An International Foundation Programme or an International Foundation Year is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and preparation needed to start your undergraduate studies. These programmes are especially tailored for students who do not have British A levels or equivalent qualifications and act as an entry to progress onto your preferred course of study with increased chances of admissions. Students will be able to develop their academic knowledge, ability and increase their English language skills. An extra year of study provides students with various different degree pathways and the additional support they may require for degree study. English language courses or pre-sessional courses are also available for those who only need to improve their English language skills or who have not met the required IELTS score. By developing their language skills, students can be more confident before going onto studying at their chosen university programme.

Trying to decide what accommodation to live in? Many students live at university halls, but there are a number of different types of student accommodation to choose from when making your big move. We’ve outlined the different main housing options for students:

University Halls

Living in halls gives you the opportunity to meet other students from around campus. While not all university halls are based on campus, they will be located locally. You’ll also be in close proximity to your classes which can be more convenient than if you were to travel from a further distance i.e. travelling to and from home. Catering is something that is also made available to students if you prefer not to make your own meals. University halls usually also include everything in the fee, so you don’t have to worry about utility bills and other related expenses.

Private halls

Very similar to university halls, but they are owned by a third party rather than the university. Private halls are purpose-built buildings made for students to rent rooms. Bills are also included and like university accommodation, provide a social environment for students to interact in. They will usually have a number of bedrooms and shared kitchens to offer and/or living spaces. However, there are also studio apartments for those seeking more privacy so that a student does not have to share.

Private renting

Private renting allows you to rent a house or flat privately and live independently. You will have to deal with a landlord or agent as well as utility bills. Students will be able to rent a room in a private house or a private house of their own, however this might be a bit more expensive so also consider the price. 

A top-up course is an advanced and final year of entry available to students wishing to ‘top-up’ an existing qualification, as the name suggests. You may already have a qualification: such as a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma or something of equivalence. These final year courses grant entry to Level 6, the final year of the undergraduate course, to give students a Bachelor’s level qualification. Depending on the entry requirements, you may be considered for an advanced level of entry. In most cases, enrolling onto these courses for just one more year will allow you to graduate and be awarded a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons). Study duration will also vary depending on the university and level entered.