Studying at CI as an Overseas Student
Colchester Institute is a college of further and higher education in Essex and offers a wide range of courses to help you with your education and chosen career. Every year Colchester Institute welcomes international students from many different countries. The majority of our students are from the Essex area however we do currently have representation of over 80 nationalities within the College.
Choose from the options in the menu below and find the course or information for you.
International Study – Why choose us?
International and Overseas students choose Colchester Institute for many different reasons and these include lower cost of living, smaller class sizes, one to one support from tutors, approximately 50 minutes by train to London, quiet countryside environment, beautiful East Anglian coastline and the opportunity to experience British culture and make new friends.
Our students can study Higher Education or Further Education courses in Art and Design, Computing, Business, 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 in the UK
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 University Centre Colchester office at uccadmissions@colchester.ac.ukor telephone 0044(0)1206712152
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.
European Union
Lithuania
- Kalba.Lt
Luovo g., 25 (Vilniaus Verslo uostas, 4-as aukštas), LT-09320, Vilniu
aleksandras@kalba.lt
United Kingdom
- Barnes Educational services
12 Lodge Hill, Westbury-Sub-mendip, Somerset, BA5 1ES, United Kingdom
peter@barnes-educational.co.uk
- ISB International Study Bridge
72 Eastlands, Almondbury, Huddersfield, HD5, 8SF
info@istudybridge.com - Study British English LTD
Kemp House, 152-160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, United Kingdom
info@studybritishenglish.co.uk
Europe (Non-EU)
Russia
- Barnes Educational services
12 Lodge Hill, Westbury-Sub-mendip, Somerset, BA5 1ES, United Kingdom
peter@barnes-educational.co.uk - Newton College Group
2nd Floor Berkley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6BD
asili@newtoncollege.com - System – 3 Education
18, Office 308 2nd TVERSKAYA – YAMSKAYA ST. Moscow , 125047 Russia
system3@fluent.ru
Turkey
- Access Education
Karum Ishani, No 21/254, Kavaklidere, Ankara – 06680, Turkey
afifedagci@gmail.com - Global Vizyon
Main Office, Mesrutiyet Bulvari, Aslihan No.10/1 Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey
info@globalvizyon,.com - International Travel Education and Business Services – ITEBS World
Cihannuma Mahallesi Barbardos Bulvari No 5 K3 D5 Besiktas / Istanbul 34353 Turkey
jennet@itebsworld.net
Africa
Libya
- RWES Ltd
Sedy Elmasry, Tripoli, Libya, P.O Box 091003
seghayar71@yahoo.com
Nigeria
- Lorache Consultancy
2 Akin Osiyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
adeyemiayoade@loracheconsultancy.com
Asia and Australasia
Bangladesh
- Go Study Abroad
S.C.O No.161-162, Level-2, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg, P.C – 160018, Chandigarh, India
Manpreet@gostudyabroad.info - Interlink Educational Services Ltd
111 Hagely Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LF
info@interlink.co.uk - Total Student Care
Unit 106, E1 Business Centre, 7 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1DU
ceo@totalstudentcare.com
Cambodia
- The Gate Education Group
Midtown Asoke, 189/1, Sukumvit 801 21, Bangkok, Thailand
joel@gatebkk.com
China
- EDSA
Room 1211, 12/F, Tower 2, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
edsa@edsa.au.com - Goldmax International
22/F, Effectual Building, 16 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
joecheung@goldmaxisc.com - Hong Kong Education Web
Room 901, Shanghai Industrial Investment Building, 48-62 Hennessey Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
ieu@education.com.hk - Hong Kong Overseas Studies Centre
Room 1229-1230, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
jimmy@kkosc.com.hk - Aston Language Centre
6th Floor, 34 Chun-An Road, Wuhu, Anhui Province, P R China – Postcode: 241000
chufang01@hotmail.com
Hong Kong
- Barnes Educational services
12 Lodge Hill, Westbury-Sub-mendip, Somerset, BA5 1ES, United Kingdom
peter@barnes-educational.co.uk - Goldmax International
22/F, Effectual Building, 16 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
joecheung@goldmaxisc.com - EDSA
Room 1211, 12/F, Tower 2, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
