How To Gain Admission Into University of Sussex As An International Students
Every student’s dream is to be in an institution that is conducive and sound academically both in theory and practical aspects of it. At this point, the University of Sussex is been recommended for you to take up your undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
Or, are you an international student looking for the best university to study your dream course? If yes, then the University of Sussex is the right choice for you.
Gaining admission into the university is quite easy if you adhere to the institution application guidelines and requirements.
In this article, you will be given detailed information on how to gain admission to the University of Sussex as an international student.
About University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is a public research university located in Falmer, Sussex, England. Its campus is surrounded by the South Downs National Park and it is a short distance away from central Brighton. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961, the first of the plate glass university generation, and was a founding member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.
More than a third of its students have enrolled in postgraduate programs and approximately a third of staff are from outside the United Kingdom. Sussex has a diverse community of nearly 20,000 students, with around one in three being foreign students, and over 1000 academics, representing over 140 different nationalities.
University of Sussex Application Support For International Students
The institution made the journey to studying at the University of Sussex International Study Centre even simpler. Their direct application form is the easiest and fastest way to submit your application, which gives you access to a dedicated Student Enrolment Advisor to support you every step of the way. Their Student Enrolment Advisors will respond to you within just 48 hours.
How We Help
By submitting an application online, you will receive:
- A free support service offering advice from enquiry to arrival.
- Access to an expert team of Student Enrolment Advisors over the phone, by email or by instant messaging.*
- Your own advisor to handle every aspect of your application.
- Support in more than a dozen languages including Chinese and Arabic.
- Expert advice on choosing your course, as well as answers to any questions you have about the University.
- Your application compiled, checked and submitted to admissions by your advisor.
- Help with accepting your offer.
- Visa application guidance and support, including free of charge access to a visa agent in your country, if required.
University of Sussex Entry Requirements For International Students
What Are Entry Requirements?
If you want to study an academic course at the International Study Centre, you will need to meet certain conditions, called entry requirements. Entry requirements typically include a mixture of:
- English Language: These requirements are expressed as Academic IELTS for UKVI* scores. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that measures language proficiency.
- Academic Qualifications: These requirements are shown by country so that you can easily see the grades, exams or experience you’ll need to have.
- Minimum Age: These requirements show the age you need to be
- Nationality: Currently our courses are only available to international students (students who are not from the UK or from the EU).
* If you do not need a Tier 4 visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English.
When applying, please advise us if you have previously studied at the University of Sussex.
Entry Requirements For Your Course
Choose the course you want to study at the International Study Centre to check the entry requirements:
- International Foundation Year entry requirements
- International Year One entry requirements
- Pre-Masters Programme entry requirements
University of Sussex Tuition and Study Fees For International Students
Below are details on tuition fees, accommodation and other costs for students at the International Study Centre. You can find out more about how to pay your fees with our step-by-step guide.
Price Validity
2020/21 fees are valid for any programme that commences in the 2020/21 academic cycle.
| International Study Centre course | Tuition fees 2020/21 |
|---|---|
| International Foundation Year | |
| – Business, Media and Social Science | £18,000 |
| – Science and Engineering | £18,700 |
| International Year One | |
| – Business and Management | £18,500 |
| – Computing | £19,500 |
| – Engineering | £19,500 |
| – Film and Media | £19,500 |
| – Finance and Accounting | £18,500 |
| – International Relations and International Development | £18,500 |
| Pre-Masters Programme | |
| – Business, Media and Social Science – 1 semester course | £11,800 |
| – Science and Engineering – 1 semester course | £11,800 |
| – Business, Media and Social Science – 2 semester course | £17,500 |
| – Science and Engineering – 2 semester course | £19,100 |
| English language courses | |
| Online Pre-Sessional English (10 weeks) | £4,500 |
| Online Pre-Sessional English (20 weeks) | £9,000 |
| English Language Preparation (per semester) | £5,950 |
| English for Pre-Masters (per semester) | £5,950 |
| Language Lift (6-week course) | £590 |
| Additional fees and costs | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Visit the Accommodation page |
| Airport pick-up (one-way transfer)* | |
| – London Gatwick (LGW) | £165 |
| – London Heathrow (LHR) | £160 |
| – London Stansted (STN) | £396 |
| StudyCare Insurance Plus (12 month cover) | £8 per week (to cover duration of course). Visit the Student insurance page |
| Police registration (if required) | Please visit the Gov.uk pages to read more about Police Registration |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Please visit the Gov.uk pages to read more about how much you need to pay |
*Prices subject to change
When Are Your Fees Due?
