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International Study Centre

International Foundation Year

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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

Arts and Social Sciences

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This pathway prepares you for a variety of Royal Holloway degrees related to arts and social sciences. Find out what you will study and what progression degrees you can choose from.

Management and Economics

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This pathway leads to a number of degrees at Royal Holloway in fields related to management and economics. Discover modules you will study and degrees this pathway leads to.

Sciences

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This pathway prepares you for science-related degrees at Royal Holloway. Explore the modules in this pathway and degrees you can choose when you progress.

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.

Entry requirements

Check the academic and English language requirements you’ll need to study one of our pathway programmes.

Fees

Find out how much it costs to study one of our programmes and how to pay for it.

Term dates

Our programmes run throughout the academic year and have multiple start dates. Find out when you could begin studying with us.