International Students

Premium quality education at UK student rates


Wherever you are from, you are likely to find like-minded fellow students with a passion for conservation, arts and design at West Dean. With around 30% of the student body made up of international students, our culturally diverse community offers a real home away from home. 

Our fee structure is the same for overseas students, as with UK-based students, making it particularly competitive for you as an international student, which is unusual in Higher Education. There are also a number of bursary and funding opportunities available to help pay for your studies. 

To find out more about West Dean College join us at one of our Open Days or email our admission team: [email protected]

Academic Awards

West Dean is formally affiliated with the University of Sussex as a Full Partner. The University awards the majority of our diploma and degree qualifications.

Study options include BA (hons) degrees, Graduate diplomas and Masters degrees, as well as Foundation degrees. 

Explore your study options

Entry to the UK

European (EU and EEA) nationals

If you have pre-settled status, you can stay in the UK for five years from the date you were granted pre-settled status. With pre-settled status you can:

  • work in the UK
  • use the NHS for free, if you can at the moment
  • enrol in education or study in the UK
  • access public funds such as benefits and pensions, if you’re eligible for them
  • travel in and out of the UK

If you have settled status, you can remain in the UK indefinitely and as with pre-settled status, you can:

  • work in the UK
  • use the NHS for free, if you can at the moment
  • enrol in education or study in the UK
  • access public funds such as benefits and pensions, if you’re eligible for them
  • travel in and out of the UK

You can access proof of your status through the UK government’s online checking service.

You can switch to settled status as soon as you’ve had five years’ continuous residence, or sooner if you’re eligible before five years. For more information please click here.

If you have neither pre-settled status or settled status, then you will need to apply for a Student Visa, for more information please see below.

All other international students

To be able to travel to the UK as student, you must pass a points-based assessment before you travel. The UK Government has introduced a new points-based immigration for students, known as the Student Visa route, which replaces the previous Tier 4 system. The UK Government has published guidelines which you can view here.

Please refer to the Gov.uk website for the latest information and to download the application form. You will need to apply online.

Another source of important information is the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) which also has a student advice line, see the UKCISA website for details.

To apply for your visa, you will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from West Dean before making your student visa application. The CAS is unique to each applicant and is an electronic number that you will need to quote on your visa application. You will receive your CAS once you have met the conditions of your offer and completed the pre-CAS checks.

Checklist to apply

  • Valid passport
  • Read Student visa guidelines
  • Secure English Language Test (SELT), if applicable
  • Receive your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from our Admissions Team; check this is correct
  • Gather necessary supporting documents
  • Apply for a visa

The duties of a student visa holder

The Home Office has introduced strict rules for sponsors with regard to their sponsorship licence responsibilities.

Our records must include:

  • Copies of all students' passports
  • Copies of visas
  • Full and up to date contact details
  • Records of attendance
  • Details of authorised and unauthorised absences from the course and failure to complete the course.

We are required to report any non-compliance of these rules by a visa holder to the Home Office. The Home Office also make unannounced visits to licence holders to check student visas and college records and to interview students.

Students are obliged, under the terms and conditions of their visa, to advise the Academic Registry Office immediately of any changes in their circumstances, to attend classes regularly, and to notify the Programme Leader if they are unable to attend. Please contact the admissions team for more details, [email protected].

English Language

If English is not your first language, or you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language ability to stated UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) standards. UKVI will assess your nationality using your passport. 

You do not have to provide evidence of your English ability if: 

  • You have completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of the countries or are from one of the countries as outlined on Gov.uk here. 
  • You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies: 

- you’re a national of Canada 

- you’re applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA 

- you proved your level of English in a previous visa application 

NB Student Visa rules are subject to change at any time. You must consult the Home Office website to acquaint yourself with all of the changes before submitting your application. 

For all West Dean programmes we will assess your ability using a SELT (secure language test) and this must be an in-date UKVI-approved IELTS test. 

Please enclose a copy of your in-date SELT certificate with your complete West Dean application form. We are unable to issue you a CAS if you do not have this. 

You must pass each section of the SELT to the required level. You should include the relevant SELT certificate with your immigration application. If you do not, your immigration application will be refused. A list of SELT is obtainable from the Gov.uk website. 

For programmes above degree level (NQF 6 level and above) your English language ability must be at level CEFR B2 or above. This is a minimum requirement and courses may specify higher levels. 

For programmes below degree level (below NQF 6 Level) your English language ability must be at level CEFR B1 or above. 

Help with funding

The British Council can also provide you with a basic guide for possible sources of funding for international students who want to study in the UK, so have a look at their website at www.educationuk.org/global.

Find out more about funding opportunities

Financial information

Our Bank Details

For students transferring money, our bank account details are:

The Edward James Foundation
Account No. 96216948
Sort Code 60-05-24
BIC Code NWBK GB2L
IBAN No: GB75 NWBK 6005 2496 2169 48

NatWest Bank plc, 5 East Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1HH, UK

All charges are the student's responsibility. Please remember to quote your name and/or invoice number on the payment instruction.

How to open a bank account in the UK

Before opening an account, we advise you contact the bank in your own country and ask them to provide a reference in the form of a letter of introduction. This should confirm who you are, how long you have banked with them and the state of your account.

In addition you will need to obtain a student status letter from the Registry Office confirming that you are a student at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation with details of your programme, term dates and accommodation.

