UK higher education news

NHS surcharge 

As of 6 April 2015, international students must pay an immigration health surcharge to cover any National Health Service care they may need while they’re studying in the UK. Students will be required to pay if they:

• Are normally resident outside of the European Economic Union.
• Plan to study in the UK for more than six months.
• Are reapplying for a visa for further study.

Students will pay the surcharge as part of their visa application and it is paid upfront for the full length of leave granted by the UK immigration service. 

Visit the Gov UK Health and Immigration pages for more information. Use their surcharge calculator to help students calculate the full amount they’ll need to pay.  

Changes to Tier 4 visas

The UK Government is rolling out new requirements for Tier 4 visas. All students applying for a Tier 4 visa from outside the UK who’ll be staying in the UK for over six months must apply for a Biometric Residency Permit (BRP). The visa application process will remain the same but applicants will need to collect their BRP from a designated Post Office within ten days of their arrival in the UK.

The changes are being rolled out country by country over four months, ending in June 2015. Visit the Gov.uk website to find out more about how this affects the students you work with.

Important updates from UAL

UAL: A global leader

UAL has ranked eighth in the world and second in the UK in the QS world rankings for art and design. QS rankings highlight the world’s top universities in 36 subjects, based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact.

Nigel Carrington, Vice Chancellor of UAL, said “UAL is a major global provider of art and design education so it’s gratifying to be recognised for the high quality education we equip our graduates with.”

Read more on our website about our top ten position. 

Deferred entry: UAL policy

UAL has reviewed its policy on deferred entry for international students. To ensure the same opportunities are given to applicants each year, it has been agreed that:

• We will not make offers for deferred entry (i.e. applicants applying in this academic year but who would like an offer for the next academic year.) 
   
• We will accept requests for deferral (i.e. for applicants with an offer for the current academic year who have to delay enrolment to the following year due to personal circumstances.) Deferral is available on all courses except the following at Central Saint Martins: BA Fashion, BA Fashion Communication, BA Jewellery, MA Fashion, MA Fashion Communication. 

All applications and interviews currently conducted will be for entry into the 2015/16 academic year. Students who wish to apply for the academic year 2016/17 will only be considered from October 2015 onwards. Please make sure not to include applicants in the current interview session who wish to apply for 2016 entry.

International tuition fees 2015/16

International tuition fees for the 2015/16 academic year are:

Further Education - 1,700 plus registration fee 
(Foundation, International Introduction to the Study of Design and Media Communication, International: Introduction to the Study of Fashion, International Preparation for Fashion.) 

Undergraduate - 5,950 
(BA (Hons), FdA Foundation Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Integrated 4 year Masters courses.)

Postgraduate tuition fees vary by course. Check individual course information for full details. 

Postgraduate applicants for 2015/16 who have completed an undergraduate, postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma course at UAL may qualify for a tuition fee discount of ,000. Visit our progression discount pages to find out more. 

Inspiration from UAL

Courses and key dates

Courses closed for applications 

The following courses are closed for applications for 2015/16: 

• Camberwell College of Arts: BA (Hons) Painting
• Central Saint Martins: Foundation: Fashion and Textile Pathway, BA (Hons) Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication
• Chelsea College of Arts: BA (Hons) Fine Art, BA (Hons) Textiles
• London College of Fashion: BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery, BA (Hons) Fashion, BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology Menswear, BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology Womenswear, BA (Hons) Costume for Performance

Key dates and upcoming events

• Summer term begins: 27 April
• London College of Communication Foundation Show: 27 April - 6 May
• UAL closed for Bank Holiday Monday: 4 May
• Accommodation applications open: 6 May
• Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Foundation summer show: 11 - 14 May
• Central Saint Martins Foundation summer show: 14 - 16 May
• UAL closed for Bank Holiday Monday: 25 May
• Central Saint Martins Degree Show One: 27 - 31 May
• ArtSmart careers event: 27 May - 25 June