International Students

Our international students have the opportunity to achieve fully recognised qualifications in a range of subjects. Our courses are delivered and assessed by highly qualified, experienced staff who are committed to your success.

We have established strong partnerships with education institutions in China, Malaysia, Myanmar, and EU countries. These institutions can help you further your academic development and attain your career goals by completing local and UK higher education programmes both in these countries and in the UK.

We offer full support with accommodation, UK Visa application and student advice to ensure you are given the maximum opportunity to succeed on your programme.

How to apply

International applications for:

• Degrees and HNC's/HND's (Level 4, Level 5, Level 6)
• Pre-Degree Programmes (Foundation Diplomas, Level 3 Diplomas, Access to HE, A Levels)
• English Language (EFL, IELTS)

All international applicants for the above course types need to complete our interactive International Application Form (below) and email it to our International Department at international@southessex.ac.uk together with copies of passport, full UK visas if applicable, academic qualifications (both certificates and transcripts), English language qualifications (e.g. test report of IELTS Academic for UKVI etc.), and portfolios if applicable.

Secure English Language Testing

For all adult students studying on a Further Education or Higher Education course under the new Points Based System, English language testing is now mandatory (excluding those on short-term Study Visas).

Please visit the UKVI website for further guidance.

English language requirements

All students are expected to be able to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English. If English is not your first language you will be required to have met the English language requirement.

The following standards (IELTS (Academic) for UKVI, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, Language Cert International ESOL SELT/LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT in a single sitting of the exam, or with UKVI approved One Skill Retake for Academic SELT are required:

• For entry onto Level 3 Access to Higher Education programmes: - Overall IELTS 5.0/PTE 53/Language Cert B1 45/50 High Pass (all 4 components on/above IELTS 4.5/PTE 48/Language Cert B1 39/50 High Pass)
• For entry onto Level 3 Foundation programmes: - Overall IELTS 5.0/PTE 53/Language Cert B1 45/50 High Pass (all 4 components on/above IELTS 4.5/PTE 48/Language Cert B1 39/50 High Pass)
• For entry onto Level 4 Foundation programmes: - Overall IELTS 5.5/PTE 59/Language Cert B2 33/50 Pass (all 4 components on/above IELTS 5.0/PTE 53/Language Cert B1 45/50 High Pass)
• For first year entry onto Undergraduate programmes: - Overall IELTS 6.0/PTE 64/Language Cert B2 39/50 High Pass (all 4 components on/above IELTS 5.5/PTE 59/Language Cert B2 33/50 Pass)
• For second year entry onto Undergraduate programmes: - Overall IELTS 6.5/PTE 70/Language Cert B2 45/50 High Pass (all 4 components on/above IELTS 5.5/PTE 59/Language Cert B2 33/50 Pass)

International support available

Settling in to the area

For accommodation whilst studying with is, please see the UCSE accommodation page for more information.

If you are under age of 18, please contact International Department for more information about host families.

Once you have settled into your accommodation, student buddy, a member of the host family or UCSE colleague will introduce you to the town.

From your course start date you will attend tutorials where tutors will be offering advice and guidance on academic skills development and how to become an effective learner. In addition you will be introduced to the range of resources available at UCSE to support your development including the learning centre, The Forum Southend-on-Sea, the support staff in student services for DSA and employability and the range of online resources accessible via our virtual learning platforms.

In module sessions, you will be encouraged to make the link between the required academic skills and the resources required for each subject-specific assessment.

Opening a bank account in Southend

You should open a bank account as soon as possible after arrival in the UK. It can take some time to open an account, and you may wish to visit more than one bank before making a choice. The main high street banks in Southend are: Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC.

All have branches within walking distance of our campus. There are many different types of accounts available so you should consider carefully which type of account is right for you. All banks handle international currency transactions and currency transfers. Please take along your passport and a bank letter from UCSE as proof that you are a student.

Please note, you are only permitted to open one bank account in the UK with a single bank. Additional accounts with other banks are not permitted.

Registration with doctor, NHS and dentist in Southend

When you arrive at college, you should register with a local doctor as soon as possible, do not wait until you are unwell. You should register with a doctor close to where you live. A list of local doctors/health services is available on the National Health Service website.

Doctor surgeries 

Southend Medical Centre

50 - 52 London Road
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS1 1NX
Tel: 01702 333298

Local pharmacies

Local pharmacies near Southend City College include: Sainsbury’s, Boots in Victoria Shopping Centre, or Queensway Pharmacy on Southchurch Road.

Dental surgeries

Southend Dental Care

4 Southchurch Road
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS1 2NE
Tel: 01702 465000

To register, you can use NHS App, choose the surgery, complete online registration form and upload copy of your passport, UK visa/BRP/eVisa, enrolment confirmation letter, IHS payment confirmation letter/email, etc.

Once registered with the new GP surgery, you will be offered a health check within six months. Health checks are usually completed by the practice nurse, who will ask about your personal and family medical history. They will also ensure that any tests or checks you need are up-to-date, such as measuring your blood pressure etc.

Visits to the surgery are free and you should be able to book appointments in advance. It is important to keep your appointment, or notify the practice if you have to cancel or change it.

You can also visit:

Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Prittlewell Chase
Westcliff-on-Sea
Essex SS0 0RY
Tel: 01702 435555

You may not be aware but the law requires every NHS Trust to check all patients who are newly referred or attending for a new episode of treatment to determine whether they are entitled to free NHS hospital treatment.

Applying for National Insurance Number

To work in the UK you will need a national insurance number. You can start work without a national insurance number, but you should apply for one soon after starting work.

A National Insurance number (NI number) is unique to you. It is used to record your National Insurance and tax contributions.

To apply for a National Insurance number, you need to book an appointment by calling 0845 600 0643, Monday to Friday, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm. When making the appointment, ask which documents you need to bring with you. Generally, you will need your passport and visa, proof of address, and a letter from UCSE confirming that you are a student.

At the appointment, you will be asked to complete a form and will be given a letter confirming that you have applied for a National Insurance number.