Our useful pre-arrival information to familiarise yourself with before you arrive at St Clare’s, includes guidance on VISAs, guardianship, under 18s travelling, airport transfers, what to bring, and arrival weekend plans.
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Visas
We welcome students from all over the world, and if a visa is needed, we can guide and support you through the application process.
It is easy to check if you need a visa on the UK Government website.
The UK Government have created a leaflet with key information, including required documentation and the application process.
St Clare’s, Oxford is a licensed education sponsor, and we can issue you with the documents to support your visa application, such as a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS).
Types of Visas
The table below outlines the visa type you may need for our programmes.
| Child Student Visa | Student Visa | Short Term Study Visa | Standard Visitor Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB Diploma Programme - under 18 | x |
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| IB Diploma Programme - over 18* | x |
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| Pre-IB course - less than 6 months |
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| x | |
| Pre-IB course - over 6 months | x |
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Visa types may vary according to your individual circumstances. If you are unsure, please go to UK Government Visa and Immigration or contact us.
Child Student Visa
A Child Student route visa is needed by children between the ages of 4 and 17 who wish to study with us.
| Read More... |
You will be required to share a copy of your child’s passport, birth certificate and visa with us. This enables us to comply fully with our responsibilities as a visa sponsor. The information you provide will be stored and processed confidentially and securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. We take our duties as sponsors for educational visas very seriously. Changes to the expectations of sponsors by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) require us to be aware of the immigration status of every student, regardless of nationality. All international boarding students are now required to have a nominated Educational Guardian. Please read our policy here for more information. The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) has created a useful guide to Child Student visas for international students requiring visa sponsorship. Please see here for more information. |
Student Route Visa
If you are over 18 years old and applying for a Student Route Visa for courses longer than six months, you will need to prove your knowledge of English through a SELT at an approved provider. Please click here for approved tests and testing centres.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Students who plan to study for short-term courses of six months or less and from countries that don’t require a standard visitor visa for the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
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You must provide a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. You may also be asked to prove that:
It is quick and simple to apply for an ETA. It permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2 years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. To apply for an ETA, you need to:
You usually get a decision within 3 working days but may get a quicker decision if you use the UK ETA app, download here for Apple or Android. You must travel using the same passport used when you applied for an ETA. To check if you need a visa or ETA please click here. For more information about the ETA and instructions on applying please click here. |
Guardianship
We require all Pre-IB (PIB) and IB Diploma (IB) students studying at St Clare’s under a Child Student Visa with parents and/or Legal Guardians overseas, regardless of their age, to have a nominated Educational Guardian in the UK.
| Read More... |
*Please review our UK Educational Guardians Policy to ensure your named Educational Guardian meets our policy requirements and is based in the UK. The Boarding Schools Association (BSA) and Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS) websites have a list of guardians who have the BSA Certified Guardian certification which is an assurance of professional quality. |
Under 18s
If you’re under 18 and travelling alone. You need to provide a letter from your parent or guardian, giving their contact details and consent for you to travel to the UK, including:
- the details of where you’re staying in the UK
- their consent for you to stay at the College or with the person named in the letter
We can send you a template if needed.
Transfers
We offer private transfer service by car from all the major London airports, train or bus stations.
Airport transfers
| From/To | Number of Passengers | Cost (one way) |
|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow Airport (LHR) | 1-3 passengers | £198 |
| London Gatwick Airport (LGW) | 1-3 passengers | £252 |
| London Luton Airport (LTN) | 1-3 passengers | £222 |
| London Stanstead Airport (STN) | 1-3 passengers | £276 |
| Birmingham Aiport (BHX) | 1-3 passengers | £246 |
| London City Airport (LCY) | 1-3 passengers | £300 |
| Southampton (SOU) | 1-3 passengers | £258 |
Other transfers
| From/To | Number of Passengers | Cost (one way) |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras Railway Station | 1-3 passengers | £300 |
| Central London | 1-3 passengers | £276 |
| Birmingham | 1-3 passengers | £246 |
| Other Destinations | Available on request | Available on request |
*Prices are valid from October 2025 and are reviewed on a regular basis.
Reduced transfer prices apply only when two or three students travel together on the same flight and are booked at the same time in advance. Our dedicated taxi company has the right to group students in the same car without a reduction in the price.
To book a transfer, please email us.
Alternative Travel Options
The Oxford Bus Company runs an excellent bus service between Oxford and Gatwick and Oxford and Heathrow. Please take a look at the most recent timetables and routes. Bus companies also operate between Oxford and Luton and Oxford and Stansted.
If you prefer to travel by train please look at the National Rail website for timetables and prices.
What is Provided by St Clare's
- Wi-Fi access in all buildings
- Washers and dryers in residential accommodations (you will be responsible for washing your own clothes using washing machines and dryers in your house)
- Bed linen and towels (laundered by St Clare’s weekly; students may bring their own personal bed linen if desired but will be required to wash these along with clothing)
- Kitchen essentials in each residential accommodation (please note: do not bring any electrical cookware such as rice cookers or kettles; these cannot be used in boarding houses and will be removed from rooms)
- Textbooks and calculator (purchased through the Library)
- Central heating in all residential accommodations
- Residential students will be given a small safe for storing valuable items (i.e. passport, money, jewellery, etc. - we strongly recommend that you do not carry large sums of money around with you)
WHAT TO BRING
Did you know you can download a printable packing list?
Arrival Day
As we approach the start of the new academic year and prepare to welcome you to St Clare’s, please find important information about what to expect on your arrival day.
ARRIVALS WEEKEND
| 1 |
ArrivalPlease arrive at St Clare’s between 9:00 and no later than 13:00 on Arrivals Day. |
| 2 |
WelcomeYou will be welcomed at the front gate at 139 Banbury Road and guided from there by current students who are in the Orientation Team along with members of staff.
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| 3 |
RegisterYou will receive your student card and complete your registration with Nurse, ICT staff (bring your laptop and phone) and gym. |
| 4 |
UnpackAfter registration, parents and students will be taken to their boarding house with their luggage. Those students who did not come to St Clare's for an interview should ask their Orientation Helper for a tour of the site; they will be happy to support you. |
Day Students
During the Orientation period, non-residential (Day) students will be expected to stay at St Clare’s. They will be allocated a bed in one of our residential houses for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights of Orientation.
All students will be occupied for the whole of the Orientation weekend. You will see in the programme that activities take place in teams: all students will be informed of their team colour on arrival at the college.