The Principal Welcomes You to Varndean College

Welcome to Varndean College, a sixth form college with a strong academic reputation, located in the lively and cosmopolitan City of Brighton on a very attractive campus surrounded by playing fields and with views of the sea.

The country's Chief Inspector for Schools and Colleges has identified Varndean as a "particularly successful" college. Varndean has a high reputation for examination results and students progress to university and employment - with many of our former students now prominent in public life. Students at Varndean become involved in a wide range of enrichment opportunities in sport, music, drama and societies and there is a lively student union. Support for students is excellent whether this be from personal tutors or using important services such as welfare, careers guidance and additional support for learning, including language support.

Principal

Choosing Your Courses

Short Study Programmes 2023-2024
A-level or International Baccalaureate Programme 2023-2025

The Programme

  • An opportunity to study in English in a UK college for short programmes of either one term, one semester or one year - see the dates below
  • You choose three subjects to study in A-level classes and/or BTec classes - both are at L3
  • You also study General English (IELTS)
  • There is a practical Sport and Fitness session each week
  • You receive a final report at the end of your study
  • All students (both EU and non-EU) staying on the one-year programme will need a Student visa which also requires you to take an AS exam in at least one of the **subjects in the list below
  • You have the support of the College tutorial sessions and the International team for your pastoral care
  • You live with a UK host family, which is arranged by Varndean College or your agent
  • We provide an induction programme to the college, the local area, and take you on visits to tourist venues

Entry Requirements

  • You need to be age 16 to 18 years old on entry
  • Anyone from around the world can apply. After January 2021 all students (both EU and non-EU) who choose a course of study in the UK longer than 6 months, will need:
    1. UKVI Student visa: www.gov.uk/student-visa
    2. UKVI IELTS test: www.ielts.org
  • To meet our entry requirements, you will need
    1. An IELTS grade of 5.5 with no grade less than 5.0 in any category
    2. Good grades in your latest school report
    3. A good recommendation from your current school
Please look at the Courses tab on Varndean website to see the courses and the entry requirements https://varndean.ac.uk/courses.

The Programme

  • An opportunity to study in English in a UK college for two years studying either:
    • A-levels choosing 3 subjects at A-Level (level 3) plus General English (IELTS) and Sport and Fitness
    • International Baccalaureate (level 3) choosing 6 subjects
  • For both the IB and A-levels, you receive formal qualifications which are recognised by universities and colleges across the world
  • All students (both EU and non-EU) will need a Student visa
  • You have the support of the College tutorial sessions and the International team for your pastoral care
  • You live with a UK host family, which is arranged by Varndean College or your agent
  • We provide an induction programme to the college, the local area, and take you on visits to tourist venues

Entry Requirements

  • You need to be age 16 to 18 years old on entry
  • Anyone from around the world can apply. After January 2021 all students (both EU and non-EU) who choose a course of study in the UK longer than 6 months, will need:
    1. UKVI Student visa: www.gov.uk/student-visa
    2. UKVI IELTS test: www.ielts.org
  • To meet our entry requirements, you will need
    1. An IELTS grade for A-level of 5.5 with no grade less than 5.0 in any category or an IELTS grade for IB of 6.5 with no grade less than 6.0 in any category
    2. Good grades in your latest school report
    3. A good recommendation from your current school
Please look at the Courses tab on Varndean website to see the courses and the entry requirements varndean.ac.uk/courses/.

Courses & Fees

All L3 subjects are available for International students to study on both the Short Study and full - Two Year programmes. For more information view our Courses page from the link below and scroll down to find the subjects you are interested in. Short Study and A-level students will need to choose 3 subjects.

To discover more about the IB follow the link below to it's dedicated course page. You will need to choose a total of six subjects, one from each of the IB subject groups.

All CoursesInternational BaccalaureateCourse Fees for 2023-24

Application Checklist

Please email your application to Shaun Clark at scl@varndean.ac.uk, including:

  • the application form as a scan or attachment
  • a scan of your passport
  • a scan of your latest school report with subjects and grades
  • a scan of any additional learning needs support plan if applicable
  • 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

We will then contact you with the next steps in the process.

For any general enquiries about study programmes for International students, please contact us at:

Email: international@varndean.ac.uk
Tel: +44 01273 508011

Application Form

Once the student arrives in UK, the normal refund and cancellation policy applies, regardless of Covid-19 implications. This is as follows:

  1. Withdrawal after paying the deposit, before full payment, for non-Covid-19 related reasons: For students who do not need a visa:
    1. All deposits are non-refundable - they guarantee and hold a place for the student at Varndean College.
    2. All deposits are non-refundable for any reason except a visa refusal (see 1.3)
    3. 85% of the deposit will be refunded if a visa has been denied
  2. Withdrawal after paying the full amount, before arrival:
    1. If a student pays the full fees and then withdraws for any reason except a visa refusal (see 2.2)
      • the deposit will not be refunded
      • 85% of the balance of tuition fees will be refunded
      • the full accommodation fees will be refunded
    2. If a student pays the full fees and the visa is refused:
      • 85% of the full fees, including the deposit, will be refunded
      • the full accommodation fees will be refunded
  3. Withdrawal after arrival, or if a student is sent home for any reason:
    1. If any student withdraws after arrival, unless there are exceptional circumstances (see 3.2)
      • the deposit will not be refunded
      • the tuition fees will not be refunded
      • any remaining accommodation fees will be refunded less two weeks notice period for host family
    2. If there are exceptional personal circumstances, such as bereavement, a percentage refund may be considered, on appeal to the Principal of the college
  4. Full payment is needed before the student lands in the UK
    5. The deadline for payment is one month before scheduled flight to UK. In the event of non-payment:
    • the student's place will be withdrawn
    • the deposit will not be refunded
  5. Agent's commission in connection with refunds and cancellations
    1. No commission will be paid to the agent if the student is not enrolled in College, for any reason