How to Apply
We are delighted that you are thinking of coming to join us at Varndean College.
The application process is as follows:
- Please complete the application form and return it to Shaun Clark Assistant International Students Manager, on scl@varndean.ac.uk with the following supporting documents:
- A colour scan of your passport
- A scan of your latest school report with subjects and grades
- If applicable please complete and return the Additional needs form
- A scan of your current school’s recommendation from your tutor or principal
- A scan of any IELTs or English Language certificate you may have. This can be sent later before the end of May if you have not yet taken it
- Your paperwork will be assessed
- You will be invited for an online interview to discuss your subject choices and answer any questions you may have
- If your interview is successful, you will be sent a Conditional offer
- A deposit payment is requested to hold the place and is sent with the Conditional offer
- You take a Secure English Language test (Academic UKVI IELTS, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Language Cert International ESOL SELT)
- You send us the Secure English Language test outcome
- We send you an Unconditional Offer and the Confirmation of Acceptance of studies for the visa application
- You then apply for a UK visa and immigration Student Visa
- If applicable, we allocate you a host family (between March – June)
- We send you Induction and Orientation information (July)
Find out more
How to Apply
Four great reasons to choose Varndean College
1. Excellent results
• Varndean is in the top 10% in the UK for ‘added value’ – this means that Varndean students perform better than 90% of all other schools/sixth forms in the country compared to students with the same GCSE grades on entry. This confirms the high quality teaching support, care and guidance that takes place here
• Our IB results are officially world class and are 4 points above the global average
2. A wide choice of subjects to study
• We offer an usually wide choice of 56 subjects of A level and BTEC vocational subjects
• We are the only college on the south coast of UK offering the International Baccalaureate
3. Excellent location
• We have a beautiful campus with fields and views of Brighton. Our students love the vibrant life in Brighton which is on a 15 min bus ride direct from the college
• We are 45 mins from Gatwick and 1hr 45 mins from Heathrow airports and 1.5hrs direct train line to London
4. International team support for welfare for all international students
• We have a dedicated International team, who support the students throughout their entire time at Varndean. We are renowned for our welfare support and many students recommend us due to our commitment to enabling them to have the best time here possible
• We select, monitor and support our team of local host families to provide a ‘home-from-home’ experience for our students. We have a dedicated Host Family Co-ordinator for support, and the International team monitor a 24/7 emergency phone line
• We run a very well-received Induction week at the start of the programme which is designed to give a warm welcome, build friendships and settle everyone into the new college, home and UK environment. It includes cultural trips out in the first week and throughout the first year
“Varndean College is an amazing environment for young people. All of the teachers are here to help students, especially Internationals. The International team have been a pleasure to know and have taught me so many things that I will bring outside the school grounds and into my adult life.” (Agnese, Italian 2024)
For all Application enquire please contact Shaun Clark at scl@varndean.ac.uk or telephone 0044 (0)1273 508011 ext 418
For Host family enquire please contact Siobhan Winney at international@varndean.ac.uk or telephone 0044 (0)1273 508011 ext 114