Visas
Who needs to apply for a student visa?
If you are a national of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you will need a visa to study in the UK. This is a stamp or sticker that is put into your passport by an Entry Clearance Officer at the British Embassy or High Commission in your country. You should first check to see what kind of entry clearance (visa) you need and where you should apply by looking at the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website.
The UKBA website provides full information about the application process, how to apply, guidance notes application forms, and if there are any requirements from your country for health screening.
How and when to apply for a student visa?
The UKBA ‘Apply online’ section provides further information regarding the application process from outside and inside the UK:
Applying for a student visa from outside the UK
Applying from inside the UK
Please note that the process of visa application can be lengthy and it is advised that you apply as early as possible. Important note: as an international student with a Tier 4 student visa you are subject to UKBA immigration control. This means, if you do not register on time and we have not been informed of a late arrival, we might be required to inform the UKBA.
Once you have completed your studies with the ifs you will need to re-apply for a more comprehensive visa if you wish to continue living or working in the UK.
Location
To find out more about our London campus visit our Student Life section.
London has much to offer and, although it can be overwhelming, tourist websites such as Time Out London and
Visit London can offer advice and resources for exploring London and the surrounding areas. When travelling around London, Transport for London can help you with all your journeys and ticket prices.
There is also the opportunity to socialise with the London International Meetup Group which is a chance for anyone from overseas to meet in London to share experiences and feel a sense of community whilst they are settling into life in London.
Fees
Tuition fees for international students commencing their studies in 2012 are:
BSc (Hons) in Banking Practice and Management - £10,500 per annum
BSc (Hons) in Finance and Accounting for Financial Services - £10,500 per annum
MSc in Banking Practice and Management and Chartered Fellowship (CFifs) - £13,700 (one year programme fee)
All prices are in GBP.
There are many funding and scholarship options available to help support your studies. GoStudyUK is a great resource for finding out about various scholarships that are offered to international students.
Your local British Council office, British Embassy or education authority can guide you towards the best funding opportunities. If you wish to undertake a BSc programme, UCAS Money can further explain the options available to you.
Apply
Places are limited for September 2012 entry so apply early to avoid missing out. We recommend starting your application as soon as you can, that is even if you are missing some supporting documentation at the time.
BSc programmes
The ifs is now accepting international applicants for a September 2012 start. Applications close on 30 June 2012.
To apply for the BSc programmes, applications are normally made via UCAS:
BSc (Hons) in Banking Practice and Management UCAS Code N310
BSc (Hons) in Finance and Accounting for Financial Services UCAS Code NN34
For more information on how to apply, visit www.ucas.com/students/apply or contact Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office, see contact details below.
Our programmes are listed on the UCAS website with their UCAS course code, see above. The ifs School of Finance UCAS Code is I55.
Entry requirements
A tariff, normally of 300 UCAS points, to include at least one subject qualification at A2 level or the International Baccalaureate or equivalent.
All students are required to hold:
- GCSE Mathematics at minimum grade C (or equivalent) and
- GCSE English Language at minimum grade C (or equivalent) or an IELTS score of 6.0 or above with no element below 5.5.
All students are required to join the ifs School of Finance as a student member when they enrol on an ifs Professional Higher Education programme.
Applicants for a full-time BSc (Hons) programme may be interviewed and will be required to submit a piece of written work (personal statement) as part of their UCAS application to enable an assessment to be made of their suitability for the programme.
MSc programme
To apply for the MSc programme: applications are to be made via UKPASS. Our postgraduate programmes are listed on the UKPASS website, view the international student section for more information. The ifs School of Finance UKPASS number is I55.
If you have any questions about your application or the process our student advisers are happy to assist. Please contact Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office, see contact details below.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the MSc in Banking Practice and Management, candidates should have the following:
- A 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a banking, economics or finance-related discipline from a recognised institution.
Holders of the ifs School of Finance Associateship (or ACIB) / BSc, or a comparably challenging relevant undergraduate qualification, are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet this criterion.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language will need to satisfy one of the following requirements:
- An IELTS score of 7.0 or above overall (with no element below 6.5), or
- Evidence that their first degree studies (excluding science, technology, engineering or mathematics subjects) were conducted and examined in English.
In some cases, applicants may be interviewed and/or asked to submit a piece of written work, in addition to their application, in order to assess their suitability for the programme.
Admissions enquiries
If you do not meet the entry requirements or you require any further information please contact the Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office to speak to a student adviser or email us.
Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office
Office opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 5.30pm (UK time)
T: +44 (0) 1227 829 499
E: enquiries@ifslearning.ac.uk
Alternatively, for more information about applying to study in the UK, please visit the British Council website.
Further information
Opening a UK bank account
It is advised that as soon as you begin your studies in the UK you should open a UK bank account. This will ensure that your money is easy to access and is necessary if you wish to begin employment. Education UK has written a useful article about all the documents needed to open a UK bank account.
Working in the UK
The ifs aims to give you the best start in student life, so all the course materials you will need to aid your studies are provided by the ifs. However, you may find that a part-time job is necessary for the extra costs that you will incur whilst living in London.
As an international student, you will be eligible to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time and during holidays you may have a full-time job. London is a thriving community with a vast range of employment opportunities available to suit all experience and interest levels. Jobs can be found in local newspapers, job centres, and websites such as jobs.co.uk, Gumtree and Totaljobs.
Please visit UKCISA and Education UK for more details regarding the terms of employment for international students.
If you have any other questions regarding studying at the ifs, please contact our Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Offices on +44 (0) 1227 829499 or email enquiries@ifslearning.ac.uk