Pre-Arrival Information

College Offer

If you have received an offer to study at the MCHEMT  and wish to accept your offer, you should complete and return the acceptance slip that accompanies your offer letter. Please note that you can only arrive and enrol at the College once you have accepted your offer.

Documents Necessary for immigration and for your enrolment at the College:

• Original Degree/Diploma/Qualification Certificate
• Original College/College/School transcript(s)
• MCHEMT offer letter
• All of the information that the College and your School has provided, e.g., accommodation information, enrolment information, Welcome schedule.

For travel to the UK:

• Passport (it is advisable to bring a photocopy and to also leave a photocopy with a relative/friend at home)
• Valid visa (if necessary) Highly Recommended:
• List of emergency telephone numbers, e.g. the international telephone number required to cancel your credit/bank card (it is advisable to also leave a list of emergency telephone numbers with a relative/friend at home)
• Travel Insurance Document (it is advisable to also leave a photocopy with a relative/friend at home)
• Printed itinerary, if travel ticket is an ‘e-ticket’
• Prescriptions/note detailing the medical name of any prescribed drugs
• Information from your doctor about any medical conditions you have
• Prescription for glasses/contact lenses
• International Student I.D. or College Student I.D.
• Drivers License/International Drivers License if you intend to drive whilst living here
• Extra passport photographs

Money

• Credit Card/ATM Card (Switch/Maestro)/Source of finance (internationally recognised)
• Travellers’ cheques or pounds sterling for your first few weeks in the UK. Please note: it can take time to open a UK bank account and it is not possible to do so until after you have enrolled at the
• College. It is not advisable to carry unnecessarily large amounts of cash with you into the UK. If it is lost or stolen, it cannot be replaced.
• If you intend to bring cash in your home currency, please check first that it can be changed in the UK.
• If you intend to pay your College tuition fees and/or accommodation fees by bankers’ draft, please ensure that the bankers’ draft is made payable to the MCHEMT
• If you intend to pay funds into a UK bank account by bankers’ draft, please ensure that the bankers’ draft is payable to your own name
• If you have obtained a new credit card in your country of origin, please ensure that you have activated it prior to coming to the UK

IMPORTANT: You should travel with vital documentation and cash/travellers cheques/bankers’ drafts in your hand luggage. You may require your College documentation at Immigration.

Clothing

To enjoy the UK fully it is best to come prepared for variations in temperature from day to day. We recommend that you bring clothing for both warm and cool weather. Dressing in layers is a good tip, as it creates added warmth but also allows the flexibility to remove clothing when the temperature rises or when going inside to a heated classroom. For colder days we recommend a warm coat, a scarf, hat and gloves. A raincoat/jacket with a hood or an umbrella is recommended for wet days. If you are staying in the UK over the summer months, you may wish to bring a sunhat/baseball cap and sunglasses.

On a day to day basis, students dress casually around the campus. There is no dress code. However, students are expected to dress smartly for their Graduation Ceremony, e.g. white blouse and black skirt/trousers for females and white shirt and black trousers or kilt for males. Students who intend to work part-time may also choose to bring smart clothing.

You may also choose to bring clothing/equipment for different activities depending on your interests. For example:

• A tracksuit, shorts, t-shirt, trainers and sweat towel for the gym.*
• Swimwear, thongs/flip-flops, a spare towel and goggles for swimming.
• A day pack, hiking boots, lightweight trousers, waterproofs, fleece, gloves, a walking pole, and hat for walking/hiking.*
• Badminton/tennis equipment, etc.*
• Appropriate clothing for martial arts.

Electrical Items

If you are planning to bring electrical items into the UK, please bear in mind that the electrical voltage in the UK is 240V 50Hz. Electrical sockets use 3-pins. An adapter should be purchased in your own country. Most large stores and airports sell adapters.

What Not to Bring

There are certain things that it is illegal to bring into the UK. These items include certain foods, animal products, plant products, and illegal drugs. There are also restrictions on the amount of other substances that you may bring into the UK, e.g. cash, tobacco and alcohol.

National Health Services (NHS)

Upon enrolment you will be issued with a NHS Introductory letter which will allow you to register with a local GP (General Practitioner) who will register you under the UK NHS health care scheme, for further information please visit: www.nhs.uk

Banking

Upon enrolment you will be issued Bank introductory letter, allowing you to open a student bank or building society account with in the UK.

