International Study Centre

International Foundation Year entry requirements

If you are applying for the International Foundation Year

You can start your studies with a UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), provided you have met all the programme entry requirements.

The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.

  • IELTS Academic for UKVI
  • Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
  • Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
  • PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)

You will need to obtain a SELT with the required minimum score to make a Student Visa application in order to come to campus.

General entry requirements

Find out more about the entry requirements for the International Foundation Year at the University of Sussex International Study Centre.

Entry requirementsInternational Foundation Year
English language*†Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 overall (min 5.0 in writing)
AcademicGood High school graduation grades or equivalent. Check the country-specific entry requirements below
AgeApplicants must turn 18 by the 31st July of the year they are due to complete their ISC course and progress
NationalityOnly available to international (non-UK and non-EU students)
AdditionalFor Engineering route: Student will require either GCSE Mathematics grade 6 or equivalent. For Life Sciences route: Student will require GCSE Biology and Chemistry (or combined science to include biology and chemistry) grade 6 or equivalent.

If you are applying to study in the UK under the Student visa route it may be necessary for you to submit a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of your visa application.

Find out more about valid test providers and approved test centre locations for tests taken on or after 6 April 2015. To find out if you are exempt from the SELT requirement and to find out about acceptable English language tests please contact us.

*If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English.

†English language requirements for International Foundation Year Medicine route: Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 overall (min 6 in writing and 5.5 in all other components)

Country-specific entry requirements

Your countryAcademic qualification(s) you need
Bangladesh

Year 12 (HSC): GPA 3.5 overall (Relevant subjects GPA 3.25 if required)

(Note 1: Maths at HSC is required for Science and Engineering
(Note 2: For Business, Media and Social Sciences if student does not have Maths at HSC then Maths accepted at SSC at GPA 3.5).

ChinaSH2 : 70% average inc relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects or SH3: 65% average inc relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects pass or above
GhanaSuccessful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more subjects
Hong KongForm 5 : 3 subject passes or HKDSE 2,2,2. Chinese to be accepted
IndiaSuccessful completion of the Standard 10+1 with 70% or above or Standard 10+2 at 55% or above, minimum 50% in relevant subjects such as Maths and Sciences
IndonesiaSuccessful completion of SMU 3/Sikolah Menegah at grade 6.5 or above or SMU 2 at an average of 7.0. 5 relevant subjects required
IranSuccessful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with overall GPA 14/20 including relevant subjects
JapanSuccessful completion of Kotogakko (Year 12) with grade average or 70% or GPA 3.5/5. Year 11 with 75% or GPA 4/5 may be considered, subject to age
JordanSuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% including relevant subjects
KazakhstanSuccessful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education (Grade 11) with grade average 4 and 5
Korea

SH3: 5th Grade average in rank, with at least 5th grade in relevant subjects

SH2: 4th Grade average in rank with at least 4th grade in relevant subjects

LibyaSuccessful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80%
MacauSuccessful completion of iGCSE/'O' Levels at grade C in 5 relevant subjects including English or completion of Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with an average grade of 65% - 75% in relevant subjects
MalaysiaSPM school: Form 5, Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths
MexicoSuccessful completion of Bachillerato at a average of 75% and above
MoroccoDiplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 12
NigeriaSuccessful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more relevant subjects
PakistanSuccessful completion of Higher Secondary Certificate at an average grade of 3-5 (60%) overall, with passes in 4 or more subjects with 50% minimum required for relevant subjects such as Maths and Sciences
QatarSuccessful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 80% in relevant subjects
RussiaSuccessful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 4.0
Saudi ArabiaSuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% and no lower than 70% in relevant subjects
SingaporeSecondary 4: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths
TaiwanSuccessful completion of Senior High School Year 3 pass with an average grade of 60% in relevant subjects overall, including relevant subjects or SH2 with 75%.
ThailandSuccessful completion of MAW 6 with average GPA 2.0 in relevant subjects including Maths and Sciences or successful completion of MAW 5 with GPA 2.5
TurkeySuccessful completion of Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 65% overall with minimum 60% in relevant subjects
UAESuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% and minimum of 70% in relevant subjects
UkraineSuccessful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 7.0
USAGrade 11 - GPA 2.75 or Grade 12 2.50. GED: 600 overall with 150 in 4 subjects, including prerequisites
VietnamSuccessful completion of Year 12 with average GPA 7.0 and minimum of 7.0 for Maths and Sciences subjects

Other international qualifications

  • IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level: 5 passes with grade 4 minimum or grade C, including native language
  • A levels/AS levels: 24 UCAS points (native language accepted)
  • IB first year - 24 points or IB Certificate IB - 22 points
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