On the University of Essex's Colchester campus in Wivenhoe Park, the International College runs with Kaplan International Pathways. It teaches foundation, first-year and pre-master's programmes for students who don't yet meet direct entry, with more contact hours and English support than a standard degree. Pass at the required level and you progress into a matching Essex degree, on the same campus.
Colchester, United Kingdom
Official website: essex.ac.uk
Pathway college run with Kaplan
University of Essex
Colchester (Wivenhoe Park)
£15,000 – £21,000
International students, pathway programmes, per year
£11,000 – £14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on essex.ac.uk before you apply.
International Foundation Year (Business, Economics and Law)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 50
International Foundation Year (Science and Engineering)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 50
International Year One in Business
DiplomaDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
Pre-Master's Programme (Business and Social Sciences)
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
Small classes on the main Essex campus.
Extra English teaching built into every course.
Progression into named Essex degrees at set grades.
Most students progress into an Essex degree after passing.
Many Essex degrees offer an optional placement year.
Essex graduates can stay in the UK for two years on the Graduate visa.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus is set in Wivenhoe Park, landscaped parkland with a lake, a couple of miles from Colchester town centre. Buses run into town often, and the riverside village of Wivenhoe is walkable.
Colchester calls itself Britain's oldest recorded town, with a Norman castle and Roman walls. Rents are lower than in London, which is about an hour away by train.
CAS from University of Essex
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
The college accepts applications all year, but each intake has limited places. Apply two to three months ahead to leave time for the CAS and visa.
Most programmes start in September or January.
The Student route visa. Your CAS comes from University of Essex after you meet your offer conditions and pay the deposit; the online application needs proof of funds, your English result and the health surcharge.
Business, economics, computing and engineering pathways are the usual choices, plus pre-master's routes for business and social sciences. Foundation entry needs completed secondary school and IELTS around 5.0 to 5.5; the pre-master's needs a bachelor's degree.
Kaplan offers some merit-based scholarships on pathway fees. Ask when you apply, as awards change from one intake to the next.
