Student Handbook

Excel College is a British Council accredited and UKBA recognised education

centre located in the heart of Manchester; a vibrant city with the largest

student population in the UK. We offer a range of English language and exam

preparation courses to students from all over the world.

Excel College offers courses in the morning, afternoon and evening from 3

hours a week part-time to 30 hours a week intensive. Students already in the

UK and EU students have the option of flexible payments and can choose to

pay every term, every month or even week by week.

We understand that international students come to the UK for a variety of

reasons. Some come to improve their English for University, some are

beginners and need to work on their overall English level, and some come

here needing to study and work at the same time. Whatever your reason, we

are here to support you and help you reach your goals. From your initial

placement test until the very last day of your course, Excel College will make

sure your course is right for you.

This handbook will give you information on the different courses available at

Excel College, what to expect when you arrive as well as our policies on

attendance and health and safety. At the back of this handbook, you will find a

section on life in the UK, giving you information about daily life as well as

entertainment and evenings out.

We will always find time to talk to you if you have any questions or concerns

so please email, phone or come in and see us in reception.

We hope you enjoy your time at Excel College.

WELCOME TO

The Admin Team

We will give you a placement test to find out your level. The test and interview will last

about 1 hour in total.

General English or Business English Course—

Writing test,

Use of English test,

Speaking test

Interview.

IELTS Preparation Course—

Writing test,

Reading test,

Speaking test

Interview.

The interview includes a discussion with a member of staff to find out why

you are studying and what you want to achieve. This is so that we can work

with you to design a course best suited to your goals. Once you know what

course you are doing and what class you are in, please come to reception

and we will check we have all the documents and information we need from

you and give you your Excel College Welcome Pack.

Arrival at the College

Welcome Pack

Your welcome pack includes:

● Excel College notebook and pen

● Timetable

● Health and Safety Policy

● Fire Safety information

● Absence, Attendance and lateness Policy

For every student, we need:

Passport copy

Visa copy (for all non-EU Students)

Email address

Current UK Address

Address in home country

Medical Information

You must tell us if any of this information changes.

This is a requirement of the UK Borders Agency but is also necessary as part of our

health and safety and attendance policies.

Documents for us

To help you settle into life in the UK, we can provide you with the following

documents:

Enrolment letter— to prove you are studying at Excel College. This letter

shows your course details including hours per week and the length and title of

your course.

Doctor’s letter—To help you register with a GP

Accommodation letter— To help you get student accommodation

Council tax letter— Students studying full-time courses of over 24

weeks do not have to pay council tax. This letter proves to the council

that you are a

student.

Attendance confirmation letter— This letter shows your course details and

your current attendance percentage and can be used when applying to other

colleges or universities.

Course Certificate— At the end of your course you will receive a

certificate showing the course title, level and the dates studied. If you

need any other information included, please ask us.

If there is a document you need that is not on the list, please come and speak

to us and we will be happy to help.

Documents for you

Self Study Resources

Making sure that you are using English

outside the classroom is very important

and is the best way to improve your

Overall level. We have a range of books

from Elementary to Advanced/

Proficiency level for you to borrow. We

also have a large selection of DVDs of

TV shows, documentaries and movies.

To borrow a book or DVD come to

Reception. You will need to pay a £5

deposit for each book or DVD you

borrow.

Our I.T. room is available for all

students to use any time the college

is open. There is a list of self-study

resources on every computer.

Your teacher will provide you with a course-

book during class time but Excel College

has a large range of class books and

practice test books for academic exams

that you can borrow to help with your

course.

To borrow a course book, give a £20 deposit to reception, show your

teacher the receipt and they will give you a course book. All practice test

books are in reception. Please ask us for help and advice on the best book

for your needs.

If would like to buy a book, please ask reception and we will either order it

for you or show you the best website to buy it from

Courses at

You can study at Excel College in the morning or afternoon.

Morning classes 9:15 – 12:30

Afternoon classes 13:30 – 16.45

We have courses from 3 hours to 30 hours a week.

Part-time Courses: 3, 6 and 9 hours a week

General English

IELTS Preparation

Business English

Writing and Communication classes

Full-time Courses: 15 hours a week

General English

IELTS Preparation

Business English

Intensive Courses: 21, 24 and 30 hours a week

There are many different course options for students studying an Intensive English

course. Simply choose a full-time course and at least one part-time course and we

will design a timetable that will help you reach your personal study goals

General English Courses

Course Levels CEFR

Beginner/Elementary A1

Pre-Intermediate A2

Intermediate B1

Upper Intermediate B2

Advanced C1

Proficiency C2

Our General English courses run in the morning or afternoon. You choose how

many hours you want to study per week – 6, 9 or 15. You can add other classes to

make a more Intensive English course.

Our General English classes use a communicative approach and are designed to

help you develop your language skills in interesting and stimulating ways. This will

include the use of multimedia, role-plays and discussions as well as covering all the

vocabulary and grammar appropriate to your level of study.

You will receive regular homework and your teacher will help you to develop your

study and learning skills to make sure you progress as quickly as possible. These

skills will also help you in your future studies.

Visits to museums, galleries and other places of interest are an important part of

learning. They allow you to use your English outside of the classroom and also

learn about the UK’s fascinating history and culture. Trips are organised by your

teacher every term and are fully integrated into the syllabus. Your teacher will also

suggest other ways for you to practice English outside the classroom and make the

most of your time in the UK.

Students at Upper Intermediate, Advanced or Proficiency level will have the chance

to use Cambridge materials to help those interested in studying for the FCE, CAE or

CPE exams. If you are interested in taking a Cambridge exam, speak to your

teacher who will give you exam tips and practice material.

The General English courses are designed to

meet the CEFR objectives for that level,

while also being flexible enough to meet the

varying needs of the students.

Writing and Communication Class Our Writing and Communication Classes work well alongside a General English or IELTS

Preparation course as part of a full-time or intensive English course. Students can

choose to do both Writing and Communication (6 hours per week) or choose just one of

them (3 hours per week).

