Bridging Year Programme

Since the Bridging Year was launched in 1989, it has established itself as a highly successful route into undergraduate degree courses at the University of Essex.  It is aimed at students who need to supplement their high school studies and improve their English language skills. The programme runs for one academic year and comprises a curriculum of both academic, and language and study skills modules. Successful completion of the Bridging Year guarantees you entry to any relevant Bachelor's degree at the University.

Bridging Year students may also qualify for the accelerated routes of the four-year degrees and may be able to transfer. Students on the Bridging Year programme are full members of the University and can live on campus if they wish and have the same access to the academic, social and sporting facilities as other undergraduates. 

The Bridging Year programme has attracted students from more than 50 countries. 

Entry Requirements

The normal entry requirements are a good academic record at senior secondary/high school or junior college and a score  of 5.0 in IELTS (or equivalent).  You will also be able to join the programme if you have taken A-levels (whether UK, Hong Kong or Singapore), Malaysian STPM, International Baccalaureate or similar examinations, but not achieved the grades required for direct entry to the first year of our degrees.  Those whose English level is lower than an IELTS 5.0 or equivalent, may wish to first take the Essex English Language Programme which runs several times throughout the year. It is also possible to join a pathway for students IELTS 4.5 or equivalent using the International Academy Pre-sessional Programme.

There are no lower or upper age limits on entry.  Students from European Union countries are welcome, though the tuition fees are the same for all students.

Programme Structure

Students can select from an extensive range of subject areas and module combinations. 

January Entry into the Bridging Year

There is a January entry to the Bridging Year that leads to degrees in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Economics or Entrepreneurship. This programme is based at the Colchester campus and is identical to an ordinary Bridging Year programme, with the exception of the starting date and the length of the vacations. The nine-month programme starts at the beginning of January, with two-week vacations in March and June and exams in July.

Students take five modules – Academic Skills, Business Management, Economics, Core Maths and Statistics. Successful completion of this programme guarantees you entry to the relevant degrees at the Colchester and Southend campuses. Due to the specific timescale of this programme, there is no accelerated route option.

The course dates for 2012 January entry are:

9th January  to 16th March

 2nd April to 8th June

 25th June to 6th July

 Examinations take place 9th to 13th July

Module Information

The modules for this Bridging Year programme are listed below:

How to apply

An application form can be submitted directly to the International Academy via post, e-mail or fax. You may apply up to a year in advance and we are happy to give conditional offers to those who are still at school or college, or who have not yet reached the required English language level.

    Please enclose the following when you are submitting your application for the Bridging Year:

  • Completed Bridging Year application form
  • High school graduation certificate and final scores (if available)
  • Non-native English speakers must provide an English language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent)
  • Two academic references
  • Any other information regarding studies, employment or personal interest that you feel may be relevant to your application.

Please return all applications to:

International Academy
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex, CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom

T +44 1206 872842
F +44 1206 873107
E iaapply@essex.ac.uk 

Last modified on 21 May 2012