The University of Suffolk was originally established as University Campus Suffolk (UCS) in 2007, and transformed the provision of higher education in Suffolk and beyond. Subsequently, on the 1 August 2016, the first independent University of Suffolk was officially launched.

The story actually stems back to the Tudor period, when Cardinal Wolsey established Cardinal College (now Christ Church College), for which he planned a number of feeder colleges; the main one of which was to be in Ipswich. Some 500 years later, Suffolk now has its own university and the legacy of Cardinal Wolsey is firmly rooted within the history of education in Ipswich.

We recognise the significant role that the student body has played in this transformation and are sure our students and graduates have lots of memories of how our Ipswich Campus and each of our partner colleges have developed and changed. The gallery below gives a small snapshot of how much our Ipswich Campus has changed.

UK requirements for international applications

Universities in the United Kingdom use a centralized system of undergraduate application: University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). It is used by both domestic and international students. Students have to register on the UCAS website before applying to the university. They will find all the necessary information about the application process on this website. Some graduate courses also require registration on this website, but in most cases students have to apply directly to the university. Some universities also accept undergraduate application through Common App (the information about it could be found on universities' websites).

Both undergraduate and graduate students may receive three types of responses from the university. The first one, “unconditional offer” means that you already reached all requirements and may be admitted to the university. The second one, “conditional offer” makes your admission possible if you fulfill some criteria – for example, have good grades on final exams. The third one, “unsuccessful application” means that you, unfortunately, could not be admitted to the university of you choice.

All universities require personal statement, which should include the reasons to study in the UK and the information about personal and professional goals of the student and a transcript, which includes grades received in high school or in the previous university.

At the University of Suffolk we recognise the importance of being here if you need us. The Department of Student Services offers a range of information, advice and guidance services to students.

The team are committed to offering a free, confidential, impartial and experienced service, which meets the needs of the student community and is on hand to provide one-to-one advice and guidance. The team conforms to professional standards and is committed to a rapid response to all students. 

The Student Services team hold a wide variety of specialist events throughout the academic year, such as workshops, employer talks and fairs. If you would like to find out more or book to attend any of these, please visit FutureMe.

University of Suffolk Student Services offers a service across the Partner Colleges with professional expertise available at each partner college.

Accommodation

Going to university may be the first time you have lived away from home or you might be new to the area. You may be feeling a little nervous and unsure of what you should consider when thinking about your accommodation needs. It is natural to be nervous about taking this step and the Infozone is here to help. This section contains a lot of useful information to help you decide what you want from your accommodation, what you can afford and how to go about booking your chosen room.

At the University of Suffolk we will not tell you where to live; that choice is yours. To help you make an informed decision about where you wish to live, we can provide you with details about accommodation we recommend. We can also provide you with information about tenancy agreements and other factors that may influence your choice. Students starting a course in September are advised to apply for accommodation before the end of June if they wish to live in on-campus halls of residence. If this property has been filled, we can advise about a range of accredited off-campus accommodation, all within easy walking distance of the campus and local amenities

How we can help

At the University of Suffolk you have the freedom to choose your accommodation.  However if you do need help in making an informed decision about where you wish to live, we can provide you with details about accommodation that we recommend. We can also provide you with information about tenancy agreements and other factors to help you make the right choice for you.

Recommended and Accredited Accommodation

The University of Suffolk does not own or manage the accommodation recommended to its students. Instead, it is provided by private landlords and property managers that we have a close working relationship with. Currently, recommended and accredited accommodation is only available on and around the Ipswich campus.

The University of Suffolk Accreditation Scheme has been established specifically for our students, to ensure they have access to accommodation that meets our levels of quality and safety.  All of the accommodation recommended by the University of Suffolk is surveyed by the local council to ensure that it meets these standards. In this way we hope to remove some of the stress and anxiety of moving to a new town, and/or moving out of the family home for the first time. 

While the University of Suffolk can highlight trusted properties and providers, it is the student’s responsibility to assess the suitability based on their individual requirements.

The University of Suffolk is a transformational university, absorbing the best university traditions and aligning them with a twenty-first century audience and a modern world of employment and entrepreneurship. We are one of the newest universities in the UK; that means we don’t just rely on a heritage stretching back over many years but focus on making history every day.

We pride ourselves on treating people as people, not numbers on an attendance register or admissions system. You will be on first name terms with your tutors and can expect lots of input and guidance from course leaders, who are experts in their field and often researching in the subject area you are interested in.

Prepared for a modern world

We are proud that 95% of our graduates were in work or further study after six months, according to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2018.

This high percentage of students in work of further study six months after graduating confirms the strong emphasis on employability and enterprise across all our degrees.

Employability is not just about developing relevant skills, or getting a job; it is about your whole personal, academic and professional development. Studying at the University of Suffolk, you will have the opportunity to hone your personal strengths, and identify and work on your areas of development. All of our degrees enable you to get involved in problem solving, creative thinking, team working, delivering presentations and using digital technologies; all of which are essential skills needed in the world of employment. Many of our degree courses incorporate modules in professional practice, or graduate development programmes to enable you to put into practice your learning, engage with employers and outside organisations, and discover where your studies will take you in life. 

Rated by students

At the University of Suffolk, you’ll receive an exceptional education, richer and more rounded than many. This why we are proud to have been ranked the 25th in the UK for University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Rankings as voted for by our own students. The people who matter the most.

We also subsequently rank in the top 10 for Courses and Lecturers (8th), top 15 for Job Prospects (13th) and top 20 for Student Support (20th).

Live, study and beyond

Suffolk offers a rich and diverse cultural life, with bustling towns, thriving bars, restaurants and cafés, and an extensive arts scene. Suffolk is a county steeped in history, with beautiful scenery, world famous beaches and a glorious coastline, all within easy reach of London.

Inspiration for artists Constable and Gainsborough, host to the annual Latitude and Pulse festivals, and weekend escape for famous faces wanting to get away from it all, Suffolk is the place to be.

Known for its hospitable and friendly nature, Suffolk has a growing student community and provides a ‘home away from home’, with a mixture of dynamic urban centres, coastal resorts, and historic market towns. The University of Suffolk provide an ideal base to explore the beautiful surroundings of this exciting county. 

Suffolk is home to both international and local industry. Award winning UK brewer, Adnams, is located in Southwold and cider producer, Aspall, is based in Debenham, just outside Ipswich. As one of the fastest developing areas of urban regeneration in the UK, Suffolk is well positioned to benefit from the developing technologies in the energy arena and the growing tech cluster businesses rising in the county. Multinational companies such as AXA, BT, and Willis have also made their base here, charmed by the location and accessibility of the county to London, Cambridge and beyond.