AT-Institute

A T INSTITUTE College of Professional Studies - Help/FAQs

1. Do I need a visa to study in the United Kingdom?
2. Is ATI an approved and recognised College?
3. Are the qualifications recognised worldwide?
4. What is the cost of living in London?
5. Is Accommodation easy to find in London?
6. Is living in London safe?
7. Is ATI easily accessible by public transport?
8. How many hours a week do I need to study?
9. Will I have English lessons as part of the course?
10. Can students use the college computers in their own time?
11. Can students have access to internet facilities?
12. Does ATI assist with opening a Bank Account?
13. Are overseas students allowed to work in UK?
14. How do we apply for National Insurance Numbers?
15. Are books and manuals provided as part of the course?
16. Can I get a fee refund if I leave the course?
17. Can I get assistance from the College to extend my visa?
18. Do I need health insurance during my stay in the UK as a student?
19. What can I do if I am faced with Unforeseen circumstances such as Financial Difficulties or serious illness?

1. Do I need a visa to study in the United Kingdom?
Your need of a visa to enter the UK as a student is dependent on whether or not you are from a visa national (VN) or non-visa national country (NVNC).

The categorisation of whether or not you are from a VN or NVNC can easily be determined by your need for a visa to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor. If you require a visa to enter the UK, then you are from a VN country. On the other hand, if you do not require visa to enter the UK, then you are from a NVNC.

2. Is ATI an approved and recognised College?
ATI is recognised by the Home Office in the United Kingdom as a bona fide private education institution. ATI is DFES Registered as an Education Providers in the United Kingdom.
To find out ATI on the register, please log on http://www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister/ and enter the following details: AT Institute, 77-79 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3HU

3. Are the qualifications recognised worldwide?
Yes, all our courses and qualifications are recognised worldwide.

4. What is the cost of living in London?
Your respective British Council provides useful information to students wishing to study in the UK. The major expenses for students studying in London are as follows:

a. Food
b. Accommodation
c. Transport
d. Books and other learning materials
e. Entertainment, Clothing and Laundry

5. Is Accommodation easy to find in London?
Accommodation for students is relatively easy to find. For further assistance, Please refer to the accommodation section under services/support and facilities.

6. Is living in London safe?
London is a major international City with a population of at least 10 million people. Living in London is relatively safe as we have a very good and active Police Force. However, students are advised to be careful and act safely in all aspects of their behaviour whilst living in London.

7. Is ATI easily accessible by public transport?
ATI is easily accessible from any parts of London via the public transport. For more information about public transport, please log on www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner

8. How many hours a week do I need to study?
All courses are timetabled and students are required by the immigration regulations to attend at least 15 hours per week as a full time student. Our courses are designed generally for 20 hours per week on average, which is inclusive of classroom teaching and tutorials. Some courses e. g Computer Studies require students to undertake practical work, which adds additional hours for the individual student concerned.

9. Will I have English lessons as part of the course?
Students who have difficulty in English language will be provided remedial assistance where it is judged that the student will benefit greatly from additional tuition. ATI has an English Language tuition for speakers of other languages. Terms and Conditions concerning additional English Language tuition will be dependent upon the circumstances of the individual student concerned.

10. Can students use the college computers in their own time?
Students can use the computers when the computer lab is free, otherwise students can book the time and date for the use of the computer.

11. Can students have access to internet facilities?
Students benefit from free internet facilities, but again students are recommended to book the time and date to avoid disappointment.

12. Does ATI assist with opening a Bank Account?
Yes, we do. We have an arrangement with our Bank who attends the college for opening of Bank Accounts as and when necessary.

13. Are overseas students allowed to work in UK?
This is subject to the terms and conditions of your student entry visa. In general terms, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during school holidays. However, we must stress that you have to comply with the terms and conditions of your entry clearance as a student with respect to employment during your stay in the UK. We also advise overseas students to consider carefully their need to work, as their studies may be affected if they engage in employment.

14. How do we apply for National Insurance Numbers?
ATI staff will be happy to assist you.

15. Are books and manuals provided as part of the course?
Professional bodies and examining bodies recommend a variety of books to support the study of their subjects. Each subject may require the student to have access to a set of text book and other supplementary text books. ATI does not provide these books as a part of your course. However, notes and handouts are provided as part of the teaching process.

16. Can I get a fee refund if I leave the course?
Students who have commenced their course of study are not entitled to any refund of fees where the decision to leave the College is theirs alone.
However, where ATI is unable to offer a course, which the student has enrolled for, ATI will make the necessary refund of fees paid.

17. Can I get assistance from the College to extend my visa?
All student visas are granted for a determinable period e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. Before the expiry of the visa, every student must submit an application for renewal. Each application has to be completed and submitted to the Home Office with the required supporting documents. ATI will be required to certify that the student has been attending his/her classes regularly and he/she has made progress in her/his studies. The extension of student visas is at the discretion of the UK Government, taking into account all criteria as set down in the UK immigration Rules.

Where students require legal assistance to make applications for visa extensions, ATI will refer students to solicitors who will be prepared to assist such students for a nominal fee. Please note that ATI does not provide legal assistance or representation.

For more information on Immigration matters, please log on www.indhomeoffice.org.uk

18. Do I need health insurance during my stay in the UK as a student?
The UK Government operates a National Health Service and all students have access to the Service in case of illness. Students are advised to register with their local GP nearest to where they live. Names and addresses of the local GPs can be obtained from the local councils. Consultation with a GP is free, but medicine and prescriptions have to be paid for.

19. What can I do if I am faced with Unforeseen circumstances such as Financial Difficulties or serious illness?
If you are having financial difficulties or serious illness, as a result you cannot afford to study; you need to inform both the Home office and the college that you are taking time off from your study until your sponsorship is able to finance your expenses or to make a decision whether you have to travel back to your home country. Depending on the seriousness of your case, you are also advised to inform your Embassy which may help you on a number of issues if you do not have any next of kin in the UK.