brighton.ac.uk

The University of Brighton accepts applications through several routes depending on what you want to study and where you are applying from. Undergraduates generally apply via UCAS, with Clearing available for late or changed applications; postgraduates apply directly to the university; international students follow a dedicated application process; and there are separate routes for transferring from another university and for apprenticeships. The right route depends on your level of study, your fee status, and whether you already hold a place elsewhere.

Undergraduate applications

The main route for undergraduate degrees is the standard undergraduate application process. The university's site lists this alongside a specific Clearing route, which is used when you are applying later in the cycle, when you have changed your mind, or when you don't yet hold an offer.

• Standard undergraduate route: apply through the central UK undergraduate admissions system before the main deadline for the year you want to start.
• Clearing: a late application route for courses that still have places. Brighton treats Clearing as a distinct entry point on its study pages, so check it if you are applying after results or after the main deadlines.

If you are unsure which applies, the deciding factor is timing and whether you already have an offer. If you have no offer and the course still has vacancies, Clearing is the route to check.

Postgraduate applications

Postgraduate study uses a separate postgraduate application process rather than the undergraduate system. The university also lists January start masters courses, which matters if you want a mid-year start rather than the traditional autumn intake.

• Apply through the postgraduate route for masters and other postgraduate taught programmes.
• Check whether your intended course has a January start if you need a second intake.
• Postgraduate research degrees (PhD) have their own application process, separate from taught postgraduate applications.

International student applications

International applicants follow a dedicated international student application process. The university groups this with country-specific information, fees and funding, accommodation, and visas and immigration, so the application step sits inside a wider set of requirements you need to satisfy.

• Use the international application route rather than the standard undergraduate or postgraduate one where your fee status is international.
• Expect the process to connect to visa and immigration requirements, which are listed as a separate topic.
• Check information for your country or territory, since entry requirements and qualifications can vary by location.

Transferring from another university

If you are already studying elsewhere and want to move, Brighton lists transfer from another university as a distinct route. This is not the same as a first-time undergraduate application, because your existing study and credit are part of the picture.

• Use this route if you have already started a degree at another institution.
• Be ready to explain your current course and why you are transferring, since the university treats this as its own application path.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are listed separately from degree applications. They sit alongside the business and employer pages as well as the study pages, reflecting that they involve an employer as well as the university.

• Apply through the apprenticeship route if your programme combines work with study.
• Expect the employer side of the arrangement to matter as much as the academic side.

Choosing your route

What to check before you apply

• Course availability: the full A–Z course list and subject pages show what is open, and Clearing depends on vacancies.
• Fees and funding: the university separates fees and financial support from the application itself, including what is included in your fees and additional help such as Brighton Boost.
• Start dates: January start masters courses are a distinct option from the main intake.
• Support for your situation: there is tailored advice for offer holders, parents and carers, and schools and colleges, which can clarify what happens after you apply.

If you are still deciding what to study rather than how to apply, start with the course search and subject pages first, then return to the route that matches your level of study and fee status.

Being an IB student means more than attending a school that offers an International Baccalaureate programme. It means learning through a specific framework that asks you to think critically, communicate clearly, and take responsibility for your own progress. The IB's four programmes — the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP) — share a common philosophy but place different demands on students at each stage.

This article explains what the IB expects from students, how responsibilities change across the four programmes, and how families can prepare for the transition.

The foundation: the IB learner profile

Across all four programmes, the IB describes ten attributes it hopes students develop. These are usually called the learner profile. Students are encouraged to be:

• Inquirers — curious and skilled at asking good questions
• Knowledgeable — exploring ideas across a range of subjects
• Thinkers — using critical and creative thinking
• Communicators — expressing ideas confidently in more than one language
• Principled — acting with integrity and fairness
• Open-minded — appreciating other perspectives and cultures
• Caring — showing empathy and respect
• Risk-takers — approaching uncertainty with courage
• Balanced — attending to intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being
• Reflective — assessing their own learning and experience

These attributes are not a checklist to complete. They describe habits and dispositions that teachers look for and that students are expected to demonstrate over time. In practice, they shape how lessons are taught, how projects are assessed, and how students are asked to behave toward one another.

