internationalapplicant guide

2012/2013Liverpool John Moores University

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welcomeThank you for applying to study atLiverpool John Moores University.Studying at LJMU will open up a whole new world of possibilitiesfor you: the opportunity to make new friends, the chance to lay downthe foundations for a successful career and the excitement of livingand studying in the UK. This brochure has been designed to helpmake this life changing decision that little bit easier and to guide youthrough the next steps in the process.

We care about your needs and are willing to go the extra mile to makesure that you have the best student experience possible. So if you have aquestion about any aspect of University life please get in touch; we arehere to help.

If you have any queries about your application or studying in the UK,contact the International Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk).

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Queen’sAnniversaryPrize for excellencein astronomy andpublic engagementin science

contentsAccept your LJMU offer 5

Visa and entranceclearance applications 7

Tuition fees and living expenses 15

English language 20

Student accommodation 22

Healthcare 24

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accept your LJMU offerMaking your application is just the first step in getting yourplace at LJMU. As soon as you receive your offer fromLJMU you need to do one of the following:

n Undergraduate students who applied through UCAS need to select LJMU as their first(Firm) choice university. Simply log on to UCAS Track ( www.ucas.com/students/track) and confirmthat you accept your offer of a place.

n Undergraduate students who applied via an Agent need to accept this offer by emailing theInternational Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk).

n Postgraduate taught and research studentswho applied direct to LJMU need to accept this offer bycontacting the International Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk).

n Postgraduate taught studentswho applied via an Agent need to accept this offer by contacting theInternational Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk).

Once you’ve done this you can start planning your life at LJMU.

students with disabilities

International students who have a pre-existing medical condition or disability are required to supply medicalevidence or an educational psychologist’s report when applying for their course. This will help LJMU makean assessment of your needs while at University.

If you haven’t disclosed a disability, please contact the International Admissions Team by emailing:int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk

Please note: very limited funding is available to support international students with disabilities and youmay be required to fund all or part of any additional support you need while studying at LJMU as a resultof your disability.

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visa and entranceclearance applications

In order to obtain a visa you will need to show evidencethat the money required to cover your tuition fees andliving expenses has been in your bank account for atleast 28 days prior to submitting your visa application.So please make sure that your finances are in placebefore applying.

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Visit the UK BorderAgency website forthe latest immigrationinformation:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

entry clearance Once you have received confirmation of your place at LJMU, you should contact the Entry Clearance Officeat the British Embassy, British High Commission or Consular Office in your own country to check whetheryou need a visa for entry into Britain.

PLEASE NOTE: To obtain an Entry Visa you should go to the British Embassy or High Commission in yourown country, and present the following documents:n Passport

n A valid LJMU Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

n Evidence of the appropriate financial support for your programme

n Two recent photographs of yourself (passport-size)

n All relevant educational diplomas and certificates (as stated in your CAS)

n A declaration of your intent to return home on completion of your course of study

n Appropriate Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance (if applicable)

n Academic evidence of your ability to progress on the course you intend to study, as detailed in your CAS

n ATAS certificate (where applicable)

Applicants from the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland: If you are from the EEA or Switzerlandyou do not need a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK. For a list of EEA countries please see the UKCISA(UK Council for International Student Affairs) website: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/eea.php

UK Border Agency: Information is also available on UKBA website:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/

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confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)Before you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 you will require a validConfirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS. This is a ‘virtual document’ similar to a database record.Each CAS has a unique reference number, and contains information about your course of study and yourpersonal details.

The CAS also includes details of the documents LJMU has used to assess your suitability as a student. As partof your visa application, you will need to present an original version of any document listed within your CAS.LJMU will only assign a CAS once you have satisfied the conditions of any offer made to you.

Your CAS will give you the latest date by which you can enrol at LJMU. If you think you will be unable to makethis date you must contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk) as soon aspossible as you will not be allowed to enrol at the University after this date and may even be stopped fromentering the UK.

In addition to any academic conditions or English language requirements, you may be asked to provide LJMUwith supporting documentation (such as your passport) in line with the University’s obligations as a Tier 4Highly Trusted Sponsor.

LJMU will send you a CAS once you have met the conditions of your offer. Please note: A CAS cannot beassigned more than 6 months prior to the start of your course.

academic technology approval scheme (ATAS) certificateIf you have applied to study a taught Master’s, Master’s by Research, MPhil/PhD or Enhanced UndergraduateDegree (MEng) course at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Schemeor ATAS certificate.

