Science and Engineering
Program Summary
Who is this programme for?
This programme is for international students aiming to study an undergraduate degree in a science or engineering field at Durham University.
- Improve your academic and English language skills needed for university.
- Gain a foundation in science and engineering concepts to give you a head start on your degree.
- Study core mathematics and chemistry modules to develop your confidence in theoretical and practical skills.
- Adjust to the UK education system, from understanding academic terminology to learning how to conduct laboratory experiments and write reports.
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To apply for the International Foundation Year, you need to meet the following entry requirements.
Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent, with relevant subjects. For Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA (Hons), students will need to have studied Maths in their most recent year of study. For Music - Students must have either A level Music or Grade 6 theory. In the absence of this, a music video of student playing 3 pieces, 1-2 mins duration for each piece, in standard electronic format needs to be referred to centre for consideration.
English language: IELTS Academic for UKVI 5.5 (5.5 in reading and writing, minimum of 5.0 in all other skills), or equivalent*
Age: 17+
*You can start your studies with a UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), provided you have met all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level: 5 passes at A-C in relevant subjects (excluding native language). New grades 9 - 4 in English and Maths
IB Diploma Programme: 26 points (IB Certificate accepted, 26 points) (Subject pass level is 3)
A levels: 84 UCAS points (formerly 240) no E grades at A level counted towards UCAS points total, combinations of A and AS levels accepted
24 UCAS points from AS only (native language accepted) (formerly 80 UCAS points)
| Country | Qualification |
| Angola | Successful completion of Certificado de Habilitação Literária (grade 12) with overall GPA at least 14 |
| Azerbaijan | Successful completion of 11th grade - Grades 4 and 5 |
| Australia | Successful completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements. Minimum 60% achieved |
| Bahrain | Successful completion of Tawjihiyaa (School Leaving Certificate) with 80% |
| Bangladesh | Year 12 (HSC): GPA 3.75 overall with passes in min 4 subjects and 3.5 in relevant subjects. |
| Belarus | Successful completion of Attestat (11th grade) - Min. 7.0 + |
| Botswana | Successful completion of Cambridge Overseas School Certificate - Grade 1-6 in 4+ subjects |
| Brazil | Successful completion of Certificado de Ensino Medio - 6.9-5.0 in 5 subjects |
| Brunei | Successful completion of Brunei-Cambridge Certificate of Education Ordinary Level - Grades 1-6 in 5 subjects |
| Cameroon | Successful completion of Baccalaureat or Certificat de Probation - grade 13+ |
| Canada | Successful completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements - minimum 60% achieved |
| Chile | Successful completion of Enseñanza Media/Licencia de Educación with grade 5.0 overall, including 5.0 in relevant subjects |
| China (mainland) | Successful completion of Senior High 2 (80% in at least 5 academic subjects) or Senior High 3 (75% in at least 4 academic subjects) or Vocational / Technical Senior High 3 with 75% overall and min 60% |
| Egypt | Successful completion of Thanaweya - 75% |
| Ethiopia | Successful completion of Grade 12 HE Entrance Qual Cert - over 301 |
| Gambia | Successful completion of West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) - Grades 1-6 (A-C) |
| Hong Kong | Successful completion of Form 5 (2C & 2D) or HKDSE (332 in 3 relevant subjects, including 3 for Maths for Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance pathway or 3 Maths or Science for Science and Engineering pathway) |
| India | Successful completion of HSE/Standard 11 (70%, including 50% for Maths and Science) or HSE Year 12 (55%, including 50% for Maths and Science) |
| Indonesia | Successful completion of SMU 3 (Grade 6.5) or SMU2 (Grade 7.0) |
| Iran | Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) - 14/20 |
| Ireland | Successful completion of Irish Leaving Certificate - 300 points |
| Japan | Successful completion of Upper Sec Sch Cert. Kotogakko (12th Grade) - 70% or 3/5 |
| Jordan | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) - 80% |