How student responsibilities differ across the four programmes

Each programme has its own structure, age range, and expectations. The table below summarises the main differences.

PYP: building the habits of inquiry

In the PYP, the student's main job is to engage. Children are expected to ask questions, work with others, and reflect on what they have learned. The emphasis is on developing curiosity and basic research skills rather than on formal examinations. Students often take part in units of inquiry that connect subjects, and they may lead conferences where they explain their learning to parents.

MYP: making connections and managing yourself

The MYP asks students to go further. They study eight subject groups and are expected to connect what they learn to the world around them. A key responsibility is the personal project, an independent piece of work that students plan, research, and complete over an extended period. This is often the first time students must manage a long-term deadline largely on their own. Service learning also becomes more structured, and students are encouraged to reflect on their role in the community.

DP: depth, independence, and the core

The DP is the most academically demanding of the four programmes. Students typically study six subjects, three at higher level and three at standard level, and complete three core requirements:

• Theory of knowledge (TOK) — a course that asks how we know what we claim to know
• The extended essay — an independent research paper of up to 4,000 words
• Creativity, activity, service (CAS) — a programme of ongoing experiences outside academic study

DP students are expected to manage a heavy workload, meet external examination deadlines, and produce original academic work. Independent study is not optional; it is central to the programme.

CP: academic study with a career focus

The CP is designed for students who want to combine academic courses with career-related learning. Students take at least two DP courses alongside a career-related study programme, and complete a reflective project. They also develop personal and professional skills. The CP suits students who learn best when their studies connect directly to a practical field, while still requiring the critical thinking and communication skills common to all IB programmes.

How assessment and independence change as students progress

One of the clearest patterns across the IB is the shift from teacher-led assessment toward student-led responsibility.

In the PYP, teachers observe and document learning, and students are guided through reflection. In the MYP, students are assessed against published criteria and must increasingly manage their own projects. By the DP and CP, students are preparing for external examinations and independent research, and they are expected to organise their time, seek help when needed, and meet deadlines without constant reminders.

This progression is deliberate. The IB wants students to leave as self-directed learners who can think for themselves.

Common misconceptions about being an IB student

Several myths circulate about the IB. Here are a few clarifications.

• "IB students must be geniuses." The programmes are demanding, but they are designed for a broad range of students. Effort, curiosity, and organisation matter as much as raw ability.
• "The IB is only about exams." Assessment includes projects, portfolios, oral work, and service. The DP has external exams, but the core requirements are equally important.
• "Students must be fluent in a second language before starting." Language learning is part of the IB, and support is usually available. Requirements vary by programme and school.
• "IB students have no free time." The workload is real, but the learner profile includes balance. Schools generally encourage students to manage their time and well-being.
• "All IB schools are the same." Schools implement the programmes in different ways, and the range of subjects and support offered can vary.

Preparing for the transition into an IB programme

If you are a student or a parent preparing to enter an IB programme, the following steps can help.

1. Read the programme guide for your specific programme. The IB publishes curriculum and assessment information for PYP, MYP, DP, and CP. Understanding the structure reduces surprises.
2. Talk to current students and teachers. Ask about workload, deadlines, and what support is available.
3. Build organisational habits early. A simple planner, weekly review, and clear study space make a difference, especially in the MYP and DP.
4. Practise reflection. The IB asks students to think about their own learning. Keeping a short journal or notes on what worked and what did not is useful preparation.
5. Ask about language and subject choices. Requirements differ by programme and school, so confirm the details with the school directly.
6. Plan for the core requirements. In the DP, the extended essay, TOK, and CAS take time. Starting early and setting interim deadlines helps.
7. Use school support. Coordinators, counsellors, and teachers are there to help. Asking for guidance is part of being a successful IB student.

A practical summary

Being an IB student means developing the learner profile attributes while meeting the specific demands of your programme. In the PYP, that means curiosity and participation. In the MYP, it means making connections and managing independent work. In the DP, it means academic depth and completing the core. In the CP, it means combining academic study with career-related learning and reflection.

