Forth Valley College

• Location: Falkirk, Scotland,
• Age of students: from 16 years old,
• Type of study: mixed,
• Language of instruction: English.

Forth Valley College is a leading provider of further and higher education, offering a wide range of courses and continuing education opportunities. The college has a vibrant learning community that enrolls more than 14,500 students each year. The college offers flexible learning opportunities, ranging from majoring to various forms of study, including full-time, part-time, part-time, flexible, and online learning. The college also provides vocational training, professional qualifications, and one-to-one courses.

Forth Valley College offers courses in nine faculties:

1. Department of Access and Professional Development,
2. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering,
3. Business Department,
4. Business Development Department,
5. Department of Health and Sports,
6. Department of Construction,
7. Department of Creative Industries,
8. Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Instrument Engineering and Chemical Engineering,
9. Department of Hospitality and Salon Services.

Forth Valley College's cafeterias offer a wide variety of delicious meals for students to eat throughout the day, from breakfast rolls, soup and sandwiches to main courses and light snacks. There are also vending machines for drinks and snacks with a wide range of products on all campuses.

Students can access free breakfast in the college's cafeterias from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

All students at the college are automatically enrolled as members of the Forth Valley Student Association. This membership provides them with the opportunity to fully engage in the social aspects of college life and enjoy some fun experiences. Moreover, it offers the chance to acquire new skills and broaden their horizons by participating in a wide range of college events throughout the year. The primary focus of the association is to provide support and care to students who may require it. Association members are dedicated to ensuring that every student's voice is heard and their needs are met.

In addition, fitness centers have been established on all three campuses, offering the following amenities:

• Exercise equipment, including cardio and strength training machines.
• Personalized training sessions with professional trainers.
• Group fitness classes for students to participate in.

Forth Valley College has three state-of-the-art campuses across central Scotland, located in Falkirk, Alloa and Stirling. Forth Valley College's academic learning facilities include:

• Classrooms
• computer labs,
• scientific laboratories,
• staff workrooms,
• dining room and kitchen,
• beauty salons,
• sports facilities,
• Modular learning spaces.

There is a Gallery Learning Restaurant (Stirling Campus), hairdressers and beauty salons (Alloa and Falkirk Campuses) and well-equipped fitness rooms.

For the convenience of students, there is an ATM on the Falkirk campus, just behind the main entrance. If students are studying on campus in Alloa, then the ATM is located across the street in Asda.

Free parking is available on all campuses, however, space is limited. Alternative ways to get to the college are worth considering: public transport, cycling or walking. 

The academic year at Forth Valley College runs from September to July. It is divided into 3 trimesters: the first and second are separated by the Christmas holidays, the second and third are Easter.

Campuses are open from 8 a.m. every day during the semester, with the first morning classes starting at 9 a.m. Classes are usually scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a 15-minute break in the morning and a lunch break.

Additional costs include:

• Fitness Center Student Membership,
• Visa
• Residence
• Transportation costs,
• Other expenses.

When deciding to enroll at Forth Valley College, an applicant must do the following:

1. Fill in the international application form,
2. Collect the necessary documents,
3. Send all documentation along with the completed application form to the Student Administration Office,
4. After checking the application and supporting documents, the candidate will be invited for an interview either in person or via MS Teams. Further documents and decisions will be sent to the applicant as soon as a decision has been made regarding the place on the course,
5. In case of successful completion of the interview, the applicant will receive a conditional offer of a place on the course. Information will be provided about the conditions that the candidate must meet: the requirement to pay the full cost of the course and provide any other documents that the administration may request,
6. Once all the conditions of the offer have been met, the applicant will be issued an unconditional offer along with a letter confirming the acceptance of the study to complete the visa application,
7. The applicant should then apply for a study visa at a Tier 4 visa application centre,
8. Once the visa has been issued, the Student Administration Office must be notified by email and a Contracts Specialist will contact the student to begin preparations for coming to the UK.

Package of documents that will need to be collected:

• Copies of IELTS certificate (valid for 2 years). The English language test must be taken at a secure IELTS test centre recognised by UKVI,
• Copies of academic certificates and transcripts (in English),
• Completed personal statement,
• Academic transcript or employment certificate,
• Copy of the identity page of the passport,
• Copy of valid visa/biometric residence permit (if applicable),
• Copy of previous visas/biometric residence permit (if applicable).

The college has strong ties with petrochemical and chemical companies based in the Falkirk area.

To be eligible to study as a full-time international student at Forth Valley College, an applicant must apply for a full-time SCQF course at level 6 or above.

Full-time students can receive funding if their course progresses towards a qualification.

Part-time students may sometimes be eligible for travel and/or childcare funding.

To be eligible for funding, a student must meet age, residency, and previous study criteria.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision