Key facts about the Foundation Diploma

Price

See fees page for cost of the Foundation Diploma.

Course duration

This depends on your English Language level on entry - see study timeline for details. The Foundation Diploma can be studied over 2, 3 or 4 semesters.

  • 2 semesters is 9 months from start to finish (a normal academic year)
  • 3 semesters is 12 months (ISC students take classes through the summer)
  • 4 semesters is 15-16 months 

Course structure for Foundation Diploma

You will be studying English language preparation courses alongside credit-bearing courses required for the first year (freshman) of college. The amount of time spent on studying English will vary depending on your language proficiency and the duration of your Foundation Diploma:

Duration of program

4-semester Foundation Diploma
(language requirement - TOEFL 36 iBT)*
3-semester Foundation Diploma
(language requirement - TOEFL 52 iBT)*
2-semester Foundation Diploma
(language requirement - TOEFL 68 iBT)*

Hours of English Language studied

20 hours per week in semester 1
15 hours per week in semester 2
10 hours per week in semester 3
5 hours per week in semester 4
15 hours per week in semester 1
10 hours per week in semester 2
5 hours per week in semester 3
5 hours per week in semester 1
none in semester 2

Number of academic credit courses

none in semester 1
two in semester 2
three in semester 3
four in semester 4
two in semester 1
three in semester 2
four in semester 3
four in semester 1
five in semester 2
* An official TOEFL or IELTS score is not required. You may take the Study Group English Language Test to determine your level.

Entry points

Every January, May and August

Entry requirements

You must meet all the entry requirements for a James Madison University bachelor's degree program, except the English Language proficiency. You qualify to join the Foundation Diploma with a GPA of 3.0 and a minimum English level equivalent to TOEFL 36 iBT/IELTS 3.5.

See admissions section for detailed academic and English Language entrance requirements.

Academic credit

Foundation Diploma students take 9 freshman-level courses - and have the opportunity to earn between 27 and 30 credits. These credits count towards your bachelor's degree graduation requirements.

Progression

After the Foundation Diploma program, successful students matriculate into the second (sophomore) year of a James Madison University bachelor's degree.

 

Next steps