International students

RNC has an international reputation as a centre of excellence for people with a visual impairment. The former Prince of Wales has been our Patron since 1997.

We are delighted to welcome students drawn by our international standing as outstanding providers of specialist education and in recent years we have been joined by students from countries as varied as Norway, Qatar, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Unlike many specialist independent schools in the UK, RNC can offer a unique blend of college education, specialist provision and preparation for university, employment and independence.

RNC offers:

• help with English language learning
• tailored courses and programmes following the English national curriculum to suit every individual
• one-to-one assistance in independent living skills
• a homely environment in one of the country’s most picturesque small cities
• a wide range of extra-curricular activities
• first-class sporting facilities and training (RNC has been dubbed ‘the home of blind football’)
• mobility and orientation training
• 24-hour residential staff on site

Step-by-step process

Application and funding

Complete the application for RNC and advise us on how you intend to fund your placement.

In order to study at RNC, international students must have their own funding in place. This can mean paying privately or securing sponsorship from your government or an employer. We are unable to subsidise your place by providing any funding ourselves and do not offer a scholarship programme.

You will be invited for an initial interview online via Skype / Zoom / Teams. Our team will then arrange an in-depth virtual pre-entry assessment.

Pre-entry assessment

The pre-entry assessment will consist of a series of meetings with key members of our staff including our teachers. You will also be expected to undertake a literacy and numeracy test.

During the process we will be able to establish the best way that we can support you and it will also give you the opportunity to ask lots of questions about RNC.

RNC offer letter

Once the assessment is complete, if we are able to offer you a place we will confirm the full cost and proposed start date and provide this information in writing for the benefit of the authorities in your home country and any sponsors.

Because your programme will be tailored to meet your personal needs we cannot confirm the cost before this stage, although we can provide a general indication of likely fees on request.

Three months prior to the start of your course we will issue you with a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).

You will be required to apply for your visa in your home country.

Application form

Our application form is available to download here. Please complete it and return to info@rnc.ac.uk

International prospectus

You can view our International prospectus here or download a pdf version here.