Entry requirements
- English language:
IELTS 5.0 overall (min 4.5 in writing)
TOEFL: Listening: 15, Reading: 13, Speaking: 18, Writing: 15
Pearson Test of English: 46 (min 46 in writing)
- Students with IELTS 4.5 can take one term of intensive English Language Preparation before the start of the International Foundation Year.
- Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study (see table below) Please note you must have previously studied Maths or a numerate subject to study the Business & Social Studies programme.
- Nationality: The International Foundation year is only available to "overseas" students, non-UK and non-EU
- Age: Students at the International Study Centre are usually 17 years of age or above. See our FAQs for more information.
| Country |
Qualification* |
| Bangladesh |
Successful completion of High School Certificate at an average grade of 60% |
| China |
Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 75% or Senior High 3 at an average of 70% or above |
| Georgia |
Successful completion of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (year 12 or 11) |
| Ghana |
Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade C6 |
| Hong Kong |
Successful completion of the HKCEE with 4 x D grades or above in academic subjects.
Or, successful completion of Form 5 with 4 academic subjects (grades will be assessed on a case by case basis).
Or, successful completion of HKDSE with minimum grades of 223 in relevant subjects. |
| India |
Standard 10 with 80% or above |
| Indonesia |
Successful completion of SMU 3/Sikolah Menegah at grade 7.5 or above |
| Iran |
Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with an average grade of 15 |
| Japan |
Successful completion of Kotogakko with grade average of 70% or 3.5 |
| Jordan |
Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% |
| Kazakhstan |
Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with grade average of 4 |
| Korea |
Successful completion of High School Diploma with grade average of 4 |
| Libya |
Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80% |
| Macau |
Successful completion of form 5 with average grade 75% |
| Mexico |
Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade 8 |
| Nigeria |
Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with C6 |
| Pakistan |
Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate with passes in 4 or more subjects with an average of 60% |
| Qatar |
Successful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 80% |
| Russia |
Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with grade average of 4 |
| Saudi Arabia |
Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% |
| Taiwan |
Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 75% or Senior High 3 at an average of 70% or above |
| Thailand |
Successful completion Mathayom 6 with GPA 2.0 |
| Turkey |
Successful completion of Deviet Lisen Bitirme Diplomasi or High School year 3 with average grade 4 |
| UAE |
Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% |
| Ukraine |
Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with grade average of 9 |
| Venezuela |
Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade 8 |
| Vietnam |
Successful completion of Year 12 with average grade 7 |
Other qualifications
| IB or A/AS levels |
26 / 80 UCAS points |
| IGCSE |
5 passes at A-C in relevant subjects |
* If your qualification or country is not listed then please contact us for more information
Course content
The academic structure of the International Foundation Year includes six core modules to improve students' English, Maths and study skills. In addition Business and Social Studies route students study a choice of elective modules relating to their area of interest. See modules below.
Core modules
Academic English Skills (AES ) 1: Develop your ability to read academic texts, write extended texts, write subjective notes, listen effectively and participate in classroom discourse.
Academic English Skills (AES ) 2: Improve all your abilities developed in AES1 with greater accuracy, speed, coherence, organisation and presentation.
Academic English Skills (AES ) 3: Learn to use your study time more effectively, improve your use of information sources and develop your research skills in preparation for producing an extended, referenced, academic essay.
Mathematics and Statistics: This module contains both algebra and statistics. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of mathematical terms and techniques, and apply these to solving problems, frequently drawn from practical and real-life situations.
Academic and Personal Development Planning: This module will encourage you to focus on your degree choice and career aspirations and will require you to build a portfolio to show your development over the length of your programme. As part of this module we will also help you to ensure that your IT and independent learning skills are welldeveloped, so that you can succeed in your degree studies at the University of Stirling.
Business and Social Studies Modules
Economics 1: Learn to understand economic systems, types of goods, allocation of resources, elasticity, price controls, types of markets, cost and revenue, economies of scale and market failure.
Economics 2: Learn about aggregate demand and aggregate supply, economic policies, inflation, unemployment, international trade and development economics.
Sociology 1: Learn about the life and culture of Britain through key sociological topics such as ‘the family’ and ‘class’.
Sociology 2: You will have a further opportunity to study British life through the topic of ‘the mass media’, including issues such as ownership and control, public service broadcasting and how the media provide a picture of contemporary Britain, especially crime and deviance.
Sociology 3: The main aim of this module is to introduce you to social policy (employment, health, education, housing, social security) and to show a variety of approaches can be applied to address social issues in these areas.
Business Models and Management Accounting Techniques: Develop your understanding of the operational and strategic problems facing business people in the modern market economy. Learn about the role of management accounting in providing managers with the information for decision-making, planning and control.
Accounting and Finance: Learn about double entry book-keeping, preparation of trial balances, profit and loss statements, depreciation, limited companies, manufacturing accounts and interpretation of accounts.
Choice of Modules
Note that it is necessary to take specific modules in other routes to qualify for progression to some Combined Honours degrees. ISC staff will advise on the most appropriate elective choices on arrival at the University.
Apply now
We are accepting applications. If you are ready to apply use our online application form.
Apply now
Ask us a question
If you are not sure if you are eligible to apply or would like to ask us some questions before you apply, you can contact our Student Enrolment Advisers in the following ways:
Using the online enquiry form
Complete the simple online enquiry form and one of our advisers will get back to you by phone or email. Your enquiry will be assigned to a specialist in applications from your country. Our advisers speak a variety of languages and we will do our best to communicate with you in your own language.
Submit an enquiry
By phone
Call us on: +44 1273 339333
Our working hours are Monday - Friday 09:00-17:30 GMT.
Facebook
Visit our Facebook page, click the like button and post your questions on our wall.
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @stirlingisc and tweet us your questions.