Going to college in the UK

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 18:01

My 15 y.o. son wants to go to college in the UK. According to Exeter College website, "all the full time courses, such as AS levels, BTEC First and National Diplomas are free for all 16-18 year olds who are resident in the UK and the European Economic Area for the last 3 years."

According to the EEA website Cyprus is in the EEA. It makes no reference or differentiation to Northern Cyprus or the TRNC. According to the EU TRNC is part of Cyprus.

My question is:

Can I claim that my son has lived in the EEA for the last 3 years (actually 5).

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 18:08

Vaughan - why not ask the college?

Say you are living on Cyprus which is considered to be in the EEU but your postal address in Mersin 10 Turkey. Both are true are they not?

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 18:20

Hi Vaughan



Yes, TRNC (North Cyprus) is in the EEA for education purposes, my daughter is currently studying for her A levels in UK and didn't have to pay for her course.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 18:21

I am waiting for a reply from the college.

I don't think mentoning Mersin-10 would be anything other than consfusing.

I suspect that this may be one of the occasions that TRNC is NOT considered to be "part of Cyprus, currently not under government control."

I asked the question here as there may be experience of this amongst BB members.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 18:24

Hi coa,



That's good news. Perhaps you might be kind enough to contact me off board as I would like to speak to you.

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 18:27

I have sent you an email with further info.

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 19:49

He may be living in Cyprus but he won't have proof of 'residency' there will he? Not for RoC which satisfies the EU rulings.



Friends of mine are having to pay dearly for their offspring to go to Uni in the UK, merely on account of the length of time they've been out of the UK.

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 20:00

There's a difference between Further Education provision for 16-18 year olds which is still free in the UK and university education where a contribution to tuition fees is generally required.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
28/01/2010 20:00

Oleander,



According to the info I now have, one doesn't have to demonstrate residency. My sons school reports showing him to have attended school in Cyprus will sufice. The EEA does not differentiate between RoC and TRNC.

Uni is another matter but 16 to 18 y.o.'s going to college do qualify.

exmouthfire



Joined: 16/01/2010
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
29/01/2010 19:37

Exeter College is a good establishment, Exeter a nice safe city, he should enjoy his time in this part of Devon, plenty to do.

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
30/01/2010 01:09

My mistake - I was assuming Uni for College - American style!



(and not thinking any 16 yr old would want to leave their family behind!)

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
30/01/2010 10:01

Vaugan. I would imagine it is no problem at all . TRNC Kids go to UK UNI'S no problem . If you would like me to make discreet enquiries i would happily oblige ?

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
30/01/2010 11:12

Hi Oleander,



We come from Exeter and my son has many friends there, as well as family in the UK.



Hi Pipie,



Any info you could find out for me would be much appreciated.

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
30/01/2010 11:55

Exeter - lovely place.

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
30/01/2010 12:10

You should be able to read the latest Ofsted report on the college via the web. That should enable you to check out how good the college is at delivering the areas of the curriculum that you daughter wishes to study.

This used to be my game before I retired. There are a lot of excellent colleges in the South West - and some not so good. So, for example should a young person want to study A levels then Cirencester College is generally top of the pile.