The International Foundation Year programme begins every September and follows the standard academic year.
The course is one of the most established and successful programmes of its type in the country. For more than 30 years we have been helping international students realise their ambition to study at the University, and have welcomed more than 4,000 students from more than 90 countries - with the vast majority going on to graduate with a University of Leeds undergraduate degree.
To celebrate 30 years of the International Foundation Year, hear from some of our students and staff who reflect on the programme and how it helps international students in this short video:
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Video transcript: Study the International Foundation Year at the University of Leeds
Bachelor's degrees you can study with integrated International Foundation Year
All students who pass the initial International Foundation Year with the required grades will progress onto their chosen undergraduate degree programme. There is no need to make a new application or take a new English Language test.
When you successfully complete the initial International Foundation Year, you will progress onto one of more than 150 undergraduate degrees. Find the degree you wish to study below and you can see the International Foundation Year route you will need to take.
Arts, Humanities and Cultures
You will need an Arts and Social Sciences International Foundation Year route for:
- Arabic and Japanese BA
- Asia Pacific Studies BA
- Asia Pacific Studies and Chinese BA
- Chinese and Japanese Studies BA
- Communication and Media BA
- Cultural and Media Studies BA
- Digital Media BA
- English and History BA
- English and Philosophy BA
- English Language and Literature BA
- English Literature BA
- English Literature and Theatre Studies BA
- Fine Art BA
- Fine Art with History of Art BA
- Fine Art with Contemporary Cultural Theory BA
- Film, Photography and Media BA
- Global Creative Industries BA
- History BA
- History and Philosophy BA
- History of Art BA
- International History and Politics BA
- Journalism BA
- Liberal Arts BA
- Music BA
- Music (Performance) BMus
- Music and Music Psychology BA
- Philosophy BA
- Philosophy, Ethics and Religion BA
- Religion, Politics and Society BA
- Theatre and Performance BA
- Theatre and Performance with Enterprise BA
- Theology and Religious Studies BA
You will need a Design International Foundation Year route for:
- Art and Design BA
- Fashion Design Innovation BA
- Fashion Marketing BA
- Graphic and Communication Design BA
- Sustainable Fashion BA
You will need a Business International Foundation Year route for:
You will need a Science International Foundation Year route for:
Biological Sciences
You will need a Science International Foundation Year route for:
- Biochemistry BSc
- Biological Sciences (Biotechnology with Enterprise) BSc
- Biological Sciences BSc
- Biology BSc
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
- Ecology and Conservation Biology BSc
- Genetics BSc
- Human Physiology, Physical Activity & Health BSc
- Microbiology BSc
- Neuroscience BSc
- Pharmacology BSc
- Sport and Exercise Sciences BSc
- Zoology BSc
Social Sciences
You will need an Arts and Social Sciences International Foundation Year route for:
- Childhood Studies BA
- Education BA
- Criminal Justice and Criminology BA
- International Development BA
- International Relations BA
- Law LLB
- Politics BA
- Sociology BA
You will need a Business International Foundation Year route for:
You will need a Science International Foundation Year route for:
Engineering and Physical Sciences
You will need an Engineering International Foundation Year route for:
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering BEng
- Architectural Engineering BEng
- Architecture MEng, BEng
- Automotive Engineering BEng
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng
- Civil and Structural Engineering BEng
- Civil Engineering BEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
- Mechatronics and Robotics BEng
- Medical Engineering BEng
You will need a Science International Foundation Year route for:
- Computer Science BSc
- Actuarial Mathematics BSc
- Chemistry BSc
- Chemistry and Mathematics BSc
- Economics and Mathematics BSc
- Financial Mathematics BSc
- Mathematics BSc
- Mathematics and Statistics BSc
- Medicinal Chemistry BSc
- Physics BSc
- Physics with Astrophysics BSc
- Theoretical Physics BSc
You will need a Design International Foundation Year route for:
Environment
You will need a Business International Foundation Year route for:
- Economics and Geography BA
- Environment and Business BA
- Geography BA
- Geography with Transport Studies BA
You will need a Science International Foundation Year route for:
Leeds University Business School
You will need a Business International Foundation Year route for:
- Accounting and Finance BSc
- Banking and Finance BSc
- Business Economics BSc
- Business Management BA
- Business Management and the Human Resource BA
- Business Management with Marketing BA
- Economics BSc
- Economics and Finance BSc
- Human Resource Management BA
- International Business BSc
- International Business and Finance BSc
Medicine and Health
You will need a Science International Foundation Year route for:
You will need a Healthcare International Foundation Year route for:
Foundation year programmes
On the International Foundation Year you will study a mixture of subject-specific modules along with English language and academic study skills content. The subject specific modules are tailored to your chosen degree to ensure that you are fully prepared for your undergraduate programme.
Depending on the undergraduate degree programme you wish to progress onto, you’ll enrol onto one of our foundation year programmes:
Arts and Social Science
Within this route, students can progress onto a wide range of Arts, Communications and Social Sciences degrees. All students study the core module in Academic Study Skills in English, with additional modules selected from a range of arts and social sciences modules.
Business
In addition to the Academic Study Skills in English core module, you will study core business modules including Foundations of Economics, Introduction to International Business, Introductory Management and Maths for Business. There are also optional modules depending on the particular degree pathway you have chosen.
Design
In addition to the Academic Study Skills in English core module, you will study modules offered within the School of Design which will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge needed for your design degree. These will be taught by experienced Lecturers within the School of Design.
Engineering
In addition to the Academic Study Skills in English core module, you will also study core Maths modules as Maths is pivotal to your future Engineering studies. You will then also study either Chemistry or Physics.
Science
In addition to the Academic Study Skills in English core module, you will study modules from two subject areas depending on your chosen future degree programme. The subject areas are in the fields of Chemistry, Web programming and technologies, Biology, Business, Maths, Geology and Physics.
Healthcare
In addition to the Academic Study Skills in English core module, you will study modules from two subject areas depending on your chosen future degree programme. The subject areas are in the fields of Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Physics.
Teaching and student support
- All of your teaching will be delivered by University of Leeds academics, many of whom are internationally renowned and at the forefront of their field.
- You will be given a comprehensive orientation into University life. This includes a personal tutor who will support your academic and personal development to help you get the most out of your time at Leeds.
- You will also have access to welfare and study support from the International Pathways Centre team.
Student profile: Hetasha Gopalani
I’ve had such a great time here at the University of Leeds, and it all began with the International Foundation Year.
Hetasha completed the International Foundation Year and went on to study Environmental Science BSc at the University of Leeds.