International Study
Studying at CI as an Overseas Student
Our students can study Higher Education or Further Education courses in English Language, Art and Design, Computing, Business Administration, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality, Professional Cookery, Management, Health and Social Care, Child Care, Music, Construction, Auto Mechanics, Engineering and much more. For more information you can view our course finder.
Further education courses are taken by students after compulsory school age, i.e. 16 years of age. Many further education qualifications are designed to enable entry to higher education courses, such as a Bachelor degree. Students take higher education courses from the age of 18, usually after completing a two year further education course, such as a BTEC National Diploma or A Levels.
Cultural Differences
It is a very exciting time, moving to a different country, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. However, it can also be a bit of a shock and you may experience many emotions during the first few weeks whilst you adjust to your new environment. Studying in an English college means that you will meet British students and will have opportunities to develop your language skills faster through regular practice. Events are organised through the Student Union and International Society so that all students socialise together. There are many facilties including 5 restaurants, a multi-gymnasium, games rooms, library and computer suites where students can meet either to talk about every day life or to work on projects. Quite a few of our students progress on to British universities or continue studying at Colchester Institute.
If you live in a warm climate you may find the weather in the UK cold and wet at certain times of the year. British food may be very different to what you are used to, however, local supermarkets stock a very wide range of foods from around the world so you should be able to find some familiar food. There are plenty of places to eat on our campus, offering a variety of meals.
Social behaviours may confuse or surprise you, and you may find the relationships between men and women more formal or less formal than you are used to. British people generally have a reputation for punctuality, therefore, in business and academic life, keeping time is important; you should always be on time for classes, lectures and meetings, and should let people know if you are going to be late or unable to attend.
You may be surprised that other cultures do not share the same values and beliefs as you. Give yourself time to adjust and understand others, and remember that other people will take time to understand your behaviour too.
Guidance and Information
UKCISA produce some guidance on culture shock that you may find interesting to read and the British Council have information on their website about UK life and culture.
If you have any further questions please email the IUniversity Centre Colchester office at international@colchester.ac.uk or telephone 0044(0)1206712152
Study in the UK’s oldest recorded town!
Colchester Institute is set within Britain’s oldest recorded town, a town that exudes history, modern culture and creativity. With a population in excess of 170,000, and a vastly growing diversity of cultures and backgrounds, the thriving university town of Colchester demonstrates a dynamic and exciting urban lifestyle.
Studying with us means being only a ten minute walk away from the town centre, where you can find an abundance of shopping facilities, bars, clubs and restaurants. Whether your taste is English, Chinese, Japanese, Italian or perhaps Indian – Colchester has it all and, what’s more, caters for all budgets!
Colchester’s nightlife has something for everyone too. If a traditional pub is what you’re looking for, or a livelier club atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed. Instead of dancing until you drop, perhaps shopping until you drop is more your style. The town offers quirky, independent boutiques along the little lanes, as well as the larger, more famous brands and stores.
There’s a diverse range of modern and historic cultural activities to take enjoy, from the wonders of Colchester Castle – the largest Norman Keep in Europe set in the beautiful Castle Park to the highly regarded Mercury Theatre, well known throughout the town, with quality performances staged during the year. It has also played host to some well-known acts, including Lee Evans and Michael McIntyre!
Our very own Art Gallery, The Minories in Colchester High Street, hosts regular events and exhibitions with our students’ involvement in a multitude of projects. We are also proud to host our own live performances and showcases through Creative Arts Live – an exciting mix of live events and performances for all ages with some unmissable touring shows. An exciting programme of exhibitions, lectures, films and events takes place at firstsite, Colchester’s spectacular new venue for world class contemporary arts.
There is also the Charter Hall and the Colchester Arts Centre (whose home is a converted church – and has seen the likes of Lucy Porter, Tim Vine and Adrian Edmondson perform to name a few) with upcoming performances including comedians Sean Lock and Jimmy Carr, the hit show Avenue Q and popular musical Little Shop of Horrors, to name just a few.
If that wasn’t enough, Colchester offers many more attractions including one of Europe’s finest zoos, a multi-screen cinema and a spa combined with top notch leisure facilities at Leisure World. The town really does cater for all ages, interests and tastes.
The town is visually stunning and you’re never far from a Roman ruin, heavily beamed medieval buildings or grand Georgian houses in Colchester. If it’s modern architecture that gets the thumbs up, Colchester has this in abundance too, including firstsite, the contemporary art gallery designed by award-winning architect, Rafael Vinoly.
Making Colchester your place to study or live means you are in good company. TV presenter Dermot O’Leary lived and studied in Colchester whilst Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz fame and X Factor winner Matt Cardle, are also from the area. Colchester is situated in north east Essex, just a few miles from the Suffolk border, with more towns, countryside and coastline to explore.
For those seduced by the bright lights of the big city, they are less than an hour by train from London. Colchester Institute is only a 10 minute walk from North Station, where you will find regular trains into the capital. If a little sea air is what you’re after, then you’re in luck too. The beautiful sea shores of the award winning Frinton coastline are only a half-hour drive away, along with the seaside towns of Clacton and Walton. There is also the ever popular V Festival in nearby Chelmsford and Latitude festival in Suffolk to enjoy.