Accommodation

Upon enrolment you will be issued with a letter of introduction which can be used for the purpose of letting/renting accommodation. In addition we will assist you in finding a suitable accommodation. If you require any assistance in finding accommodation please email us at: info@mchemt.com

National Insurance

Upon your enrolment we will provide you with a letter to confirm you student status and confirmation of enrolment at MCHEMT for the purpose of being issued with a National Insurance Number. A National Insurance Number is a requirement under the UK Law for the purpose of Taxation.

When to arrive in the UK…

We recommend that you arrive about a week before your course is scheduled to start. This gives you sufficient time to recover from your journey, to get to know your way around, and settle into life in Manchester. If you have a choice of date, try to come on a weekday, so if you encounter any problems we are available to help.

If you anticipate a late arrival please tell us by fax or email when we can expect you. However, College regulations state that we are only able to accept students up to one week after the start of lectures, unless specific extension is granted, which means that you should be in a position to commence your studies by the second Monday after the date of registration.

If you know that you will not be here in time, you may wish to delay your journey until close to the next start date.

When booking a flight to the UK, you may be able to get a discounted student airfare. Show your travel agent proof of student status such as your Visa Application Document or the visa itself.

Once you have booked your flight you can go ahead and reserve your accommodation.

Transfer from the airport to your accommodation

There are various ways to find your way from the airport into Manchester City.

If you are arriving late at night or early in the morning or you would like the easiest option, you can order a taxi in advance. If you would like us to arrange this service, (which will cost approximately £65) please use the Airport Pickup form.

Download Airport Pick form airportpickupform

What to bring with you

Making sure you bring all you need, will help you settle in quicker. Ultimately you decide what you will need to bring and what you can find here once you arrive, but we have made the following suggestions.

• The British weather is notoriously unpredictable; it can be sunny when you wake up and pouring with rain by mid morning. Bring adequate rain protection and cold weather clothing if you can.
• For various reasons you will need passport-sized photos which may be more expensive in the UK than at home.
• In order to open a bank account once you arrive, you may need to show proof of your overseas address and a letter of recommendation from your bank in your home country.
• Copies of your qualifications, in order to register with the examination bodies.
• A calculator and an English dictionary
• Your CV and a reference letter from a former employer or teacher can help in applying for part time work.
• A medical letter, if you have any pre-existing conditions (such as epilepsy, diabetes etc.)
• Any medicines from home that you may need that would not be available in the UK.

Your arrival in the UK

On arrival at the port of entry the immigration authorities will want to see the following:

• Your passport
• Your letter showing your enrolment at MCHEMT (Visa Application Document)

They may also want to see medical documents showing evidence of immunizations or health checks if you have come from infected areas. (For example, checks for Tuberculosis are sometimes carried out).

Make sure these documents are presentable and easily accessible.

If you are a national of any of the following countries you may be asked to register with the Police within 7 days of arrival. Ask at the College for details of how to do this.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Reporting to The College

You should report to the college reception for registration at 10am on the day stated in your letter of enrolment. It is important that you bring the following with you:

• Your letter of enrolment or Visa Application Document
• Any tuition fees that are due
• Your passport (if you are a non-EU national)
• Your address (with postcode) and telephone number in the UK
• Your overseas address.
• Your original certificates and transcripts from your previous education

On this day you will meet the College Registrar to whom you will pay any fees which are due and who can give advice on how to manage your finances. You may open an expenses account with the college to deposit any living expenses or pocket money you are carrying before you open a bank account. This money is accessible during class break times, Monday to Friday.

You will also have your photograph taken for our records and for the MCHEMT Identity Card. You will then see the Examinations Officer who will explain academic matters, as well as issue you with a MCHEMT Induction Pack. Please take the time to read it carefully as it contains a large amount of useful information for your course, and life in Manchester.

On the Friday following Registration day you must attend the Induction given by the Principal or Head of Department. At the Induction you will be given:

• Your timetable
• Letter showing permission to work
• Letter to help you open a bank account
• Doctor’s registration letter
• Council Tax Exemption Certificate

Classes will commence the following Monday. Have a safe journey and we look forward to seeing you in the near future!

Know more Information: info@mchemt.com

Pre Enrolment Information for Students

Why Manchester College of Higher Education and Media Technology (MCHEMT)

MCHEMT is both a local college and an international college welcoming students from across the world. Our location is based in City Centre Manchester which is the cultural capital of the North West.