Course General English level

Writing and Communication Low Beginner to Elementary

Writing and Communication Mid Pre Intermediate to Intermediate

Writing and Communication High High Intermediate to Advanced

Writing Class

Our Writing classes focus specifically on improving the quality of students’ writing.

The overall aim of the course is to help students feel more confident in expressing

themselves and communicating through writing.

The writing classes also focus on developing your knowledge and accuracy of

grammar and vocabulary.

Communication Class

Lots of students need to develop confidence in communicating in English. Our

communication classes aim to improve fluency in speaking as well as improving

your listening skills.

The syllabus focuses on real-life functional situations and key topical areas. The

importance of clear pronunciation and a good use of grammar and vocabulary are

embedded into the classes.

Your teacher will occasionally take you out of the classroom to visit places of

interest in Manchester, so that you can practice your English in real-life situations.

IELTS Preparation Courses

Foundation level

This course is designed to bring students up to a 5.5 in all band scores.

Students will need to have a good intermediate (B1) level of General English before

joining an IELTS preparation class. This course will continue to improve your general

English language skills and expand your vocabulary on key IELTS topics. You will

become familiar with all parts of the test and develop strategies to improve test skills.

Course Levels General English Level IELTS Band Score

Foundation Intermediate + 4.5 - 5.5

Advanced Upper intermediate + 6.0 +

IELTS preparation courses at Excel College are run by experienced IELTS tutors. You

choose how many hours you want to study per week– 6, 9 or 15. You can also add skills

and modules or some General English classes to make an Intensive English course.

In your IELTS preparation course you will:

Expand your knowledge and vocabulary of common IELTS topics.

Improve fluency and accuracy in writing and speaking.

Increase your reading speed and develop reading strategies.

Develop effective listening strategies.

Advanced level

This course is designed for students who already have an overall IELTS level

of around 5.5 and who need to achieve 6.5 or higher.

At Advanced level, you will continue to improve your use of grammatical structures

and key vocabulary across all parts of the test. You will receive intensive support in all

skills during lessons and be encouraged to practise these extensively outside of class.

You will have regular practice tests, many under exam conditions and be given

approximate band scores to assess your progress.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 21 Hour

Course

General English General English General English General English General English AM

Communication Writing Class Communication Writing Class PM

24 Hour

Course Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM General English General English General English General English General English

PM Writing Class IELTS Preparation Writing Class IELTS Preparation

Here are a few examples of student timetables.

Please check with us what skills and modules are available as we occasionally

include additional options

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 30 Hour

Course

General English General English General English General English General English AM

IELTS Preparation IELTS Preparation IELTS Preparation IELTS Preparation IELTS Preparation PM

There are many different course options for students wanting to study an Intensive

English course. When you apply, we will discuss with you the courses that will best fit

your study plan and help you to design your timetable. This is a great course for

people who want to work towards taking a Secure English Language Test, such as

IELTS or FCE, CAE or CPE.

You can study 21, 24 or 30 hours a week. Simply choose your main course and

modules and design a timetable to suit your study aims.

For lower level students, we recommend a 21 hour course.

You can change your modules while you are here following discussions with your

teacher, who will make sure you are studying the best course for you.

Intensive English Courses

Business English

Exam Level

Cambridge English: Business Preliminary

(BEC Preliminary)

CEFR B1

Intermediate level

Cambridge English: Business Vantage

(BEC Vantage)

CEFR B2

Upper-intermediate level

Cambridge English: Business Higher

(BEC Higher)

CEFR C1

Advanced Level

The Business English course at Excel College is designed for students who already have

a good understanding of the English language. Like our other full-time courses, you can

choose to study Business English for 6, 9 or 15 hours a week. You can also combine it

with either IELTS Preparation, General English or the Communication Class and Writing

Clinic for a more intensive course.

Due to the ever increasing levels of international working relationships, a firm knowledge

of Business English can directly impact the performance of your business and

employment in general. The Business English course taught at Excel College is designed

around your needs combining functional skills, such as writing an email and presenting

ideas, as well as business vocabulary and grammar to help with overall fluency and

comprehension.

For those interested in taking the Cambridge BEC exams, this course will cover

everything you need to feel confident in passing your exam whilst encouraging you

to develop and build on your own skills and knowledge of global business. You will learn

to communicate effectively and confidently in the business world, how to structure reports

and much more, in a course that is designed around your business’ needs.

Sometimes, the most effective way to focus on a particular area of language study is to

have a few one-to-one lessons. You can book one-to-one classes for any time Monday to

Friday and we will find you a suitable teacher at a time that is convenient to you.

One-to-one lessons can be a good way to boost your English and work really well

when you study alongside your regular General English or IELTS course.

With one to one lessons, you can book as few or as

many as you want, giving you the benefit of concen-

trating on your specific learning priorities such as:

Writing

Communication

Exam help

Medical English

Legal English

Professional English

One to One lessons

Assessment and Tutorials

grades If you get this score… If you are getting this score often…

4

… you performed extremely well in

the assessment. … you should be moving up a level soon.

3

… you performed well in the

assessment

… you are probably one of the stronger students in the

class, but you can still make more progress at this level.

2

… your performance was a little

weak in the assessment.

… you may be one of the weaker students in the class,

but it is a good level for you to make progress in.

1

… the assessment task / activity

was very difficult for you.

… the class level is probably too difficult for you and it

would be better to study one level lower.

General English assessment grades at each level are from 1 to 4:

As part of your induction, we will test your

English ability and ask you why you need to

study English. All of this information will written

onto your individual Student Record Sheet

(SRS) and passed onto your teacher who will

use this to plan the course around each

student’s needs. Your SRS is also used to keep

track of your assessment and tutorials.

As a student at Excel College, you will be

assessed every week on one skill. For example,

one week it might be listening, the next week

speaking. Your mark will be written down on the

front of your SRS and you can ask to see this at

any time.

You can expect to have an individual tutorial

every 6 weeks (approximately twice each term).

During the tutorial, your teacher will review your

progress, set learning goals and recommend

self study activities to support your learning in

class. It is also a chance for them to discuss any

issues with attendance and punctuality. This is

also a chance for you to discuss any worries or

concerns with your teacher.

