Entry requirements for international PhD applicants

At Sussex, you’ll join a community of students and staff from more than 100 countries. We accept applications for postgraduate study from across the world.

International students sit at a table talking at a cafe at the University of Sussex

General entry requirements for international students

At Sussex, our usual entry requirements for UK and international students are:

at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree or equivalent international qualification
a Masters degree if you are applying for research degrees in the arts or social sciences, or an equivalent international qualification.

We may also consider professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing when making offers.

To find out which qualifications and grades we accept from your country:

search for the PhD you want to study
go to the Entry requirements section and select International requirements
choose your country from the drop-down list.

You can also get advice from Sussex representatives in your country.

Specific entry requirements for international students

You must also meet our specific entry requirements for each research degree. These are listed with each PhD degree.

Check:

the grade required for your course
if you need to have an undergraduate qualification in a specific subject
if you need to have a Masters qualification.

If you are an American student, federal regulations state that you must have a secondary school completion credential (high school diploma) or the recognized equivalent of a secondary school completion credential to be eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid.

You can also get advice from Sussex representatives in your country.

English language qualifications

All teaching at Sussex is in English. You must be sufficiently fluent in English to be accepted on to your PhD, and this may form part of your offer.

Find out more about our English language requirements

You can also apply to study our Pre-sessional English course.

Interviews

For some research degrees we may ask you to attend an interview.

If you are an international student, you may be interviewed over the phone or via Skype.

Applying for a visa

If you are an international student, you may need to apply for a student visa to study in the UK.

Find out more about applying for a visa on the Student Hub.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

You need to apply for ATAS clearance if you are not a national of an European Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, and you are applying for a science or engineering-based PhD.

Find out more about ATAS on the Student Hub.

Study in United Kingdom

The UK has a long-storied tradition in excellent higher education. Since around a quarter of British universities are among the most reputed and highest ranking in the world, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland manage to attract nearly half a million international students each year.

By studying in the UK, you’ll not only achieve world-class education, you’ll also get to know more about the unique British culture and perfect your English language and skills. One of the most cosmopolitan places on earth, you’ll meet all kinds of people and have an enriching study experience!

Why study in the UK

The moment you will step into a UK university campus, you will feel you have entered a fairy tale. The UK campuses are mesmerizing and the student facilities are outstanding. All the modern and unique features of British universities enable you to engage in ground-breaking research and experience top quality teaching and learning. And these are just a few things you can expect from studying in the UK.

Within many study degrees, you will have the option to take up a work placement. This will give you the chance to acquire valuable practical knowledge, as well as the on-the-job training in your area of study.

Universities in the United Kingdom are renowned for high graduate employability, international orientation (international students and staff ratio), and student satisfaction.

What to study in the UK

Programme formats range from short courses, certificates, and diplomas, to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. British study programmes are known for great flexibility. Students may also select career centred study programmes. Intensive academic programmes are also available for students who want fewer years of study. Some graduate degree programs are less than a year long.

Here are some of the most popular study options in the UK:

Major cities in the UK

The United Kingdom has over 50 student cities, so you have a very large array of study options to choose from. In the big UK cities, you can enjoy a vibrant and rich social life, where you can visit museums, attend music concerts and plenty of other artistic events, including fashion shows.

Check out some of the student cities in the UK and learn more about what it is like to study there:

Study in London, in England
Study In Liverpool, in England
Study in Edinburgh, in Scotland
Study in Belfast, in Northern Ireland
Study in Swansea, in Wales

Which universities and colleges to attend in the UK

Throughout the UK, you can enrol in universities, university colleges, or business schools.

A university college is an institution that usually does not have full or independent university status. Generally, it is part of a larger university. Most university colleges only offer around 1,000 places for students to enrol in.

British universities are also divided according to the year they have been founded, as follows:

old universities – founded during the 12th and 13th century; the oldest university is the University of Oxford
red-brick universities – founded in the late 19th century in the big industrial cities of the UK
new universities – established after 1992

Examples of top universities in England:

Examples of universities in Scotland:

Examples of universities in Wales and Northern Ireland:

Aberystwyth University, in Wales
Queen’s University Belfast, in Northern Ireland

Practical Information

How to apply to universities in the UKWhen applying for a Bachelor’s degree in the UK, you can do it directly through the university platform or use application websites like UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).Apply to up to five courses, at the same or different universities in the UK;If you want to apply to a Master’s or PhD degree, you can apply directly to your chosen university. For most universities, you can send your application anytime throughout the year, but some degree courses have their own deadlines. Always check the application deadline!

Make sure you qualify for a British university

Take Preparation Courses: These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes. Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.

Improve your English through an English-language prep course: If you’re attending a degree programme in the UK, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

English-language tests

There are over 30,000 English-taught programmes in the UK, for both undergraduate and graduate level.

Universities in the United Kingdom will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. All British universities accept these official English exams:

IELTS
TOEFL
C1 Advanced

Living in United Kingdom

What is it like to study in the United KingdomBritish education offers students the freedom to explore new ideas and creativity. Students are encouraged to pursue individual research work but are also expected to take part in group activities demanding peer interaction. Teachers often engage students in classroom discussions, debates and quizzes, creating an open study environment that builds student confidence and nurtures critical and creative thinking.Courses are skill oriented and career focused, keeping up to date with current industry demands.

