• Undergraduate study
• Applying
• 2013 entry
• Applicants from outside the UK
• • Overseas qualifications

Applicants from outside the UK

(2013 entry)

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations, sometimes combined with relevant experience, and the University will consider a wide range of different qualifications (from the UK, the rest of the EU and overseas). Occasionally, we will also admit students on the strength of their life and work experience alone, without recent formal exams. We want to admit students who show intellectual capacity, whether or not that is reflected in actual exam passes. 

The University receives many more applications than we have places to offer, and entry is therefore competitive. For this reason, you are encouraged to undertake suitable academic study before applying to the University in order to strengthen any application. Equally, good qualifications alone do not in themselves guarantee admission. 

The University’s teaching language is English. Competence in English is therefore also a condition of entry. Refer to English language requirements. 

For information about fee status classification, refer to Fee status. 

You will find information on qualifications below. For information on the immigration process, refer to Points-Based Immigration System.

Qualifications 

Sussex receives large numbers of applications from all over the world and admits students with many different qualifications. 

Applicants from outside the UK must still meet the University’s entrance requirements, and all degree courses at Sussex assume a basic level of education. We realise, however, that the entrance requirements listed in the subject areas of this prospectus relate educational levels to performance in UK A or AS levels and GCSEs (as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma). As many non-UK qualifications are also acceptable, this section aims to provide you with some advice on their comparability. 

With over 2,700 international students from all parts of the world currently studying at Sussex, the University is very experienced in assessing the qualifications offered by students from outside the UK. 

The table below provides a guide to the typical offer levels for some of the most common European qualifications we accept, as compared with the British A level offers quoted in the subject areas throughout the prospectus. Please note that these are only a guide and, as each application is treated individually, offers may vary with different applicants. For more information on the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, refer to Other qualifications taken in the UK. 

Overseas qualifications contains more general information about other European and international qualifications that are also acceptable for entry into the first year of our degrees (unless otherwise stated). We cannot list all acceptable qualifications, but this is a brief guide to some of the most common overseas qualifications we see. If you have any questions about these or other qualifications, contact:

Undergraduate Admissions,
Sussex House,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678416
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk  

For students taking qualifications that are not suitable for entry directly into the first year, there is information on our foundation courses (International Foundation Year) at Foundation courses and overseas admissions schemes. 

Please note that some degree courses have specific entrance requirements (for example a certain level in mathematics) and applicants would need to meet these requirements. For each course accessible via Undergraduate study, these specific entrance requirements are described in terms of the need to have taken particular A levels (or Higher Level subjects within the International Baccalaureate Diploma). While we are very happy to consider applicants with other qualifications, we will be looking for evidence within your qualification of enough study at an adequate level to meet these subject-specific demands. 

Where students are still studying for qualifications when they apply, the relevant exams will inevitably form part of the conditions of any offer made, and where we have a specific subject requirement, we will often specify a particular result for that subject within the offer. For example, we might ask someone applying for Music to pass the European Baccalaureate with at least 77 per cent overall, including at least 8.0 in Music. 

Please note that any conditions set within an offer must be met by 31 August in the year/cycle in which you apply. 

Finally, all applicants need to be aware that there is strong competition for places at the University of Sussex, and that meeting the requirements shown does not necessarily guarantee a place. 

Typical A level offers and their equivalents

Further information

We recommend that you read How to apply carefully. You may also wish to visit Education UK before submitting your application. 

For information about one-year or one-term courses at the University of Sussex, consult our Study Abroad Guide. Copies are available from: 

International and Study Abroad Office,
Friston,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SP, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678422
International and Study Abroad