Notes on your tutorial are written on the back of

your SRS and you will be given a copy to take

away.

Changing your course

Changing your course

People studying a longer course sometimes want to change their timetable.

We advise a lot of people who want to take e.g. IELTS or BEC to take

General English until a few months before their test. Some want to take

Writing Clinic for a couple of weeks and then change back to their original

course. This is not a problem at all, just come and speak to us and we will

do our best to help. For students wishing to move to an exam class, a level

test may be required to make sure their English is of a high enough level.

Extending your Course

Once you have finished your original course, you can extend for as long as

your visa allows. The more weeks you book, the cheaper the weekly price

becomes. If you extend your course or want to book another course, you

will continue to move down the price list. It’s our way of saying thank you

for being a student at Excel College.

Adding extra hours

If you want to add extra hours or try a different class, let us know and we

will tell you how much this will be. If you are not sure which class will be

suitable for your level, we will let you try one class for free.

Moving up a level

There are 3 ways a student can move up a level:

Every week you have an informal assessment. This is given a mark

between 1-4. If you are consistently getting 4s, your teacher might

recommend you move up a level.

At the end of every term, teachers look at every student’s progress

and recommend students that are ready to move up.

If your teacher has not recommended you move up and you think you

are ready, speak to your teacher or come and speak to the Director of

Studies and we may give you a ‘level-up’ test to make sure you have

covered all the main vocabulary and grammar points, and have the

writing and speaking skills that you need to know before you move to

a new class.

Any questions? Just ask us!

Secure English Language Tests

Many students want to take an official test to prove their English language level – for example, to go to University in the UK, for work or visa purposes or sometimes simply to have a goal to aim for. At Excel College, we can give you advice and help you to prepare for various English Language tests, but the two most popular tests are IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) and the Cambridge suite of English tests, such as FCE (First Certificate), CAE (Advanced) and CPE (Proficiency). The following table gives some useful information relating to IELTS and Cambridge tests:

Test Test Format How you are

marked How and when

to book Results

IELTS Academic

4 parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. All paper based except the individual Speaking test, which is conducted by an Examiner.

Bandscore of 1-9 for Listening/Reading/Writing/Speaking and an overall score. Universities often require an overall score of 6.5 in IELTS as a condition of entry.

IELTS tests are very frequent but the Man-chester test centre is very busy, so you should book a place at least 6 weeks before the test date you want. You can book online or in person at a test centre.

Results in 14 days after the test date. results can be sent directly to a College or University too. IELTS results are only valid 2 years.

FCE, CAE and CPE

5 parts: Listening, Reading, Use of English, Writing, Speaking. All paper based except Speaking, which is conducted by an Examiner with 2 or 3 candidates tested together.

You can pass or fail these exams, and can also pass with a ‘B’ or ‘A’. Some Universities accept CAE for entry as equivalent to 6.5 in IELTS.

Cambridge exams are held twice a year in June and March. You need to book your place about 6 weeks in advance of the test date. You need to fill in an application form and book in person

Results are usually available about 6 weeks after the test date. Cambridge test results do not technically expire.

PTE Academic

3 parts–Writing and Speaking, Reading and listening with an optional 10 minute break. All computer based

Score out of 90. A score of at least 36 is needed for Tier 4 applications. 51-61 for degree courses

Tests are held regularly throughout the country and you can book online.

Usually given within 5 business days. You can then send these to e.g. colleges or universities.

BEC

4 parts– Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Paper based except for the speaking by an Examiner with 2 or 3 candidates tested together. Or computer based

Each section is worth 25% of the total mark. Students are awarded ‘fail’, ‘pass’, ‘B’ or ‘A’

Cambridge exams are held twice a year in June and March. You need to book your place about 6 weeks in advance of the test date. You need to fill in an application form and book in person

Results are usually available about 6 weeks after the test date. Cambridge test results do not technically expire.

We know that many of you will be looking to move onto higher level study after completing your language programme and because of this we have advisers onsite that can help find the right university or college course for you. Our advisers can help by:

Narrowing down your search. There are many courses at many different universities all over the UK. Our advisers will listen to your needs and make recommendations based on their knowledge of your academic background, your aspirations and what is available to you. Creating effective application packages for 5 undergraduate or 3 postgraduate

courses. Advising you how to write the best possible personal statements. Making sure all application documents are relevant and “fit for purpose”. Filling in the application forms accurately so as to reduce delays. Chasing the universities for decisions at suitable intervals. Monitoring the application from initial submission to conditional and unconditional

offer stage making sure all communications from the university are handled accurately and efficiently. Making sure that you do not miss important deadlines such as the payment of deposits and ensure that the CAS statement is sent out promptly so that you can apply for your visa.

Currently we work with more than 50 university partners across the UK and in the 14 years that we have been helping international students we have found places for more than 8000 clients. The trading name for this part of our company is UKEC and you can find out more at: www.universityapplicationsukec.co.uk or simply ask at Excel College reception.

Are you thinking of Studying at university after your Excel College course?

Then come and speak to our sister company– their job is to help you find a place at a UK University.

Accommodation Excel College can provide accommodation for you with

one of our homestay families or in our flat share.

Homestay, standard diet £125 per week

Homestay, special diet (Halal, vegetarian, vegan) £140 per week

Booking fee £40

If you choose Home Stay accommodation, you will experience life as part of a British

family. Our families live in different parts of Manchester. They usually live in residential

areas, a bus ride away from the College. Some of our families have young children,

some are retired couples and some are single, working people. All of them enjoy

hosting students and learning about different cultures.

All our Home Stay families speak English as their native language.

Britain is a multi-cultural country and our hosts have a range of

cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All our hosts are inspected every

year to ensure that all Home Stay accommodation meets British

Council requirements. Please see http://tinyurl.com/chk6cuu for

information on British Council Guidelines. Your Home Stay room

will be very comfortable. It will have a single or a double bed, a wardrobe, desk and

chair as well as wireless internet access.

PRICES

The price includes breakfast and evening meals every day of the week, all bills and

Wi-Fi. It also includes one bedding wash and one laundry wash per week. Our hosts

are all native English speakers who come from a range of cultural backgrounds and

live in residential areas out of the city centre. It takes between twenty minutes and one

hour to travel to the College on the bus, train or tram. Self-catering Home Stay

accommodation can sometimes be arranged, please contact us for details.

