International students

International student application information

Find a course
Two students at graduation

How to apply and entry requirements

We make things as easy for you as possible, so you can get on with the most important business of planning your Essex experience.

We'll walk you through how to apply to study with us and the documents you'll need to send us.

Applying for a course

For information on how to apply, and links to application forms, please choose the type of course you wish to apply for.

Degree preparation and English Language courses

Pre-sessional pathways

Our pre-sessional English language pathways are ideal if you need to improve your English before starting one of our courses. We offer various pre-sessional programmes in partnership with Kaplan at the University of Essex International College based on your needs and English proficiency.


Find out more

Bespoke English programmes

If you are part of a group and want to improve your general proficiency in English, prepare for IELTS, or have any other specific English language training needs, our Bespoke English Programme could be an ideal choice.


Find out more

Degree preparation courses

We have degree preparation courses for international students who do not yet meet the entry requirements to apply directly for their desired Essex degree. They are designed to improve your study skills and subject knowledge, as well as your English if needed, to prepare you for your degree. If you pass with the required grades and good attendance, you are guaranteed a place on your chosen degree.

Find out more

Entry requirements

Academic and English language requirements vary by course and level of study. See the country-specific page for your country or browse our courses to find out the general and specific entry requirements for your country. You can find the English language requirements for your level of study through the application pages in the menu above.

Visas to study

If you aren’t a UK or Irish national, you may require a visa to study in the UK, you'll need to apply for the relevant immigration permission under the UK immigration system. You can find out if you need a visa, what type you need to apply for and much more by reading our immigration webpages.

On the immigration pages you'll also find further information about any proposed changes to student visa rules, including the rules around which students are eligible to bring dependants to the UK.

University of Essex International College

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to your chosen degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College, operated on the University's Colchester Campus by Kaplan International Pathways.

"I chose to study at Essex Business School as it was highly ranked and a lot of alumni had gone on to become senior figures within their industries. The modules offered were a great fit for my business aspirations, and the opportunity to create a business plan meant I had a launch pad ready for when I was ready to start up my own business. I now own a number of businesses and hope to grow them and sell on in the future. I also advise people on how to start businesses using the techniques and knowledge I gained during my time at Essex."
Morahinyo Beckley from Nigeria MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Admissions advisor
Get in touch
Undergraduate Admissions Team If you've got a question about applying to Essex, contact our admissions team, who are always happy to help.
Postgraduate Admissions Team If you'd like to apply for one of our postgraduate courses and want to know more, speak to one of our graduate admissions advisors.