Entry Requirements

Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applications for part-time courses should be made directly to the College using our online form.

Entry Requirements

The College has a general entrance requirement which is described in terms of:

• A-levels, vocational A-levels, AS levels and GCSEs;
• A range of other qualifications that we regard as equivalent. Please also refer to the course pages in this prospectus for more detailed information.

All learners are expected to have GCSE English Language and Maths (grade C or above) or the equivalent. Applicants can use Key Skills at Level 3 as part of their UCAS points total, providing the key skills do not overlap with other qualifications (e.g. Numeracy and A-level Mathematics). Some courses offer an Exceptional Entry Portfolio option, which means that relevant industry/life experience is considered rather than formal qualifications, as an alternate entry route.

If you are not applying directly from a school or college you may not need to satisfy the requirements above but you will need to show evidence of your ability to undertake degree-level work and that you have the necessary study skills. You will be asked to demonstrate an equivalent knowledge of the subject and if you have not had any formal education for several years you may need to undertake some sort of preparatory course before entering the College.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility before submitting a formal application, please contact our Admissions team in the first instance on 0845 52 12345 or email them at admissions@southessex.ac.uk.

They will arrange for a tutor from the relevant course to contact you to discuss your individual situation before you formally apply.

BA/BSc (Hons) Degrees

Our vocationally-oriented degree courses normally require a minimum of 160 UCAS points to be awarded from one or more of the following:

• At least two A-levels
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate [QCF]
• BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma [NQF]
• International Baccalaureate
• AQA Baccalaureate
• Progression Diploma
• Advanced Diploma

Although the following qualifications are not on the UCAS tariff they are considered for entry to our degree programmes:

• QAA-approved Access to Higher
• Education Diplomas
• European/Welsh Baccalaureate
• Level 3 NVQs
• Practicing Professional Qualifications
• Open University courses

CertHE, DipHE, FdA and FdSc

40 UCAS Points are normally required, to be awarded from one or more of the following:

• GCE A-level (one grade E)
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate [QCF]
• BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma [NQF]
• Progression Diploma
• Level 3 Advanced Diploma
• Extended Project (minimum 40 UCAS Points – please see individual course profiles on our website for UCAS entry points)

Although the following qualifications are not on the UCAS tariff they are considered for entry to any of the above programmes:

• QAA-approved Access to Higher Education Diplomas
• European/Welsh Baccalaureate
• Level 3 NVQs

Welsh Baccalaureate

As a new qualification the College will consider applications from those who successfully complete the full qualification, and offers will take into account performance in the core and specialist units.

Credit accumulation and transfer

The College is happy to consider applications for entry to later stages of a Higher Education programme on the basis of qualifications obtained elsewhere. The College also operates within the structures of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Applicants from the European Union and Overseas

The College welcomes applications from candidates educated in other European countries and from elsewhere in the world. We are happy to make offers of admission based on the International or European Baccalaureate or on other qualifications that are considered equivalent to our general entrance requirements. For information on the entry requirements from a specific national qualification, please contact the Admission Team on admissions@southessex.ac.uk.

If English is not your first language you will be required to have met the College’s English language requirements as part of any offer of admission to the College. For first year entry on to undergraduate degrees, all learners must have an IELTS score of 6.0 or above.

English Language Requirements

The following standards are required:

IELTS (Academic Version)

6.0 (for first year entry onto Undergraduate programmes)

TOEFL (paper-based test)

540, 76 on IBT for first year entry to all courses

The College can accept other tests including:

• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English – Grade B
• Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) - 3
• GCE O-level or GCSE English Language or Use of English - Grade C
• Hong Kong Certificate of English Education - 3
• International Baccalaureate English B Syllabus (Standard Level) – 4

Applicants who are applying to enter directly into the second year of a degree scheme will be required to demonstrate a higher level of English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 600 or IBT 100).