HOW TO EXTEND OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING

If you would like to extend or cancel your accommodation, you need to tell the

reception team two weeks in advance, with a week being Sunday to Saturday.

Home Stay Accommodation

HOW TO APPLY & PAY

If you would like to arrange Home Stay accommodation, simply fill in our

application form on the website and send it to us by email. You will need to pay for the

accommodation in full two weeks before your arrival date. Only once we have received

the full payment can we make a booking. Bookings are normally for a minimum of two

weeks but if you would like a shorter stay, speak to reception team and we will see

what we can do.

HOW TO APPLY & PAY

If you would like to arrange Residence accommodation, simply fill in our

application form on the website and send it to us by email. You will need to pay

for the accommodation in full two weeks before your arrival date. Only once we

have received the full payment can we make a booking. Bookings are normally

for a minimum of two weeks but if you would like a shorter stay, speak to the

reception team and we will see what we can do.

Live in the city centre

Share a flat with other international students

Stay in your own room with en-suite bathroom

If you’re looking for self-catering accommodation in the

city centre, the Excel College residence is an excellent

option. Only ten minutes walk from Excel College and

fifteen minutes from the city centre, Liberty Point student accommodation is very

well placed for getting to class and exploring Manchester in your spare time.

The flat has six single bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, and a shared

kitchen and living area. There is a weekly cleaning service for communal areas

but students are expected to wash dishes, take out the rubbish, clean their own

bathroom and keep their bedroom tidy.

Residence Accommodation

Single en-suite room £130.00 / week

Accommodation booking fee £40.00

PRICE

The price includes all bills, internet connection, a weekly cleaning service, all

kitchen equipment and a bedding pack (duvet, pillows, duvet cover, pillow cases,

sheets and mattress cover). There is a 24 hour security and maintenance team

HOW TO EXTEND OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING

If you would like to extend or cancel your accommodation, you need to tell the

reception team two weeks in advance, with a week being Sunday to Saturday.

If you rent accommodation, your landlord should:

Give you a contract.

Repair any broken appliances or furniture.

Give you 24 hours notice before coming to the accommodation to make

repairs.

Allow you to stay in the accommodation until the end of the contract.

You should:

Pay your rent on time (and the bills if stated in the contract).

When you move in, tell the landlord if anything is broken.

Clean the house and make small repairs like changing light bulbs,

Other Accommodation Options

Deposit

For most accommodation, you will have to pay a deposit. A deposit is usually one month’s rent.

The landlord will return the deposit when you leave the accommodation if the accommodation

and the furniture are clean and in good condition. The landlord cannot take any of your deposit

for general wear and tear: the effects on the accommodation and furniture due to time and

normal use.

Admin Fee

Estate agents usually charge an admin fee. This goes towards a credit check to

make sure you can afford the rent. Always ask how much this fee is before

agreeing to anything. The cost of this ranges from about £70-£300

Some students like to stay with a family or in the flatshare for a long time. This is the best way

of making sure you speak English outside of class. However these types of accommodation to

not suit everyone and some students prefer to look for their own accommodation after a couple

of months.

We want to make sure that you know the best places to look for a somewhere to live and what

you can expect when renting accommodation in the UK. As with most things, the best way to

get information is online. Start by looking on these websites:

Rightmove - http://www.rightmove.co.uk/ - You can find a flat share and your own rented

accommodation here. Most accommodation is advertised by an agency which means you

will have to pay an admin fee to sign a rent agreement. Make sure you ask how much this is

before you agree to anything.

Gumtree - http://www.gumtree.com/manchester - Anyone can advertise on Gumtree for

free. This means you have to be careful and use your judgement before committing to an

agreement. Never pay anything without going to see a property first.

Please do not sign anything or give anyone any money

unless you have seen the place and are happy.

Desks / chairs or

equipment are broken

Health and Safety Policy

Put litter in the bin No dangerous Items allowed in the college

Be careful No fighting or bullying No smoking in the college

You hurt yourself You fall

Tell your teacher or a member of staff if:

You feel unwell

Person responsible for

Health and Safety:

Mark Harmer.

Find him in Excel

College Reception

In case of fire:

If you hear the fire alarm, follow your teacher or reception staff to the fire assembly point.

There are fire escapes at the front and back of the College.

Your teacher will take you to the fire assembly point and do a register. Stay with your teacher and listen for your name.

Attendance Policy To receive a certificate at the end of the course which states that they have successfully completed a course at Excel College, all students must have an overall attendance percentage of 80% or higher. If your attendance is below 80% this will affect your chances of being accepted onto further courses either with Excel College or other colleges.

If attendance drops to below 80%, the student will receive a first written warning. If attendance does not improve within one month, the student will receive a second written warning. If attendance drops to below 50%, Excel College reserves the right to exclude

the student and cancel their course without refund.

Attendance, Absence and Lateness

Absence Policy If you cannot attend a class, for example due to sickness, then you should inform the college before the start of your class or as soon as possible. If any student is absent for 3 consecutive classes without contacting

the college, the college will attempt to contact the student via email and find out why they have not attended.

If any student is absent for 5 consecutive classes without contacting the college they will receive a written warning and be required to sign a document saying they have read and understood the warning.

If any student is absent for 10 consecutive classes without contacting the college, Excel College reserves the right to exclude the student without refund and if necessary, report them to UKBA.

Lateness Policy Being late not only affects your learning but disrupts the lesson for everyone. Morning classes start at 9:15, afternoon classes start at 13:30.

You should arrive at your class 5 minutes before the lesson starts. Students who arrive after the lesson has started may be asked to wait until

after the break to start their class. Students will be considered absent from the first half of the lesson, which will affect their overall attendance.

Students who frequently arrive late will receive a written warning. If punctuality does not improve, Excel College reserves the right to exclude the

student and cancel their course without refund.

Commitment

The College is committed to equal opportunities for all employees and students in

education and employment.

It is the College’s clear intention that every reasonable step

shall be taken to ensure that employees and students are

not discriminated against on the grounds of nationality,

beliefs, disability, age, gender or sexual orientation. They

also have the right to expect reasonable protection from

aggression, bullying, violence or harassment by any other

student or member of staff, irrespective of seniority.

The College aims to implement the principles of its equal opportunities policy to the

best of its ability within the centre’s physical constraints

and overall financial circumstances. In order to achieve

successful implementation, the College issues its policy

statement to its staff in the Staff Handbook and to students

in the Student Handbook and make it available to any

parties on request. The college will ensure that equal

opportunities are addressed as an integral part of each scheme from enrolment, to

induction and assessment.

Students are asked to declare and, where applicable, discuss any special needs or

disabilities before arrival in order for the college to provide a range of teaching aids

for students with special requirements and make appropriate consideration for them

in any exam situations (to the extent allowed under the relevant examining body’s

regulations).

Equal Opportunities

Disability / Special Needs

When enrolling, students are asked to fill in a medical information form. This form asks you to tell us about any allergies or medical conditions you have so that in case of emergency, the first aider has this information. You must inform us of any disability or special needs before making an application. We may refuse your application / cancel your course if you fail to do so.

Other Conditions The College tries to accommodate students with special needs as much as we can. Some conditions may affect students’ studies i.e. epilepsy, asthma, heart diseases etc but if the students think they are fit enough to study at our college we will try to accommodate such needs by keeping a good record, being vigilant and ready to get help from emergency services, if required. Please consult your doctor about if you are unsure whether you are fit to take up studies at our College.

Medical Information Form

There is no wheelchair access to the College or its accommodation provision. We regret that we are not able to accommodate such kinds of disability in our current premises. Please do discuss with us if you have questions about support for disability and special needs.

Policy Statement

Bullying, harassment, actual or threatened physical violence, verbal abuse or

deliberate damage to personal property based on racial, sexual, religious or personal

differences against school staff or students will not be tolerated.

All members of Excel College have the right to expect that their college is a safe

place in which to work and learn. Where a behavioural issue does occur, the school

will play a proactive role in taking all possible action to deal with it in an appropriate

manner.

Any student who is considered abusive risks being expelled without refund and

where necessary, we will report them to UKBA.

Behavioural Policy

Any student who misbehaves or is disruptive in class will be dealt with accordingly:

Verbal warning from your teacher

Verbal warning from the principal

Written warning from the college

Student will be expelled from Excel College and where necessary, reported to UKBA

Student Complaints

Student has an issue or complaint.

Student speaks to teacher or reception staff.

Excel College talks to those involved, where necessary, to gain a full understanding of the issue

If the situation is not resolved, the student and all others involved will be asked to write down what has happened. The Principal will interview each person and a decision will be made within 14 days.

If the student is still unhappy, the student can write to either British Council or English UK stating their complaint and whether they have followed our internal complaints procedure.

British Council Customer Services Accreditation Unit Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB, UK accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org

English UK The Chief Executive, English UK, 219 St John Street, London EC1V 4LY tony@englishuk.com

How to contact The British Council or English UK.

Please see these websites for more information: http://www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation-students-complaints.htm http://www.englishuk.com/uploads/assets/student_complaints_sheet_updated_English.pdf

We hope that you will enjoy your time at Excel College but if you do have any complaints at all, please let us know and we will work with you to resolve any issues you have. Below, please see our complaints procedure:

Visa and Passport information Passport

You need your passport to open a bank account. Carry

your passport with you at all times or carry a letter from

the College to explain why you don’t have it. We also

recommend that you make a photocopy of your

passport in case you lose it or it is stolen.

Police Registration

When you arrive in the UK, the Immigration Officer may put a

stamp in your passport telling you that you have to register with

the police. If you are asked to register with the police, you must

do so within seven days of arrival in the UK.

Telephone or email the International Visitors Registration Office (IVRO), Greater

Manchester Police for an appointment.

Tel: +44 (0)161 856 3320 (please ring before 12 noon) or

Email: gmp.ivro@gmp.police.uk

The nearest police station to the College is:

Greenheys Police Station, Charles Halle Road, Manchester, M15 6NP

Opening hours Monday to Friday 8:00 to 15:45 (closed from 12:00—13:00)

You will need to take the following documents to the police station:

Your passport

Your current immigration permission (visa or Biometric Residence Permit)

One passport-size photograph

£34 registration fee in cash

A letter from Excel College confirming that you study there.

Proof of address (from utility bills or a letter provided by Excel College)

Contact details for your “next of kin” (family members) who can be contacted in

case of emergency.

Your completed Student / Employment Information sheet (available from Excel

College).

You must inform the police within seven days if you:

Change your UK address (this can be done at any police station without an

appointment)

Extend or change your immigration permission (visa).

Change your place of study.

Obtain a new passport.

Change your name.

Change your marital status.

You don’t have to pay for these updates but remember to take written proof of the change.

The stamp in your passport will show how long

you are allowed to stay in the UK. If you have

a Student Visitor Visa, you will not be allowed

to extend your stay whilst in the UK, you will

need to return to your home country and apply

for another course and then a new visa will be

issued.

If you have a Tier 4 General Visa and want to

extend your course at Excel College, come and speak to us in reception. We will look

at your attendance and history of studying in the UK and let you know if we would be

happy to sponsor you for a further course.

You can download the application form for visa extension from

the Home Office website.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/

applying-inside-uk/

You can apply by post or in person. It is best to send the form by recorded delivery

(a post service you can pay for at a Post Office which tracks your delivery and

ensures it won’t get lost!).

For all new courses, you will need to fill in a new Excel College application form and

follow Excel College procedures to get all the documents you need to apply for your

new visa.

Visa Advice

General visa information is available on:

www.ukcisa.org.uk

Remember:

As a student of Excel College, you agree to our attendance, absence and lateness

policies. If you fail to attend your class, your course will be cancelled and you will be

reported to UKBA. If this happens you may not be allowed entry to the UK again.

If you are unwell or have a reason not to be at college ALWAYS email or phone us.