Across all four, the common thread is responsibility: for your learning, your time, and your contribution to the community around you. Understanding that early makes the transition smoother and the experience more rewarding.

The University of Brighton's own website groups financial help under three headings: Fees and financial support, What's included in your fees, and Brighton Boost – extra financial help. These sit alongside a dedicated Funding your time at uni section that covers undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students separately. The practical answer is that Brighton advertises both standard student finance routes and its own additional support package, but the site does not publish specific amounts, eligibility thresholds, or deadlines on the pages captured here — so you should treat the categories below as a map of where to look rather than a list of confirmed awards.

The three financial support areas Brighton names

Fees and financial support

This is the main hub. It is where the university explains how tuition fees work and what financial support exists alongside them. Because fees differ by level of study and by whether you are a UK or international student, Brighton keeps separate guidance rather than one universal figure.

What's included in your fees

This section matters because it changes the real cost of a course. Some universities bundle certain costs into tuition and others do not. Brighton addresses this explicitly, so before comparing Brighton against another university, check this page to see which items are already covered and which you would pay for separately.

Brighton Boost – extra financial help

Brighton Boost is the university's own named additional support scheme, listed as distinct from general fees and funding. The site presents it as "extra financial help," which signals it is supplementary rather than a replacement for standard student finance. The captured page evidence does not state the value, the eligibility rules, or how to apply, so confirm those details directly on the Brighton Boost page before relying on it in your budget.

Funding routes by student type

Brighton splits funding guidance by applicant category, which is the fastest way to find the right page:

For international students specifically, Brighton pairs its funding information with visa and immigration guidance, because the two are linked — you generally need to show proof of funds as part of a visa application, so the funding page and the visa page should be read together.

How to actually work out your costs

1. Find your course using the Full A-Z course list or Explore our subjects, and note the level (undergraduate, postgraduate, January start masters).
2. Check the fee for that course on the Fees and financial support pages, confirming whether you are classified as a UK or international student.
3. Read "What's included in your fees" so you know which costs are already covered.
4. Check Brighton Boost for any additional help you may qualify for.
5. Check your country-specific page if you are international — Brighton maintains an "Information for your country or territory" section that can carry its own funding notes.
6. Confirm before you commit. Amounts, eligibility, and deadlines are not fixed in the material available here, so verify current figures with the university directly.

Common sticking points

• Assuming the fee is the whole cost. The "What's included in your fees" page exists precisely because it often is not.
• Missing Brighton Boost. It is listed separately from general funding, so it is easy to overlook if you only read the main fees page.
• Treating international and UK funding as the same. Brighton separates them, and international applicants also have visa-related financial evidence requirements.
• Relying on cached or third-party figures. The university's own pages are the authoritative source for current amounts and conditions.

What to do next

Start at the Fees and financial support section on brighton.ac.uk, then branch to What's included in your fees and Brighton Boost. If you are an international student, read the Fees and funding and Visas and immigration pages together. If anything about amounts or eligibility is unclear, use the Ask us a question route on the site — that is the reliable way to get a current, case-specific answer rather than guessing from a summary.

Start at the University of Brighton's "Find a course" or "Full A-Z course list" pages, then narrow by level (undergraduate, postgraduate, January-start masters, apprenticeships) and by subject area. The site also separates application guidance for undergraduate, postgraduate, and international applicants, so once you have a course in mind, switch to the matching "How to apply" page rather than assuming one process fits all.

Where to begin your search

The university's own navigation offers two main entry points:

• Find a course — a search tool for locating specific programmes.
• Full A-Z course list — a complete alphabetical listing if you prefer to browse everything.
• Explore our subjects — a subject-based route if you know your area of interest but not the exact course name.

If you are unsure what you want to study, "Explore our subjects" is usually the better starting point. If you already have a course title or keyword, the search tool or A-Z list will get you there faster.

Choosing the right level

Brighton's course pages are organised by study level, and the application process differs for each. Use this as a quick guide:

If you are an international applicant, check the International student application process page instead of the standard undergraduate or postgraduate route — the requirements and deadlines can differ.

