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University Foundation

What is a University Foundation Programme?

A University Foundation Programme is a one-year, post-secondary qualification designed specifically for international students who want a fast, focused route into a UK undergraduate degree. It sits between school-leaving qualifications (such as the Indian Higher Secondary Certificate, Nigerian WAEC or the Chinese Gaokao) and a UK degree, and it is recognised by hundreds of UK universities including most Russell Group institutions. Foundation Courses combine academic subject teaching, English for academic purposes and study skills, with the specific aim of bridging the gap between the education system you have left and the UK university system you are entering.

What progression rates does St Andrew’s Foundation Course achieve?

100% of our University Foundation Course students progress to UK higher education and 87% progress to a Russell Group university, including Warwick, King’s College London, Bath and Bristol. These are exceptionally strong outcomes for any UK foundation course, and they are the single biggest reason families choose this programme. You can see named universities and subjects in our University Destinations page.

Foundation Program Prospectus

St Andrew’s College Cambridge offers one of the leading University Foundation Courses Cambridge has to offer. Our International Foundation Programme Cambridge is a one-year, university-style programme that takes international students from completion of secondary school straight into a UK degree, with 100% of our Foundation students progressing to UK higher education and 87% to a Russell Group university. Whether you are looking for Foundation Courses in Humanities, Science or Art, our course is built around the universities you are aiming for, taught in small classes by Cambridge-trained academics and recognised by hundreds of UK institutions.

Why Choose St Andrews College for Your Foundation Course?

Personalised Learning Experience

Class sizes of just 8 students on average ensure individual attention and tailored support, compared to university foundation programmes that typically have around 25 students per class.
Every student is paired with a personal tutor, providing daily one-to-one guidance and ensuring academic and personal growth.

Unmatched Academic Support

Students benefit from 40% more teaching hours than university foundation courses, giving them more time to master subjects and excel.
IELTS preparation is integrated into the curriculum, ensuring students meet the language requirements for their chosen university.

Exclusive Opportunities and Resources

Access to Cambridge University facilities, including:
- Cambridge University Library, an iconic resource hub.
- Sports Centre, with state-of-the-art fitness facilities.
- Public lectures, providing intellectual stimulation and networking opportunities.
Participation in a research programme with Cambridge University PhD students after school. This unique opportunity enhances students’ knowledge and gives them a competitive edge for university applications.

Exceptional Progression Rates

An 87% success rate in securing places at Russell Group universities, including the University of York and University of Leeds.
Art and Architecture students are welcomed at UAL (University of the Arts London), including Central Saint Martins.

Flexible Academic Options

Students can supplement their foundation studies with GCSE or A-Level subjects in 1-2 key areas if they demonstrate strong academic ability.
They also have the opportunity to take an A-Level in their local language, adding an extra qualification to their academic profile.

Comprehensive Academic Enrichment

Students can participate in the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), a prestigious research-based project valued by universities.
Access to British Olympiad competitions with dedicated support from school tutors, providing further academic challenges and opportunities to shine.

Personalised University Guidance

Students apply to universities via UCAS, enabling them to submit applications to multiple universities. This flexibility ensures students can:
- Receive multiple offers.
- Choose the best-fit option, rather than being tied to a single institution.
Unlike traditional university foundation programmes tied to specific institutions, St Andrews students enjoy flexibility and guidance to choose the best-fit university and course.
Visits to different universities and attendance at open days help students fully explore and understand their options, ensuring informed decisions.

Reassurance for High Ambitions

If students do not meet the requirements for their firm-choice university, they can retake foundation subjects in July, providing an extra opportunity for success and reassurance to aim for ambitious goals.

Supportive and Nurturing Environment

Boarding with care: St Andrews offers a “home-from-home” experience, with dedicated house parents providing essential pastoral care to help students feel secure, comfortable, and motivated.
This environment is particularly beneficial for students aged 16 or 17, who may find university foundation programmes too independent and overwhelming.

Dynamic Student Life

A range of extracurricular activities and trips enrich students’ experience and help them build friendships while exploring UK culture.
Opportunities to visit various universities and attend open days enable students to make informed decisions about their higher education.
Numerous student clubs allow individuals to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and personal confidence, creating well-rounded personalities.

Comparing St Andrews College with University Foundation Programmes

Feature	St Andrews College	Typical University Foundation
Class Size	8 students on average	Around 25 students
Teaching Hours	40% more teaching hours	Standard hours
Personal Tutoring	Daily one-to-one sessions	Limited or none
Flexibility	GCSE, A-Level, EPQ, local language A-Levels	Rarely offered
Access to Cambridge Facilities	Yes: Library, Sports Centre, Public Lectures	Not available
PhD Research Programme	Yes: Daily after-school opportunities	Not available
Retake Opportunities	Yes: Retake in July if firm offers are missed	Rarely offered
Pastoral Care	Full support with dedicated house parents	Not available

University Foundation Course Specifications

STAN Foundation Specifications MedicsLifeScience20242025

STAN Foundation Specifications Engineering20242025

STAN Foundation Specifications ComputerScienceAI20242025

STAN Foundation Course Prospectus20242025

STAN Foundation Specifications Science20242025

STAN Foundation Specifications Humanities20242025

STAN Foundation Specifications ArtArchitecture20242025

Student Testimonial Videos

student_voices_-_belfast_v3 (2160p).mp4 – Google Drive

student_voices_-_kingston_v1 (2160p).mp4 – Google Drive

Foundation Pathways

Humanities Pathway

Business
Economics
International Relations

The Humanities Foundation pathway suits students aiming for degrees in Economics, Business, Law, Politics, Sociology, History, English, Media and related subjects. The structure combines core academic English with subject teaching across Economics, Business Studies, Mathematics and a chosen humanities subject. Recent leavers have progressed to Economics at LSE, Law at King’s College London and International Relations at Warwick.

