International Foundation Programme (IFP)

Want to study at a British university but don't have the correct qualifications? The International Foundation Programme (IFP) at the University of Reading is an intensive access course with a long established reputation for academic excellence and student support.

The course has been specially designed for international students without British A level qualifications or the equivalent. It gives students from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds the opportunity to gain an academic qualification. The IFP is accepted not only at the University of Reading but also many other British universities.

The IFP gives you the confidence and knowledge to succeed in undergraduate study. It will:

provide you with academic training in three subjects relevant to your intended degree
enable you to acquire the study and life skills which you will need on your degree programme
develop your English language skills, if necessary.

There are three entry points throughout the year, depending on your academic and English language levels, and which subjects you would like to study.

The IFP is subject to the same assessment procedures as the rest of the University and your tutors are the same academic staff that teach at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

As well as improving your knowledge and skills, the IFP aims to familiarise you with life at university and, if you are 17 or over, you will be eligible for accommodation on our beautiful award-winning campus.

We recognise that you may be a long way from home and in a completely new environment so we assign you an academic tutor to help support and guide you through your studies. There are also social activities to take part in and new friends to meet.