Admissions
Conditions of Admission for a six-month course
The courses are open to all, regardless of religion, race, age or background. No educational or other qualification is needed, other than a basic knowledge of English. What is required is a desire to know, a positive application and a certain independence of spirit which enables the applicant to realise that he, or she, must know himself or herself as an individual before any understanding of life can be reached.
The nature of the course is intense and very focused, and you will need commitment to complete it. It is strongly advised that you take part in an introductory Foundation course first, or if this is not possible, that you visit the school for a time.
You will need to fill in a comprehensive application form (please contact the secretary for a copy), and make yourself available for an interview prior to the course. If you live abroad, it might be possible to meet for the interview with an ex-student of the School living in your country.
The Course begins on the 1st of October and ends on the 24th of March the following year.
Course Fees and Payments
The cost of the six-month course for 2010/11 is £4850. An integral part of the six-month course is a two-week journey in December to Turkey. The cost of this varies from year to year, but is usually around £800, plus spending money. This is additional to the course fee.
The School at Chisholme House is financed entirely by gifts and donations, and supported through work freely given. The education itself is free of charge and course fees are calculated to cover only the cost of food, accommodation and related expenses for the six-month period.
Please note that all course fees should be pre-paid. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Chisholme Institute'. Concessions are available for students and the unwaged.
The school does not wish to exclude people for financial reasons. For those on a low income, payment can sometimes be spread over a longer period of time, and there are also a number of scholarships available. If help with course fees is needed please apply by writing to the Principal, or discuss this at interview. Whatever arrangements you need to make with regard to fees must be agreed upon with the School before the beginning of the course.
If you have any queries regarding finance please contact the Secretary when applying for the course.
Accommodation
Student accommodation is housed on the ground and first floor in the converted farm steading, which is a short walk from the main house.
Accommodation is shared, in double, triple or dormitory style rooms.
Bed linen and towels are provided. Wash facilities, showers and toilets are grouped together on the ground floor. There is one bathroom suitable for disabled users. There are no bedrooms with en-suite facilities.
Disabled facilities
The student accommodation in the farm steading has ground floor rooms with wheelchair access, and one bathroom with toilet and shower suitable for disabled users. Please discuss your requirements by contacting the secretary, prior to arrival.
Meals
Everyone eats together in the large dining room in the main house. Great care is taken in the preparation of all food, which includes meat. Vegetarians are catered for, and any other dietary requirements will need to be discussed with the secretary when applying to the course.
What to bring
The weather varies a great deal, so please bring plenty of warm indoor and outdoor clothing, including lots of warm socks and underwear. Wellington boots are the most useful footwear for the outdoors. There are usually spare wellies and tough rainwear that can be borrowed, but of course it is better to bring your own if you can. Also: two pairs of warm house shoes or slippers (one pair for the steading accommodation, one for the main house); a dressing gown is essential, as none of the bedrooms or dormitories has en-suite facilities; also, bring something smart or fun to wear for special occasions (optional).
A ten day trip to Turkey in December is part of the course, and for this you will need a pair of solid and warm shoes for walking, and a bathing costume or bathing trunks to enjoy the hot steam baths in Bursa.
There is a free 'swap-shop', called 'jumble' where students leave clothes they no longer need. It's a useful place to find things to supplement your wardrobe. Once the course starts, you will not be able to do your own shopping. There will be regular shopping trips made on behalf of the students, but facilities in Hawick are limited, and if there are toiletries or any other thing you are particularly fond of, it is best to bring a six-month supply!
Visa requirements
If you come from a country other than the UK or European Union: Please note that new visa regulations have come into force for foreign students who wish to study in Britain. For more information see Visa requirements.
Children
If you are a parent and you would like to bring your child or children to Chisholme for the duration of the six-month course, then please write to the Principal at the earliest possible opportunity. Schooling and care arrangements need to be in place well in advance of the beginning of the course.
The nearest schools to Chisholme are in Hawick (9m). There are a number of primary schools for young children, while children over the age of twelve will attend Hawick High School. There is a school bus both to and from Hawick. The care for children of pre-school age will be addressed in close co-operation with the parents.
Unfortunately if you are entering the UK on a visiting student visa from a country outside the UK and EU, immigration regulations state that you are not able to bring children or other dependents with you whilst you attend a course of study. Therefore we cannot accept anyone wishing to bring children under these circumstances.
To apply for the course:
Please write to the secretary
Email secretary@beshara.org Telephone [+44] [0]1450 880215 Fax [+44] [0]1450 880204
Postal address:
The Secretary The Beshara School Chisholme House Roberton, Nr Hawick Scotland TD9 7PH UK
How to get to Chisholme
See the Directions page.
