On this page you can find the English language requirements and the minimum grades required to enter the course. The grades you need to enter the International Foundation Year will vary depending on what qualifications you completed.

The normal minimum academic entry requirements for the course can be found below listed by country. For countries not listed please contact the International Foundation Year office by email on IFYAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk.

English language requirements

For entry to programmes below degree level we are only able to accept English language qualifications which are listed as UKVI approved  Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) and taken in approved test centres. View a full list of UKVI SELT's and test centres.

Design, Engineering, and Science programmes

IELTS (UKVI) Overall score of 5.5, with a minimum of 5.0 in each component.

Arts & Social Science, Business, Nursing & Healthcare* programmes

IELTS (UKVI) Overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.0 in each component.

*Healthcare programmes: BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child), BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) and  BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology).

If you don't meet these requirements, you could study with our Language Centre to improve your English to the level required.

Course specific requirements 

Personal Statement

The courses listed below require a course specific Personal Statement. For more information, please email us at IFYAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk

  • Cultural and Media Studies BA
  • Digital Media BA
  • Journalism BA
  • Communication and Media BA
  • Film, Photography and Media BA

Portfolio

If you're applying for the International Foundation Year Design route, please note that all courses within this route will require a Portfolio. For further information and to request our portfolio requirements and presentation guidelines, please email us at IFYAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk.

Entry requirements by country

If you studied UK or international qualifications you can find details of entry requirements at the bottom of this page.

Algeria

An average of 15/20 in the Baccalauréat de l'Enseignement Secondaire with at least 15/20 in two subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Angola

An average of 15/20 in the Habilitação Literarias (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with at least 15/20 in two subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Argentina

Scores of at least 7/10 in the Bachillerato Especializado in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Azerbaijan

An average of 80% in the Grade 11 School Leaving Certificate with at least 4.0 out of 5.0 (or 80%) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Bahrain

An average of 85% in the Tawjihiya (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Botswana

An average of 3 in the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate with at least 2 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Brazil

Obtain a score of at least 8 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme in the Certificado de Ensino Medio.

Caribbean

Grade 2 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Secondary Education Certificate.

Chile

An average of 5 overall in the Licencia de Educación / Enseñanza Media, with at least 6 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.  

China

An overall average of 80% (grade B) with at least 80% (grade B) in relevant subject areas in Senior High School year 3. The same scores are also accepted from Year 2.

Colombia

An average of 70% in the Bachiller Académico, with at least 75% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Cyprus

Scores of at least 8/10 in the Lise Bitirme Diplomasi (High School Leaving Diploma) or 16/20 in the Apolytírio Lykeíou, with required grades in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Ecuador

Scores of at least 16/20 in Título de Bachiller en Ciencias, with 16 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Egypt

An average of 85% in the Grade 12 High School leaving examinations with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Ghana

Grade B average in the WASSC/SSSCE with at least grade B in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Greece

Scores of at least 16/20 in the Apolytirio Lykeiou (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Hong Kong

For students who have completed Form 5 of the HKDSE an average mark of at least 60% in their HKDSE Form 5 School Report with marks of at least 60% in relevant academic subjects. For students who have completed Form 6 of the HKDSE, Level 3 overall and a minimum of Level 3 in relevant academic subjects.

India

An average of 65% in the Standard XII Higher Secondary Certificate (All India Senior School Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Indian School Certificate, Intermediate Certificate or Pre-University Course) with at least 65% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Indonesia

An average of 70% in Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar (SMA/MA) with at least 70% in two subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Iran

An average of 15/20 in the High School Diploma with at least 15/20 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Iraq

An average of 85% in the Sixth Form Baccalaureat/Certificate of Preparatory Education (Adadiyah) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Japan

An average of 3/5 in the Kotougakkou Sotsugyou Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with at least 4/5 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Jordan

An average of 85% in the Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Kazakhstan

Scores of at least 4/5 in the Attestat/Svidetel’ stvo o Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree.

