University Foundation Courses
University Foundation courses are an alternative to A Levels that offer a fast and cost effective route to university for students aged 16 and over. There are 12 different study pathways to choose from and the courses are suitable for both UK and international students.
Why choose a University Foundation Course
- A fast and cost-effective route to university for students aged over 16.5 years
- 6 months (January start) or 9 months (September start) to complete
- Designed with international students in mind. There is a higher pass rate for international students on foundation courses than for those doing A Levels
- IELTS preparation in-built to ensure students meet IELTS entry requirements for their chosen university
- Not tied to a specific university. In 2020 87% of our students were offered places at Russell Group universities and 100% of our students gained places at a UK university
- Over 80% of the Russell group universities accept foundation courses
- Smaller class sizes to ensure individual attention to maximise results than the large-scale university foundation courses where students often get lost
- Wide range of subject options
- A family-style boarding school environment with excellent academic support and pastoral care – ideal for those away from home for the first time
- Weekly personal tutor support
- University preparation classes with extensive UCAS support and advice on the range of university options available from experienced personal tutors
- Accredited by NCFE
- Students who may not have succeeded at A Levels are often successful on a Foundation course
University Foundation Course Entry Requirements
| September Intake | January Intake | |
| Age at Start of Course | 16.5 | 17 |
| Course Length | 9 Months | 7 Months |
| English Requirement | IELTS 5.0 or equivalent | IELTS 5.5 or equivalent |
Watch our Principal talk about the University Foundation courses we offer
Students on our University Foundation Courses have gone on to study at the following universities
University Foundation Course Pathways
Humanities Foundation Courses
Business Foundation
Subjects studied on the Business Foundation Course
| Business Studies | Economics |
| International Relations | Maths |
| University Preparation Course | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Business Foundation
| Student Name | Grade | University | Course |
| Xinru | Distinction with Honours | University of Bristol | Buisness Management |
| Jasmine | Distinction with Honours | University of Sheffield | Fashion Marketing Management |
| Tianchang | Distinction | University of Leeds | Accounting and Finance |
| Yifan | Distinction | University of Southampton | Business Management |
| Simin | Distinction | University of Southampton | Fashion Marketing with Management |
| Lingu | Distinction with Honours | Lancaster University | Business & Management |
| Xiaoya | Distinction | King’s College London | Philosophy |
| Muzi | Distinction | University of Birmingham | Business Management |
Economics Foundation
Subjects studied on the Economics Foundation Course
| Economics | Business Studies |
| International Relations | Maths |
| University Preparation Course | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Economics Foundation
| Student | Grade | University | Course |
| Leyi | Distinction | University of Manchester | Fashion Management |
| Yunuo | Distinction | Lancaster University | Finance |
| Xi | Distinction | University of Sheffield | Business Management |
| Shanni | Distinction | University of Birmingham | Business & Management |
International Relations Foundation
Subjects studied on the International Relations Foundation Course
| International Relations | Business Studies |
| Law | Maths |
| University Preparation Course | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for International Relations Foundation
| Name | Grade | University | Course |
| Peter | Distinction | University of Exeter | Politics & International Relations |
| Jin | Distinction | King’s College London | European Politics |
Law Foundation
Subjects studied on the Law Foundation Course
| Law | Business Studies |
| International Relations | Maths |
| University Preparation Course | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Law Foundation
| Name | Grade | University | Course |
| Layannah | Distinction | University of York | International Relations |
| Xia | Merit | University of Southampton | Film & History |
| Zhibo | Merit | University of Brighton | Business Management |
Humanities Foundation
Subjects studied on the Humanities Foundation Course
| Economics | Business Studies |
| International Relations | Law |
| University Preparation Course | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Humanities Foundation
| Student | Grade | University | Course |
| Ru Jia | Distinction with Honours | University of Sheffield | International Relations & Politics |
| Jiahua | Distinction | University of York | Electronic Engineering with Business Management |
Art Foundation Courses
Art Foundation
Subjects studied on the Art Foundation Course
| Art | Art History |
| Life Drawing | Digital Photography |
| Fashion & Textiles | Sculpture |
| Cultural Reference | E-Portfolio |
| University Preparation | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Media Foundation
| Student | Grade | University | Course |
| Jingfei | Distinction with Honours | University of the Arts, London | Fine Art |
| Yuexin | Distinction with Honours | University of Sheffield | Fine Art |
| Ziyi | Distinction with Honours | University of Southampton | Graphic Design |
| Yu | Distinction with Honours | Leeds Arts University | Interior Design |
Architecture Foundation
Subjects studied on the Architecture Foundation Course
| Art History | Art |
| Cultural Reference | Digital Photography |
| Life Drawing | Sculpture |
| E-Portfolio | Fashion & Textiles |
| University Preparation Course | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Architecture Foundation
| Student | Grade | University | Course |
| Adalgisa | Distinction with Honours | Oxford Brookes | Architecture |
| Haekel | Distinction with Honours | Newcastle University | Architecture |
| Chengyang | Distinction | Leeds Art University | Comic and Concept Art |
Media, Communication & Film
Subjects studied on the Media Foundation Course
| Media Studies | Film Studies |
| Digital Media | Applied Communication Theory |
| University Preparation | Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Media Foundation
| Student | Grade | University | Course |
| Meihe | Distinction with Honours | University of Leeds | Film, Photography and Media |
| Kelly | Distinction with Honours | London Metropolitan University | Practical Film Making |
| Xiaoyan | Distinction with Honours | University of Sheffield | Digital Media and Society |
| Jiha | Distinction with Honours | University of Leeds | Digital Media |
Fashion & Textiles
Subjects studied on the Fashion & Textiles Foundation Course
| Fine Art | Art History |
| Life Drawing | Portfolio Photography |
| Textiles & Textural Surfaces | Sculpture |
| E-Portfolio | Personal Tutor Session |
| University Preparation |
Science Foundation
Science Foundation
Subjects studied on the Science Foundation Course
| Chemistry | Biology |
| Maths | University Preparation Course |
| Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Science Foundation
| Name | Grade | University | Course |
| Ruiming | Distinction with Honours | University of Bristol | Biology |
| Ian | Distinction | University of Birmingham | Law |
| Stephanie | Distinction | University of Kent | Biochemistry |
| Dhia | Distinction | University of Wolverhampton | Pharmacology |
| Moyinoluwa | Merit | Nottingham Trent University | Biomedical Science |
Engineering Foundation
Subjects studied on the Engineering Foundation Course
| Chemistry | Physics |
| Maths | University Preparation Course |
| Personal Tutor Session |
Recent Results and Progressions for Engineering Foundation
| Name | Grade | University | Course |
| Jaewon | Distinction with Honours | King’s College London | Biomedical Engineering |
| Jin Ming | Distinction with Honours | University of Southampton | Mechanical Engineering |
| Shuaiyuan | Distinction with Honours | University of Bath | Aerospace Engineering |
| Ibrahim | Distinction with Honours | University of Southampton | Civil Engineering and Architecture |
| Edmond | Distinction | City, University of London | Aeronautical Engineering |
Psychology Foundation
Subjects studied on the Psychology Foundation Course
| Psychology | Law |
| Maths | Economics |
| Personal Tutor Session | University Preparation Course |
Recent Results and Progressions for Psychology Foundation
| Zerong | Distinction | University of Edinburgh | Psychology |
| Chuqi | Distinction | University of Manchester | Educational Psychology |
| Xie | Distinction | University of York | Psychology |