INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FAQs
Is the boarding catered?
RIC boarding is fully catered. All food is freshly prepared on the premises. Meals are served at breakfast, lunch and dinnertime.
There are small student kitchens in each boarding house for the preparation of food outside of these times.
How does RIC arrange accommodation during the holidays if required?
Accommodation during the half terms is covered. Accommodation is available at Easter at extra charge. The College closes at Christmas. Bank holidays are normal teaching days.
Can RIC arrange airport pick-ups? How is this charged?
The College can arrange airport pick-ups using a taxi service which can be added to the account.
Does the school collect pocket money?
We can operate pocket money accounts should parents desire.
What is the process of application?
Before application, we ask families to prepare these required documents:
• Completed and signed application form
• 2 recent passport-size photographs of the student
• Photocopy of student’s IELTS certificate or equivalent English language test result
• Photocopy of student’s most recent academic transcripts/reports/results (offcially translated)
• A letter of recommendation from the previous school(s)
• A personal statement explaining why you would like to study in the UK (within 250 words)
• Photocopy of student’s passport and all valid visas
Please e-mail scanned copies of the documents listed above to [email protected]
Once we have received the documents, we will assess the application and send an offer letter via e-mail if appropriate.
A draft Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) offer letter will then be sent to the students/parents and copied to the relevant representatives to reconfirm all the details. Once the details are confirmed as correct and the documents to support the visa application have been checked, the CAS number will be issued and a CAS offer letter will be issued and sent directly to the students/parents and copied to the relevant representatives. We then keep in touch with regard to the student’s visa application, payment of the fees and travel to the UK.
What is the fee for application? When do the students pay the application fee?
There is no application fee. There is a registration fee of £275 paid at the time of enrolment. See fees pages for full fees.
How much is the deposit and what are the terms?
The boarding deposits total £3000. They are refunded in September after the student leaves the College. The deposits are used to fund trips and extras such as exam fees and parents are issued with regular statements.
What happens at weekends and in free time?
There is no Saturday school. Students are free to make their own arrangements at weekends if they do not stay at the College. Weekend activities are organised for students who stay.
Here are some recent activities: Shopping at Bluewater and Stratford Westfield, Cinema, 10 Pin bowling, games nights, trampolining, football, swimming, gym, trips to London, Bath, Stratford on Avon and Margate.
See what our Student Ambassadors have to say about weekends at RIC
Are there any compulsory exeats?
No
Are there any academic subjects for which students need to pay additional fees?
There are no subject supplements and no extra charge for individual tuition.
Are any scholarships offered at RIC?
Yes, applications for academic scholarships should be made directly to the Principal.
Art and design scholarships are offered following the presentation of a portfolio, a drawing test and an interview. Students may have talent in any of the following areas: ne art, graphic design, photography or 3D design.
The award of the scholarship commits the student to participating in producing work for the school and in assisting with workshops and clubs run by the department. Art and Design scholarship students will also be asked to donate a piece of their work to the College at the end of the course.
How successful are RIC leavers at gaining entry to University?
“The top five student destinations in the last eight years are Leeds, Nottingham, Sussex, Cambridge and Imperial. Two RIC students have won places on the prestigious Fine Art degree course at UCL’s The Slade School.” The Good Schools Guide
How about examination results?
RIC’s exam results regularly exceed those of more highly selective private schools. We believe that our small teaching groups, regular testing and structured tutorial support are responsible for this. We are though a mixed ability school that offers a full range of subjects so inevitably our results on a year-to-year basis reflects that. We are just as interested in those for whom 3Cs at A level represents an enormous achievement as our Oxbridge high fliers with their annual rows of A* grades.
Results 2019: 29% A*/A, 61% A*/B. In the top 2% of schools in England for value added progress at A level.
Are there any outstanding subjects at RIC?
The College specialises in preparing students for medicine and medically related subjects. Science and Mathematics traditional strengths but Creative Arts also strong- Film, Photography, Graphic Design. The Good Schools Guide say: “It’s hard to imagine better provision for an artist.”
Tell us about the location of the College
Rochester itself is a historic city, famous for its connections with Charles Dickens and with a magnificent Cathedral and Castle and River Medway that can be viewed from the College’s classrooms and Halls of Residence bedrooms. We are 55 mins from Gatwick, 90 mins from Heathrow, 37 mins by train from London St Pancras.