Email: info@excel-college.com

Telephone: +44 (0)1612365551

Applying to extend your stay in the UK

Welcome to Manchester Manchester is a large, multi-cultural city with lots of different nationalities and religions. Life in the UK may seem very different to life in your home country so here is some advice and information that you may find useful.

You must be 18 or older to buy alcohol and tobacco

Always buy your train, bus or tram ticket before you travel or you could

be Fined £1000.00

Train ticket

Bus ticket

Tram ticket

It is illegal to drink on the streets.

To drive in the UK you must be 17, have a valid license and be

insured to drive.

Car Insurance documents

UK driving license

In pubs, bars and some restaurants you pay for your food and drink when you order them, not at the

end of the night

In the UK, people queue. People are served in the order they arrive. It is rude to push in front of people who

have been waiting before you.

Important laws and customs

Looking after yourself Life in the UK is safe if you are sensible:

Be careful if you are out alone, especially late at night. Avoid places with no street lights and do not walk through parks at night no matter how safe they seem in the daytime. Keep your bag, wallet and mobile phone hidden in your bag or pocket when you are in public place– don’t show people you have something to steal. Never carry a lot of cash on you– thieves will notice this and you

may become a target. In a bar, don’t accept drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended. If you get lost, pretend you know where you are going. If you look like you are

lost, you may become a target. Always look confident. Look after friends who have drunk too much– never leave them alone. On your mobile phone, always store your emergency contact details under ICE

(In Case of Emergency) this is so that if something does happen, the police, ambulance or fire brigade know who to phone. If you are in danger, always shout ‘FIRE’ and not ‘HELP’ as this will usually get a

better reaction. You are not allowed to carry a weapon in the UK but if someone attacks you, you

can use anything you have to hand such as keys, deodorant etc. At Home ● If you are not sure who is at the door, don’t open it. People from companies

usually carry ID badges. If you are still not sure, don’t let them inside – it’s your home!

● Always lock doors and windows when you leave and before going to bed. ● Don’t leave any keys near the door or near windows. ● Speak to your landlord if any locks are missing or broken.

Emergencies If you need to contact the police, fire service or ambulance service in an emergency, call 999. If you want to contact the police and it is not an emergency, you can call 101. The emergency services can usually find someone to translate if you are having language difficulties.

For more information, please see: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/helping-prevent-crime

If you have been attacked If something has been stolen If you are in danger

Police

Ambulance

Medical Emergencies Heart attack Car accident

Fire

If a building is on fire If you or someone else is on fire If you are stuck somewhere e.g. in a hole

You see or have an Emergency

Dial 999 / 112

Operator will ask "Emergency. Which service?"

You say “Police, Fire or Ambulance”

“Not sure”

Operator will help you decide

Operator will say you the number you are calling from

Police/, Ambulance or Fire service will now speak to you and help you

In case of Emergency

Taxis You can stop a black taxi in the street - if its light is turned on it is available. All other taxis have to be booked by phone – if they pick up people who stop them in the street, they are not insured. All genuine taxis should have an extra number plate on their car with details of their taxi registration.

You can travel around Manchester by train, tram (metrolink) or by bus. The Greater Manchester Public Transport website - www.gmpte.com

Here are some taxi companies based in the city centre:

Cresta Cars - 0161 205 5000 Manchester Cars - 0161 228 3355 Radio Cars - 0161 236 8033

Trams www.metrolink.co.uk Metrolink is the name of Manchester’s tram system. All tickets must be bought from the machines on the platform before getting on a tram. If you travel on the tram every day, you can buy weekly or monthly tickets. This is often cheaper than buying a ticket every day.

Bus Travelling by bus is cheap. There are lots of different bus companies operating in the city centre. This means that a ticket you buy on one bus may not be valid on another bus. Every bus company usually has a discount offer: you can buy a ticket for a day or a week of unlimited bus travel. You can buy tickets from the bus driver.

Train www.nationalrail.co.uk You can buy train tickets on the internet, in a station or on the train. The National Rail website can help you plan a journey and find train timetables. If you travel on the train every day, you can buy a monthly ticket. This is often cheaper than buying a ticket every day

Coach http://uk.megabus.com/ http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx Travelling by coach is cheaper than travelling by train if you want to visit other cities in the UK. The two biggest coach companies in the UK are Megabus and National Express.

Travel

Money

Property & Health Insurance It is your responsibility to organise insurance. The College can take no responsibility for costs which relate to accidents or health during your stay in the UK. Endsleigh Insurance offers property insurance for international students studying in the UK. Their policy includes insurance for personal possessions, medical costs and replacement passport, tickets or travel documents.

You can discuss different types of insurance with Endsleigh at:

MMU Student Union 99 Oxford Road Manchester, M1 7EL Tel: 0161 272 6407

Television License If you have a TV in your house, you need to pay for a TV license. This money goes to fund the BBC. If you live in student accommodation and have a TV in your room, each person in the accommodation may need to pay for their own TV license. You can pay for your TV license here: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/

Banking You can open a basic student bank account at most banks. To open a bank account you will need: Passport A bank letter from Excel College to confirm your current UK address, overseas home address and your course details. If you change your address in the UK, remember to tell your bank.

Council Tax Council tax is a local tax, based on the property you live in. There is one bill per house or flat. Students who live in accommodation with other students (and non working people) do not have to pay it. If you are enrolled on a full-time course of 24 or more weeks, Excel College can give you a Council Tax Exemption Letter. This means you will not have to pay Council Tax.

Registering with a Doctor (Also known as a General Practitioner or GP) We can help you find a GP close to where you live. The following website can also help you find a GP: http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search To register with a doctor, you will need:

A letter from Excel College to say that you are a student. Your passport.

If the doctor accepts you as a patient, you can receive free treatment. If your doctor gives you a prescription for some medicines, you will have to pay for these at a pharmacy.

