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2023/24
2024/25

International Foundation Programme (IFP) - January

  • UCAS code
    Q3N1
  • Typical offer
    See entry requirements
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Other: Full Time: 7 months

Study from a wide range of subject modules to guarantee a place on an undergraduate degree course at the University of Reading with the International Foundation Programme.

If you are planning on coming to the UK to study, and you don't have British A level qualifications or the equivalent, the International Foundation Programme (IFP) offers you the opportunity to prepare for an undergraduate degree at a British university. There are two entry points for the IFP, one in September and one in January.

This January–August option offers you the same quality and benefits as the September–June programme but in a more focused format. It enables you to progress to most degrees within the University of Reading. Popular progression degrees are:

  • Law
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Politics and International Relations
  • International Development
  • Education Studies
  • Museum Studies and Archaeology
  • Computer Science
  • Psychology.

Degrees that cannot be progressed to from this programme are most Science and Life Science degrees, Economics, Henley Business School degrees (Accounting, Business, Finance, Real Estate and Management), Art and Media degrees, and some degrees within the Institute of Education.

Upon successful completion you will be guaranteed a place on your chosen degree course in September of the same year.

The IFP is a University-led foundation programme and is subject to the same quality and assessment procedures as the rest of the University. We have taught the IFP for more than 35 years and have an international reputation for excellence both in our teaching and for the support we give our students. You can apply for scholarships to help fund your time here and, if you are aged 17 or over, you will be eligible for a place in halls on our award-winning campus.

You will study academic skills and a selection of subjects relating to your chosen pathway. For instance, if you are hoping to study Law at undergraduate level, you will typically study three of the following modules, including Law: An Introduction to Business and Management, Economics, Information Systems and Statistics, Law and Mathematics for Finance, Economics and Business. Depending on your English language skills you may have to take the International English module. You will be taught by experienced University academics, some of who teach these subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Additionally, an academic tutor will be assigned to support and guide you through your studies.

By the end of the programme you will be able to present ideas and arguments with accuracy and confidence both orally and in writing. You will also have the transferable skills necessary for undergraduate study.

In the past two years, 96% of students who have taken the IFP at the University of Reading qualified to progress on to their chosen undergraduate degree. Graduates have enjoyed successful careers in a wide range of industries, including accountancy, law, higher education, food science, pharmacy, financial services, and investment banking.

For more information, please visit the International Foundation Programme website.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

IFP scholarships and discounts

Please see our International Foundation Programme (IFP) website to find out more about scholarships and discounts for IFP students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

The IFP qualifies you to study a full undergraduate degree at a British university, the gateway to a very wide range of fulfilling careers.

During the International Foundation Programme (IFP) you will develop transferable skills such as the ability to produce high quality written work, interpret and analyse a range of information, think critically, and communicate well.

Students from the IFP go on to study a wide range of degrees at the University of Reading and other highly ranked UK universities. Upon completion of their undergraduate studies, they have also gone on to postgraduate studies and careers in a number of different industries. In particular, law and legal services, higher education, government work and the public sector, IT, engineering, marketing, E-commerce, public relations, meteorology, pharmacy, retail, banking and many more.