Support & advisory services for international students

The International Student Support team can help students and their dependants to extend their Tier 4 student visa and dependant's visa in the UK. Please come and see us in Founder's Building West 139 for an informal chat at least one month before your current leave expires, or email| us for further information. We will provide you with an application form and a list of supporting documents you would need to extend your visa in the UK. You would need to book an appointment to have your application and supporting documents checked by one of our team. Even if you plan to attend a PEO appointment, you are advised to book an appointment with our office to have your application checked. Please note that having your application checked by us does not guarantee that you will be granted the Tier 4 visa extension. Further information on the application process can be found here|. 

Students who are Bulgarian and Romanian nationals and who wish to work during their studies have to apply for and be issued with a BR1 registration certificate before they are legally entitled to work in the UK.

The International Student Support team can help you to apply for the BR1. Please come and see us in Founder's Building West 139 for an informal chat, or email| us for further information. You would need to book an appointment to have your application and supporting documents checked by one of our team. Please note that having your application checked by us does not guarantee that you will be granted the BR1. 

Please be advised that BR1 applications can take a number of months to be processed, therefore please ensure that you have made sufficient provision to help fund your living expenses before you come to the UK, and apply for the BR1 registration certificate as soon as you commence your studies at Royal Holloway.

For further information on how to apply please refer to the UKBA website|.

Certain nationalities have to apply for a Schengen visa if they wish to travel to countries in Europe that are Schengen member states. It is your responsibility to check whether you would need a Schengen visa before travelling to any of the member states. Websites of the embassies and consulates of the Schengen member states in London can be accessed here|.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Schengen visas.

The International Student Support Office works closely with Proscenium Tours| to enable our International Students to visit and explore places of interest and beauty both here in the UK and Europe.  

Proscenium  have London Events such as 'A Perfect Day in London', 'Harry Potter Walk', 'Jack the Ripper Walking Tour', 'Theatre Evenings' and much more!

Please be aware these trips are very popular and if you are at all interested you should contact Proscenium as soon as possible.

Book online by visiting http://bookings.prosceniumtours.com/online/||

Find all their tours online at www.prosceniumtours.com |

Contact Proscenium: Email infoprosceniumtours.com|   Tel. 020 3176 7830

 

HOST UK is an organisation supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and various universities that offers international students an opportunity to stay with an approved British host family in the UK and experience British culture first hand, and also share some of their own culture and traditions with the family. Visits can be arranged for a day or a weekend, or for Christmas. For further information and to apply online please refer to the HOST website| 

It is advisable to open a UK bank account when you commence your studies. Please be advised that you will be required to provide a letter from the College to confirm that you have enrolled as a student as part of your application for a UK bank account. This letter can only be provided once you have fully enrolled at Royal Holloway. An offer letter from Royal Holloway does not constitute proof of enrolment and will not be accepted by banks. Further information on requesting a certifying letter can be found here|. Detailed information on opening a bank account can be accessed here|. 

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides an information sheet on working during your studies|. 

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides an information sheet on working in the UK after your studies|. 

Certain nationalities are required to register with the police when they come to the UK to study for longer than 6 months. It should state on your student visa whether you have to register with the police. A list of nationalities that are required to register can be accessed here|. For further information on the registration process please click here|. 

Royal Holloway participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Programme. If you are a US citizen or eligible noncitizen you may be eligible for federal loans|. 

If you are a veteran or the dependant of a veteran of the US military, you may be eligible to receive veterans educational benefits|.

Information on scholarships that Royal Holloway offers to international students can be accessed here|. There is also a list of external sources of funding available here|.