English language
Our Sussex Language Institute can help you prepare for university study in the UK and provide support while you study, so you get the most out of your degree.
Sussex Language Institute
The Sussex Language Institute (SLI), at the heart of the campus, is the University's main centre for English language teaching. It is inspected and accredited by the British Council and is a founder member of QuiTE (The Association for Quality in TESOL Education), so you can be sure of the quality of teaching and support. It's also home to a friendly and diverse international student community.
See our English language requirements to check what score you need for your chosen course.
Undergraduate English language requirements
Postgraduate English language requirements
Pre-sessional English (before you start your degree)
If English is not your first language, you may need to improve your skills on a pre-sessional English language course before starting your degree. Pre-sessional courses focus on English for academic purposes and study skills, rather than exam preparation. You will learn comprehension for lectures and seminars, critical reading skills, note taking, academic writing and key study skills (including citation and referencing). A pre-sessional course will also prepare you for the culture and practice of studying in the UK, so you can really fulfill your potential.
| IELTS gap | Pre-sessional English course normally required |
|---|---|
| 0.5 below requirement | Module C (Integrated pre-sessional) |
| 1.0 below requirement | Module B and C (Integrated pre-sessional) |
| 1.5 below requirement | Module A, B and C (Standard pre-sessional) |
| More than 1.5 below | Enquire about length required |
TOEFL equivalence
The table gives guidelines for comparison between IELTS and TOEFL scores:
| IELTS score | Paper TOEFL | IBT | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 550 (TWE 4) | 80 | 22 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 570 (TWE 5) | 90 | 24 | 25 |
| 7.0 | 600 (TWE 6) | 100 | 27 | 27 |
Free pre-sessional
If you take and successfully complete the pre-sessional Module C course, you will be refunded the tuition fee for Module C when you progress to your degree, providing that:
- you are an overseas fee-payer
- you are paying for the pre-sessional and degree programme yourself (i.e. not funded via a sponsoring organisation)
- you are taking the Pre-sessional course as a requirement of your offer for the degree programme.
Progression to your degree
At Sussex we pride ourselves on the high quality of our language teaching and the progression of students from our pre-sessional courses has always been high. In 2009, for example, 228 students completed Module C and 227 of those students (99.6%) progressed to a degree at Sussex. However, it is compulsory you study hard, attend all classes and complete all assignments during the pre-sessional. If your attendance or assignment submissions fall below the requirement, your student visa may be at risk.
If you are unlikely to progress, SLI staff will tell you as early as possible so you can work out an alternative study route, or you may be asked to take additional English courses alongside your degree (called 'in-sessional English').
In-sessional English (while you study)
In-sessional English language support is free if you are completing a full degree at Sussex. Our friendly, highly qualified staff teach a range of classes in English language and study skills, such as:
- workshops for academic development
- tutorials to support individual work
- small group writing workshops
- help with lectures, seminars and presentations.
Other English language courses
Whether or not you are a Sussex degree student, you can join SLI all year round for a range of other English language courses, including:
- English for Academic Purposes
- General English
- Cambridge and IELTS examination preparation
- English Language Teaching