same supporting documentation that you did when you applied for your initial visa. We will also need to issue you with a CAS and the CAS statement.
Supporting Documents
Please forward the following supporting documents with your completed application form.
• Passport: We require a copy of your passport (photo page and front cover). We will accept identity cards from students from inside the European Union. This must be signed and dated.
• Student VISA: For Non-EU students we require a copy of your student visa. This must be signed and dated. • Qualifications: Please include copies of your qualifications and certificates. You must sign and date each copy. • Photographs: We require 2 passport photographs. You must sign and date both photos.
All documents must be signed and dated. Copies will suffice however please ensure all the information is clearly reproduced. Documents can be posted to Tony Garston, Alchemea, The Windsor Centre, Windsor Street, London N1 8QG. Alternatively you can scan and email them to tony@alchemea.com
Student Wellfare
Alchemea’s College Manager Jim Bryden is responsible for student welfare and is on hand to help overseas with the adjustment to life a student in London. This includes helping to find accommodation, providing paperwork for banks, landlords and the council as well as organising social activities. Jim will also connect students before a course so they can get to know each other and if required search for accommodation together. We are in contact with a large network of ex-students from all over the world and if required we can introduce you to international students from your home country.
