Business, Humanities, Science and Engineering
Program Summary
The International Foundation Year is your route to a variety of degrees at the University of Sussex. Explore our subject pathways to find the perfect course for you and gain the skills you will need to confidently study a three-year undergraduate degree.
Throughout the course, you will also develop English language and employability skills to ensure you are fully prepared for degree study and a successful future.
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If you are applying for the International Foundation Year
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
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- LanguageCert Academic SELT
- PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
- Study Group English Language Preparation (Online) for UG Studies
You will need to obtain a SELT with the required minimum score to make a Student Visa application in order to come to campus.
General entry requirements
Find out more about the entry requirements for the International Foundation Year at the University of Sussex International Study Centre.
| Entry requirements | International Foundation Year |
| English language*† | Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 overall (min 5.0 in writing) |
| Academic | Good High school graduation grades or equivalent. Check the country-specific entry requirements below |
| Age | Applicants must turn 18 by the 1st September of the year they are due to complete their ISC course and progress |
| Nationality | Only available to international (non-UK and non-EU students) |
| Additional | For Engineering route: Student will require either GCSE Mathematics grade 6 or equivalent. For Life Sciences route: Student will require GCSE Biology and Chemistry (or combined science to include biology and chemistry) grade 6 or equivalent. |
If you are applying to study in the UK under the Student visa route it may be necessary for you to submit a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of your visa application.
Find out more about valid test providers and approved test centre locations for tests taken on or after 6 April 2015. To find out if you are exempt from the SELT requirement and to find out about acceptable English language tests please contact us.
*If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English.
†English language requirements for International Foundation Year Medicine route: Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 overall (min 6 in writing and 5.5 in all other components)
Country-specific entry requirements
| Your country | Academic qualification(s) you need |
| Bangladesh | Year 12 (HSC): GPA 3.5 overall (Relevant subjects GPA 3.25 if required) (Note 1: Maths at HSC is required for Science and Engineering |
| Brazil | Certificado de Ensino Médio 6.0 with relevant subjects at 6.5 or above. |
| China | SH2 : 70% average inc relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects or SH3: 65% average inc relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects pass or above |
| Ghana | Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more subjects |
| Hong Kong | Form 5 : 3 subject passes or HKDSE 2,2,2. Chinese to be accepted |
| India | Successful completion of the Standard 10+1 with 70% or above or Standard 10+2 at 55% or above, minimum 50% in relevant subjects such as Maths and Sciences |
| Indonesia | Successful completion of SMU 3/Sikolah Menegah at grade 6.5 or above or SMU 2 at an average of 7.0. 5 relevant subjects required |
| Iran | Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with overall GPA 14/20 including relevant subjects |
| Japan | Successful completion of Kotogakko (Year 12) with grade average or 70% or GPA 3.5/5. Year 11 with 75% or GPA 4/5 may be considered, subject to age |
| Jordan | Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% including relevant subjects |
| Kazakhstan | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education (Grade 11) with grade average 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 |
| Libya | Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80% |
| Macau | Successful completion of iGCSE/'O' Levels at grade C in 5 relevant subjects including English or completion of Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with an average grade of 65% - 75% 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 Bachillerato at a average of 75% and above |
| Morocco | Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 12 |
| Nigeria | Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more relevant subjects |
| Pakistan | Successful completion of Higher Secondary Certificate at an average grade of 3-5 (60%) overall, with passes in 4 or more subjects with 50% minimum required for relevant subjects such as Maths and Sciences |
| Qatar | Successful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 80% in relevant subjects |
| Russia | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 4.0 |
| Saudi Arabia | Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% and no lower than 70% in relevant subjects |
| Singapore | Secondary 4: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| Taiwan | Successful completion of Senior High School Year 3 pass with an average grade of 60% in relevant subjects overall, including relevant subjects or SH2 with 75%. |
| Thailand | Successful completion of MAW 6 with average GPA 2.0 in relevant subjects including Maths and Sciences or successful completion of MAW 5 with GPA 2.5 |
| Turkey | Successful completion of Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 65% overall with minimum 60% in relevant subjects |
| UAE | Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% and minimum of 70% in relevant subjects |
| Ukraine | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 7.0 |
| USA | Grade 11 - GPA 2.75 or Grade 12 2.50. GED: 600 overall with 150 in 4 subjects, including prerequisites |
| Vietnam | Successful completion of Year 12 with average GPA 7.0 and minimum of 7.0 for Maths and Sciences subjects |
Other international qualifications
- IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level: 5 passes with grade 4 minimum or grade C, including native language
- A levels/AS levels: 24 UCAS points (native language accepted)
- IB first year - 24 points or IB Certificate IB - 22 points
| Age | 17+ |
| Duration | 10 weeks |
| Fees | £3,500 |
| Intakes | November/January/May |
| Term dates | 11/11/2024 - 21/02/2025 13/01/2025 - 21/03/2025 12/05/2025 - 18/07/2025 |
English language entry requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
English language exit requirements Academic IELTS for UKVI or accepted equivalent | 5.0 overall (min 5.0 in writing) |
Accepted tests
| Accepted Test | Required score |
| IELTS Academic UKVI | 4.5 overall (4.5 in writing, minimum 4.0 in all other skills) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI | ISE I Merit overall (ISE I Merit in writing and ISE I Pass in all other skills) |
Accounting and Finance (with a professional placement year) BSc (Hons) ()
Grade English : 50% overall with min. 40% in each skill..
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Anthropology and International Development BA (Hons) ()
Grade English : 50% overall with min. 40% in each skill..
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Anthropology with a Language BA (Hons) ()
Grade English : 50% overall with min. 40% in each skill..
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