It can take four to six weeks to receive an ATAS certificate, so please make sure you apply as early as possible.

If you need advice about whether or not you need an ATAS certificate or any aspect of the application process,please contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk) or visit the Foreign andCommonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/atas.

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points based system (PBS)The UK Government operates a points based immigration system, commonly referred to as ‘PBS’. If youwant a visa to study in the UK for more than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Tier 4 (general) StudentVisa using the CAS number provided in your LJMU unconditional offer letter.

Under PBS, your application will be allocated points based on:

n The evidence you have enough money to pay for both your tuition fees and living costs. You will need toshow that you, or your parents, have held this money in your bank account for a consecutive 28 day period.

n Your CAS from LJMU.

n Academic evidence of your ability to progress on the course you intend to study, as detailed in your CAS.

n ATAS certificate (where applicable).

The exact criteria for scoring the necessary points are subject to change, so please make sure that you readthe UK Border Agency’s Tier 4 Visa Application Guide and the Tier 4 Policy Guidance before you apply foryour visa. For details go to: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Another helpful guide is published by UKCISA:www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/applying_home_country.php

country specific guidanceThe visa application process varies from country to country. The following website gives the latestinformation on how to apply for a UK student visa in your country: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

You are advised to follow this guidance very carefully as you must submit all the documents required.If your documents do not exactly match the requirements set out in the policy guidance, your applicationwill be refused.

checking your visaWhen you get your visa, it is essential that you check it carefully to ensure that:

n your name and date of birth are correct

n it starts on or before the date you want to travel to the UK

n it says you are a Tier 4 student

n it does not end sooner than expected (See ‘Visa start and end dates’ section on page 11)

If any of these details are incorrect, please ask to have your visa amended before you travel as it is verydifficult to make changes afterwards and may affect your right to remain in the UK.

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visa start and end dates All students applying for undergraduate and postgraduate taught degree programmes, PhD study,or pre-sessional courses should receive entry clearance starting one month before the beginning oftheir course.

The date your visa expires will depend on the type and length of your course. In general, your visa will end:

n 4 months after the end of your course if your course lasts 12 months or more.

n 2 months after the end of your course if your course lasts between 6 – 12 months.

n 1 month after the end of your course if your course is a pre-sessional course of less than 6 months.

n 7 days after the end of your course if your course is less than 6 months long and is not a pre-sessional course.

what to do if your visa is refusedIf your visa application is refused please contact the International Admissions Team (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk)as soon as possible for advice.

family members and dependantsIf you are a postgraduate student and your course is longer than 12 months, you may be able to bring yourfamily with you.

If you are studying a course at undergraduate level or below you are not allowed to bring your dependentsfor the full length of your course, although they can come and visit you for up to six months.

Please contact the International Admissions Team for further details (int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk).

The following guide may also be helpful: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/t4_family/index.php

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step by step guide to makingyour entry clearance or visaapplicationStep 1:Submit your application at the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office (Britishdiplomatic post) which issues visas or entry clearance. For a list of all British diplomatic posts go to:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

You are advised to make your visa application as soon as you receive your offer from LJMU, rememberingto factor in the time it will take to provide biometric data (photographs and fingerprints). For furtherinformation, please visit:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Step 2:Check if TB (tuberculosis) screening programmes operate in your country or a neighbouring country and,if applicable, take into account the time this will add to your visa application process. For further informationgo to: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Step 3:Complete a VAF9 application form plus Points Based System Appendix 8 if you are applying for the studentTier 4 (General) visa from outside the UK. Forms are available to download from British diplomatic postwebsites and from the UK visas website: www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/. In 2012, the fee to make a student entryclearance application from outside the UK is currently £289 (see table on page 13 for more details).

If family members are accompanying you, you will also need to complete a VAF10 form. Each dependantmust fill in a separate application. Please note that dependants may only accompany you to the UK if youare studying a postgraduate course of 12 months or longer.

Remember: If you are not an EEA or Swiss national, you must apply for ‘entry clearance’ (a visa) beforeyou leave your home country. It is very important that you do not enter the UK as a visitor as you will notbe able to switch visa categories once you are here, and you will not be permitted to start your course.