Science Pathway

Science
Engineering
Computer Science / AI
Medics & Life Sciences

The Science Foundation pathway suits students aiming for Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Medicine-related courses and Architecture-with-Engineering programmes. Core subjects include Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science, with a strong focus on the quantitative skills UK universities expect at degree level. Recent leavers have progressed to Engineering at Sheffield, Southampton, Queen Mary and Leeds.

Art Pathway

Art & Design
Architecture

The Art Foundation pathway suits students aiming for Architecture, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, Product Design and Film. Core content combines studio work, design history, drawing, digital methods and academic English. Recent leavers have progressed to Architecture at UCL, Fine Art at Slade and Architecture at Edinburgh.

Why study a Foundation Course in Cambridge?

Studying a Foundation Course in Cambridge gives students an academic environment that almost no other foundation provider can match. Our students hold Cambridge University library borrower cards, train at the Cambridge University Sports Centre, attend public lectures across the university faculties and benefit from teaching staff drawn from Cambridge’s research community. The city is small, walkable and safe; the academic culture is extraordinary. Our Living in Cambridge page covers what life is actually like as a student here.

What are the entry requirements for the Foundation Course?

Applicants need to have completed secondary school in their home country with strong grades, an IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.5 depending on pathway (Humanities and Art typically 5.5; Science typically 6.0), and a minimum age of 17 at the start of the course. Students apply directly or via a recognised UK agent, take an academic and English assessment, and meet our team for an interview. Our admissions team will confirm the exact requirements for your pathway when you enquire.

To see the university entrance requirements for foundation students please click below:

Humanities Foundation

UNIVERSITY	COURSE	ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS	IELT REQUIREMENTS
Queen Mary, University of London	Business Management	70% overall	7.0 with at least 5.5 in each component
University of Manchester	Management	75% overall	6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
University of Bristol	Economics	80% overall with 80% in advanced mathematics	7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and at least 6.5 in reading, speaking and listening
City, University of London	Banking and International Finance	75% with nothing less than 65%	6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component
The University of Edinburgh	Linguistics and Social Anthropology	70% overall with nothing less than 50%	6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component
Durham University	Business and Management	75% overall	6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component
University of Exeter	Business and Management	70% overall with nothing less than 60%	7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each component
University of Sussex	Accounting and Finance	65% overall with 65% in Mathematics	6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
Kings College London	International Relations	70% overall	6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component

Science Foundation

UNIVERSITY	COURSE	ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS	IELT REQUIREMENTS
University of Leeds	Medical Sciences	70% overall	6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component
University of Leeds	Mechanical Engineering	75% overall with 85% in Physics and Advanced Mathematics	6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component
University of Birmingham	Environmental Science	65% overall	6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component
University of Bath	Mechanical Engineering	85% overall with 85% in Physics and Advanced Mathematics	6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
University of Manchester	Electronic Engineering	70% overall with 70% in Mathematics	6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component
University of Manchester	Biomedical Sciences	80% overall with 75% in Biology and Chemistry	Minimum 6.5 in each component
University of Sheffield	Mechanical Engineering	80% overall with not less than 80% in each module	6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component
Newcastle University	Marine Biology	70% in all modules	6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component
The University of Liverpool	Biochemistry	70% overall with no module less than 60%	6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component
University of Exeter	Medical Science	70% overall with no module less than 60%	7.0 overall with at least 6 in each component
Durham University	Biological Science	80% overall	6.5 overall with at least 6 in each component
Newcastle University	Chemical Engineering	80% overall with 80% in Chemistry and Advanced Mathematics	6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component

Key Information

	IELTS	AGE (minimum)
2 Year Course(Sept Start)	4	15.5
18 Month Course (Jan Start)	4.0	16
4-Term University Foundation	4.5	16.5
1 Year Course (Sept Start)	5	16.5
6 Month Course (Jan Start)	5.5	17

FAQs

Is a University Foundation Course better than A Levels for international students?

Neither is universally better; they suit different students. A Levels are broader, more flexible across all universities, and are the standard UK pre-university qualification. The Foundation Course is faster (one year rather than two), more focused on a specific subject pathway, and built around international students. Students who already know the subject area they want to study at university often prefer the Foundation Course; those wanting to keep options open often choose A Levels.

Which UK universities accept the St Andrew's Foundation Course?

Our Foundation Course is recognised by hundreds of UK universities. Recent students have progressed to King’s College London, Warwick, Bath, Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester among many others. The course is designed so that students can apply to most UK universities through UCAS in the same way that A-Level students do.

How long is the Foundation Course?

The University Foundation Course runs for one academic year, with intakes in September or there is a fast-track six month course starting in January. Students complete the course, sit final assessments and apply through UCAS for entry to UK universities the following September.