Confirmation Payment
Once you have received an offer of a place at the International Study Centre, to secure your place you will need to return a signed acceptance form and a confirmation payment. The confirmation payment consists of:
- £235 Enrolment Fee (non-refundable)
- £1,000 Deposit
- Insurance payment for Study Care if applicable
On receipt of your signed acceptance form and the confirmation payment, we will send you your confirmation pack. To accept the offer a confirmation payment is required comprising a non-refundable administration fee of £200 and £1,000 security deposit. Prior to enrolment (and before you apply for your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (‘CAS’)) you will also need to pay £6,000 in advance tuition fees. Once the CAS has been issued, and before arrival at the Centre, you will be required to pay the balance of the first semester’s fees along with the accommodation fees (if applicable) as set out on your individualised payment plan on your offer letter.
Tuition Fees
After arriving at the centre the balance of tuition fees can be paid:
- For programmes of study lasting two semesters or more: per semester, two months before the start of each academic semester, or in full in advance
- For one-semester (Pre-Masters Programme) courses: in full in advance.
Insurance
All international students should have the protection of appropriate accident and medical insurance for the duration of their time in the UK. The consequences of being uninsured can be extremely difficult and expensive.
Students can either take out our own StudyCare Insurance Plus policy or provide proof of adequate cover when they confirm their place. The StudyCare Insurance Plus policy covers loss of personal possessions as well as providing health and medical insurance. Please let your admissions advisor know if you wish to purchase our StudyCare Insurance Plus.
StudyCare has been designed specifically to offer international students comprehensive protection and support during their studies at the International Study Centre. The insurance covers you until the end of your course. Learn more about StudyCare Insurance Plus.
Guardianship
From September 1st 2019, all students under the age of 18 at the start of their course will receive our guardianship service free of charge. A guardian will support you during your time in the UK until you turn 18. More information will be provided after you apply.
Scholarships
Students at the International Study Centre who plan to progress to a degree at the University of Sussex may be eligible for a scholarship towards the cost of their degree.
University of Sussex Student Visa Information For International Students
Visa Applications And Credibility Interviews
You will need a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study at the University of Sussex International Study Centre.
Will I Be Eligible For A Student Visa?
There are three main requirements for those who want to study in the UK:
- You must have been offered a place on a course
- You must have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English to a good level.
When Should I Apply For A Visa?
You should make sure you apply early, to leave enough time for your application to be processed. The earliest you can apply is three months before your course begins.
How Long Can I Stay In The UK On A Student Visa?
In addition to the period of leave given to you to carry out your course of study, leave to remain will also be granted depending on your length of course.
The Visa Process
In order to apply for your visa, you must:
- First, apply for the programme of your choice at the International Study Centre, and receive an offer.
- Next, you must send the requested documents to be checked by Admissions team or your Student Enrolment Adviser.
- You will then pay a deposit and CAS payment.
- Your CAS will be issued. This means you can apply for your visa.
- You may be invited to a credibility interview.
- You will be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regarding the outcome of your visa application.
How We Can Help
If you are applying to study in the university, you can directly apply through their online application form; your Student Enrolment Advisor is available to help with all visa-related enquiries, such as help booking your visa interview and IELTS exam. Their team speak more than a dozen languages so you can feel comfortable and supported throughout this time. Your Student Enrolment Advisor can also offer you a free in-country visa agent service to handle your visa application if you require it.
