International Study Centre
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the International Study Centre. When you join us on campus, you will benefit from a high-quality blended learning experience ensuring you get the best of both worlds: with some classes taking place face-to-face, and some activities taking place online.*
*This excludes students enrolled on the Online Accelerated Pre-Masters Programme.
From visa application through to booking accommodation, you’ll be fully supported by our dedicated team every step of the way. We’ll support you with:
When you join us on campus, it is important that you are able to regularly attend your face-to-face classes as this is a UK visa requirement. To help with this, please ensure you choose accommodation which is within one hour travel time of the International Study Centre.
If you are issued a CAS to study in the UK, you can arrive on-campus in the UK at any time until 30 June 2022. If you wish to complete your studies online, and your programme ends after 30 June 2022 you will need to follow the application process as set out here and if approved you can complete your studies online. However, if you do not apply or are not approved for this, you will need to arrive on-campus in the UK before 30 June 2022.
If you are issued a CAS to study in the UK you need to arrive in the UK by 30 June 2022. However, you will be able to complete your course online under certain circumstances (such as your own personal circumstances or enforced restrictions) which are subject to approval under our specific academic regulations or by continued approval by the UK Visas and Immigration service.
Current students whose programme finishes before June 30th 2022:
If you wish to complete your studies online, you must inform a student support team member (who will be in contact with you directly) of your intention to complete your programme online, otherwise you will be expected to arrive in the UK by 30 June 2022 to continue your programme.
Current students whose programme finishes after June 30th 2022:
Students whose programme finishes after the 30th June 2022, must still apply to study online all year. If they do not apply, or do apply and are unsuccessful, they must arrive in the UK by 30 June 2022.
Details of this process and guidance can be found here.
*Important condition of eligibility for completing studies online:
Where we are offering the opportunity to existing students to complete their studies online, to be eligible to apply, students must have undertaken a minimum of two weeks’ study on their Study Group course (whether on-campus or online) and be deemed to be engaging in their studies at an acceptable level.
As some lessons will be taught online, you will need to have a PC or Mac based computer. If you do not have access to equipment, please let us know so that we can support you.
While it is possible to access and interact with most course content using various tablets and smartphones, such as iPads, iPhones and Android devices, these devices will not work for assessments and therefore it is important that you have a PC or Mac based computer available for use.
Internet connectivity is required for access to all coursework. Internet connectivity could be in the form of a fixed line connection, 3G/4G/5G, wi-fi or other technologies.
Minimum: 600kbps download and 600kbps upload speed.
Recommended: at least 1.5Mbps download and 1.5Mbps upload speed.
When you join us on campus, you will benefit from a high-quality blended learning experience ensuring you get the best of both worlds: with some classes taking place face-to-face, and some activities taking place online.
A VLE is a virtual learning environment, the online hub for your programme. Here, you will find recorded lessons, collaboration tools, helpful materials, and more.
Assuring the safety and wellbeing of our student and staff communities, as well as providing a quality blended learning experience, is at the heart of all of our planning and decision-making. By listening to your feedback and by following guidance provided by the government, public health authorities and the University, we have put the following measures in place to help you feel confident ahead of arriving on campus:
We will continue to monitor and review all the safety and wellbeing measures throughout the coming months.
We have planned for a number of scenarios should government regulations and requirements change at any stage meaning we can’t deliver courses on campus as intended.
Your experience, education, safety and welfare will always be our number one priority, and our centres already have additional health and safety measures in place, as well as experienced teachers and support staff - offering one to one support at every stage.
Should any social distancing restrictions be introduced, we would make all appropriate changes to the ISC, for example through the introduction of one-way systems and updated signage and rules in the centre. This would, of course, limit the amount of students we can accommodate for face-to-face teaching, so you may need to undertake more of you studies online during any period of social distancing. This will be clearly communicated to you by the ISC staff and our teaching and welfare teams will be there to fully support any transition of learning delivery you may have.
In the event restriction are introduced which means we are unable to deliver any face to face teaching for any period of time during you studies, you learning will be delivered completely online while this is the case. Delivered through a virtual learning environment, you'll remain part of an engaging international community online where you will experience different cultures and make new friends.
While we hope for no significant changes during your time with us, we have an experienced team who have dealt with these restrictions previously and will make sure you will experience the same level of exceptional, high-quality teaching regardless of whether you study virtually or face to face. Academic guidance, tutorial sessions, careers support and personal and welfare support is all available virtually from the same specialist staff. Where necessary you’ll be part of a community of students, connected through live classes, discussion groups, and online social events and activities where needed and we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
No, once you have applied and been approved to complete your course online you will not be able to apply for another CAS and travel to the UK for face-to-face studies for your pathway. You will be able to apply for your next visa and commence your studies in the UK as normal for your progression degree at Royal Holloway University of London.
Yes, providing it is a Study Group issued CAS and you are not on an Integrated CAS, you will be able to apply and if successful the CAS will be withdrawn. This will not affect CAS application for your future studies at Royal Holloway University of London when you progress.