Our campus is situated in the middle of City Centre where local facilities are on the doorsteps. The City Centre is enriched with a Grand Library for the local community, many affordable and well-equipped Leisure Centres, Worship places (Mosques, Churches, Gurdwaras, Community Centres) and modern shopping centre with all market facilities that include the availability of a range of worldwide varieties of food and different goods at economical prices.

Entry into the UK

Students from outside the United Kingdom who are not EEA Nationals or Swiss Nationals will require “entry clearance” to enter into the UK and to pursue their Study.

What is a visa or “entry clearance”?

A visa or “entry clearance” is a travel document that is normally put in to your by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British embassy overseas. This document gives you permission to enter the UK and study in the UK. Please be aware that there are restrictions up on working in the UK once you have entered, however these restrictions will differ, dependant up on what kind of visa you have obtained. It is a criminal offence to break any of the restrictions placed up on your visa once you have entered the UK.

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

You will need a visa or “entry clearance” if you are not a European Economic Area (EEA) national. Thus, if you are from the following countries you may be allowed to enter the UK without formal “entry clearance”;

• ?Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus
• Czech Republic Denmark
• Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Spain Slovenia
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany Iceland
• Italy Liechtenstein Luxembourg The Netherlands
• Sweden UK
• Greece
• Hungary
• Republic of Ireland Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Norway

NB while Switzerland is not in the EEA country, however Swiss nationals have the same rights as EEA nationals. Please also note that if you enter without formal entry clearance than there may be many more restrictions on your activities in the UK.

Students must complete the MCHEMT enrolment form for the relevant course. Students must also pay a minimum fee per subject, and it is compulsory for all students to study a minimum number of subjects in each term.

Admission requirements:

Applications will be considered from candidates already possessing the qualifications prescribed for entrance. Candidates will be required to have satisfied both the College general entrance requirements and the course requirements prescribed for admission to their chosen course. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible after carefully considering the correct course for them.

Please find a list of all our courses on the following page, which gives you the relevant fee information and also lists the entry requirements

Method of Payment

The methods of payment acceptable are Bank Drafts (in GB Pounds Sterling) made payable to MCHEMT, Bank transfers in to our account, through cards or Cheques.

• Acceptance Letter
• Acceptance letters will need to be produced up on enrolment.
• Other Documents required at Enrolment
• Personal identification:
• Passport on its own or, if you do not have a passport, then bring with you two of the following: EU Identity Card
• Birth Certificate
• UK Driving Licence (issued after 1 May 1999)
• You must bring originals, photocopies will not be accepted.

If your permission to stay in the UK is due to expire soon and your passport will be at the UK Border Agency at the time of enrolment, you can bring your passport to the Administration Office where a member of staff will take a photocopy of your passport and keep it on your file, and this copy can be used at enrolment.

If your passport is at the UK Border Agency (UKBA), and your immigration application is unlikely to be processed by the time of enrolment or soon after, you can ask the UKBA to return your passport to you temporarily so that you use it as identification to enrol. There are limited circumstances that allow you to ask for your passport back without actually withdrawing your immigration application, but you

Are allowed to request it for identification purposes. Also See:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/documents-and- proof/photographs-and-passport/

Original evidence of your academic qualifications. If you have not already sent us your qualification certificates then please bring them with you to enrolment. If a formal certificate has not yet been issued (for example for your A-levels) then please bring a notification slip or pass list.

Induction / Orientation of New Comers

The College helps new students to settle down both by sending them explanatory literature in advance and by arranging introductory meetings. During the first two days, there are separate reception meetings for new students, in which they are addressed by the Tutor, faculty principals, and officers of MCHEMT to acquaint new students with the very wide range of facilities for all prospectives.

Advisory & Counselling Services

Student advisory services are available for MCHEMT students who require assistance regarding their course work or on suitability of a course which will be helpful in their career selection. College advisory staff is also trained to help students on issues like location of accommodation and price, difficulties in payments of fees, finding a local doctor to register with and make available suitable counsellor (with confidentiality) for social problems. MCHEMT staff is also happy to help you in the best possible way to guide and advise you on any of the following matters.

Students with Disability

Applications from students with a disability will be considered on the same academic criteria as all other applicants. If you have a disability you should indicate this on your application form. Early consideration can then be given to any additional support you may require, from individual exam arrangements to hour care.

Fee Refund

In case of course cancellation the College refunds course fee according to the course cancellation policy. Further details about course cancellation policy are available from Administration on request.