• International and Study Abroad
• Study Abroad Guide for international students
• How to apply
• • Fees, expenses and part-time work 2014-15
  • Fees, expenses and part-time work 2013-14
  • Terms and conditions

How to apply

A step-by-step guide to applying

Notes

The University of Sussex has exchange programmes with a wide range of universities worldwide – applications for places on these exchanges must be made through your own institution.

Alternative application forms are used for Erasmus exchange students; these can be obtained from your own institution.

Submitting your application

The deadline for applications for courses starting in September (the first semester or full academic year) is 1 May. For courses starting in January (the second semester or spring term) it is 15 October, although late applications are considered subject to availability of places. However, you are advised to submit your application as early as possible, as places on most courses are limited and preference is given to early applicants.

You can generally expect a decision on your application about three weeks after we receive it. Please download the application form, complete it and send it to the International and Study Abroad Office, and include the required documentation: transcripts, references and evidence of English language qualifications, with your application form. 

If the application is successful, prior to your arrival we will send you more information on housing, registration, your modules, our welcome and information programme.

When filling in the application form make sure you include the title of each module, together with its module code, level, credits and subject area. For advice on form-filling, contact the Sussex Abroad Office E international@sussex.ac.uk

Academic and English language requirements

You must be academically qualified to take the modules for which you apply.

You are normally expected to have completed at least one year of higher education in your own country.

For Masters-level modules, you are usually expected to have completed at least three years of higher education in your home country or have permision from the course tutor.

For students in the US, a current grade point average of 3.0 or higher is normally required. The applications of students from other countries are assessed on an individual basis.

If your native language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of suitable English language qualifications. As classes are taught in English, you must demonstrate a good level of English competence.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5 overall and not less than 6.0 in each of the four components
• Test of English as a Foreign Language: internet based test: 88 overall with 20 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in speaking and 23 in writing. The TOEFL institution code for the University of Sussex is DI 9166
• GCSE or IGCSE English: grade C
• GCSE English as a second language: grade B
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE): grade B
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade C
• Cambridge English Language 1119: between grades 1 and 6.

Refer to Learning resources for further details on English language courses.

For information about other acceptable qualifications, contact the International and Study Abroad Office at E international@sussex.ac.uk

Visa requirements

What visa you require depends on your country of residence, your period of study, and whether or not you intend to work while in the UK.

If you are an European Economic Area (EEA) national and have been accepted by Sussex onto a programme of study, you are entitled to enter the UK freely and have the right of residence for the duration of your course.

If you are an international student who is not an EEA national, and intend to study in the UK for longer than six months, or work part-time while you are here, you will need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa. If you are made an offer by the University, once this is confirmed, you will be issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number, which you will need before applying for a Tier 4 student visa. To pass the points-based assessment, as well as to obtain the CAS from Sussex, you must also demonstrate that you have sufficient finances to cover your programme fees and monthly living expenses for up to 12 months (known as maintenance). You will be expected to make a final choice of university before applying for your visa and, when issued, the visa will only allow you to study at that particular institution.

If you do not intend to study in the UK for more than six months and do not wish to work part-time during your stay, you could apply to come to the UK on a student visitor visa. If you choose this option, you do not need a CAS number from us and must make your student visitor application either prior to entry or at your point of entry (non-visa nationals only). You will not be able to extend this leave from within the UK.

There are frequent changes to the UK immigration system is under constant review and you should make sure that you have the most up-to-date information when planning your trip to the UK. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency website  and the UK Council for International Student Affairs website. The University will post up-to-date guidance at the International and Study Abroad website.