An International Choice

International Student applicants can now apply online, directly from our College website.

• Search online to find the course you wish to apply for
• Select your course and click the "Apply Now" button.
• If you are a new student you will be asked to create an account using your personal email and password so you can track the progress of your application. 

Alternatively, you can also download and complete a copy of our International Application form. 

For more information visit our How to Apply page. 

Entry requirements vary from course to course. Course entry requirements can be found towards the end of the course listing.

The entry requirements section will look something like this:

As an International Student, you are eligible to apply for any Full-Time course at Level 3 or above. Please be advised that Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes are not available to international students.

You can find a list of our courses here: www.nwrc.ac.uk/courses

If you are not sure which course would be the best fit for you, you can book an appointment to discuss course options with our Careers Academy by emailing them directly at careers@nwrc.ac.uk.

You can upload copies of your qualifications to support your application.

We require scanned, clear copies of your qualifications in PDF format. We will forward your qualifications to our Careers Academy so they can check comparability against UK qualifications and check that you meet course entry requirements. After checks are complete, we will contact you with the next steps

Be advised that in a few cases, especially for courses validated by Ulster University, Queens University Belfast or Open University, we also have to contact Curriculum for a decision – in these cases there may be a delay in our response to you.

As an International Student, you will have to prove your English Language proficiency. This is part of the Home Office compliance regulations as well as a requirement for Student Visa. There is a list of English speaking countries that are exempt from this. You can find the list here: www.gov.uk/studentvisa/knowledge-of-english.

Recently we have been getting an influx of enquiries in regards to exemptions from English Language proficiency requirements from Nigerian students. Please be advised that Nigeria is not an exempt country at this time.

For all courses under degree level, we can only accept approved SELT results (Secure English Language Test). You can find more information here:
www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-asecure-english-language-test-selt 

This would typically be in the form of IELTS or equivalent. As per Home Office compliance, the grades to be accepted in Level 3 or Level 4 courses have to be a minimum of 4.5 across all language competencies:

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
• Listening (B1)

The grades to be accepted in Level 5 or higher courses have to be a minimum of 5.5 across all language competencies: 

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
• Listening (B2)
   

Be advised that for courses validated with Ulster University, Queens University Belfast or Open University, we will comply with their English Language requirements. In most cases, this would be a minimum of 5.5 across the board.

International Student course fees are £7,000 per year for all courses. When you receive your conditional offer you will be required to pay a £3,500 deposit to secure your place on the course and the remaining balance must be paid before the first day of your course.

Be advised that our college does not offer instalments at this time. Fees must be paid in full before the first day of your course.

As part of your conditional offer you need to provide us with a Northern Ireland address. Please be advised that NWRC does not offer accommodation or accommodation services.

There are many student rental properties available in the local area. You may find the following websites helpful when beginning your search:

• PropertyPal
• Property News
• Ulster University
• PropertyLink NI
• Knockmany property
• Derry Student Lettings (Facebook)

This list is not exhaustive. If you plan on living outside the North West region, please consider commuting distance and travel times to and from the College. 

For example, those living in Belfast, would have a minimum of 2+ hours commute each way. NWRC does not give recommendations for accommodation. We have only included these as a general guide for the convenience of student applicants.

Once you receive your Conditional Offer you will be asked to provide a bank statement to show that you will be able to financially support yourself for the duration of your studies. As per Home Office regulations, your bank account must include £1,171 per month (for up to 9 months) along with your fees and the money has to be there for at least 28 days. 

The bank account provided must be in the applicants name, or a parent/guardian’s name. In the case of the latter, the applicant’s guardian must provide a supporting letter, detailing the relationship between them and the student . 

You can find more details here: www.gov.uk/student-visa/money

Once everything above has been completed and your deposit has been paid, we will request a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) and issue you with this for your student visa application.

You can find more details on the Student Visa process here: www.gov.uk/student-visa

Please be advised that NWRC does not offer advice on Visas or the Visa application process.

Right to Work - Work Hours

For qualifications under degree level, you are allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours per week during term time. Outside of term time, which includes holidays and the time before you start your course, you are allowed to work full time. 

