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Full Time: 7 months
Start date: January 2021
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 any degree within the University of Reading except for Science and Life Science degrees. Popular progression degrees are those within the Henley Business School (Accounting, Business, Finance, and Management), Law, Real Estate, Construction Management and Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Consumer Behaviour and Marketing. 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 the same experienced University academics 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.
Around 80% of students who take the IFP at the University of Reading qualify to progress on to their chosen undergraduate degree. Graduates have enjoyed successful careers in a wide range of industries, including accountancy, law, food science, pharmacy, financial services, and investment banking.
For more information, please visit the International Foundation Programme website.
Typical offer
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9,250 per year
New international students: £16,890 (for January 2021 entry) per year
* UK and EU fee changes
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK and EU** students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
From 2020, the UK government may link tuition fees to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
**EU students
For more information on fees, loans and grants for EU students, see fees and funding for home/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
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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.
What career can you have?
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.
A large number of our students who complete the IFP (January entry) go on to study at Henley Business School or the University of Reading Law School. Graduates from Henley Business School and the Law School have enjoyed successful careers in a wide range of industries, including accountancy, legal, media, financial services and investment banking.