Foundation programmes

If you don't have the relevant subject background or need additional English language teaching, a foundation programme may be the right route for you.

The School of Arts, Languages and Cultures doesn't offer a foundation programme for international students. All students need to meet our international student requirements, but we also accept some UK-based foundation programmes.

Remember, we look at all of the information that you submit in your UCAS application. This includes your personal statement, academic reference and previous educational achievement. Because of this, the requirements listed below may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

List of accepted foundation courses

If your college is not on this list, please contact us (using the e-mail address given on the course outline of your choice), as we may still be able to accept you.

  • Abbey College, Manchester (International Foundation Programme – Humanities) – 75% overall with no less than 70% in History or Religious Studies. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • Bellerbys College (Humanities Foundation Programme) – 70% overall with no less than 65% in any subject. IELTS 7.0 overall including 7 in writing.
  • CATS – Canterbury and Cambridge (Foundation programme in related subjects such as History, Govt and Politics, Sociology) – AAB/ABB depending upon degree course applied for. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • David Game College (University Foundation Programme in Law, Humanities and Social Sciences) – AAB/ABB in both major and minor modules, depending upon the degree course applied for. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • Durham University – (Foundation subjects must be relevant to the degree programme to be studied) 70% overall, with no lower than 65% in English.
  • University of Exeter INTO (Foundation Certificate: Humanities, Law and Social Science) – 70/65% overall with no lower than 65/60% in any subject, depending upon the degree course applied for. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7 in writing.
  • Kaplan International College – (subjects must be relevant to the Humanities degree programme to be studied) 70/65% overall with no lower than 65/60% in any subject, depending upon the degree course applied for. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • Oxford Brookes University (International Foundation Diploma- Arts, Humanities and Law) – Achieve three A grades and remainder B's from nine modules. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any component.
  • Queen Mary, University of London (International Foundation Course – Humanities and Social Sciences) – Access Pass with Merit and no lower than 65% in any subject.
  • Queen's University Belfast INTO (International Foundation Course – Business, Humanities and Social Sciences) - Grades AABB–BBBB, depending upon the degree course applied for.
  • University of Reading (International Foundation Programme – subjects must be relevant to the degree you wish to study) – Grade I in 3 main subjects. Grade II in Academic Skills. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • Royal Holloway, University of London (University Foundation Programme – Arts, Media, Film and Music) – 70% overall with no lower than 65% in any subject. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (Intermediate Certificate Course in Comparative International Studies) – minimum of 60% in compulsory units and a minimum of 70% in optional units. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • Sheffield International College at the University of Sheffield (Certificate in University Foundation Studies – Business, Law and Social Sciences) – 70% overall with no lower than 65% in any subject, depending upon the degree course applied for. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • St Clare’s, Oxford (University Foundation Course – English and International Affairs) – Achieve A, A–, A–. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • Trinity College Melbourne – Pass foundation year with an average of 80% overall, including Maths and Economics. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.
  • UCL (University Preparatory Certificate for the Humanities) – 70% overall with no lower than 65% in any subject. IELTS 7.0 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in writing.