General entry requirements
UCSE has general entrance requirements for all BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) degree programmes, as well as Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
UK applicants
UK applicants should normally possess the following:
- 64 UCAS Tariff Points or above, although the exact requirement may vary by programme.
- GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above, or a pass in an equivalent Level 2 qualification such as Functional Skills or Learn Direct. This is mandatory for all higher education programmes of study.
- GCSE Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or a pass in an equivalent Level 2 qualification such as Functional Skills or Learn Direct. This is required for selected programmes of study.
UCAS Tariff Points
The majority of our degree programmes require a minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff Points, which can be gained from one or more qualifications, including:
- A levels
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, Diploma, Subsidiary Diploma or Certificate (QCF)
- BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma (NQF)
- Access to Higher Education Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- AQA Baccalaureate
- Progression Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
This list is not exhaustive. The Centre will assess other qualifications that it regards as equivalent.
Entry requirements can vary between programmes, so please refer to the individual programme pages in our Higher Education prospectus for a more detailed description of the specific entry requirements for each course.
Additional entry requirements
Some programmes may require applicants to attend an interview, submit examples of their work in the form of a portfolio, or produce a written submission as part of the admissions process.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we will accept recognised English Language test scores, such as IELTS or TOEFL. Please see the English Language Requirement section below for further information.
Checking your qualifications
If you are unsure how many UCAS Tariff Points your qualifications are worth, or you want to understand what grades you need to achieve in pending examinations to be eligible to apply to study with us, you can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator on the UCAS website.
Can I still study if I am a mature learner?
Some of our programmes offer a Mature Entry Portfolio (MEP) option an alternate entry route into higher education. This means that relevant industry/life experience is considered alongside an applications formal qualifications, where those qualifications may not meet all entry requirements.
UCAS provides useful tailored information about university study and funding advice is available.
If you are not applying directly from a school or college you will be expected to be able to show recent evidence of your ability to undertake degree-level work and that you have the necessary study skills. You will be asked to demonstrate an equivalent knowledge of the subject and if you have not had any formal education for a period of time you may need to undertake some sort of preparatory programme before studying with us.
If you would like to discuss the content of any of our programmes or the eligibility criteria, please contact our HE Admissions Team at HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk. If you leave a mobile or phone number they will arrange for a tutor from any specific programme to contact you to discuss your individual situation to before you go ahead and submit a formal application.
Portfolio based-interviews
Some of our creative programmes require applicants to attend a portfolio-based interview with a tutor from their chosen programme.
Why do I need a portfolio?
A portfolio of work is required at all creative interview events. A portfolio of your work showcases your strengths and supports lecturers in ensuring that you have the appropriate skills (e.g. technical, conceptual and written) to be able to join the programme of your choice.
What should I include in my portfolio?
Your portfolio should contain 10-15 pieces of your best and current work and be developed to support your chosen progression route.
For further details please view our Applicant Interview Portfolio Guide.
Applicants from the European Union and overseas
University Centre South Essex welcomes applications from foreign nationals based in other European Union (EU) countries and from elsewhere in the world. We are happy to make offers of admission based on overseas qualifications such as the International or European Baccalaureate or on other qualifications that are considered equivalent to our general entrance requirements.
If you are an overseas student, living within the EU, and are not sure how the qualifications you possess from your home country equate to UK qualifications, please contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk stating which programme it is you are interested in and providing details of your qualifications and experience.
Please note that we refer to UK ENIC (UK National Information Centre) guidelines to make international comparisons. If the HE Admissions Team need to verify the status or level of a qualification with ENIC, they will request permission from the applicant/enquirer before they do so.
English Language Requirement
If English is not your first language you will be expected to meet our English language requirements as part of any offer of admission to University Centre South Essex. These are described as follows:
- IELTS (Academic Version): Please see individual entry profiles as this may differ between programmes
- TOEFL (paper-based test): 540, 76 on IBT for first year entry to all programmes
The Centre will consider results from other tests including:
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Overall Cambridge English Scale score of B2 with 52+ (Prior to January 2015)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Overall Cambridge English Scale score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill (From January 2015)
- Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP): Test score of 3 (minimum)
- GCE O-level or GCSE English Language or Use of English: Grade C/4 or above (minimum)
- Hong Kong Certificate of English Education: Test score of 3 (minimum)
- International Baccalaureate English B Syllabus (Standard Level): Test score of 4 (minimum)
Transferring to University Centre South Essex
If you have started a higher education programme at another academic institution already and wish to continue your studies at the University Centre South Essex, we are happy to consider your application. The Centre works within the guidelines of the structures of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and will assess your application on the basis of qualifications obtained elsewhere. Seek more information about Transferring by contacting our HE Admissions Team HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Some of our faculties are happy to consider applications for entry to the second year or third year of study on the basis of qualifications achieved already from another higher education institution. For direct entry to the second year we would normally expect you to meet the standard entry requirements for admission to the first year and be able to demonstrate relevant additional academic achievement. We will expect to see formal transcripts as evidence of prior learning.
University Centre South Essex operates within the structures of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Please contact us for more information about the Policy and Procedure for the accreditation of prior (experiential) learning (APE)L.
