International Foundation Year (Engineering and Physical Sciences)

This course is stage one of an undergraduate degree at The University Of Birmingham for international students, offering guaranteed progression to selected Bachelor's degrees in Engineering And Physical Sciences.

• Location
  Birmingham
  United Kingdom
• Progression
  The University Of Birmingham
• Rankings & Awards
  United Kingdom: 37th
  Satisfaction: 79.5%
  World: 101st
• Start Dates
  Jan, Sep
  3 Terms
  Next start date: 22 Sep 2025
• Course Fees
  From £25,520
• Visa Considerations
  Integrated Visa
  Non-UKVI English Tests Accepted
• Course Provider
  University Of Birmingham

• Why Choose This Course?
  
  • Guaranteed entry to an undergraduate degree at The University of Birmingham after only one year.
  • Guaranteed accommodation.
  • A triple accredited Business School (AACSB/AMBA/EQUIS), which means Birmingham is in the top 1% of all business schools in the world.
  • A founder member of the prestigious Russell Group, committed to high standards in both teaching and research. The University of Birmingham has 11 Nobel Prize winners and is rated GOLD for Teaching Excellence by the Department for Education (TEF 2017).
  • Live and study in the UK’s second largest city after London, with excellent museums, art galleries, cultural and sporting venues as well as nightlife and shopping. Birmingham is also home to the largest financial district outside London.
  • Birmingham is one of the UK's most diverse student cities. More than 30% of residents are from ethnic minorities. The city hosts a variety of cultural events, including the UK’s biggest Eid celebrations and the Caribbean Festival of Food, Music, Dance and Art!

Calculate Fees Apply Online

About This Course

The International Foundation Year (Engineering and Physical Sciences) is the first stage of a Bachelor's degree at The University Of Birmingham for international students who have completed Year 11 or 12 at high school in their own country¹.

During this course, you will study a combination of academic modules, English language and study skills. You will study in small classes alongside other international students, with additional support to help you adjust to student life in the UK. On successful completion of this programme, you can progress to the first year of selected Bachelor's degrees in Engineering And Physical Sciences. Progression is guaranteed for students who achieve the module scores required for their chosen progression degree.

Note: Students studying this course may² benefit from an integrated study visa, which will be valid for the duration of the entire programme. That means you will not have to apply for a new visa when you progress to a degree.

Admission Requirements

Academic	Completion of high school with excellent grades, equivalent to 5 IGCSE subjects (B/5 grade), US Diploma (GPA 2.5) or 85% grade average. AS Level (BBB), A Level (CC) and IB (26 points) also accepted. Students who have already studied a foundation year are not accepted.
English	English, Creative Studies & Law IELTS 6.0 (5.5 all skills) or equivalent*. All Other Degree Options UKVI IELTS 5.5 (5.0 all skills) or equivalent UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT). Alternatively, a non-UKVI English qualification equivalent* to IELTS 5.5 (5.5 all skills). * A wide range of non-UKVI tests is accepted, including some high school English qualifications.
Minimum Age	Minimum age 16 years.

Start Dates And Progression

Start Date	End Date	Progression
Sep 2025	Aug 2026	Sep 2026
Jan 2026	Aug 2026	Sep 2026

Progression Options

On successful completion of this course, you are guaranteed progression to one of the following undergraduate programmes at The University Of Birmingham.

• BA Mathematics & Music
• BA Mathematics & Philosophy
• BEng Aerospace Engineering
• BEng Chemical Engineering
• BEng Civil Engineering
• BEng Electronic & Electrical Engineering
• BEng Engineering
• BEng Materials Science & Engineering
• BEng Mechanical Engineering
• BEng Mechanical Engineering (Automotive)
• BEng Mechatronic & Robotic Engineering
• BSc Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Computer Science
• BSc Chemistry
• BSc Chemistry & Business Management
• BSc Chemistry & Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery
• BSc Computer Science
• BSc Mathematics
• BSc Mathematics & Business Management
• BSc Mathematics & Computer Science
• BSc Physics
• BSc Physics & Astrophysics
• BSc Physics & Particle Physics & Cosmology

 
Apply Online For This Course

¹ UK universities require 13 years of high school for admission to an undergraduate degree. Students who have studied an 11 or 12 year curriculum (including IGCSE / AS Level) can qualify by studying an international foundation year first.
² An integrated study visa is available to students who meet the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) English requirement for degree level study, which is IELTS 5.5 (5.5 all skills) or equivalent.