An international foundation programme

Expert university preparation for international students

Take the first step to your university degree with our international foundation – a combination of specialist academic and study preparation, offering you the opportunity to choose from more than 6,000 degrees at 100 UK universities.

Key Facts

Age: 16.5+

Course length: 3 or 3.5 terms

English language entry requirements:
IELTS 4.5
(IELTS 5.0 for November and January starts)
Please visit a subject pathway page to see the entry requirements for that specific subject.

Locations:
Brighton or London
(Pathways vary by location)

Fees: £7,213 per term
(for a complete list of prices, please visit our fees page)

Progress to right university for you

With over sixty years experience in education, we’ve developed a strong reputation amongst universities for preparing students for the right degree for them. Specialist tutors teach a curriculum accredited by Lancaster University, so you feel prepared to start your degree at your chosen university – with the option to apply to up to nine universities before you arrive in the UK.

Choose from eleven subject pathways and benefit from an intensive, 3-term foundation programme in whatever subject you’re passionate about.

Diar from Iran

Personalised invitation to apply from up to nine universities

With a huge choice of progression opportunities, you’ll have the benefit of choosing and applying to the right university for you whilst you’re living in the UK – with the guarantee that you'll progress to one of the following universities.* Our reputation for academic excellence means you'll receive a personalised invitation to apply to up to nine universities at the same time you receive your offer to study at Bellerbys (depending on your subject pathway and chosen campus). 

This letter recognises your potential as a Bellerbys student and welcomes you to officially apply to the university once you meet all the academic requirements listed in your completed UCAS application. The letter itself does not act as a conditional offer from the university.

We are so confident that you’ll progress to a top UK university after completing your Foundation, that we’ll refund your Foundation tuition fees if you don’t (terms and conditions apply).

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Choose your subject pathway

Our eleven subject pathways are designed to immerse you in both your subject and studying in English. By choosing a Foundation programme at Bellerbys, you are not limited to a single university, giving you time to find the right destination for you – and with the programme accredited by the top-ranking Lancaster University, you know you’ll be receiving a quality education respected by universities around the country.

Degree preparation trusted by universities

By studying one of our subject pathways, you’ll learn more than just about your chosen subject. You will be able to use this time abroad to develop your English language abilities both inside and outside the classroom – from English language lessons, delivering presentations and writing essays, to meeting and talking to people from all around the world. You’ll also have the option to enrich your learning by choosing from a range of extracurricular activities that will really impress the universities you apply to.

University progression

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After completing your Foundation programme with us, you’ll have the chance to progress to a wide range of universities in the UK and beyond. Depending on your pathway and campus choice, you could even receive up to eight offers from UK universities.

Academic English Skills

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No matter which subject pathway you choose, our built-in Academic English Skills module will prepare you for study at a UK university. More than fifty universities accept AES in place of IELTS, meaning as long as you apply to these universities, you won’t be required to take an additional test to prove your English language level.

Enrichment activities

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With a choice of enrichment activities available each week across our campuses, our exciting enrichment programme will help you to develop your subject knowledge, learn additional skills, and discover new passions. No matter your interests or progression goals, we have an activity to enrich your academic experience.

Om from Thailand

“It’s better to go to a general college where they teach you the basics first and then progress to university. What I learnt in Bellerbys, the academic side, I got to use at university and I just felt really good because it was something that I actually learnt.”

Om from Thailand - Studied Chemical Engineering Foundation, now studying Petroleum Engineering at the University of Leeds

*Offer of conditional progression subject to: submission of completed UCAS application, academic reference and personal statement meeting required standard, passing Foundation programme with the required grades and English language level. Please note, all letters of conditional progression are subject to change.
Find out more about starting your studies or check the latest COVID-19 information.