Important Information for Language Students
When Should I Start Planning My Trip?
Often, the earlier the better. It is always recommended to start travel procedures.
By procedures, we mean choosing the institute
and obtaining acceptance
3 months before the specified date.
Arranging early helps you make the right decision and choose the best one for your budget and desires.
Travel Steps:
🔸 Choose the country/city/institute
🔸 Obtain acceptance from the institute and pay a deposit to obtain the visa letter
🔸 Apply for the visa
🔸 Prepare the visa documents, attend the appointment, submit the documents, and get your fingerprints
🔸 Receive your passport after the visa is issued
🔸 Book tickets
🔸 Complete the remaining amount for the institute
🔸 Receive family information and be sure to communicate with them, specify your arrival time, introduce yourself, and how you will reach them
🔸 Arrange airport pickup, whether by taxi, bus, or train
🔸 Pack your travel bag
Be sure to take simple gifts that represent #Saudi Arabia to give to your family or favorite teachers
How do I choose the city?
Cities in Britain are numerous and varied, and can be divided into northern and southern cities. Alternatively, there are cheap and expensive cities, such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, and Brighton, which are considered more expensive than other cities. However, in my personal opinion, choosing an institute always comes after choosing a city, as the quality of education in most institutes is comparable and good. However, the difference lies in choosing a city, as cities vary and have different character. Some prefer rural or quiet cities, such as Cambridge or Oxford, or coastal cities, such as Bournemouth, a quiet, small city with many institutes and a low cost of living. Alternatively, there are cities like London, where the goal is to combine study and tourism. Some may wish to pursue university studies, whether for a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree, in Britain. It is best to choose a city with a university offering the major they wish to study, provided it is accredited by the scholarship authority and is a reputable university. Therefore, choosing a city depends on the individual's goals and desires.
Choosing an institute and what is the appropriate program? Regular or intensive?
After selecting the appropriate city, we move on to the institute. There are two types of institutes: 1. University institutes. 2. Private institutes (some call them commercial). Please note that commercial institutes are not always solely for profit. Rather, they compete to provide the best educational experience, and some succeed. However, be assured that both types are commercial, and all charge fees. University institutes are affiliated with universities, while commercial institutes are affiliated with international or local companies. Most commercial institutes are more concerned with their reputation and the quality of their education than with the subject matter. 🔶This is a point where students vary greatly based on their experiences. You may find two students in the same class who are different.
University colleges are preferred for those who want to complete their university studies.
Because of their strength and high quality, while also familiarizing students with the university campus, they have three drawbacks.
First, most colleges require an IELTS score for admission, which not everyone has.
Second, their fees are higher than commercial colleges.
Third, they have specific start dates, so they may not suit everyone. Registration is based on semesters, not weeks.
Therefore, if a student's language level is low, whether they are beginners, do not have IELTS, or are unable to complete the same dates specified by the university colleges, they can transfer to commercial colleges.
Commercial colleges are of two types:
The first are colleges spread around the world and have more than one branch in Britain.
International colleges such as Kaplan, King's, Eurocentre, St. Giles, EC, and EF.
Local colleges:
They are small and have one branch or a limited number, such as Capital School, Brighton Language College, and Celtic. Eurospeak)
This may not mean that an international institute is better than a local one, or vice versa.
However, international institutes are distinguished by their greater experience, international curricula, and better marketing. Sometimes, the building is better, larger, and has more facilities.
All the local institutes mentioned are excellent, and the main difference between them is (budget).
Most local institutes are cheaper than international institutes, not because of the poor quality of education, but because their operating costs are lower.
If your budget allows you to choose an international institute, or if it is limited, you will find very suitable options from local institutes.
Type of Housing
In my opinion, the type of housing depends on the student himself. For a social person who loves a youthful atmosphere, student housing is preferable. For a student who prefers a family atmosphere, student housing is preferred.
