Foundation year courses

If you are a highly motivated international student and have an excellent academic record, the foundation pathways are your route to successful undergraduate study at Birmingham.

If you are a UK student and are looking to study in our College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, there are a range of foundation year options if you do not hold the correct qualifications for undergraduate study.

The foundation pathways are designed for international students with an excellent academic record and willingness to study hard, progression is guaranteed to an extensive range of our undergraduate programmes upon successful completion of the appropriate pathway. Academic and English language progressions requirements apply for each programme.

Our foundation years for UK students are for those who do not hold the required qualifications to study on our Engineering and Physical Sciences courses and require further preparation for study at the University of Birmingham.

You can find a selection of foundation year subjects on our course finder pages.

Who can study a foundation pathway?

Foundation pathways are suitable for international students whose qualifications are not recognised for direct entry to an undergraduate degree programme. Foundation years are also available to UK students in certain subjects.

Students are expected to have a good standard of previous education and be looking to progress on to degree level education at the University.

Foundation pathways for international students

For information on our foundation pathways for international students, please visit our international foundation pathways webpages.

Duration and cost of courses

International students

For the most up to date information on the international foundation pathways, please visit the international foundation pathways webpage.

UK students

The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences foundation year fees for 2019-20 are £9,250. 

Methods of study

Foundation years consist of modules of study, each of which is assessed and must be completed to a sufficient standard in order to progress through the Foundation Year.

The combination of modules is designed to ensure you have the right skills, experience and knowledge to progress to degree-level study. The course is taught using a mixture of lectures, examples classes and skills workshops. For international students, English language tuition is also provided.