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• Applying
• 2013 entry
• • Admissions countdown
  • How to apply
  • Applicants from the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
  • Applicants from outside the UK
  • English language requirements
  • Points-Based Immigration System
  • Foundation courses and overseas admissions schemes
  • Mature students, special admission schemes and young care leavers at Sussex
  • Terms and conditions

English language requirements

(2013 entry)

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language and you must therefore be sufficiently fluent in English to be able to benefit from your education. If your first language is not English, you are normally expected to have passed an appropriate test in English, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If you register for a TOEFL test, you will be able to arrange to have your results sent directly to Sussex. When you register, TOEFL will ask for the University’s designated institution code, which is DI9166. 

Details of IELTS and TOEFL requirements are shown in the Essentials column in each subject area. For most degrees, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in both the Listening and Writing sections and no score below 5.5. The exceptions to this are: 

• the BM BS in Medicine, requiring an IELTS score of 7.5 overall and not less than 7.0 in each section 
• the BA in Social Work, requiring an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with not less than 6.5 in each section 
• the degrees listed in the mathematics and physics and astronomy subject areas, requiring an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing). 

The table below shows a comparison of the IELTS and TOEFL grades required by Sussex:

We would expect English language qualifications to have been achieved within the two years prior to starting. 

The University also accepts a range of other qualifications: 

• GCSE or IGCSE English as a first language: grade C 
• GCSE English or IGCSE 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

• Pearson’s Test of English (Academic) with 62 overall with at least 56 in all four skills. 

If you do not have evidence of your ability to study in English when you apply, you may be asked to undertake one of these qualifications as part of any offer you receive. For details of other acceptable English qualifications (or if you have any questions about this), 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

Pre-sessional English 

If your competence in English is not at a level to satisfy our entry requirements, you may wish to consider undertaking the pre-sessional English courses offered at the Sussex Centre for Language Studies. These courses are taught at the University and are designed to focus on English for academic purposes and study skills, rather than exam preparation. You will focus on comprehension for lectures and seminars, critical reading and research projects, note taking, academic writing and other key study skills. A pre-sessional course will also prepare you for the culture and practice of studying in the UK, so you can really fulfil your potential. 

Successful completion of the appropriate pre-sessional English course can be used to meet our English language requirements and gain entry to your chosen degree course afterwards.