Direct access to the Second Year of a Scottish undergraduate Degree for international Students

The International Foundation Year is the equivalent of the first year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling. The course is designed for overseas students who do not meet entry requirements for their chosen degree and need additional academic and English language training before joining the second year of a degree.

Subject routes

Depending on the degree you want to study you will follow one of two subject routes:

• Business & Social Studies 
• Sciences & Computing 

Click the links above to find out more about the programme, entry requirements and available degree pathways.

University-style Teaching

The International Foundation Year is fully validated by the University of Stirling and replaces the traditional first year of a degree course. It introduces students to the style of teaching that they will experience when they progress onto the second year of a degree. This will include tutorials, seminar style classes and larger group lectures.

Choosing Your Degree

On application to the Undergraduate Certificate students nominate the degree programme that they are interested in studying. However, soon after the start of the course all students receive academic counselling to discuss the degrees available at the University, at which point they have the opportunity to change the degree they are working towards.

Assessment

Students are assessed regularly to ensure that you are on track to achieve the standard required for progression to their chosen degree. Development is monitored through continuous coursework and specific assessments at the end of each term or module. As part of your overall assessment, you will complete a series of presentations and extended essays.

Flexible entry

Students can begin the International Foundation Year in either September or January to begin their degree in the following September.  

English language Preparation

Students who do not have the required English language grades for direct entry to the Undergraduate Certificate can first study one term of English Language Preparation (ELP). ELP starts in June prior to the International Foundation Year starting in September, or can start September prior to the International Foundation Year starting in January.  

Certification

Please note: International Foundation Year is the marketing name for this course, at the end of the year students will receive an award titled 'Undergraduate Certificate' which is the official name of the programme.