International Foundation Year

A foundation programme to prepare you for a Royal Holloway degree

The International Foundation Year is designed to prepare you for the first year of your chosen undergraduate degree at Royal Holloway. This is a three-term foundation programme, specifically designed for international students. It focuses on core modules, study skills, and academic English.

This programme is for students from all around the world. If you have completed your high school education but would like further preparation before you start your university degree, the International Foundation Year will help you achieve your goals.

If you do not meet the English language requirements for your chosen foundation programme, the English Language Preparation Programme is ideal for you.

Choose your pathway

What will you learn?

At the end of your International Foundation Year, you will have gained the academic skills and knowledge essential for a successful undergraduate student, such as:

• Communication in high-level academic English
• Detailed subject knowledge and understanding 
• Online and paper-based research
• Logical construction of evidence-based arguments
• Critical analysis of academic resources
• Efficient organisation of your time and studies
• Ability to work independently and in a group.

Progress to Royal Holloway

After completing one of our three pathways and successfully meeting the progression requirements for your chosen degree, you will have the opportunity to progress to undergraduate study at Royal Holloway.