Checking the application process for your situation

Once you have identified a course, confirm which process applies to you:

• Undergraduate applicants — follow the undergraduate application process. If you are applying later in the cycle or without meeting standard offers, look at the Clearing section.
• Postgraduate applicants — follow the postgraduate application process.
• International applicants — use the international student application process, and check the "Information for your country or territory" page for any country-specific requirements.
• January start masters — these have their own listing, so confirm the start date before applying.
• Apprenticeships — these are handled through the apprenticeships route, not the standard degree application.

Practical checks before you apply

• Fees and funding — the "Fees and financial support" and "What's included in your fees" pages explain costs; "Brighton Boost" is listed as extra financial help. Check these before committing, since what is covered can vary.
• Accommodation — if you need housing, review "Our accommodation and locations" and "Helping you find a home" alongside your course choice.
• Open days and visits — "Open days and visits," "Virtual tours," and "Applicant days" let you see campuses and facilities before deciding.
• Ask a question — if a course page is unclear, the "Ask us a question" route connects you to the university directly.

Common sticking points

• Assuming one application process covers everything. Undergraduate, postgraduate, international, apprenticeship, and PhD routes are separate — pick the one that matches your status.
• Missing January start options. Some masters courses begin in January rather than the usual autumn intake; these are listed separately, so search for them explicitly if a January start matters to you.
• Overlooking Clearing. If you are applying late or your results differ from expectations, Clearing is a legitimate route for undergraduate places, not a last resort.
• Skipping the fees pages. Funding, what's included in fees, and extra support like Brighton Boost are covered on dedicated pages — check them before you apply so there are no surprises.

The University of Brighton provides dedicated support for international students across four main areas: country-specific information and an international prospectus, fees and funding guidance, accommodation and visa/immigration help, and pre-arrival preparation advice. This support is relevant whether you are researching Brighton as a study destination, preparing an application, or already holding an offer and getting ready to arrive in the UK.

Information for your country or territory

Brighton's international section is organised so you can find guidance tailored to where you are applying from. The site lists "Information for your country or territory" alongside a "View our international prospectus" option. This means you can check entry requirements, qualification equivalencies, and relevant contacts for your specific country rather than working from generic UK information.

If you are unsure where to start, the international prospectus is the broadest single resource, while the country/territory pages narrow things down to your situation.

Fees and funding for international students

The university separates international funding information from the general fees pages. Under its international section you will find:

• Fees and funding — guidance on what international students pay and what financial support may be available
• Brighton Boost — extra financial help, listed under the main funding pages
• What's included in your fees — a breakdown of what your tuition covers

Because fee amounts and funding eligibility change and depend on your course and level of study, check the current figures on the relevant course page and the fees and funding section rather than relying on general descriptions.

Accommodation

Accommodation support is covered in two parts:

• Our accommodation and locations — an overview of where the university's halls and campuses are
• Our halls — details of university-managed housing
• Helping you find a home — guidance if you plan to rent privately

For international students, the location information matters as much as the rooms themselves, since Brighton is a multi-campus university and your campus affects your daily travel. Review the campus for your specific course before choosing accommodation.

Visas and immigration

The international section includes a dedicated "Visas and immigration" page. This is the correct starting point for questions about the type of visa you need, the documents required, and the rules attached to studying in the UK as an international student.

Visa rules are set by UK immigration authorities, not the university, and they change. Treat the university's guidance as your route into the process, and confirm current requirements through official government sources before making travel or financial commitments.

Help and advice on preparing for university

Brighton groups its pre-arrival support under "Preparing for university" and a general "Help and advice" area. These cover the practical side of getting ready — what to arrange before you travel, what to expect when you arrive, and who to contact with questions.

The site also offers several ways to get answers directly:

• Ask us a question — a general enquiry route
• Meet us at an event — including open days, visits, and virtual tours
• Applicant days — once you have an offer

How to use this support effectively

One practical point: the site's navigation places international-specific pages alongside general applicant information, so if a page looks generic, check whether an international version exists in the international section before assuming the guidance applies to you.