edsa@edsa.au.com - Hong Kong education Web
Room 901, Shanghai Industrial Investment Building, 48-62 Hennessey Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
ieu@education.com.hk - Hong Kong Overseas Studies Centre
Room 1229-1230, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
jimmy@kkosc.com.hk
India
- BiTRACK Consultants Pvt Ltd
204&205 Zodiac Plaza, St Xavier’s College Corner, H.L Commerce College Road, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat – India
hemant@bitrack.com - Education World
302 City Square, Nr.Jahanvi Restaurant, University Road, Ahmedabad 380015, Gujarat India
Info@educationworld.co.in - Go Study Abroad
S.C.O No.161-162, Level-2, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg,P.C – 160018, Chandigarh, India
Manpreet@gostudyabroad.info - Interlink Educational Services Ltd
111 Hagely Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LF
info@interlink.co.uk - Studies in UK
324 Vardhman, Premium Mall, Deepali, Pitampura, Delhi – 11034
studiesinuk@yahoo.com
Iran
- Newton College Group
2nd Floor Berkley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6BD
asili@newtoncollege.com
Iraq
- ISB International study bridge
Erbil Office,Rastimain Road, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
info@studybridge.coma>
Japan
- Barnes Educational services
12 Lodge Hill, Westbury-Sub-mendip, Somerset, BA5 1ES, United Kingdom
peter@barnes-educational.co.uk - Mitsuba Associates
4a Rosemary House, Lanwades Business Park, Kennett, Suffolk, CB8 7PN, United Kingdom
yarrow@mitsuba.co.uk - Overseas Study Centre
Fujita Building, 6F 1-5-8 Sakaenakaku, Nagoya, Aicha -460-0008, Japan
osc@mgn.jp - ADF Inc
#405 Yamate Bldg, 19-5 Udagawa-Cho, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
miho@adf-jp.com
Macau
- EDSA
Room 1211, 12/F, Tower 2, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
edsa@edsa.au.com - Hong Kong Overseas Studies Centre
Room 1229-1230, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
jimmy@kkosc.com.hk
Oman
- Newton College Group
2nd Floor Berkley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6BD
asili@newtoncollege.com
Pakistan
- Go Study Abroad
S.C.O No.161-162, Level-2, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg,P.C – 160018, Chandigarh, India
Manpreet@gostudyabroad.info - Interlink Educational Services Ltd
111 Hagely Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LF
info@interlink.co.uk - Newton College Group
2nd Floor Berkley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6BD
asili@newtoncollege.com
Saudi Arabia
- Interlink Educational Services Ltd
111 Hagely Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LF
info@interlink.co.uk
Sri Lanka
- Go Study Abroad
S.C.O No.161-162, Level-2, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg,P.C – 160018, Chandigarh, India
Manpreet@gostudyabroad.info - Interlink Educational Services Ltd
111 Hagely Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LF
info@interlink.co.uk - Total Student Care
Unit 106, E1 Business Centre, 7 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1DU
ceo@totalstudentcare.com
South Korea
- Barnes Educational services
12 Lodge Hill, Westbury-Sub-mendip, Somerset, BA5 1ES, United Kingdom
peter@barnes-educational.co.uk - UK Education Institute
809 Do-ssl-Ae-Vit 2 Cha, 1328-11 Secho Dong, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 137-070 Korea
general@uk-edu.kr - Easy Going Creation INC
11th FL Sekwang BD.202, Sejong Ro Jongro Gu, Seoul-110-822, Korea
info@easygoing.kr
Thailand
- Info Learning Co. Ltd
51/3 Vibhavadi Tower, Fl. 19, Ngamwongan Road, Ladyao Chathuchak, Bankok, 10900, Thailand
purit@infolearning.co.th - The Gate Education Group
Midtown Asoke, 189/1, Sukumvit 801 21, Bangkok, Thailand
joel@gatebkk.com
United Arab Emirates
- Interlink Educational Services Ltd
111 Hagely Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LF
info@interlink.co.uk - Newton College Group
2nd Floor Berkley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6BD
asili@newtoncollege.com
Vietnam
- ADC International Co Ltd
Lakeview Tower, 56/283 Tran Khat Chan Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
adc.education@yahoo.com - Havetco Co
277, Doi Cam, Ba Dinh, Haitoi, Vietnam
havetoo@netnam.vn - The Gate Education Group
Midtown Asoke, 189/1, Sukumvit 801 21, Bangkok, Thailand
joel@gatebkk.com
The Americas
Colombia
- Estudios Angencia VIP
Carrera 14 N. 83-26, Oficina 107 Bogota, Colombia
estudios@agenciavipst.com