Entry Requirements
For admission to the International Study Centre:
- Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study
- Country of residence/nationality: 'Overseas' students only may apply. Applications from HEU students* are not accepted - see note below.
- Age: student are usually 17 years of age on commencement of the International Foundation Year
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 prior to your academic programme: IELTS 4.0 or equivalent
- For two terms of English Language Preparation prior to your academic programme: IELTS 3.0 or equivalent
If you don’t have a current IELTS or TOEFL 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 the UK ('Home' students)
There is a very high level of competition worldwide for degree places at the University of Surrey. Numbers applying from within the UK are especially high. Therefore, we do not accept applications for the International Study Centre from students from the UK. Instead, we strongly recommend that these students consider joining an A Level programme.
*Definition of HEU students
HEU (Home/EU) students include 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
- 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.