Working During Your Pathway Programme
If you hold a Tier 4 visa to study at the International Study Centre and your visa is granted on or after 1 August 2019, you are entitled to work during your pathway programme. For more information on working during your studies, visit UKCISA.
Conditions Of A Tier 4 Visa
The main purpose of the Tier 4 visa route is for students to come to the UK to study. If you wish to work, it must be to gain work experience in your field of study. This could be taking a part-time role within an established business or organisation, such as a customer service position or as part of a work placement.
If you stop studying without completing your course, you will no longer be entitled to work and will be in breach of the conditions of the visa if you do work.
Working Hours
A Tier 4 visa allows you to work for a maximum of 10 hours per week during the term time of any course below degree level (for example your pathway programme), and a maximum of 20 hours per week during any course at degree level.
You can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during official holiday periods. This also applies to English language preparation programme students. This is the maximum number of hours you are allowed to work in any one week, including paid or unpaid work for one or more organisations. This cannot be averaged over a longer period. A ‘week’ is defined by the Home Office as a period of seven days and begins on a Monday.
Type of Work
If you work and hold a Tier 4 visa, you must not:
- Be employed as a doctor in training (except on a recognised Foundation programme)
- Be employed as a professional sportsperson, including a sports coach
- Be employed as an entertainer
- Be self-employed, except if you are awaiting a decision on an application you have made for leave to remain as a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur
- Engage in business activities
- Fill a full-time, permanent vacancy (except on a recognised foundation programme or as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer).
Visa Credibility Interviews
You may be required to attend a credibility interview to ensure that you comply with the UK’s immigration rules. The purpose is for an Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) to establish that you are a genuine student. You need to show you are serious, and that you have good knowledge of your chosen university and course. If you have done your research, the interview is nothing to worry about. The process is just designed to filter out people who are planning to use a student visa to work or holiday in the UK.
Will I Need An Interview?
Whether or not you will be invited for a credibility interview depends on which country you are applying from.
How Will The Interview Happen?
Credibility interviews normally take place in your local Visa Application Centre, via a video link. You will be interviewed by an ECO based in the UK.
How Should I Prepare?
Make sure you have done some detailed research on University of Sussex International Study Centre, as well as accommodation options, costs, and the local area. Also, familiarise yourself with the content of your chosen course.
What Questions Will I Be Asked?
Below are some examples of questions you may be asked. Think carefully before answering, because interviewers expect you to take the process seriously. Be honest, and avoid yes and no answers. Talk as naturally as possible; you do not want to look like you are repeating pre-prepared answers.
- Why Did You Choose University Of Sussex International Study Centre?
What made you choose the University of Sussex International Study Centre, rather than another institution? Consider what your reasons are for choosing to study at this institution, and ensure you are able to communicate these with your interviewer.
- Did You Consider Other Courses?
Tell the interviewer about your research. Did you look at other options, and how did you decide this course was the best for you? How will it fit in with your future career plans?
- Why Do You Want To Study In The UK?
With so many countries offering higher education, why does the UK appeal the most?
Do You Plan To Work In The UK?
Make clear that your main purpose for being in the UK is to study, and that any employment or work placement would be to gain practical work experience in your field of study. Show that you understand that you won’t be relying on any earnings to fund your education or living costs. You should show that you understand the number of hours you are permitted to work during your studies, both in term time and holiday periods.
What If My Visa Is Refused?
If you do meet the criteria set out in UKVI’s immigration rules, your application will be refused. If you receive a visa refusal, you have 28 days to submit an Administrative Review to the UKVI and contest the decision made by the ECO. This requires you to respond in writing to each of the points raised in the refusal and you must submit your Administration Review from outside the UK.
For more information, you can visit University of Sussex
What’s your take on this? We believe this article was helpful, if yes, don’t hesitate to share this information with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other Social Platforms.