Here is a simple comparison between them:
- Family housing is usually cheaper than student housing and includes meals, but the bathroom is shared.
Students must book early to ensure their conditions and a suitable family are met, such as (no pets and the house is close to the institute). All conditions depend on availability, and the earlier you book, the greater the chances.
Student housing is usually closer to the institute than families or located in the city center. Students enjoy greater freedom and privacy, with a private room with a private bathroom. However, food service is self-catering, and the kitchen is shared. Students must cook for themselves. The price is often higher due to the high operating costs. For those traveling with their families (spouse or children), if they are not attending the institute, the institute may not provide them with accommodation with a family. It is therefore better to take private housing.
What is the appropriate period for learning #English?
From a personal perspective, the appropriate duration depends on:
❤ The student himself
❤ Their effort
❤ Their current level
❤ The goal of learning the language
Some people have an intermediate level and their goal is to improve their level for themselves or their work, and they don't need more than 3 months to take off, speak, and understand well.
Some people are beginners and need 11 months or more, and their goal is university or postgraduate studies.
But if you're a beginner, you need a trip.
3 months will give you a foundation.
6 months will make you intermediate.
11 months will make you a professional.
What is the cost of studying English in Britain?
This is a sensitive and precise question, and the price varies greatly and includes many details, as the price depends on:
❤ The city
❤ The institute
❤ The type of course
❤ The accommodation
A 3-month intensive course in Bournemouth with a family at a local institute is 21-23 thousand, and the same duration at an international institute is 21-23 thousand. 27-31 thousand riyals, and the same period in #London.
It may reach 34 thousand and more if the accommodation is student housing.
This is a problem faced by some who want to study the language, as the client finds an office offering 22 thousand, and another office from the same institute offering 20 thousand.
This point should be noted by the client:
For example, the first office's offer includes accommodation with two meals and a private room, or includes airport reception and visa fees.
The second offer includes accommodation without meals and a shared room, or without a visa and without reception (the reception cost sometimes reaches 230 pounds (1150 riyals).
Even the start date affects the cost, as housing and tuition prices sometimes rise in the summer.
At all institutes, the cost is usually between 100-200 riyals per week.
Study visas for #English_language have two types:
Student Visitor
Tier 4 Resident Student from Specific Institutes
A visiting student can be from any institute and is valid for either 6 or 11 months.
The 6-month visa is available if your admission is for 6 months or less. It typically costs 750 riyals, including the fees of the office that applies to you.
You must provide a visa letter from the institute and a bank statement for the student or a first-degree relative
or a bank statement in the name of the institution or employer.
If your admission is for more than 24 weeks to 11 months, you must apply for an 11-month visa. Note that this is the maximum duration for a study visa for the language level.
It costs 2,750 riyals.
You must provide a visa letter from the institute and a bank statement for the student or a first-degree relative or a bank statement in the name of the institution or employer.
The visa typically takes one month, as (the reservation appointment becomes available #free 7-12 days after the application date. Unfortunately, in the summer, it can take up to 25 days.
The visa takes between 12-20 days from the time the passport is submitted until it is issued.) This timeframe is approximate for most of the year. Sometimes, it's issued within a week or two if there's no rush. Please note that an urgent visa is an option for those pressed for time. An urgent appointment costs 500 riyals, allowing entry within two days of submitting an application. An urgent visa costs 1,000 riyals, and the visa is issued and your passport is delivered within five business days. 9- Tickets
The earlier you book your tickets, the better, but it's always recommended to book them after your visa is issued if you're short on time. A round trip costs 3,000-4,500 in the summer and off-season, and approximately 1,800-3,000 in the off-season.
Always book for the nearest international airport to the city you'll be studying in. For example, most students book for London Heathrow, and for the north, book for Manchester.
Tickets require searching multiple websites and apps, and choosing multiple times and cities to find the most suitable flight for you.
A group of apps I use to search for airline and hotel offers.
Sometimes you'll find a clear difference in prices.