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HE Entry Requirements
South Essex College offers a diverse range of degrees, Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, and teacher training opportunities. To see what is available please explore our website.
General entry requirements
The College has general entrance requirements for all our BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) degree programmes, and Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diplomas (HND). UK applicants should possess the following:
- 64 UCAS Tariff Points or above (programme specific)
- GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above or a pass at an equivalent Level 2 qualification such as functional skills/Learn Direct (mandatory for all higher education programmes of study)
- GCSE Maths Grade C/4 or above or a pass at an equivalent Level 2 qualification such as functional skills/Learn Direct (selected programmes of study)
If English is not your first language, we will accept English Language tests scores such as IELTS or TOEFL. To find out more please see the English Language Requirement section below.
Some of our programmes require applicants to attend an interview and/or submit examples of their work in the form of a portfolio, or produce a written submission.
Mature Entry Portfolio
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.
UCAS Tariff Points
The majority of our degree programmes require a minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff Points, gained from one or more of the following:
- A-levels
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate [QCF]
- BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma [NQF]
- Access to Higher Education Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- AQA Baccalaureate
- Progression Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
This list is by no means exhaustive and the college will assess other qualifications that we regard as equivalents. Please refer to the programme pages in this prospectus for more detailed description of the specific entry requirements for each programme.
If you are unsure how many UCAS Tariff Points your qualifications equate to, or understand what grades you need to achieve from pending exams in order to be eligible to apply to study with us, please use the UCAS Tariff Calculator on the UCAS website.
Portfolio based-interviews
Some of our creative programmes require applicants to attend a portfolio-based interview with a tutor from their chosen programme.
Applicants from the European Union and overseas
South Essex College 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 NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to make international comparisons. If the HE Admissions Team need to verify the status or level of a qualification with NARIC, 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 the College. 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 College 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)
Mature Applicants
Some of our programmes accept applications via a Mature Entry Portfolio (MEP) route. This means that relevant industry/life experience is considered alongside related formal qualifications, as an alternate entry onto a programme.
The process for considering MEP applications involves an interview and applicants are expected to demonstrate their suitability for their chosen programme. This may include submitting a portfolio of evidence of (paid or unpaid) work experience and/or a written piece of work.
If the MEP route is one you would like to consider we recommend you contact our HE Admissions Team at HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk where someone will be able to discuss your application and advise you on the next steps.
We also recommend you visit the UCAS website which has a section for mature undergraduate students and funding advice .
Transferring to South Essex College
If you have started a higher education programme at another academic institution already and wish to continue your studies at South Essex College, we are happy to consider your application. The College 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. More information about Transferring can be found on our website. If you would prefer to speak to the HE Admissions Team please contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk with a phone number and a member of the Team will call you.
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.
South Essex College 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.
Success stories
Success Stories - Andy Wyatt
Course studied
Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing (2D CAD) Level 2 Award
My name is Andy Wyatt , I am 52 years old and I studied Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at South Essex College in 1984/5.
What did you study at South Essex College?
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design where I specialised in Photographic Arts and Moving Image.
What qualification did you receive?
I completed my foundation course at SEC and then went to study a BA in Filmmaking at Harrow School of Art which is now part of the University of Westminster.
What was your background before coming to the College to study?
I grew up in Chelmsford and studied A levels.
What have you done since completing your course?
After my degree I worked as an animator working on cartoons such as The Teenage Ninja Turtles and Duck Tales the Movie. I then joined a studio called Halas and Batchelor in London, followed by a studio called Honeycomb Animation where I became an Animation Director, animating and directing TV series including Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids. I then moved to Bristol, setting up my own studio, creating animation for the internet before working as a series director at Aardman Animations.
I have also worked as an educator, helping to set up degree programmes in Universities, and now work as an ambassador in the UK and Ireland for Toon Boom Animation, a Canadian Animation technology company. I work with studios setting up their productions, which can be TV series, Feature films or games.
Why did you choose to study at South Essex College?
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
What is the best thing about doing further or higher education?
It really develops your creativity, and is life-changing in that you get to specialise in a subject that you really love, and get to meet friends for life. It helps you progress to a great career.
What skills did you gain / are you gaining that have proved valuable?
As well as creativity, you also become more professional, meeting deadlines which can be really stressful, but college gives you experience working as part of a team which should never be under estimated.
What is your favourite memory of being at the College?
Some great people, and I remember the pride from being part of the end of year show. The environment was inspiring too.
Why would you recommend South Essex College?
For the same reasons I went…really knowledgeable staff who develop you as a person. The facilities are also incredible.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
I’ve been part of productions that have had two BAFTA nominations… unfortunately we did not win either time, but it is a great achievement to be nominated!
What are your ambitions for the future?
To continue working in Animation which is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving industries….when I think how much it has changed just throughout my career, who knows what will happen in the future!
Did your time at the College help with other areas of life (such as gaining confidence or maybe a skill that has helped you to pursue a hobby)?
Definitely. It built my confidence and developed my ability to work as part of a team and probably made me a bit more competitive (in a good way!)
Where are you working now?
Director of Business Development for Toon Boom Animation
What does your job entail?
Working with studios in the UK and Ireland to develop new ideas for projects. I help them achieve the look and style of animation they want.
How did you progress to your current position?
It took all sorts of experience from all the various jobs I have had to give me the knowledge and experience I needed to do the job I do now.
How did your time at South Essex College help prepare you for the workplace?
It opened my eyes to the fact that there was a whole sector of work out there (the Creative Industries) for people like me who enjoyed art and design.
How does the equipment you used at College compare to that within industry?
Actually, it is as good, if not better. Many of the studios I worked for had very limited budgets and we had to use old machinery or computers, and the studios were often in freezing cold basements or boiling hot attics!! The college has the latest software and powerful machines and air-conditioned studios…quite a luxury compared to some of the places I have worked!
