International students
It's not easy choosing a university. It's even harder when you want to study abroad. The University of Warwick International Office can advise on issues like accommodation, funding, visas and immigration. Warwick representatives are available in many countries at various times of the year. Check the IO website for details.
Weather
England has a reputation for rain. The truth is that our location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean gives us weather that's usually mild and changeable. An average of 248 days each year are dry - that's 68%. We don't do quite so well for sunshine - we see it for about one third of the average year - 1,500 hours. Average outdoor temperatures at Warwick range from +2°C to +20°C over the year, although we've seen -18°C and +35°C in the past 65 years of weather records!
This afternoon, it's 9°C, and sunny with scattered clouds.
Relative humidity varies between around 58% in summer and 90% in winter. It's unusual for humidity to be really uncomfortable in the UK.
Whatever the weather, you can be sure that British people will be happy to talk about it!
Accommodation
Warwick is a campus university, with over 6,000 rooms within 5-15 minutes walk of the
WBS buildings. You will be able to apply for campus accommodation once you have an offer of a place at Warwick.
There is an application deadline of 31 July before arrival in September.
The Warwick Accommodation Office will continue to accept applications, but cannot guarantee campus availability, after this date.
If the Accommodation Office can't offer you a campus room, or you're looking for something different,
they will assist you in finding a place to live off-campus.
There's plenty of private- and University-managed properties in the city of Coventry,
and the nearby towns of Royal Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, all within around 30 minutes bus ride of WBS.
Learn more
Visas & immigration
If you come from outside the EEA, you will need to apply to the UKBA for a visa granting permission to enter the UK (immigration). You should apply to WBS as early as possible to allow time for your visa to be issued, as you will not be allowed to enter the UK without it, and you will not be allowed to start your course late.
There is a points-based immigration system for entry to the UK, divided into five tiers. Students joining WBS for a full-time degree enter in Tier 4. As part of this, you will normally need to submit documentation about your course, qualifications, and funding to the UKBA.
As a student, you will be permitted to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during term (although your study workload and timetable will probably be more limiting), full-time during vacations and on assessed work placements. If you have a partner and/or children who wish to enter the UK with you, they will need to apply for a visa as your dependant. Please consult the University's immigration team for further advice.
The University of Warwick is a Highly Trusted Sponsor, audited by the QAA. Providing you have met any academic conditions made as part of an offer of a place at Warwick, we will issue an electronic CAS document, which satisfies the academic points requirement. You will also need to demonstrate that you have funding in place to cover basic living costs. The rules for the amount of money required are described in detail on the University of Warwick immigration advice pages.
Once you have met these requirements, and submitted any required documentation, you will normally be issued with a visa permitting entry clearance by the UKBA, or a British consular office in your home country.
After your degree
After being awarded a degree from WBS, you can apply to remain in the UK under the points-based system. If you are looking for work, you can apply to stay for up to two years whilst looking for work under Tier 1 (post-study work). You will be expected to switch to another tier as soon as you are able to do so. If you have a skilled job, you will apply under Tier 2 (general). This tier gives permission to remain in the UK for three years (with the option to extend for a further two years), provided you are employed by a Tier 2 sponsor registered with the UKBA. At the end of this five year period, current rules are that you may apply to settle permanently in the UK (indefinite leave to remain) if you are still required for employment by your sponsor.
The immigration information on this page is for guidance only. It is our interpretation of published UK Government rules, and does not constitute official advice. Rules are subject to change by the Government, so you should always check the UKBA website for the latest information.
English language
At WBS, working effectively with other students is an essential part of your learning. To make sure you can participate fully, gain the maximum understanding from our lecturers and tutors, and submit good coursework to your examiners, we ask for high standards of both written and spoken English.
If you need a visa to study in the UK, the UKBA will probably expect you to prove your English ability with an approved test. If you are a national of the UK, Ireland, or one of the following countries, you will probably not have to take an English test:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts & Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent & the Grenadines
- Trinidad & Tobago
- USA.
Other nationals will probably need to meet the following minimum overall standards in an approved English language test:
| Degree | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | CAE | CPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7.5 with maximum of two components at 6.5+ | 108 with 23+ in every component | 75 with 59+ in every section | Grade B scoring 75+ | Grade C |
|
7.0 with maximum of two components at 6.0+ | 100 with minimum component scores of L21, R22, W21, S23 | 70 with 51+ in every section | Grade C scoring 60+, no worse than 3 component results at borderline and 1 at weak | Grade C |
As well as an overall minimum score, we will also be looking for a good balance across all sections of the English language test. Those failing to achieve this may be asked to supply additional evidence of strength in these areas (for example, a telephone interview or a new test score).
We will require your language certificates as evidence. Your test should have been taken within two years of the start of the course.
If you have been studying in the UK for two or more years, you are not normally required to do an English Language test, although this will be at the discretion of the course selectors reviewing your application. You may still need a test certificate to be granted a visa to enter the UK.