Looking after your health

If you are studying on a course for 6 months or more, you will be asked to pay £150 when you apply for your visa. This money will allow you to use the NHS (National Health Service) in the same way as UK citizens. You will not have to pay anything extra to see a doctor or be treated in a hospital. If you are on a course for less than 6 months, you can see a family doctor (GP) for free if you have an illness that has to be treated before you go home. Emergency hospital treatment is also free but you will have to pay for non-emergency treatment. If you are on a course for less than 6 months, you should arrange your own medical insurance. Both UK citizens and visitors have to pay for eye tests, spectacles, contact lenses, dental care and medicines. You can find out more information about the NHS and whether you can get free healthcare in the UK here: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/uk-visitors/Pages/accessing-nhs-

Chemist/Pharmacy If a doctor decides you need some medicine, he will give you a prescription (a piece of paper with your details and details of the medicine). You can exchange the prescription for the medicine at a chemist or pharmacy. You will have to pay for the items. The chemist can also give advice on any condition you may have. You can normally find chemists and pharmacies are in town centres, train stations and even in some supermarkets. These websites will help you to find the nearest one to you www.boots.com/ www.lloydspharmacy.com/ www.kschemist.co.uk/

Look for this sign

NHS Walk-in Centres You can visit an NHS walk-in centre without an appointment and get treatment for free. The nearest centre to the school is: City Health Centre 2nd Floor Boots the Chemist 32 Market Street , Manchester, M1 1PL

Accident and Emergency Hospital (A&E) If you need emergency healthcare because of a serious accident you should go to hospital. This is the A&E hospital nearest to the College: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, M13 9WL.Tel: 0161 276 1234

This picture shows which service you need depending on how serious your condition is.

Dentists You can find NHS dentists in your area by searching this website: http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx You have to pay for NHS dental treatment. This website gives information on treatments and prices: Dentist http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/healthcosts/pages/

Family Planning You can visit a family planning clinic for free. They provide free contraceptive services, advice and supplies. The nearest clinic to the College is: 32 Lever St, Manchester, Greater Manchester M1 1DE www.smpclinic.co.uk

NHS Direct NHS Direct is a great for when you are worried about a medical problem but it is not an emergency. Use either the website: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ Or the phone number: 0845 4647 or 111

Working and Volunteering

Permission to Work If you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and study at Excel College on a Tier 4 General Student Visa or Student Visitor Visa, usually, you are not allowed to work but your visa will tell you if you can or not. You can find information about work permits for students in the UK on this website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/conditions/# You can look for a job on these websites: Gumtree – http://www.gumtree.com/manchester - Anyone can put an advert on Gumtree for free so be careful! Not all adverts are genuine. Indeed - http://www.indeed.co.uk/jobs-in-Manchester Fish4Jobs - http://www.fish4.co.uk/jobs/search/location-manchester/#

Volunteering and work placements Volunteering or doing a work placement is a great way to improve your English and also looks great on your CV. Visa restrictions apply. If you are not allowed to have paid work in the UK, you are not allowed to do a work placement or any volunteering that could lead to being offered paid work. You may be allowed to volunteer with certain organisations as long as this doesn’t interfere with your studies. Volunteering can include: Working in a charity shop such as Oxfam, http://www.oxfam.org.uk/ Save the Children http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/ British Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.uk/ Working with Animals The Blue Cross http://www.bluecross.org.uk/ RSPCA http://www.rspca.org.uk/home Working with the elderly Age UK http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Places of Worship Anglican St Ann’s Church, St Ann Street, Manchester, M2 7LF Tel: 0161 792 1123 Website: www.stannsmanchester.com Buddhism Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DZ Tel: 0161 834 9232 Email: info@manchesterbuddhistcentre Catholic St Mary’s (The Hidden Gem), Mulberry Street, Manchester, M2 6LN. Tel: 0161 834 3547 Website: www.hiddengem.catholicfaith.co.uk

Hinduism Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple, 231 Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8LU Tel: 0161 861 7042 Website: www.gitabhavan.co.uk Islam Muslim Youth Foundation, Clydesdale House, 27 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DY Tel: 0161 832 5352

Website: www.myf.org.uk Judaism Manchester Reform Synagogue, Jackson’s Row, Manchester, M2 5NH Tel: 0161 834 0415 Website: www.jakcsonsrow.org

Methodist Methodist Church, Central Hall, Oldham Street, Manches-ter, M1 1JT Tel: 0161 236 5194 Mormonism Temple Way, Hartwood Green, Chorley, Lancashire PR6 7EQ, Tel: 01257-226100 Website: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/preston/

Orthodox St. Aidan's Orthodox Church, Clare Rd Manchester, Greater Manchester M19 2GG 0161 476 4847 www.aidanorthodox.co.uk Sikhism Central Gurdwara, 32 Derby Street, Cheetham, Manchester M8 8RY Tel: 0161 832 2241 Website: www.centralgurdwara.org

There are loads of things to do in Manchester from walking around and looking at some of the amazing architecture to watching Manchester United play a game. This part of the handbook will tell you what there is to do and see in and around Manchester. Excel College regularly organises social events and trips. We always post these on the internet and on the notice board in the reception area. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excelcollegemanchester Twitter: @excelcollegeman

Meet-up: http://www.meetup.com/Manchester-Excel-College/ Our meet-up group is

new this term and is a great way to see what’s on at Excel College but also throughout the country. We use Meetup to let you know about all the events our students and teachers are going to. This can be day trips or

even just a cup of coffee in the afternoon. Manchester Tourist Information If you’re looking for things to do in Manchester, here are some good websites: http://www.visitmanchester.com/ http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/ http://www.timeout.com/manchester/features/749/festivals-events-in-manchester http://www.eventcity.co.uk/ http://www.meetup.com You can also visit the Manchester Visitor Information Centre: 45-50 Piccadilly Plaza, Portland St, Manchester, M1 4AJ

Culture and Entertainment

Piccadilly Gardens This is a square with fountains near to the bus station. There are different markets here every week including a flower market, an international food market and a small fair trade market.

Northern Quarter The Northern Quarter has lots of independent bars, shops and restaurants. You can see live music at Night & Day, Matt & Phreds or Band on the Wall. You can visit the Buddhist Centre, the Chinese Arts Centre or Af-flecks Palace – a huge building full of independent (and some very strange) shops and stalls. There are regular events and parties in this area.

