Brighton16-20 years
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.
The Programme
Description
(10 hours per week)
The morning Academic English 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.
Description
(5 hours per week)
These sessions prepare students for life in Higher Education through highly practical workshops on the social, academic, personal and financial aspects of living life as a student in an English-speaking country.
Description
(10 hours per week)
The English for Specific Pathways lessons are themed according to 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 provide develop students’ abilities to work confidently in English-medium academic environments and improve their style, technique and accuracy when producing written and spoken work. English for Business & Economics | English for Humanities | English for Law | English for STEM.
Description
The IELTS is an essential qualification for students seeking a place at a UK University or looking to work in certain professions such as law or medicine in the UK.
Aims
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Give students an understanding of the exam structure and different components that make up the exam.
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Enhance students’ techniques and strategies to achieve the highest score possible.
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Provide students with some exam practice to enable them to feel confident in the exam.
Description
Social events, organised every evening apart from Saturdays, enable students to participate in the vibrant student life of the University campus and in Brighton, whilst forging new friendships and having fun.
In any one week, students might visit the Royal Pavilion in Brighton followed by shopping in the boutiques of the Lanes, have a staff versus students game of football or tennis, go mountain biking or paintballing and go dancing in a local nightclub.
Aims
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Participate in and form part of student life at the University and in Brighton.
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Promote students' relaxation and enjoyment.
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Partake in some typically British social events, leisure pursuits and hobbies.
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Strengthen the sense of belonging to a group and forge new friendships.
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Use English in natural real-life speaking situations.
Examples
15-17 years
Bowling, Fringe Theatre Production, Brighton’s Big Screen Film Night, Live Concerts, Adventure Golf
18+ years
Comedy Club, Live bands, Cinema Night, Fringe Theatre Production, Salsa
Free Time
If students choose to opt out of any social event organised by Bede's, they can spend their free time as they wish by engaging in additional study, relaxing on the campus or venturing into Brighton. Free time rules vary dependant on age.
Description
Excursions provide students with the opportunity to visit popular tourist attractions and places of cultural interested in Brighton, London and the South East.
Aims
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Enable students to visit and discover a number of popular cities and locations in the UK.
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Create opportunities for interaction with the real world in fun, relaxed and genuinely interesting ways.
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Promote students' relaxation and enjoyment in the natural British environment.
Examples
Boating on the River Wey, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Cambridge Punting, Camden Market, Canterbury Tales, Covent Garden, London Dungeon, London Eye, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Thames River Boat Cruise, The Shard, Thorpe Park, Tower of London, West End Musical, Westminster Abbey.
Dates & Fees
The centre is open for 5 weeks in total, from 29 June to 02 August 2025 (03 August 2025 for IELTS Exam Course students in weeks 4&5). Students can arrive on any Sunday and depart on any Saturday.
The recommended minimum stay is two weeks. To maximize the benefit of your experience, you should consider a 3 or 4 week course.
The fully-inclusive course fee is £1,945 per week. This includes a return transfer from selected airports (see Terms & Conditions) and travel insurance.
The Course
Age range 16 to 20 yrs from different countries. Limits for each nationality to ensure a good mix.
Lessons take place in the mornings and afternoons and there is a full programme of evening social events and weekend excursions designed in consultation with the students and tailored to their age and interests. There is a minimum number of Social Events and Excursions that students are required to attend depending on their age. All recreational activities organised by Bede's are included in the course fee.
25 hours of lessons per week including Academic English, Communication Skills and English for Specific Pathways. Maximum 14 students per class. Weekly progress checks to monitor performance.
4 levels are available from B1 (Intermediate) to C2 (Proficiency). Entry test on Monday with a speaking, grammar and writing component.
The IELTS exam is available for students aged between 16-20 years. 15 hours per week of dedicated exam preparation instead of Academic English and Communication Skills. 2 week programme. Supplements are payable. IELTS students must stay 1 extra night (no extra charge) and depart on Sunday.
The centre
Restaurants and cafes, IT centre, supermarket, pharmacy, bars, post office, cashpoint, tennis courts, fitness rooms, squash courts, football pitches. Use of the sports facilities on campus during students' free time is not included in the course fees and students need to pay for themselves. View our Price List.
Guaranteed single bedroom with ensuite bathroom in modern student residence on campus.
Bede's staff provide excellent care for students 24 hours a day and live in the same sleeping areas as the students. Excellent staff:student ratios (typically 1:5). Individual attention provided.
Restaurants providing a range of healthy meals. Vegetarian options are always available. Special dietary requirements are accommodated. Daily meal allowance of £22 included.
Wi-fi is available in most communal and accommodation areas. Students can make and receive telephone calls. Laundry facilities are available for students and included in the course fees (2 washes per week).
Transfers from/to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and St Pancras International Train Station are included in the fees between 09.00 and 18.00 (10.00-17.00 for St Pancras). Students are met by Bede's Staff and Bede's Airport Coordinators provide extra care.
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 Bede's.
