East Sussex College International

Study Support

Exceptional Student Support

East Sussex College holds a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award for International Student Support.

This award, sponsored by the British Council, was granted in recognition of our outstanding work in supporting and guiding our international students.

It represents the value we place on your happiness and success. This is your guarantee of quality.

In June 2015 we achieved further recognition for our excellent student care by being awarded the National Union of Students/UK Council for International Student Affairs Award for Excellence in International Student Support in the Further Education sector.

"Your academic and personal well-being is at the centre of everything we do."

Jonathan Harris-Gibbins
International Business Development Manager

Applying for Your Course

You will experience outstanding student support long before you arrive at East Sussex College. Our International Admissions and Guidance team will ensure that the course(s) you apply for are best-suited to your long term study plans and career goals. You can contact them before or after you submit your application. Our dedicated visa team will give you advice and support to ensure you apply for the right visa.

Please let us know if you would like to receive information from current East Sussex College students about studying here.

Please complete the online application form along with your supporting documents

When You Arrive at East Sussex College

Arriving at a new college in a new country can be a daunting experience. Our arrival experience will help you adjust to your new life at East Sussex College and you will be made to feel welcome and part of the East Sussex College community. You will receive a comprehensive induction to help you adjust to college life which includes lots of activities to help you make friends. We will show you around the local area, help you set up a bank account and register at a local doctor’s surgery. You will meet your teachers and enjoy social activities with other new students.

Before Your Course Begins

We want to make sure you are 100% prepared for living and studying in the UK. You will receive a detailed Pre-Arrival Pack to help you prepare for your studies with us and life in the UK. Read about what clothes to bring, what food you can expect to eat as well learning about life at East Sussex College. If you have requested an airport taxi pick-up, our Accommodation and Welfare team will send you confirmation details. Our Accommodation and Welfare team will send you details of your accommodation and will answer any questions you have about your new home.

Your Personal Tutor may contact you to send you useful documents and course reading lists, to help you prepare for your course.

The Enhanced Support Package

If you are taking an academic or vocational programme with us, we offer an additional support package to give additional study skills and to help you adjust to the linguistic demands of your programme.

The Enhanced Support Package offers international students additional subject-specific English language support and study skills.

It is designed to complement your learning, give you 10 additional hours of tailored support to help you understand your subjects more thoroughly, and to help you feel more confident in your chosen subjects. It is available during the Autumn Term only.

Any international student who is taking an academic or vocational programme with us may request the Enhanced Support Package. Upon interview or application, should our Academic team feel that you would benefit from this additional support, we may include the Enhanced Support Package in your programme. Our International Admissions team will advise you if you need the Enhanced Support Package during the application process. However, it is compulsory for all students from Hong Kong who are Form 4 graduates and for all students from China who are Year One.

The Enhanced Support Package is available for students taking the following courses with us:

  • A Level
  • BTECs
  • Art and Design Foundation Diploma

During Your Course

We want you to achieve your goals and ambitions and will do everything we can to help you succeed. Your teachers and Personal Tutor will be there for any academic or personal questions that you may have. We will encourage you to take part in our wide range of extra-curricular activities, these include: weekly academic, cultural and sporting activities, as well as competitive sports teams and excursions.

By taking part in our comprehensive enrichment and social programme you will be able to make friends with UK and other international students. If you study on full-time academic or vocational courses you are entitled to receive free English language classes, designed to develop your language skills in your particular subject areas.

Our dedicated Immigration Compliance and Accommodation and Welfare staff are able to assist you with visa applications and renewals, any accommodation issues as well as well as counselling and personal advice

Expert UK and Overseas University Advice & Guidance

If you wish to apply to university during your studies with us, you will have access to comprehensive Personal Tutor support and academic guidance, to help ensure you choose the right course at the right university for you. You will receive support on a one-to-one basis with each step of the process. Our Personal Tutors and Academic Guidance staff have many years’ experience in preparing students to apply to both UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, as well as overseas universities. In recent years East Sussex College international students have had excellent success rates in gaining entry to Hong Kong universities. Please note that if you wish to apply to an overseas university there is an additional charge. Please view the University Application Advice and Guidance section on our fee sheets for more information.