Before you arrive at Royal Holloway International Study Centre, you need to complete all the tasks in our pre-arrival checklist. Contact us with any questions.
If you applied directly through us, your Student Enrolment Advisor can answer any questions you have about arriving at Royal Holloway. They can offer advice on living in the UK and support you with organising airport transfers on arrival to the UK. We will also provide you with pre-arrival reading and preparation materials so you are fully prepared for your study abroad adventure.
View Undergraduate or Postgraduate fees to see what you need to pay to confirm your offer and to be issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).
You can apply for your UK study visa once we have issued you with your CAS. Contact us if you have any questions.
Please confirm your accommodation with our Accommodation Team as soon as possible.
You may prefer to arrange your own accommodation. All accommodation must be within a 60-minute commutable distance from the Centre. Make sure that you have secured your accommodation before you book your travel to the UK.
You can book your travel to the UK when you receive your visa. London Heathrow airport is close by and London Gatwick airport is only about an hour and a half away by public transport. Make sure you are on time for induction.
For more information about the transfer options and prices please visit the Undergraduate fees page or the Postgraduate fees page.
It is essential that all international students have health, medical and personal insurance. Find out more about StudyCare insurance.
You should aim to arrive at your accommodation up to two days before the start of term.
Bring essential clothing for all weather conditions, including a warm coat. There is no dress code at the International Study Centre, so bring comfortable clothes like jeans, t-shirts and jumpers. Guildford has plenty of shops where you can buy any other clothing you need.
When you join us on campus, you’ll benefit from an induction programme to help you settle in and make friends.
| Question | Answer |
| What facilities are available on campus? | Visit our student life pages to find out more about what to expect on campus. |
| What should I do if I need support when I arrive in the UK? | Once you confirm your place we will send you a link to our Welcome Hub which will have all the information you need ahead of your move to the UK, including emergency contact numbers. |
| Can I arrange a taxi from the airport? | We can arrange a pick-up from the airport. Once you have confirmed your place, you will receive a link to our Welcome Hub and your Pre-Registration form. You need to provide your details and can request a transfer via the form and book directly online. Visit fees to find out about the cost of a transfer. |
| What should I do if I am in the UK and I need health advice or welfare support? | If you show the symptoms of COVID-19 then you should follow official UK medical advice. You should also contact the International Study Centre for further information. View the government’s advice on what to do if you are displaying symptoms of the coronavirus. |
| What should I do if I am in the UK and need medical care? | If you are coming to the UK to study for 6 months or longer on a Student visa, you will be required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of your visa application fee.
Not all treatments are covered by the NHS. For example; non-emergency dentistry, orthodontics, routine eye tests and prescriptions for medicines need to be paid for. If you are studying in the UK for less than 6 months on a short term study visa, you are not required to pay the health surcharge as part of your visa application and are therefore not eligible for full NHS support. In these circumstances, you are advised to take out medical insurance as you will be liable for NHS charges for the treatment you receive in the UK except for in a medical emergency. If you already have medical insurance in your home country, you may wish to check whether this can be extended to cover your stay in the UK. |
| When should I arrive? | You must arrive in the UK, on campus, by your programme start date, and be ready to attend your induction programme on the first day of term. |
| What happens during the induction programme? | Our induction programme will introduce you to your Centre, our staff, and welfare and support services. You will also receive full guidance on maintaining your health and safety whilst studying in the UK. You will find out about your timetable, as well as important information about how we deliver your course through a mixture of classroom teaching and virtual learning There will also be events to help you get to know your fellow students. Some of the induction activities may take place with our staff in the Centre, for example registration sessions for the Biometric Residence Permit. |
| How can I guard against fraud? | From time to time, scammers may specifically target international students by pretending to be the Police, Visa issuing authorities, education agents or other regulatory bodies. It is important to be able to recognise common signs of fraudulent activity and know what to do if you come across it. The best way to protect yourself from any kind of fraud is to protect your passwords, regularly update your devices with the most up to date security software and never share your bank details or transfer money to an account you don’t recognise. Make sure you tell a teacher or a member of student services team if you receive a suspicious message or phone call, or if you have any concerns about fraudulent activity. It is important that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can help to protect you and other international students in case they are targeted in the same way. |
Start your career in the UK with the new Graduate visa – a two-year post-study work visa for international students graduating from UK universities with a valid Student visa. Study a pathway programme and take the first step towards working in the UK.
Career opportunitiesYou will need a visa to study in the UK. Read more about what you have to do to get one, when you should apply, and how to prepare for a possible credibility interview.
Read more about visasLife as a student at the International Study Centre is exciting. Living on a beautiful, close-knit campus near London means you have the option to explore nature, go sightseeing, access all universities facilities and find new interests.
Discover student lifeApplying to Royal Holloway International Study Centre is easy. Check entry requirements, tuitions fees, and see what you have to do before you arrive, for example getting a student visa.
Apply todayBoost your chances of obtaining a visa by joining our Prepare to Arrive course at no extra cost.
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