A guide to Leicester College for international students

About Leicester College

Leicester College provides a comprehensive range of study courses and training to support technical, vocational, and higher education qualifications. It offers programs in a wide range of subject areas, including ESOL, to approximately 19,000 students ranging in age from 14 to 75. Leicester College is proud to be a thriving, modern, and diverse learning environment. The college serves all sections of its community, from entry-level courses to degree-level study. Whether students want to take up an evening course to try something new, get an access diploma to go to university, or study full time by enrolling for one of the college’s vocational courses that help them achieve their goals. This blog is a guide to Leicester College for international students.

Leicester College | A brief overview

Leicester College, with an enrollment of 26,000 students, is one of the largest public ‘further education’ colleges in the UK. A comprehensive range of technical, vocational, and higher education qualifications are available, ranging from entry-level to university level.

A range of English language courses and ‘International Foundation Programs’ are available to international students who wish to progress to higher education in the UK.

Leicester College is also an Associate College of De Montfort University, and it collaborates with De Montfort to provide degree pathways in a variety of subjects.

The International Foundation Programs can lead to enrollment in higher education courses at Leicester College or De Montfort University. You can choose to apply to any UK university once you complete the course.

Campus

On May 12, 2009, Princess Royal officially opened Leicester College’s flagship Abbey Park campus. The royal visit marked the conclusion of a £48 million accommodation project that also saw the college complete extensive building work at its Freemen’s Park campus and refurbishment of St Margaret’s campus.

Abbey Park campus 

Abbey Park campus has four floors of modern teaching and learning facilities, including a 140-seat drama studio, science labs, a dance studio, music studios, a language lab, dental and childcare training facilities, and a gymnasium. It also houses the college’s Technology and Engineering Centre, which is located directly across from the main campus buildings.

 Freemen’s Park campus

Freemen’s Park, the college’s vocational home, features a professional hair and beauty salon, working kitchens that supply a bistro and silver service restaurant, and construction workshops where students can learn plumbing, brickwork, woodwork, painting, and decorating. On November 3, 2009, a food manufacturing innovation suite officially opened at Freemen’s Park.

St. Margaret’s campus

St Margaret’s campus is Leicester College’s creative hub, hosting courses in Art and Design, Fashion and Footwear, Computing, Creative Media, Photography, and Print.

The year 2009 saw the completion of several projects including the installation of a new online testing room, the refurbishment of the refectory and the Media studio and Fashion rooms, as well as the outfitting of the Photography studio and the distribution of new Mac computers to students.

Courses

Leicester College’s research strategy works in tandem with the institutional strategy to ensure a focused approach, to innovate and grow, to collaborate, and communicate more effectively, and look outward while remaining committed to its  vision and its key delivery agents.

Bachelor’s courses

• Business
• Creative Industries    
• Professional Studies 
• Performing Arts

Diploma/certificate

• Architecture
• Construction
• Construction and the Built Environment   
• Engineering
• Journalism & Communication
• Communication
• Public Services

Fees 

Leicester College students can receive various types of financial assistance. What the students might receive as financial assistance will be determined by their specific circumstances.

Students who are 16-18 years old on 31 August in the current study year, when the course begins, do not have to pay course fees if they are UK citizens or UK residents with settled, pre-settled status, or a home student, and meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) eligibility criteria.

Part-time students aged 16 to 18 must pay course and materials fees at the time of enrollment.

Some courses do not offer any fee reductions, regardless of students’ circumstances. They must pay the full price for these courses.

Tuition fees for international students

Study Abroad Program (EU/International)-

Program	Duration	Fees
International Foundation Programs-Science, Humanities and Social Science, Business,Computing, Sport, Travel, Tourism, and HospitalityManagement, Nursing & Midwifery, and Engineering	September toJune (FullAcademic Year)	£9,950 per year(1-year course)
Foundation Degrees and Bachelor Degrees-Creative Industries, Performing Arts, Creative SoundTechnology, Fashion Costume, Footwear, Graphics, E-Media, Artistic Makeup and Special Effects, Performance(Dance), Performance (Acting), Musical Theatre, TechnicalTheatre, Photography with Video, Children, Families, andCommunity Health,	September toJune (FullAcademic Year)	£9,950 per year(2-3 year course)
Higher National Diploma (HND)Higher National Certificate (HNC)	September 2016 toJune 2017 (FullAcademic Year)	£9,950 per year(HND 2 years / HNC1 year)
Level 3 Vocational Courses-E.g.: BTEC Diploma / Extended Diploma	September 2016 toJune 2017 (FullAcademic Year)	£5,950 per year(1-2 years)
Level 1 / 2 Vocational Courses-Part-time and short Level 2 courses are also available thatYou can study alongside the main Level 3 course	September toJune (FullAcademic Year)	£5,950 per year(1-year course)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)-Flexible start and finish dates. Minimum length of study: 4weeks up to a full academic year.	Flexible start on anyMonday, Septemberto June (minimumperiod 4 weeks)	£5,500 for the fullacademic year, or£170 per weekbased on 15hours/week or£12.50 per hour. Fees calculation is based ona full-time weekly rate of £170 for 15 hours/week. Additionalhours available in 3-hour blocks : (e.g.: 18 hours/week£207.50 and 21 hours/week £245.00)
IELTS Preparation Course-11 week course studied alone or alongside main ESOLprogram	IELTS Preparation Course11 week course studied alone or alongside main ESOLprogram	£550.00 for the full11-week program

• EU nationals who have not lived in the EU/UK for at least three years are subject to pay full international fees.
• A deposit of £1,500 is required before the issuance of a Student Visitor Visa support letter for your visa application. The remaining fees are due on or before your enrollment.
• Once accepted for a course, the college’s Conditional Offer Letter will explain how to pay and will also outline the refund policy.
• Leicester College has the right to change prices and information at any time.
• Part-time FE and HE course fees are calculated as a percentage of the full-time fee, based on the number of study hours per week.
• Level 1 and Level 2 courses are only available to international students who are already in the UK on a non-student visa or on a Short Term Student Visa.

Key takeaways

• Leicester College, with an enrollment of 26,000 students, is one of the largest public colleges in the UK. It offers various technical, vocational, and higher education qualifications ranging from entry-level to university level.
• In 2009, Princess Royal officially opened Leicester College’s flagship Abbey Park campus. The royal visit concluded a £48 million accommodation project, the completion of extensive building work at Freemen’s Park campus, and the refurbishment of St Margaret’s campus.
• Students who are 16-18 years old on 31 August in the current course year, do not have to pay course fees if they are UK citizens or UK residents with settled, pre-settled status, or a home student, and meet the (ESFA) eligibility criteria.

Did you find this blog informative? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Click here to contact us for more information on Leicester college for international students. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. Does Leicester College give a conditional offer to its applicants?

Ans- Yes, if a course does not require an interview, you will receive a letter confirming your place and outlining any conditions of the offer that you must meet in order to accept it. If you accept the offer, then you will be invited to a virtual welcome event.

Q2. Can I apply again to Leicester College after my application is rejected?

Ans- If your application for your desired course is unsuccessful, you will receive a letter outlining your other options. Follow the advice in the letter and restart the process for the courses recommended, or speak with a careers advisor about your next steps.

Q3. Is Leicester city cheap for students?

Ans- In the UK rankings, Leicester ranked among the top ten most affordable cities for students (NatWest, 2021). Numbeo ranks it as one of the top five most affordable cities in the UK. Hence, it is suitable for students.