We welcome applications from learners educated overseas and strive to make the process of coming here to study as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Many learners at the College are from outside the UK, from countries all over Europe, South America, China and the Far East, Middle East and North Africa.
We provide learners from overseas with extra support to help them settle into College life and to adapt to studying and living in a different culture. To help you to adjust to your new environment, a welcome/induction event is held for you at the beginning of the academic year to find out about college life, with the opportunity to meet current overseas learners and to discuss cultural differences and any fears or concerns.
Information is available on immigration matters, guidance on working whilst studying in the UK as well as how to open a bank account and general information about the local area. Most importantly of all, the induction is designed to give you the chance to meet other learners to build up a network of contacts and help you to settle into the academic and social life of the College and life in the UK. We can also match you with a “buddy” to help get settled in socially and academically.
English Language Assessment
In partnership with the University of Essex, all learners whose first language is not English are expected to take English Language assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to identify learners who may benefit from taking English Language support classes in addition to their degree studies. The assessment is not a pass/fail examination, and is not used to determine entrance onto your course.
Learners who take the assessment will be notified of their score, and on the basis of this, attendance at English Language support classes will be recommended or advised to individual learners as appropriate. Only learners who have taken the English Language assessment will be eligible to sign up for in-sectional English Language support classes.
All learners are expected to be able to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English. If English is not your first language you will need to meet an acceptable standard of English language. For first-year entry on a University of Essex undergraduate degree, all learners must have an IELTS score of 6.0 or above. The University will not accept learners onto undergraduate degrees with less than this.
Your English language ability may then be assessed at the start of the academic year in September and on the basis of this assessment you may need to complete a language course in the first term.
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 College 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
- Hong Kong Certificate of English Education - 3
- International Baccalaureate English B Syllabus (Standard Level) – 4
International Baccalaureate English B Syllabus (Standard Level)
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).
Fees
As an international learner you will be asked to produce evidence of your ability to pay tuition fees and to cover living expenses during your degree, either by means of a government scholarship, other award or private funds.
The Applications Process
In the first instance, international learners should apply to UCAS (or direct to the College for part-time courses) in the normal way. For more information on the
application process, click How to Apply or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
The United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) also provides some detailed guidance on immigration matters and visa application on their website at: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/index.php. International learners on Tier 4 general student visas will be permitted to undertake limited part-time work in the UK. Normally, student visa holders are permitted to work for up to twenty hours per week in term time, and full-time in the vacations.
We strongly recommend that international applicants seek advice from www.ukba.gov.uk. Contact UKCISA via their website www.ukcisa.org.uk. Or telephone their Advice Line:
Outside the UK: +44 20 7107 9922
Inside the UK: 020 7107 9922
The Advice Line is open from Monday to Friday, 1300 - 1600 hours (UK time).
General Entry Requirements
We are happy to make offers of admission based on the International Baccalaureate or on other qualifications that are considered equivalent to our general entrance requirements.
More specific entry requirements for each programme are listed on the course information pages of our Undergraduate prospectus. All the information regarding entry requirements quoted throughout this prospectus relates to UK qualifications. However, we are able to accept a wide variety of qualifications which are awarded overseas and we use the UK NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to make international comparisons. For further information, visit the NARIC website at: www.naric.org.uk.
Although we follow NARIC’s guidelines, we are also prepared to consider learners based on the whole application, including evidence of professional experience. If you have any questions please contact our Admissions team on +44 (0)1702 220500 or via email at admissions@southessex.ac.uk.