You can find more details on work hours here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/working/student-work/
 

Visa Extension

If you would like to continue studying at below degree level, you can extend your visa up to 2 years in total. However, in order to extend your visa, you will need to apply for a course that is a higher level than the one you did initially. For instance, during Year 1 you can do a level 3 course and then apply for a one year, Level 4 course. 

Changing institutions would require a new visa application.

If you have any questions or require further information, feel free to contact us on international@nwrc.ac.uk.

Our working hours (excluding bank holidays) are 

• Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm (GMT)
• Friday, 9am to 4pm (GMT)

We will do our best to get back to you within 5 working days but it may be more during busy periods.

If you currently live in the UK, do not have an Irish or British passport, and your country of birth was outside the UK, you must provide a copy of your passport (or another form of valid ID) and your E‑Visa share code.
 

How to Access Your Share Code

1. Log in to your account at: www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigrationstatus
2. Under your picture, select “Get a share code.”
3. When asked why you are requesting the share code, choose: “To prove my immigration status for anything else.” This is important because we are checking your right to study, NOT your right to stay or work.

Important Reminder

Please pay close attention to STEP 3.

We often receive share codes generated for proving the right to work, which does not give us access to your E‑Visa. When this happens, we cannot process your application, and delays occur.
 

International Students are normally required to pay International Fees, even if you currently live in the UK or Ireland. Your fee status is based on your visa.

Full‑Time Courses

• £7,000 per year (all courses)

Part‑Time Courses

• £15 per course hour (all courses)
   

Who Is Exempt From International Fees?

International fees do not apply for those with:

• Refugee Status
• Settled Status
• Pre‑settled Status

If you have any of the above, home fees apply.

If you hold Asylum Seeker status, you need to forward us a copy of:

1.   The front and back of your ARC card
2. All the pages of your Bail 201 document
    

NWRC may offer Asylum Seeker scholarships.

Contact us on international@nwrc.ac.uk for more information.

As an International Student you will be required to prove your English Language proficiency.

Entry requirements for English proficiency per course level 

• Non accredited courses - Good understanding of spoken and written English
• Further Education Courses - Minimum of B1
• Higher Education courses - Minimum of B2
   

  
Minimum for Further Education courses:

• GCSE English
• Level 2 Essential Skills Literacy
• ESOL Entry Level 3 FE courses (Equivalent to B1 in Common European
• Framework of Reference for Languages scale)
• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B1 achieved through one of the following English Languages tests: IELTS, Pearson, Trinity College London, LANGUAGECERT, TOEFL, Cambridge, Oxford
• A minimum of 1 academic year completed study in a UK or ROI school or FE college to have taken place in the last 5 calendar years
   

 
Minimum for Higher education courses:

CEFR B2 achieved through IELTS, Pearson, LANGUAGECERT, Trinity College London (for students applying from within UK), PSI Services UK ltd (for students applying form outside UK) ESOL Level 1 (B2) for HE courses.

A degree, awarded by an UK institution, that was taught in English and is of a higher level than the course applied for. Ecctis assessment if the applicant has completed a degree taught in English in an institution outside of the UK or ROI.

For courses validated by partner universities, applicants must meet the university’s entry requirements, including those relating to English language proficiency. If an applicant from within the UK does not hold any of the above qualifications and is unable to afford the cost of a SELT test, they may be offered an in-house assessment by the discretion of Head of Client Services, or the International Manager or the Curriculum Manager for the course applied for.

As an International Student that currently lives in the UK you can apply for any course, excluding apprenticeships. Be advised that you are eligible to apply for traineeships, but you will not be able to progress to the relevant apprenticeship, unless you hold refugee or settled status and have been living in Northern Ireland for a minimum of three years.

If you hold refugee or settled status, you are considered a Home Student and can apply for any course.

1.   Please ensure that your E-Visa sharecode and your ID are sent in the same e-mail. 
2. If you hold Refugee status and do not hold a valid form of ID, ensure you send us your Date of Birth along with your sharecode in the same e-mail.

If you have British or Irish citizenship then you are considered a Home Student.

All you will need to do is send us a clear copy of your British or Irish passport. Please ensure your passport is valid and currently in date.

If you have applied for a passport renewal, forward us a copy of your expired passport along with an email proving you have applied for the renewal and we can progress your application until you receive your new passport.