Entry requirements
Students applying to study the International Foundation Year course are usually 17 years of age or above.
*Please note the ISC only considers applications from 'overseas' students. Home/EU students are not accepted. Find a full definition of HEU students here.
English language level
The table below shows the minimum English Language level required for entry to the International Foundation Year. If you don't have a current IELTS grade, you may still apply to the ISC. Please contact us to find out about alternative assessment of your English Language level.
All students' English and numeracy skills will be tested on arrival, and study plans may be altered accordingly. (This may incur additional costs).
| Route to University study |
Equivalent English language level |
Entry to the
International Foundation Year |
IELTS 4.5 overall (minimum 5.0 in Writing and no other element less than 4.0)
TOEFL (Internet-based test):
Listening: 16; Reading: 13;
Speaking: 20; Writing: 19
TOEFL (Computer-based test): 153
Pearson test of English:
41 across all skills (46 in Writing) |
Academic entry requirements
The table below show the minimum academic levels required for entry to the International Foundation Year.
| Country |
Qualification* |
| Bangladesh |
Successful completion of High School Certificate at an average grade of 55% |
| China |
Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 70% or Senior High 3 at an average of 65% or above |
| Georgia |
Successful completion of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (year 11 or 12) |
| Ghana |
Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade D7 |
| Hong Kong |
Successful completion of the HKCEE with 4 x E grades or above in academic subjects |
| India |
Standard 10 with 70% or above |
| Indonesia |
Successful completion of SMU 3/Sikolah Menegah at grade 7 or above |
| Iran |
Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with an average grade of 14 |
| Japan |
Successful completion of Kotogakko with grade average of 2.0 |
| Jordan |
Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 50% |
| Kazakhstan |
Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education |
| Korea |
Successful completion of High School Diploma |
| Libya |
Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 50% |
| Macau |
Successful completion of form 5 with average grade 60% |
| Mexico |
Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade 7 |
| Nigeria |
Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with D7 |
| Pakistan |
Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate (55%) or SSC (65%) |
| Qatar |
Successful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 70% |
| Russia |
Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education |
| Saudi Arabia |
Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 50% |
| Taiwan |
Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 60% or Senior High 3 at an average of 55% or above |
| Thailand |
Successful completion Mathayom 6 with GPA 1.0 (2.0 in Maths and Science subjects) |
| Turkey |
Successful completion of Deviet Lisen Bitirme Diplomasi or High School year 3 |
| UAE |
Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 70% |
| Ukraine |
Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with grade average of 7 |
| Venezuela |
Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade 7 |
| Vietnam |
Successful completion of Year 12 with average grade 5 |
Other qualifications
| Qualification |
Award |
| IB or A/AS levels |
20 / 40 UCAS points |
| IGCSE |
4 passes at A-C in relevant subjects |
* If your qualification or country is not listed then please contact us for more information.
Home/EU student definition
HEU (Home/EU) students include:
- Permanent residents in the UK who have been resident in the UK for 3 years
- EEA (European Economic Area) migrant workers and their families in the UK who have lived in the EEA for 3 years
- EU nationals and their children who have lived in the EEA for 3 years
- Refugees (recognised by the UK government) and their families
- People who have applied for asylum and have been granted leave to enter/remain, and their families
- The rules on whether you are classified as a ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ student are strictly defined by the British Government; universities do not have discretion.
Important note for applicants from the UK and European Union
There is a very high level of competition worldwide for degree places at Kingston University. Numbers applying from within the UK and the European Union region are especially high. Therefore, we do not accept Home/EU students. We recommend that these students join an A Level programme.