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student entry clearance application fees

To apply for your visa, go to: www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

Fee if you areapplying by postin the UK

Fee if you areapplying in personinside the UK

Fee if you areapplying outsidethe UK

£289£716£394Main applicant

£289 for each familymember

£358 for each familymember included onthe main applicant’sapplication form

£197 for each familymember included onthe main applicant’sapplication form

Partner or child agedunder 18 (if they areapplying at the sametime as the mainapplicant)

£289 for each familymember

£867 for each familymember

£561 for each familymember

Partner or child agedunder 18 (if they areapplying later), orchild aged over 18

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tuition fees and living expensesIn order to be admitted into the UK you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funding to cover your:

n Tuition fees

n Accommodation costs

n Living costs

n Study costs

n Travel and visas

n Childcare costs (if appropriate)

Here is a quick guide to how much it will cost to study at LJMU in 2012/2013 (average figures only).

Living expenses £7,200 per year for undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes

£9,600 for postgraduate research degrees

Course tuition fees £9,000 - £12,040 depending on course studied

Flights to the UK £300 to £1,000

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Emailstudentadvice@ljmu.ac.ukfor advice on payingtuition fees andliving costs

tuition feesHere is a breakdown of our tuition fees for 2012/2013 entry:

Type of Programme Tuition Fee

English Language Preparation Course £3,365 per term

International Foundation Year Programme(Business, Law and Social Studies) £10,095(Engineering and Science) £10,350

Foundation/HND Programmes £9,000

Pre-sessional English Language validated courses £1,125 per 4 week block

Class-based £11,055(Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes)

Laboratory-based £12,040(Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes)

MBA £11,925

MSc Engineering Programmes £12,040

MSc Maritime Programmes £11,055

MBA Maritime Management £11,925

For 2013/2014 tuition fees for all of LJMU’s pre-degree, undergraduate, taught postgraduate and researchdegrees, please go to: www.ljmu.ac.uk/international

Remember: all international students applying to LJMU for full degrees starting in the academic yearSeptember 2012 to September 2013 will be entitled to an academic award (fee waiver) of £1,000 on theirfirst year tuition fees.

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self-financing students Your annual tuition fees are payable in full when you complete your enrolment at LJMU at the start of yourcourse. Alternatively, you can choose to pay 50% at enrolment or before, with the balance paid in full fourmonths later.

Please note, the University will not accept:

n cash payments

n standing letters of credit from overseas banks or third parties as payment for tuition fees

If you have any queries about your tuition fees, please contact: the International Admissions Team(int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk).

paying your tuition fees before you complete your enrolmentPayments can be made online using a Visa or Mastercard credit card, or a Visa or Maestro debit card. Alternatively,you can pay via Uni-Pay. For more information on either option please visit: www.ljmu.ac.uk/epayments

arrangements for sponsored studentsIf you are receiving sponsorship for your studies, you must have written confirmation of this, on officialheaded paper. If your fees are being paid for by family members this is not classified as sponsorship, youwill still be classified as self-funding in this instance.

If your sponsor is also paying your accommodation fees, please contact LJMU’s Student AccommodationOffice (accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk).

Please note:

n Sponsors must be a legitimate organisation such as a government or public body with a UK invoicingaddress.

n A sponsor letter must be written in English on formal headed paper and must state your name andapplicant number. It must also confirm liability for the payment of course fees in Sterling (UK Pound)and the duration of sponsorship.

n A financial guarantee is not a sponsorship letter.

n You will be expected to pay the full tuition fees if your sponsor fails to make a payment.

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what happens if you don’t pay your tuition feesThe penalties for non-payment of tuition fees are very serious. Ultimately, you will lose your place on yourcourse and the University will inform the UK Border Agency (UKBA) that you are no longer a student at LJMU.

accommodation and living costsIn addition to your academic fees, you must budget for living costs such as accommodation, food, clothing,books, local travel and entertainment. The good news is compared to most UK cities, Liverpool is a veryaffordable place to live.

The UKBA states that you must budget for a minimum of £800 per month to cover your living expenses,which means that undergraduates following a 9 month course will need £7,200.

If you are accompanied by your family, the British Council estimates that you will need around £5,500 moreper year for your spouse and a further £2,000 per year for each of your children.

You’ll find up-to-date information on fees charged for LJMU-approved student accommodation at:www.ljmu.ac.uk/accommodation

Please contact the Student Advice Team if you need any advice about paying your tuition fees, living costsor working out a budget: studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk

You can also use the International Student Calculator to help you plan and manage your money while studyingat LJMU. Go online to build your own budget at: http://international.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/

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english languageA very good level of English language competence is required to follow lectures, carry out backgroundreading and research, write essays and dissertations at LJMU. If English is not your first language you needto be clear about the level you need to attain in order to achieve good results on your course (see tablebelow). It’s also why we’d recommend that you:

n raise your level of English as much as possible before you leave home

n practise speaking, reading, writing and listening to English regularly. There are lots of useful resourcesonline, for example: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

n listen to the BBC World Service: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/

evidence of your english language proficiencyThis table summarises the minimum scores required by LJMU, your specific course requirements maydiffer. Please check your offer letter for details.

