Foundation courses for international students | The University of Manchester (2024)

FAQs

Does Manchester University do foundation courses? ›

Foundation courses at Manchester

Our foundation courses have been specifically designed to provide you with the best possible preparation for entry into a wide range of undergraduate degree courses.

A foundation year programme is for international students. It focuses on teaching you the English and subject-specific skills that you need to be successful in an undergraduate degree at a UK university.

The duration to study Foundation courses in the UK is for 1 year; therefore, you have to make full payment as the course begins. In case the course needs to be prolonged, additional expenses are charged. On average, Foundation course fees in the UK range between 2500 GBP and 6000 GBP.

In response, the Russell Group said foundation years are proven 'effective pathways' into higher education, designed to overcome the challenges faced by many international students who might have only studied for 12 years, and not 13, before they enter UK higher education.

Unlike full degrees, there are no set entry requirements for foundation degrees. You can find out more when you search for courses, but you may find it's all quite flexible. In fact, formal qualifications are not always necessary – commercial or industrial experience might be more relevant.

Foundation Course Types

Foundation courses can prepare you for various subjects such as business, finance and management, computing, law, art and design, engineering, social science, medicine, science and pharmacy, media, and humanities.

Universities often offer foundation year courses for only some subjects. Therefore if the university of your choice does not offer your preferred subject, you can be stuck in a difficult place. Taking a loan can be daunting as many banks do not consider foundation year as a part of your undergraduate degree.

What is a Foundation Year in the USA? International students who want to study in the United States can be admitted to courses that count toward their degree. These courses often give “conditional acceptance” to the institution or university they are associated with, and they last for a year.

The entry requirements for foundation years are typically lower than the requirements for direct entry onto an undergraduate degree. Many universities and degree providers ask for students to have completed secondary education, with passing GCSE grades in key subjects like maths and English.

What is the acceptance rate for foundation year UK? ›

The acceptance rate for foundation courses or international year-one programmes in the UK is almost 100%.

You will need an Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 overall (min 4.5 in all skills) or equivalent to study the English Language Preparation for International Foundation Year.

There are no tuition fees charged for the Foundation Year. If you continue to study at Cambridge by progressing to a degree course, you will need to pay the tuition fee for that course.

Most UK universities accept the International Foundation Programme for entry to many of their courses. Students who have completed the programme have gone on to study with the University of London in the UK or in their home country and at many other institutions in the UK and around the world.

A foundation year often includes a three-semester curriculum that consists of academic modules as well as particular courses pertaining to your chosen field. If you don't have the necessary requirements to proceed directly to an undergraduate degree program, a foundation year can help you bridge the gap.

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A foundation degree is classed as a level 5 qualification in the UK, which is equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. Most top up degrees, such as our Business and Management BA (Hons), will allow you to complete the final year of an undergraduate degree and gain a level 6 qualification.