Oxford Road Oxford Road is a very long road. On this road you will find the universities, Cornerhouse Gallery and Cinema, the Contact Theatre, The Palace Theatre, the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester Museum and the Royal Northern College of Music. You will also find live music venues like Manchester Academy and Deaf Institute. This road goes through Rusholme and the famous ‘curry mile’ – a long stretch of Indian restaurants. If you follow it further it turns into Wilmslow Road and takes you to Fallowfield, the student area of Manchester with lots of bars and shops.

Spinningfields - http://www.spinningfieldsonline.com/ At Spinningfields you’ll find lots of shops and bars and the People’s History Museum. In the summer there is an outdoor cinema as well as events and concerts, and in the winter there is an outdoor ice

Castlefield Castlefield is next to the canal and has lots of grassy areas. There are some bars and restaurants and live music events in the summer.

Day Time

Walking Tours Look at these website for details of guided walking tours around Manchester showing you China town, the Town Hall, Northern Quarter, underground tunnels of the city, pub tours, haunted tours, historical tours and many more. http://www.walkmanchester.com/ http://www.newmanchesterwalks.com/ http://www.tourmanchester.co.uk/ http://www.manchesterguidedtours.com/ http://www.jonathanschofieldtours.com/typical-tours.html

Art Galleries Most art galleries are free but some like you to make a small donation when you visit though. Sometimes there is a special exhibition on where you will have to pay. Have a look at their websites for details. Manchester Art Gallery - http://www.manchestergalleries.org/ Whitworth Art Gallery - http:www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/

Museums Most museums are free but some like you to make a small donation when you visit. Have a look on their websites as they all have special events throughout the year Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) - http://www.mosi.org.uk/ Manchester Museum http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/ National Football Museum—http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/ People’s History Museum - http://www.phm.org.uk/

Football Manchester is a city of football lovers. The city hosts two teams– Manchester City and Manchester United. It can be quite difficult to get tickets to see a Manchester United or Manchester City match; it depends who they are playing. Both clubs have membership schemes and all tickets go to members first but for some unpopular matches, there are tickets for sale near to the day of the match. Sometimes you can buy tickets to see a

Manchester City match on the day but it is always better to look. Manchester City Tickets - http://tickets.mcfc.co.uk/index.aspx This is sometimes good for Manchester United Tickets - https://www.eticketing.co.uk/muticketsandmembership/default.aspx If you can’t get a ticket, why not book a tour of the stadium. Manchester United - http://www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford/Museum-And-Stadium-Tour/Welcome.aspx Manchester City - http://www.mcfc.co.uk/The-Club/The-Stadium-and-Club-Tours

Shopping

The main shopping streets in the city centre are Market Street, Deansgate and King Street.

The Arndale Centre is a big shopping centre in the city centre. The Trafford Centre is a big shopping centre out of the city centre – you need to take a bus to get there but it is not far and buses are very regular. The Trafford centre also has a cinema, bowling, laser quest and lots of restaurants.

http://www.visitmanchester.com/what-to-do/shopping/shopping-centres/ www.intutraffordcentre.co.uk/ https://www.manchesterarndale.com/

Sport There are many leisure centres throughout Manchester. Some have swimming pools, some have classes and other activities. Use these websites to help you: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200087 http://www.manchestersportandleisure.org/swimming-pools-manchester http://www.manchestersportandleisure.org/activities/team-sports

Socialising Excel College organises activities for both students and teachers from quiz nights to football matches, ladies nights to laser quests! All activities are on our website, Facebook and Twitter as well as on Meetup.com. Meetup.com Use this site to meet new people. Meet up is a great way to find people with similar interests in and around where you live. There are hundreds of

groups to join such as International groups, groups for people who like board games, groups for people who like to walk and many, many more. Have a look on www.meetup.com and don’t forget to search for the Excel College group on:

http://www.meetup.com/Manchester-Excel-College/ International Society:

The international Society is an independent organisation set up to help international student when who live and study in Manchester. They organise trips, holidays, fundraisers and have a café onsite offering vegetarian and Halal food.

http://www.internationalsociety.org.uk/

Theatres You can book theatre tickets online, by phone or by visiting the theatre. Here are some of the theatres in Manchester: Royal Exchange Theatre - http://www.royalexchange.co.ukpage.aspx Palace Theatre http:www.manchestertheatres.compalacetheatre.htm Contact Theatre - http://contactmcr.com/ Lowry Theatre - http://www.thelowry.com/events/

Concert venues For live music and concerts, these are some of the main venues. Have a look at http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/ for listings of all the big nights out.

Manchester Academy - http://www.manchesteracademy.net/ The Ritz - http://mamacolive.com/theritz/ Manchester Arena - http://www.men-arena.com/index.php O2 Apollo - http://www.o2apollomanchester.co.uk/ Bridgewater Hall - http://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/ Royal Northern College of Music - http://www.rncm.ac.uk/

Cinemas There are lots of big cinemas in Manchester. Home is a smaller independent cinema showing less known films and some foreign films. Odeon (Printworks): www.odeon.co.uk AMC Cinemas: www.amccinemas.co.uk Home: www.homemcr.org/cinema/

Restaurants and Takeaways. Manchester has a huge variety of restaurants and takeaways serving food from almost every international cuisine. Some websites have deals and offers so have a look around before you book. http://www.restaurantsofmanchester.com/ Tripadvisor has reviews of most restaurants in Manchester -

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g187069-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html

This website is good for getting deals: http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/ This website is good if you don’t want to go out! http://www.just-eat.co.uk/

Pubs and Bars There are also loads of bars and pubs in and around the city centre. Some are traditional British pubs and some are more modern. English pubs are famous for their real ales, pub quizzes and the interesting people you meet. Here are some useful websites http://www.visitmanchester.com/articles/nightlife/camra-manchester-pub-staggers/ http://www.manchesterbars.com/index.htm http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/results.shtml/county/Manchester/

Evening/ Night time

We hope you enjoy your course at

Thanks The Admin Team

Remember to phone, email or come and talk to us if:

● You have any questions ● You are worried about something ● You are not going to be at college ● You are going on holiday ● You want to change your course

Or simply if you want to come and say hello!