Services for Students: A-Z of Services
International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)
Location |
Helena Kennedy Student Centre, first floor |
How to contact ISAS |
Tel 01865 48 4681 |
Fax |
01865 48 4656 |
Website |
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Head of International Student Advisory Service |
Sally Saca |
Advisers |
Freda Cammack,
Stephen Davies, Hazel English and Nahid Tonge 01865 48 4681 |
ISAS, based in Student Services, offers a range of services designed to support international students including immigration, finance, general academic matters, employment, bringing a family to the UK, adjusting to living and studying in the UK |
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For new international students
Pre-arrival Guide: ISAS produces an International Pre-arrival Guide sent out by the Admissions Office, which contains information to help new international students prepare for their departure to the UK.
The arrival programme in September aims to help new international students settle into their accommodation, meet other students and introduce them to aspects of life in Oxford. International students then join the Faculty based induction activities in Week 0. In January there is a shorter programme for students arriving to start in semester 2, which runs in Week 0. More information in the International Pre-arrival Guide. In the weeks before each programme, there will be more details on the
ISAS website.
On-going information and advice
ISAS also provides an ongoing advice and information service which offers support with practical issues, such as immigration, employment and finance, as well as issues relating to adjusting to life in the UK.
Immigration advice
Under current legislation, only designated staff within Oxford Brookes are allowed to give immigration advice to international students. This does not preclude other staff from providing general immigration information - in the form of a leaflet or web link - but it does mean that undesignated staff should not give immigration advice relating to a student's individual circumstances.This is especially important, since the major changes to the UK’s Immigration Rules and the introduction of the Points-Based system. Any changes in the student’s mode of study, their attendance and progress could have serious consequences for their immigration. There are also 5 or 6 year limits on the length of time a student can study at degree level (Bachelors or Masters) in the UK on a student (Tier 4) visa. This can affect students who have to do resits and retakes. Please contact ISAS if you have any questions, and refer student to ISAS.
Field Trips outside the UK
If a field trip or visit outside the UK is planned as part of a course, international students need to know the details as far in advance as possible because some international students may need to obtain visas to be able to travel to a particular country. This process may take several weeks or even months. If you can tell them about the visit before they leave their home country, it is easier for them to apply for a visa there than after they have arrived in the UK.
Work placements
Please check with ISAS on the current legislation and procedures governing international students taking employment, work placement, internship etc. You can also refer students and their employers to UKCISA’s Working during your studies.
Withdrawing from course and taking Approved Temporary Withdrawal
WARNING: If students with a Tier 4 student visa leave their course early or take a break from their studies, Brookes has to report this the UK Border Agency. This is part of our sponsor duties and it may mean that the student’s visa is cancelled. Before withdrawing from a course, or taking Approved Temporary Withdrawal, International students must first check the immigration implications with ISAS.
Social events
ISAS offers social events, and publicises local and national hosting programmes for international students. Details are publicised on ISAS' Social Activities and News sites.
Keeping in touch
If you would like regular information about issues affecting international students including any changes to the immigration rules, and a reminder when the news site is updated, contact: 
isas@brookes.ac.uk
More information about ISAS services for staff at: /student/services/isas/staff.html
This includes contact details for the ISAS advisers linked to each Faculty, and a list of the workshops that ISAS can offer to staff and students in Departments and Faculties.
Supporting international students
Studying in higher education is challenging for all students, but international students have the additional demand of adjusting to unfamiliar social and academic cultures, often in a new language. Tutors can play an important role in this by discussing the possible needs of their international students or tutees with them at an early stage, and encouraging them to contact ISAS, or, for English language and study skills classes, Oxford Brookes International Centre or the Upgrade Study Advice Service. Some students, who come from quite different cultures, may find our ways of seeking help unfamiliar and uncomfortable and need reassurance that actively seeking help is considered to be behaving appropriately in this culture. Useful background reading written for students is UKCISA’s ‘International students and Culture shock’
Information to prepare students for life after Brookes, including links to graduation ceremonies, immigration, joining the Alumni, finding work and thinking about the personal implications of leaving.