If you are in the UK


South Thames College London welcomes international students in the UK who want to progress to further studies with us.

We will ask you for details of your current visa status and for information about your studies and attendance to date.

If you must apply to extend your Student Visa, see "Applying to UK Border Agency to extend a Student Visa" in "downloads" on this page, or get a copy at the Student Services office at a College campus.

If you currently have a Student Visa which you applied for on or after 05 October 2009, you must apply for a new visa to move to STCL.

If have a Tier 4 Student Visa which you applied for before 05 October 2009, you can move to STCL after you have informed UKBA that you wish to move (although UKBA may later refuse to accept this).

If you have Student Visitor Visa or Visitor Visa, you cannot apply in the UK for a Student Visa; you must enrol, leave the UK, and apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa in your home country.

Information about overseas student status and fees is in "downloads" on this page (on right) or from Student Services at a College campus.

Identity Cards for Foreign Nationals

UK Border Agency

Applying to Study at South Thames College

We do not have application closing dates, but if you wait until near a course start date, you may find that the course you want is full.

Give yourself enough time to make all arrangements. Don't leave a course or visa application until a few days before your deadline.

Academic studies

If you are already in the UK, you can apply for interview:

  • using our on-line application *
  • using the application form in any STC UK prospectus *
  • at the Student Services office at one of our centres

* For CELTA and some other courses, there are different application arrangements - details are in the relevant course information.

When we receive your application, we will arrange an interview.

English for International Students (EIS)

If you are in the UK, you must apply in person

Information about EIS English courses and details of EIS tests & enrolment

If you are getting information and application forms for a friend or relative outside the UK, who we can't interview, you must make sure that you get a non-UK application form - see "English courses in London" or "Academic & Vocational studies" in the menu on the right.


For "EU fee status", European Union nationals must apply in person, be resident in England and have been "ordinarily resident" in the European Economic Area or Switzerland for the last 3 years.

Advice & Guidance 

You can get information at one of our Student Services offices. 

If you are interested in academic studies at STCL and need help to choose the right course, you can arrange an Advice Interview with an Education Adviser by:

  • completing an Application for Interview form, online or in an STC UK course guide or prospectus
  • asking at one of our Student Services offices

More Information on STC Advice & Guidance services 

If you are interested in our English for International Students - EIS - courses, we have regular test & enrolment sessions.

Details of STC EIS courses and enrolment

If you already have a place at STCL

Our "starting your studies" guide is part of the induction process at the start of your course with us. You will get a copy then, and we will go through the contents, and other information, with you. You can also get a copy in "downloads" on the right.