Living costs in the UK

The student cost of living in the UK varies according to each region, with Northern Ireland being the cheapest, followed by Wales and England (without London which is the most expensive city in the UK). Scotland region and London city are the most expensive in terms of living costs.

Living costs in cities in England:

Birmingham: 765- 1,130 GBP/month
Leeds: 637 – 1,100 GBP/month
London: 1,140 – 2,100 GBP/month

Living costs in cities in Scotland:

Edinburgh: 725-1,170 GBP/month
Glasgow: 620- 1,000 GBP/month
Dundee: 787- 1,500 GBP/month

Living costs in cities in Wales:

Cardiff: 628-1,066 GBP/month
Newport: 741-1,400 GBP/month
Swansea: 730- 1,380 GBP/month

Living costs in cities in Northern Ireland:

Belfast: 531-877 GBP/month

Tuition fees in the UK

Average Master’s degree tuition fees in the United Kingdom range from 6,000 – 10,000 GBP per year. However, for some specialised degrees, such as Medicine, Law or Business, you should expect higher tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA student, you will be charged the same tuition as UK students, while the average tuition fees charged to non-EU students range at 17,500 GBP/year.

Accommodation costs

Student accommodation ranges from 500 – 1,200 GBP per month, or even higher if you choose to live in a big city like London. Living outside the city centre will generally cost you around 600 GBP/month, while for the same price, you can stay with a host family, allowing you to have half of your board covered.

Health care

All foreign students have free access to healthcare services provided by NHS (National Health Service), including for surgeries. However, you may need to pay for dental and optical treatment as well as medicine prescribed by the doctor.

If you come from an EU/EEA country, you should get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before coming to the UK to make sure you can access the NHS services for free.

Students who plan to live and study in the UK less than 6 months, will need to arrange a private medical insurance.

Food costs

Eating out, particularly in restaurants from big UK cities is usually quite expensive. You can get cheaper meals in canteens and restaurants from residence halls or pubs, where you would pay between 5 and 12 GBP.

Buying food from the supermarket is always an option and on average, your food bills would amount to 145-260 GBP/month.

On average, you should budget a minimum of 600 GBP/month for living costs in smaller cities, and 1,000 GBP/month in bigger cities.

About United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is probably one of the most cosmopolitan countries in Europe, joining people from all over the world in one truly multicultural society. More than 400,000 international students visit the UK every year.

British universities and colleges provide a broad range of internationally-recognised study programmes, preparing students for future careers in major international companies. The United Kingdom is also home to some of the best research facilities in the world.

The UK has one of the most developed countries worldwide, with many important sectors that positively impact the country’s economy, such as aerospace, pharmacy, oil and gas production, services, tourism, and education.

The famous UK rainy weather is not a very pleasant feature, but at least, you won’t experience harsh winters or very hot summers either.Iconic places to visit

The UK is home to 28 cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Furthermore, several museums and art galleries constantly present world-famous exhibitions. Check out the most visited attractions in the UK!

Iconic places to visit in England:

Big Ben
Tower of London
Buckingham Palace
Stonehenge

Iconic places to visit in Scotland:

Edinburgh Castle
Riverside Museum
Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal

Iconic places to visit in Wales:

Conwy Castle
Devil’s Bridge and the Hafod Estate
Snowdonia National Park

Iconic places to visit in Northern Ireland:

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Dunluce Castle
Giant’s Causeway

Fun facts

Every day, British people drink around 165 million cups of tea.
A British legend says there must be 6 ravens in residence at all times at the Tower of London, or else, the British Monarchy and Tower will fall.
More languages are spoken in London than in any other country in the world (around 300).
Driving licenses are issued in the Queen’s name. However, the Queen is the only person in the UK who doesn’t legally need a license to drive or have a number plate on her cars.
The United Kingdom is one of the five countries with no written constitution; Israel, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Canada are the other four.

International PhD Scholarships

King’s College London is one of the world’s leading research institutions with a diverse research community producing internationally recognised work. King’s and the Centre for Doctoral Studies are dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing top international postgraduate research talent to study alongside our renowned academic supervisors.

If you are interested in a postgraduate research degree (MPhil/PhD) at King’s. there are a range of funding opportunities for international postgraduate researchers at King’s, including:

Africa International PGR Scholarships (now closed for 2020/21)
Joint PhD Programme Funding
King’s China Council Scholarships (now closed for 2020/21)

You can learn more about these opportunities below. You can also access our postgraduate funding database to search all currently open funding competitions at King’s.

Postgraduate Funding Database

Joint PhD Scholarships

Three scholarships are available for the 2020/21 academic year for students applying to joint PhD programmes run in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore or the University of Sao Paulo, with King’s as their home institution.

The King’s Joint PhD Scholarship provides full tuition fees, stipend and an annual research grant.

Applications will close on 30 April 2020.

For full details please visit the Postgraduate Funding Database.

Find out more about the Joint PhD Prgorammes available at the National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong, and University of Sao Paolo by visiting the International Education webpage.

College Learners

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