Study with Us
Colchester Institute has been teaching EFL and ESOL successfully for 40 years with students achieving pass rates of 90 per cent over the past ten years. Our staff are highly professional and many students come through personal recommendation.
The English Language department is a member of English UK and is regularly inspected. In 2014, 100% of students who took the Preliminary English Test (PET), First Certificate (FCE) and Proficiency (CPE) examination achieved a certificate.
Win a course!
Enter the English UK East Competition and you could win a free two-week English language course complete with accommodation!
Our students come from many different backgrounds and study English for a variety of reasons – tourism and travel, for business and commerce, for hotel and catering work, for marketing, for science, for college and university examinations, for settlement and British Citizenship; in short, for success in their careers in work or study.
Our English Language courses are delivered by tutors who are experienced practitioners in various subject languages. Their specialist backgrounds, professional expertise and knowledge is highly valued by our students. We offer a supportive and stimulating environment for those working towards specialist qualifications for adult literacy, ESOL and TESOL teachers. Our courses combine theory and practise based studies, enabling students to develop the relevant skills and experience to enhance their professional knowledge and career progression.
Our Higher Education Centre provides a great range of specialist facilities for degree and postgraduate students including well-equipped teaching spaces and private study areas.
English Language School
Colchester Institute International English Language School is for those who wish to improve their skills in all areas of the English language. English Language School programmes can be tailor made to meet you or your group’s needs.
We can offer:
English Language International Summer School
Location : Colchester –Essex
Duration: 1 or 2 weeks One Week: £280; Two Weeks: £490
Start dates: 22 June 2016 – 5 July 2016; or 6 July 2016 -19 July 2016
- 15-20 hours of English Language tuition per week
- Development of speaking, reading, listening and writing skills
- Full-time two week intensive programme
- Awarded Centre of Excellence by EL Gazette
- Highly professional and experienced tutors
- Two afternoons of film production activity per week
- Two afternoons of cultural activity per week
- Two local excursions included per week
- Excellent facilities and learning environment
- Free unlimited use of internet and Wi-Fi
- Colchester Institute achievement certificate
- Work experience opportunities to enable you to develop your language skills
- IELTS training opportunities
For further information on what we can offer and the available programmes, please contact Tracey Macrae directly on 01206 712093 or email tracey.macrae@colchester.ac.uk, and she will supply you with any information you may need.
Entry Requirements
You must be 18 years old or over. To enable you to find out more about our summer programme we will set up with your Skype interview prior to the start of the course. In addition we will assess your level of English during the first day of the course to ensure we meet your individual learning needs.
Accommodation
You need to arrange where you are going to live during the International English Language School programmes before you arrive in the UK. Colchester Institute is able to offer accommodation to students but it is limited depending on demand. Stay with a host family or independantly. Prices from £85 per week.
Applying to CI as an Overseas Student
To ensure that all students have the best chance of succeeding, students at the start of the course must meet the entry requirement for the course and have a minimum level of English Language ability. We require an IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent for Further Education and IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent for Higher Education courses. English Language support is provided while you are following your main course of study. For overseas fee payers this language support is included in the tuition fee.
International Students entering or currently in the UK on a Tier 4 Student Visa are only eligible to apply for full-time courses in English Language, full-time courses at National Qualification Framework Level 3 or full-time Bachelor Degree programmes offered at Colchester Institute.
Ready to Apply?
If you meet the entry requirements for Colchester Institute and the course you are applying for, all that’s left to do is apply for your chosen course. To do this, see our “How to Apply Page” below for further information and application forms:
When your application form is received we will send you an acknowledgement within 7 working days. Where possible this will be done by email. Your application form will then be passed to the relevant course tutor to decide whether you can be made an offer of a place, depending on the course you may be asked to provide more information. If an offer is made you will need to decide to accept your offer after this acceptance we will request payment of a deposit or full tuition fee to confirm your place on the course. Further information on deposit and tuition fee payment is available in the fee payment and refund policy.
What Happens Next?
After you have made an application to Colchester Institute and received an offer of a place on your chosen course you need to plan your arrival before you enter the UK.
Use the checklist to help you identify the areas that need advance planning:
ERASMUS Exchange
Colchester Institute supports students to complete ERASMUS study placements, and will provide support and guidance to outgoing (Colchester Institute students going abroad) and incoming (Students coming from our partner universities to study at Colchester Institute) students. Click on the link below for information relevant to you.
Outgoing ERASMUS Study Placements – information for current Colchester Institute undergraduate/postgraduate students wanting to complete a period studying abroad.
Incoming ERASMUS Study Placements – information for current undergraduate/postgraduate students at our partner universities wanting to complete a study period at Colchester Institute.
International Agents
Here you will find details of International agents for education and recruitment representing Colchester Institute around the world. If you need any assistance in applying for a course here, please contact them as soon as possible and they will be very happy to help you though the application process.