Take the bank reference, West Dean College of Arts and Conservation student status letter, and a least three least three forms of identification for example, EU driving licence, passport, etc. to the UK bank of your choice. If the bank is satisfied with the information provided, and has confirmed with your home bank that their letter is genuine, you should be able to open an account with a debit card.

Banks available in Chichester: Barclays Bank plc, HSBC Bank plc, Lloyds TSB Bank plc, NatWest Bank plc.

Accommodation and student life

For students based at the West Dean campus, residential student accommodation is available within a five minute walk from the college buildings. For students based at the London campus, whilst we do not offer halls or accommodation on-site, we can support you as you look for a place to live. Students have access to various societies and events across campuses as well as the 6,000 acre West Dean estate. 

Discover more about accommodation and student life
Student accommodation at West Dean College

What to bring

Whether you are staying in accommodation on the West Dean Campus or in London: 

  • Passport and visa 
  • Copy of your confirmed offer letter 
  • Some cash (sterling) 
  • Plug adaptors (UK plug sockets take three rectangular pins) 
  • Phone: some international mobile phones may not work in the UK. We would recommend buying a local sim card. Networks include: O2, Vodafone, EE, Talk mobile, T mobile and Orange
  • Personal belongings: bring any belongings you feel will make your room a home away from home
  • Warm clothing and waterproofs

Healthcare

Medical

We advise all students, UK and international, to register at their local Doctors' surgery at the beginning of the first term. To ensure that you can access free NHS medical help if required:

West Dean Campus - nearest Doctors’ surgery: 

Lavant Road Surgery: 01243 527264 Lavant Road, Chichester

London Campus - nearest Doctors's surgery:

Ridgmount Practice: 020 7387 6306 8 Ridgmount Street, London, WC1E 7AA

To register you will need to provide a proof of address, this can be provided by the Registry office on request.

Medical Conditions

You will be asked to complete a confidential medical information form for our records. Also, if you suffer from a medical condition which the college should be aware of, or are reliant on medication, you are required to inform your tutor(s) of this in confidence (and also to the Registry Office), giving details of any action to be taken in the event of becoming ill.

Dentist

It is advisable to have a full dental check-up before arriving at West Dean as the availability of NHS dentists is very limited. There is an emergency dental service available at St. Richard's Hospital in Chichester PO19 6SE, and also at Central London Community Health Drop-in Centre SW6 4UL. 

Transport and travel

Where are we

West Dean Campus 

Situated six miles north of Chichester and six miles south of Midhurst on the A286. Campus is about 12 miles from the coast and a 30 minute car journey from Portsmouth cross-channel ferries. There is easy road access to London (65 miles) and the main airports of Heathrow and Gatwick. 

London Campus 

Our London campus is located in the heart of Bloomsbury and offers excellent travel links.

Air Travel

Flight and public transport enquiries/reservations

London Gatwick: 0844 892 0322 Gatwick Airport

London Heathrow: 0844 335 1801 Heathrow Airport

Trains

West Dean Campus 

A regular train service operates to Chichester from London Victoria. There is also a fast rail service from London Waterloo to Haslemere, a 25-minute taxi journey away. 

London Campus 

The nearest mainline stations are King's Cross/St Pancras and Euston.

National rail enquiries: 08457 484950 from abroad: +44 (0)2072785240 www.nationalrail.co.uk

Rail Europe: +44 (0)8448 484064 www.raileurope.co.uk

Buses and coaches

West Dean Campus 

The number 60 bus leaves Chichester city centre regularly seven days a week and passes the campus gates, see the full timetable on the Stagecoach website.  

London Campus 

The nearest bus stops are Russell Square or Goodge Street. See the full timetable on the Transport For London website. 

National Express: +44 (0)8717 818178 www.nationalexpress.com

Stagecoach Coastline: +44 (0) 845 121 0190 www.stagecoachbus.com

London Travel information: +44 (0) 207 437 4370 www.londontown.com

Taxis

West Dean Campus 

There is a taxi rank adjacent to Chichester railway station. 

Local Taxi companies include: 
Dunnaways Taxis: 0800 980 0890
Central Taxis: 01243 789 432
Helen's airport Taxis: 01243 820820  

London Campus 

There are variety of taxi options in London, such as iconic black cab & London minicab. You can also use Uber app to book your taxi in London.

Cars and bicycles

West Dean Campus 

You are welcome to keep a car on campus. Car parks are by the main building and in the annex accommodation. 

Bicycles are useful to get around the local area. Bike racks are available outside the annex accommodation and around the main building. 

London Campus 

Our Bloomsbury campus is within the central London Congestion Charge zone. There are no parking facilities on campus. The nearest NCP car parks can be found at Woburn Place and Bloomsbury Place, for which additional charges apply.

You can store and lock your bike using outdoor bike racks in front of the college building.

Machida Adademy

International students studying a course at our KLC School of Design can benefit from our affiliation with Machida Academy.

 

Machida Academy has certified centres throughout Japan where local crafts and techniques are encouraged and supported. Their buzzing Tokyo studios are beautifully designed to maximise every inch of space and feature highly effective, environmentally friendly materials and finishes, some of which are designed by the inspirational Principal, designer and architect, Hiroko Machida. Hiroko is a great advocate of the need for designers to specify responsibly and is a hugely respected figure in the design world in Japan and beyond.

Machida has an exceptional network of contacts and an outstanding placement record for its students.