You will need to provide a certificate of an English language test taken within 2 years of the start date foryour programme. LJMU will accept other UKBA-recognised English language tests providing you attainthe appropriate equivalent score.

A full list of UKBA-approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) can be found at:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf

TOEFL(IBT)

TOEFL(CBT)

TOEFL(PBT)

IELTSType of Programme

60-782205606.0Undergraduate degrees

6.0-6.5 79-93Postgraduate degrees

4.5International FoundationProgramme

480 150 52

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improving your englishOnce you are enrolled at LJMU you can also attend English language courses to help you withyour academic writing and communications skills. These free workshops run throughout the academicyear. For more details, go to: www.ljmu.ac.uk/studysupport

If you have already been accepted onto a programme of study but want to improve or consolidate yourEnglish language skills, LJMU runs 4, 8 and 12 week pre-sessional English courses for both undergraduateand postgraduate students. These courses normally run from mid-June to the end of August.

For more details go to: www.studygroup.com/isc/ljmu/

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student accommodation

As soon as you have accepted an offer from LJMU,you are eligible to request a room in our accommodation.All new international students are guaranteed a bedroomin LJMU-approved accommodation. For more details go to:www.ljmu.ac.uk/accommodation/

The accommodation consists of single bedrooms within flats shared with other new LJMU students.All the flats contain kitchen and living areas where you will be able to prepare food, relax and socialise.Most bedrooms include a private bathroom but there are cheaper bedrooms available in flats with sharedbathrooms. Flats are set aside in a number of locations for postgraduate or older students who want aquieter study environment.

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Contact theAccommodationOffice for advice onthe range ofaccommodationavailable:accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk

All rooms are offered on a legally binding tenancy agreement of aminimum of 42 weeks duration. It is not possible to book a room fora shorter period or to break that agreement after you have movedinto the accommodation.

All international students who book a room via LJMU are required topay for the full rental period in advance of arriving in the UK. It is notpossible to pay part of the rent after your arrival.

If you do not want to book a room via the LJMU AccommodationOffice, you are advised to use the official student housing agency,Liverpool Student Homes. Please go to: www.ljmu.ac.uk/lsh formore details.

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healthcare

If you are an international student and your course is for6 months or more, you will qualify for NHS treatment fromthe beginning of your stay, on the same basis as anyonewho is ordinarily resident in the UK.

courses lasting under 6 monthsIf your course lasts less than six months you will not qualify for free NHS treatment. We would stronglyrecommend that you take out medical insurance before coming to Liverpool. Your policy should covermedical costs plus any additional possible costs resulting from illness (such as lost fees if you are unableto complete your course, and the cost of returning to your home country for treatment).

courses lasting 6 months or moreIf your course lasts six months or more, you are entitled to free treatment under the UK’s National HealthService (NHS) from the start of your stay in Liverpool. This includes free visits to the local doctor, freetreatment in hospital, and paying a standard cost for prescriptions (for medicine which your doctor saysyou need) and dental treatment.

pre-sessional studentsIf you have been issued with a CAS covering both your pre-sessional course and your main course, youwill be entitled to free NHS treatment from the start of your stay.

If you have been issued with a CAS that covers only your pre-sessional course, you will not be eligible forfree NHS treatment until you have passed the pre-sessional course and enrolled on your main course.In this instance we would recommend that you take out medical insurance to cover the period of yourpre-sessional course.

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dental treatment and opticiansYou will have to pay for treatment provided by an optician or dentist while you are in the UK.

health insuranceHowever long your course, it is recommended that you obtain additional health insurance prior to travellingto the UK.

more informationYou will find lots of useful information in the following guides:

n EEA nationals: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/eea.php

n Non-EEA nationals: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/keeping_healthy.php

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Emailint-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk if youhave any queriesabout yourapplication orstudying in the UK

website: www.ljmu.ac.uk/internationalenquiry helpline: 0151 231 5090email: int-admissions@ljmu.ac.ukLJMU TV: www.ljmu.ac.uk/ljmutvtwitter: @LJMU