We offer a variety of courses for students from overseas.
The following steps are for international students who wish to apply for Access or Higher Education courses only. If you are unsure whether you are considered an "International" student, contact us at international@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.
If you wish to apply for English language courses or Summer School, please complete our Summer Schools Application | Edinburgh College. You do not need to complete the steps on this page.
We accept applications from individual students and agents.
If you are applying with the help of an agent, please see the Study UK: a student and parent guide to choosing an education agent for advice.
Application Process for International Students
Step 1: Complete the Online Application Form
Please fill out all sections of our International Student Application Form. You will be asked to upload copies of the following documents:
- Qualifications (educational certificates)
- Passport
- Current UK visa (if applicable)
- SELT Certificate (proof of your English language level). We accept IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE, or Trinity College London certificates.
You must attach all required documents to expedite the application process.
You will also be asked to include a Personal Statement in your application. You can write this directly in the application form or attach it as a separate document. Please answer all the questions outlined in the guidance notes provided in the form.
Step 2: Additional Information and Interview
We may contact you by email for further information.
If necessary, we will invite you to an Admissions and Visa Interview, which will usually take place via Zoom if you are outside the UK. The purpose of this interview is to provide you with advice about the visa application process.
Step 3: Conditional Offer and Deposit
If you are accepted, the International team will send you:
- A Conditional Offer Letter
- A Course Acceptance Form
We will also provide you with details on how to apply for the appropriate visa.
To secure your place, we require a deposit payment, typically equal to 100% of the total course fee. Please note that in the case of a refund, £250 will be kept to cover administrative costs, as outlined in our Refund Policy.
If you are applying for a Student Visa to study a two-year HND course, you can choose to pay the full two-year fee upfront to secure a two-year visa. This payment will be reflected in your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)letter, which you will use to apply for your Student Visa.
Step 4: Send Acceptance Form and Deposit
Once you have received your Conditional Offer, please send your Course Acceptance Form and deposit payment to the International Team.
We will assist you with the visa application process. We may also ask for additional documents, such as your financial statements, to confirm that you have the necessary maintenance (money for living costs) for your visa application.
Step 5: Issuing Your CAS and Final Steps
Suppose you need to apply for a Student Visa. In that case, the International Team will send your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) only after all conditions in your Conditional Offer Letter have been met, and we have reviewed all the required supporting documents for your visa application. The CAS will be sent by email, and it is essential for applying for a Student Visa.
Suppose you are applying for a Standard Visitor Visa (for courses under 6 months) or a Short-Term Study Visa (for 11 months). In that case, we will send you an Unconditional Offer Letter once all conditions in your Conditional Offer Letter are met.
Please follow our guidance carefully when submitting your visa application. We will provide a step-by-step guide tailored to your visa type and may ask you to review your visa application form before submitting it.
Step 6: Pre-Arrival Information
Once your visa is processed, we will send you pre-arrival information, which will include details about:
- Accommodation
- Airport pick-up service
- Induction programme
Important Note: Edinburgh College reserves the right to withdraw or modify any courses offered. If a course is not running, we will try to provide an alternative. If a course is cancelled, we will refund your fees in full