Kenya

Grade B average in the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with at least grade B in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Kuwait

An average of 85% in the Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a’ama (General Secondary School Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Latvia

A minimum of a Grade B (a score of 7) in the Latvian Atestats par Visparejo Videjo Izglitibu to include good scores/grades in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Lebanon

An average of 15/20 in the Baccalauréat Général with at least 15/20 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Libya

An average of 80% in the Secondary Education Certificate with at least 80% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Lithuania

Scores of at least 8/10 in the Lithuanian Secondary School Leaving Certificate in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Macau

Scores of 75% overall in the Form 6 Certificate of Higher Secondary Education, with at least 75% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Malawi

We may consider the Malawi School Certificate of Education with high scores.

Malaysia

Malaysian Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): At least Grade B3 overall, with Grade B in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme. SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia): At least B overall, with Grade A in two subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Mexico

An average of 8/10 in the Bachillerato General with at least 8/10 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Morocco

At least 14/20 overall (with 14/20 in two relevant subjects) in the Attestation du Baccalauréat.

Myanmar

An average of 65% in the Basic Education High School Examination (also known as Matriculation Certificate), with at least 70% in two subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Namibia

Excellent scores in the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) - Higher Level, with required grades in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Nigeria

Grade B (or 3) average in the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) with at least grade B (or 3) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Oman

An average of 85% in the Thanawiya amma (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Pakistan

An average of Grade B (65%) in the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) or Intermediate Certificate with at least grade B (65%) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Peru

An average of 14/20 overall in the Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa, with at least 14/20 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Philippines

A minimum of 85% in Grade 12 of the High School Diploma (Academic Track), with 85% in relevant subjects.

Qatar

An average of 85% in the Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a’ama (General Secondary School Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme or 90% in relevant subjects taken at Advanced level in grade 12 of the Qatar Senior Schooling Certificate (QSSC).

Russia

Scores of at least 4/5 in the Attestat o (Polnom) Srednem Obschchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree.

Saudi Arabia

An average of 85% in the Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Singapore

Cambridge A Level with at least D grades in relevant academic subjects.

South Africa

An average of 5 overall in the South African National Senior Certificate with at least grade 5 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

South Korea

Overall rank of 4/9 or at least 70% in the Senior High School Diploma, with scores of at least 75% in two subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Sudan

An average of 75% (grade B) in the Sudan School Certificate with at least 75% (grade B) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Syria

An average of 85% in the General Secondary Certificate with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Taiwan

An average of 75% in the Senior High School Leaving Certificate with at least 75% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Thailand

At least grade 3 in the Mathayom Suksa 6 examination taken by students at the end of their three years of upper secondary education in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Tunisia

Scores of 14/20 overall in the Baccalauréat, with at least 14/20 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Turkey

At least 60% (3/5) overall in the Devlet Lise Diplomasi, with at least 70% (4/5) in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme. 

Turkmenistan

An average of 4 in the sahadatnama orta bilim hakynda (Certificate of Secondary Education) with at least 5 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Uganda

Grade 3 average in the Uganda National Examinations Board (NEB) Secondary School Leaving Examinations with grade 3 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

UAE

An average of 85% in the Tawjihiyya (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Ukraine

Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education (Attestat) with an overall average of 9 and two relevant subjects at 9 (12 point scale).

Venezuela

Scores of at least 15/20 in the Titulo de Bachiller in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree.

Vietnam

An average of 7.5 in year 11 with at least 7.5 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.

Yemen

An average of 85% in the Al-Thanawiya (General Secondary Education Certificate) with at least 85% in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree.

Zambia

Scores of at least 2 overall in Zambian High School Certificate, with 2 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme.



UK and International qualifications


AS Levels

Students who have completed AS Levels will be considered for the International Foundation Year if they have achieved a grade B in at least 2 subjects. Specific subjects will be dependent on the chosen degree path of progression.


International Baccalaureate Certificate

Students who have completed the IB Certificate will be considered for the International Foundation Year if they have reached a minimum Grade of 4 at Standard Level or 3 at Higher Level in two subjects. Specific subjects will be dependent on the chosen degree path of progression.

SATs/APs

Scores of at least 600 in both of the SAT elements, or 25 in the ACT (American College Test), plus either: scores of at least 550 in two relevant subject-specific SAT Subject Test qualifications or scores of at least 3 in two relevant subject-specific AP (Advanced Placement test) qualifications.

If you are completing the American High School Diploma, please provide a copy of your latest transcript for us to consider with your application.