University of Suffolk

The University of Suffolk was established in 2007 under the name University Campus Suffolk, a joint venture of the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia, and at first its degrees were awarded by those two partners. It obtained degree awarding powers of its own in 2015, and university title followed a year later in 2016. Its main campus is located on the regenerated Ipswich Waterfront. The Waterfront Building forms its centrepiece, and other facilities nearby include The Hold, a heritage centre, the Arts Building and the Health and Wellbeing Building. At Adastral Park, a DigiTech Centre created with BT supports education in digital and technology subjects.

Two schools organise the teaching: one for Health, Sciences and Society, and one for Business, Arts, Social Sciences and Technology. The research institutes explore themes such as sustainability, health, digital futures and culture. Beyond Ipswich, courses are also run with partner colleges in Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as with academic partner institutions in other locations, and in total more than 13,000 students are registered across the campus and the partner network.

Information for International Students

Prospective students can book individual or online meetings with the international team, and after enrolment they rely chiefly on the Student Centre for support. Undergraduates may apply through UCAS or directly, and the CAS is issued once the offer has been accepted and the required deposit paid. Most undergraduate courses call for IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in every component, with 6.5 needed for postgraduate courses and a higher standard set by professional health programmes. Several science degrees, biology and biomedical science among them, can include an integrated foundation year in Ipswich.

Accommodation is not guaranteed. Early applications for a room in Athena Hall, the on-campus residence, are advised, and accredited off-campus housing is the recommended alternative when it fills. Every international student must live no more than 70 miles from the Ipswich campus. The closest major airport is London Stansted, and on arrival a free taxi shuttle takes students from Ipswich to their accommodation. An online pre-arrival course prepares new students. International students who satisfy the entry requirements receive merit scholarships automatically, and eligible graduates can seek to stay on through the Graduate Route.