Pathways to Higher Education is an intensive programme with 25 hours of study per week, specially designed for young adults who are preparing for future academic study or for the start of their professional life. The course takes place at the University of Sussex, the only university campus in England that is surrounded by a National Park. Although located in the countryside, the University is just 10 minutes away by train from the cosmopolitan city of Brighton. This University campus, with many modern buildings and its award-winning architecture, can be described as a self-contained village, ideal for the 16-20 age group.
Who is this course suitable for:
It is specially designed for older teenagers and young adults who are preparing for further academic study or for the start of their professional life
Course aims:
- Improve English Language proficiency with a focus on Academic English
- Experience life as a student in Britain at a modern university campus
- Increase knowledge in a chosen academic subject
- Have a better understanding of the British way of life
- Learn about people from other cultures
- Develop personal and social skills
- Motivate students to continue learning English after they leave
At a glance:
Where:
- BRIGHTON, UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX ( 1h drive from Heathrow airport; 30’ from Gatwick airport )
- Summer session: Sunday 28 June – Saturday 8 August 2026
- Full board residential accommodation at the University’s student residence on campus
- Single bedroom with en-suite bathroom
- Laundry facilities available for students to use independently
- Free Wi-Fi on campus
- Facilities on campus include restaurants and cafes, IT centre, supermarket, pharmacy, bars, post office, cashpoint, tennis courts, fitness rooms, squash courts, football pitches. Use of sports facilities during students’ free time is not included in the course fees.
PROGRAMME:
- 25 hours of lessons per week including Academic English, Communication Skills, and English for Specific Pathways ( English for Humanities, English for Business & Economics, English for Law, English for STEM )
- Age range: 16 – 20
- Level of English: 4 levels are available from B1 ( Intermediate ) to C2 ( Proficiency )
- Maximum 80 students per week from different countries
- Evening activity programme
- Full-day excursions on weekends ( Saturdays & Sundays )
- Digital Attendance Certificate & Digital Academic Report
ACADEMIC ENGLISH
10 hours per week The morning Academic English sessions develop the students’ English language proficiency across the four skills, with a particular focus on the forms of English which are used and encountered in university settings. These include essay writing, note-taking, lectures, seminars and presentations.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
5 hours per week These sessions prepare students for life in Higher Education through highly practical workshops that enable more effective methods for high-level oral and written communication. This will be delivered through a wide range of professional and academic contexts, and can involve debating, problem-solving, presenting, essay writing, critical thinking or negotiating.
ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PATHWAYS
10 hours per week These sessions are themed around the specific pathway that the student has chosen, and provide both an introduction to their chosen discipline as well as the language skills necessary to develop their understanding of it. The classes develop students’ abilities to work confidently in English-speaking academic environments and improve their style, technique and accuracy when producing written and spoken work, as well as broaden their vocabulary in the chosen area.
English for Specific Pathways are*: English for Business & Economics | English for Humanities | English for Law | English for STEM
SOCIAL EVENTS ( Evenings )
Social events, organised for Pathways to Higher Education every evening Monday to Friday, enable students to participate in the vibrant student life of the University of Sussex campus and in the cosmopolitan city of Brighton, whilst forging new friendships and having fun.
Students will make the most of the culturally vibrant and dynamic city of Brighton by taking part in the great range of entertainment and events at their disposal. The social programme will see studends visit the famous beach and pier, as well as many attractions and shop in the unique and quirky ‘North Laine district’ during their stay.
In any one week, students might visit the Royal Pavilion in Brighton followed by some shopping time in the boutiques of the Laines or entertaining themselves in the amusements on the Brighton Pier. They will take part in social events in the city such as Lazer Tag, Bowling, Escape Rooms, Boat Party, cycling hire bikes on the seafront, playing crazy golf or going to the cinema.
Social Events will give the students an opportunity to explore Brighton and its vibrant social scene in a safe and nurturing environment supervised by our Staff.
FREE TIME
However, if students choose to opt out of any social event organised by us, they can spend their free time as they wish by engaging in additional study, relaxing on campus or venturing into Brighton in small groups by themselves. Free time rules vary dependant on age according to our Supervision Policy.
EXCURSIONS
Excursions provide students with the opportunity to visit popular tourist attractions and places of cultural interested in Brighton, London and the South East. There are two full-day excursions at the weekend, apart from social events in Brighton every afternoon/evening from Monday to Friday.
Saturdays
Saturday excursions are a full day trip and include a cultural, touristic or recreational visit to London or another place of interest such as the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, London Dungeons, London Eye, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey.
Sundays
Sunday excursions are often more relaxing trips to a local attraction, such as Thorpe Park Theme Park, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard & Gunwharf Quays, Port Lympne Safari Park, Windsor, where students can have fun or do some shopping.
