International Student Support Services

We pride ourselves on the care and support that you will receive. We understand how important this is when living in a foreign country. Our friendly and experienced Student Services team all work together to ensure you have the most beneficial experience possible.

The International Office

Your first contact with us will probably be with our International Officers. They will help you with your application, give you visa and travel advice and welcome you to Bristol. They organise a varied programme of social activities and will deal with any concerns you have during your stay. With our meet and greet service we can arrange for you to be met at the airport, train or coach station when you first arrive in the UK. You will then be taken to your accommodation in Bristol.

GOAL Centre - GO AWAY TO LEARN!

The GOAL Centre offers specialist support to all international students and any others studying at Filton College who are away from home. It is a dedicated area with an internet café offering free e-mail access and a relaxing space to socialise with other students and watch TV. There are also magazines and newspapers from around the world.

Careers Guidance

Our Careers team is available to help you decide what to do after you complete your course. They can help with careers guidance, job applications and provide information on progression to further study.

Welfare

College Welfare Officers will help you with any difficulties you may have, such as accommodation or visa / immigration issues.

Student Counselling Service

If you have a problem you wish to discuss in confidence, you can speak to one of our trained and experienced counsellors.

Students’ Union

You will be able to join our Students’ Union. You can participate in a wide range of activities such as Aromatherapy, Water Skiing, Go-Karting and Paint-Balling and go on trips within the UK and abroad. You can also receive discounts in many shops with your student union card.

Tutorial Support

When you start your course, you will be allocated a personal tutor. You will meet with your tutor weekly in both group and one-to-one sessions. Your tutor will help you to achieve your academic goals.

English Language Support

If you need help with your English while studying a course other than EFL, this support is available at no extra cost. As well as helping you to improve your English generally, you can also prepare for the IELTS exam which you will need if you are planning to go to university in the UK.

Social & Cultural Programme

We offer a varied programme of social events, day-trips and weekends away so that you really enjoy your stay here.

You will find it a good way to make friends, and you will get to see some of the most attractive parts of Britain. The programme varies throughout the year, but you can expect to do some of the things listed below.

Social events

• Guided tour of Bristol
• Mountain biking
• Pub visits
• Ten pin bowling
• Canoeing
• Trips to the theatre
• Boat cruise and barbecue
• Karaoke

Day Trips

• Bath
• Oxford
• Stonehenge and Salisbury
• Cheddar Gorge and the cathedral city of Wells
• Cheltenham and the villages of the Cotswolds
• Warwick Castle
• Windsor and Eton College
• Stratford-upon-Avon
• Alton Towers theme park

There are usually 2-3 day-trips each term