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
Start dates:
April*, September, November or January.
See term dates
*April intake is available for Business, Finance and Management only
English language entry requirements:
IELTS 4.5
(IELTS 5.0 for November and January starts)
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are now able to accept a wider range of English tests
Please visit a subject pathway page to see the entry requirements for that specific subject.
Academic entry requirements:
Satisfactory completion of secondary or high school education.
Four GCSEs at C or above.
Maths B or above for Engineering and Science and Pharmacy pathways.
For Science and Pharmacy we recommend students have prior study of Biology and Chemistry.
For Computing we recommend students have prior study of Maths
Locations:
Brighton or London
(Pathways vary by location)
Tuition fees: Visit our fees page for full details
Progress to the 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 receive a personalised invitation to apply to up to thirteen 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. Alongside your chosen subject pathway, you'll also have Academic English Skills (AES) built into your timetable from day one – giving you dedicated time to develop your language skills for university.
3.5 Term Foundation
Join us in November and you’ll have an extra 6 weeks to get ahead with your studies, ready to start your Foundation programme in January with confidence.
During this additional half term you’ll be supported in developing two key skills: English and Mathematics as well as receive an introduction to the subject pathway you will be moving on to. You’ll also have a head start in thinking about your university choices and your university (UCAS) application and be better able to flourish when you start your Foundation programme in January. For information about our eleven subject pathways, see Choose your subject pathway, below.
If you were unable to join us in September, then our November start will keep you on track for university in September 2022.
Guaranteed* progression to university
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 thirteen 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).
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.
If you need to improve your academic and/or English language level before studying one of our subject pathways, you can first study our Extended Foundation programme to make sure you're prepared.
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. Academic English Skills is built into your timetable from day one, where you'll learn the language skills which will be most useful to you at university – and itself is a qualification accepted by more than forty universities. You'll also be delivering presentations and writing essays, as well as meeting and talking to people from all around the world. We also provide opportunities for you to enrich your learning by choosing from a range of extracurricular activities that will really impress the universities you apply to.
University progression
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 thirteen offers from UK universities.
Academic English Skills
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 forty 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
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.
Join us on campus
Find out everything you need to know about your journey to the UK and what to expect when you arrive on campus.
Join us virtually
If you are unable to join us on campus for the start of your programme, you can either start virtually and join us in the UK later, or study full-time from home.
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