| Kazakhstan | Successful completion of Attestat (11th grade) - Grades 4 and 5 |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): grades C to D in 4 or more subjects, including relevant subjects. |
| Korea | SH3: 5th Grade average in rank, with at least 5th grade in relevant subjects SH2: 4th Grade average in rank with at least 4th grade in relevant subjects |
| Kuwait | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate - 80% |
| Lebanon | Successful completion of Baccalaureat - Min 12 points |
| Macau | Successful completion of Form 5 / Senior Middle 2 - 70%, including C+ in relevant subjects |
| Malaysia | SPM school: Form 5, Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| Mexico | Successful completion of Certificado de Bachillerato - 75+, including C+ in relevant sbujects |
| Morocco | Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 12 |
| New Zealand | Successful completion of NCEA Level 2 - 80 credits with no fewer than 60 from level 2 and no fewer than 12 level 2 credits in relevant subjects |
| Nigeria | Successful completion of West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) - Grades 1-6 (A-C) in 4+ subjects |
| Oman | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate - 80% from level 2 (majority merits/excellent) |
| Pakistan | Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate (HSC) - Grades 3-5 (60%) |
| Peru | Successful completion of Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa with 5 subjects overall 14/20, including relevant subjects |
| Qatar | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Al-Thanawaya Al-Amah) - 80% |
| Russia | Successful completion of Attestat (11th grade) - Grades 4+ |
| Saudi Arabia | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihayah) - 80% |
| Singapore | Secondary 4: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| South Africa | Successful completion of National Senior Certificate (Grades 3+ in 5 or more subjects) or High School Certificate Year 3 (5th grade average) |
| Sri Lanka | Successful completion of General Certificate of Education - 6 subjects grade B+ |
| Taiwan | Successful completion of Senior High School Leaving Certificate (60%) or Senior High Year 2 (75%) |
| Tanzania | Successful completion of East African School Certificate - Grades 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more subjects |
| Thailand | Successful completion of Matayom 5 (GPA 2.5) or Matayom 6 (GPA 2.0) |
| Turkey | Successful completion of Devlet Lise Dipl (High School Completion) - GPA 3.0 (60%) |
| Ukraine | Successful completion of Attestat - 11 years at school - GPA 7.0+ |
| United Arab Emirates | Successful completion of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Tawjihayya) - 80% |
| United States of America | Successful completion of USA High School Diploma: Minimum GPA 2.75 (grade C+, 77%) with minimum 4 academic subjects and International US schools only: Grade 11 minimum GPA 3.0 with 4 academic subjects |
| Vietnam | Secondary School Graduation - Year 12 - 7.0+, including 7.0 for Maths and Science |
If your qualification or country is not listed then please contact us for more information.
| Age | 17+ |
| Duration | 6 weeks 16 weeks |
| Fees | 6 weeks: £2,100 16 weeks: £5,600 |
| Intakes | 6 weeks: September/February/June 16 weeks: September/March |
| Term dates | 6 weeks: 23/09/2024 - 15/11/2024 10/02/2025 - 21/03/2025 09/06/2025 - 18/07/2025 16 weeks: 30/09/2024 - 21/02/2025 31/03/2025 - 18/07/2025 |
English entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 6 weeks: 5.0 overall (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills) 16 weeks: 4.5 overall (4.5 in reading and writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
Accepted tests
| Course duration | Accepted Test | Required score |
| 16 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 4.5 overall (4.5 in reading and writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit overall, ISE I Merit in reading and writing, ISE I Pass in all other skills | |
| 6 weeks | IELTS Academic UKVI | 5.0 overall (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum 4.5 in all other skills), or accepted equivalent |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Distinction overall, ISE I Distinction in reading and writing, ISE I Merit in all other skills |
| English language exit requirements | You will be assessed internally at the end of your English programme and will be required to meet the equivalent grade of IELTS 5.5 5.5 (5.5 in reading and writing, minimum of 5.0 in all other skills) |
