For admission to the International Study Centre:
- Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study
- Country of residence/nationality: 'overseas' students only (Home/EU students* are not accepted - see note below)
English Language level:
- For direct entry to the Foundation Year: IELTS 5.0, TOEFL 500 (173 computer based test) or equivalent
- For one term of English Language Preparation: IELTS 4.0 or equivalent
- For two terms of English Language Preparation: IELTS 3.0 or equivalent
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.
Important note for applicants from UK and European Union countries ('HEU' students*)
There is a very high level of competition worldwide for degree places at Lancaster University. Numbers applying from within the UK and the European Union region are especially high. Therefore, we do not accept applications for the International Study Centre from students from UK and EU countries. Instead, we strongly recommend that these students consider joining an A Level programme.
*Definition of Home/EU (HEU) students
Home/EU includes the following categories:
- Permanent residents in the UK who have been resident in the UK for three years
- EEA (European Economic Area) migrant workers and their families in the UK who have lived in the EEA for three years
- EU nationals and their children who have lived in the EEA for three 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