In the same year 2012, just after my enrollment as an Advocate with Bar Council of Tamilnadu, I started finding the Law universities in US & UK to pursue my LL.M. I always presumed that, teaching methods in west is different and good. While, doing so one university came in the gmail advertisement.
Which, I browsed through their website, found very interesting, ha ha. You know London School Economics was my target. London School of Economics and other top universities wanted high grades on the LL.B., English proficiency and fees.
Oxford Brookes, somehow impressed me. I submitted my application in December 2012. So in January, I did join an IELTS coaching with Gateway Abroad, Ayanavaram. Run by Mr.Dennis Vasanth.
Mr.Dennis Vasanth, An abroad education agent; a professional advisor, who represents many foreign universities, he too suggested some colleges. Some how, I did strict my choice to the Oxford Brookes University, the first one I got impressed with. This university stands on 28th rank in School of Law in the UK. I think, that matches my brilliance.
English teacher at Gateway Abroad was excellent, she gave good emphasize on the reading, interpretation, listening and writing, within one month of learning, I have scored overall 6.5 score of IELTS. Which was the grade of my university requirement. Unfortunately, in the year 2013, I could not process the UK Visa, as I was not at able to process the bank education loan.
So I requested the university to renew the conditional offer for the Sept 2014 intake. In 2014, I started the process in early March and started doing loan application.
I shall be very grateful to the Branch Manager Mrs.Anandhi, SBI Ayappakkam, the confidence she gave me about processing, made me to UK. The bank loan process went almost 3 months & atleast 20 visits to bank and processing centre. Initially RACPC Anna Nagar, started the application then it was shifted to the new RACPC Ayyappanthal.
My new flat which I occupied in the year 2014 was processed for Mortgage. A flat worth about 25 lacs of market value. However the bank only said they would be 12 lacs. The overall fees and accommodation expenses the university mentioned in the CAS letter was round 19 lacs. It was very difficult to convince the RACPC Chief Manager, Elengovan to sanction atleast 16. However, Mr. Somasundaram, AGM, RACPC Ayyappanthal a professional man, confirmed me 15 lacs and issued the Loan Sanction Letter on non letter head. “ Loan sanctioned, but Document process is pending” The interest rate on education loan is very high in India.
Mr.Dennis Vasanth, was very sure, that the letter I got is not acceptable and visa will get rejected. He suggested, even if it is taking time, complete all the formalities and get in color letter head.
Actually, he was right, the Documents related to the bank balance and loan documents should be in original bank pass book and letter head, so that the Visa process does not find any gap on this area, or doesn’t stop, even if it stop, forget the visa, you might miss the deadline of the university. Financial proof is very essential for the visa eligibility.
By the time I attended the visa interview, the course at the university has began, however, the university gave 2 weeks relaxation for international students. I had delayed by 1 week and landed here in Oxford on 30th and started my classes on 1 st of October.