International Foundation Year
The International Foundation Year will prepare students for their first year of an undergraduate degree - read about the academic requirements for this programme below.
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Undergraduate entry requirements for Royal Holloway International Study Centre
To join us at the International Study Centre, you have to meet certain academic and English language requirements.
Our courses are available to students who are:
- at least 17 years old when they join us
- non-UK nationals.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for your chosen pathway programme, you can improve your skills with our English language support course, English Language Preparation.
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 Acadedmic SELT
- PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
UKVI-approved SELTS include:
- IELTS Academic for UKVI
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
Alternative tests accepted include:
- Pearson PTE Academic (non-UKVI) / Pearson PTE Academic Online
- IELTS Academic (non-UKVI)
- LanguageCert International ESOL
- TOEFL iBT / TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- Cambridge ESOL
- Oxford Test of English
- Academic English Skills
- Password Skills Solo / Password Skills Plus
- English Language Preparation for UG Studies (Online)
- O Level English, iGCSE, GCSE: English as a First Language
- GCSE: English as a Second Language
- AS-Level / A-Level English
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- EUROPEAN BACCALAUREATE
- Indian Standard XII (CBSE, BISCE, State Boards Only excluding Haryana & Punjab)
- American HS Diploma English (inc. AP curriculum)
- Canadian HS Diploma: English
- WAEC, WASSCE, NECO English
- KCSE English
- Malaysia SPM English Language
- HKDSE English
- Irish Leaving Cert English
Study Group is permitted to assess students’ suitability for entry onto programmes which are degree level and above under the registration for the UK Office for Students. As this programme is offered under a single CAS, as you are therefore not required to have a UKVI SELT to obtain a Student Visa when you come to campus.
If you begin your course virtually and transfer to the UK to complete your programme, you may be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) based on the Academic English Skills module assessments (as part of your International Year OnePre-Masters).
A CAS for a Student Visa will only be issued if you have met the minimum language requirement of CEFR B2 in all skills, and the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme.
Academic
Students normally need to have a minimum of 12 years of schooling with good grades.
English language
| Academic qualification | Grade |
| Academic IELTS for UKVI* | 5.0 overall (minimum 5.0 in writing) |
| IGCSE/GCSE/O-Level | 5 passes at A-C in relevant subjects (excluding native language) with a C in Maths for Engineering pathway. New grades 9-4 in English and Maths. |
* If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English. The English language entry requirements stated are for information regarding entry to the course. If you require a UK visa to study, depending on the type of visa you need, the English language requirements and valid English tests to satisfy the UK visa criteria may differ.
| Your country | Academic qualification(s) you need |
| Algeria | Bacc de l'Enseignment Secondaire with grade average of 10 with 12 in relevant subjects |
| Afghanistan | Secondary school certificate : 70% overall including 70% in relevant subjects |
| Australia | Completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements. |
| Azerbaijan | Attestat/Certificate of Secondary Education (Grade 11) average grade 3 and 4 |
| Bahrain | Tawjahiya (Secondary school leaving cert) average grade of 65%, with 65% in relevant subjects. |
| Bangladesh | Year 12 (HSC): GPA 3.5 overall (Relevant subjects GPA 3.25 if required) (Note 1: Maths at HSC is required for Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering (Note 2: For Business, Economics Accounting & Real Estate, Humanities, Law & Social Science if student does not have Maths at HSC then Maths at SSC to be accepted at GPA 3.5) |
| Canada | Completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements. Overall minimum 60%. |
| Cameroon | Minimum overall grade 10 in Baccalaureate or Certificat de Probation with 13+ in all relevant subjects or 5 x subjects A-C in O levels (including relevant subjects) |
| Chile | Enseñanza Media/Licencia de Educación grade 4.5 overall out of 7, including 5.0 in relevant subjects |
| China | Year 11 (Senior High 2): 70% overall and min 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects)/ Year 11 Specialized secondary school (Medium level): 75% overall and a min of 60% in 3 academic subjects (including relevant subjects) Year 12 (Senior High 3): 60% overall and min 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects)/Year 12 Specialized secondary school (Medium level): 65% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects). |
| Colombia | Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade of 7 |
| Egypt | Year 12 (GSEC): 65% overall and with 60% minimum in relevant subjects. Cert of Nile International Secondary Education (CNISE) level 1 min. 5 subjects grades A-C including relevant subjects (excluding native language) |
| Ghana | Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more subjects |
| Hong Kong | HKDSE: 222 (must have Maths for Science/Engineering and Economics pathway) Form 5 if they meet the form 5 requirement or Pass in 3 or more subjects or if 2 subject passes 5% above pass mark |
| India | Year 11: 65% overall including 55% in relevant subjects. Year 12 (HSC): 55% overall (Note: 55% in relevant subjects required can be taken from Year 10, 11 or Year 12) |
| Indonesia | Grade 7.0 SMU 2 or Grade 6.5 SMU 3 – (4 relevant subjects required) |
| Iran | Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with overall GPA 14/20 including relevant subjects |
| Japan | Upper Secondary School certificate (Kotogakko - Year 12/Senior 3) with 55% or GPA 2.5. Year 11 (Senior 2) with 70%+ or GPA 3.5). |
| Jordan | Year 12 (GSEC): 70% overall and 50% in relevant subjects |
| Kazakhstan | Attestat/Certificate of Secondary Education (Grade 11) Average grade 3 |
| Korea | SH3: Grade D/60-69%/ Rank 6 SH2: Grade C/70-79%/ Rank 5 CSAT accepted with SH3 grades Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 50%+ inc relevant subjects. |
| Kuwait | Year 12 (GSEC): 70% overall and 65% in relevant subjects |
| Lebanon | Baccalaureate - minimum 10 points and 10 in relevant subjects. 60% in General secondary certificate with 60% in relevant subjects. |
| Libya | Year 12 (GSEC): 65% overall and 65% in relevant subjects |
| Macau | IGCSE/'O' Levels - Grade C in 4 relevant subjects inc English. Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with 65% average Form 6 or Senior Middle 3 with 60% average |
| Malaysia | SPM school: Form 5, Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| Mexico | Bachillerato 70% + |
| Morocco | Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 10 with 12 in relevant subjects |
| Nepal | Year 12 (HSC or School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade XI and XII)): 50% (Note: (Pass) in relevant subjects required, can be accepted from Year 11 or Year 12) |
| Nigeria | Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more relevant subjects |
| Oman | Year 12 (General Education Diploma): 70% overall including 65% in relevant subjects |
| Pakistan | Successful 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 |
| Qatar | New certificate, QSSC - min. 5 subjects, all 5 grades A - Cs (minimum 70% in relevant subjects and overall in percentage scale) Thanawaya Ama Qatari (School Leaving Certificate) overall 75% and 75% in relevant subjects |
| Russia | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 4.0 |
| Saudi Arabia | Tawjihiya (General Secondary Education Certificate) overall passmark of 75%, inc 75% relevant subjects. |
| Singapore | Secondary 4: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| Sri Lanka | Sri lankan GCE O level: Grade C in 6 subjects including relevant subjects Sri lankan GCE A level: Grade D in 2 subjects including relevant subjects |
| Taiwan | SH3 / Year 12 55% or SH2 / Year 11 65%. Including Math 55% at SH3 or SH2. Vocational High School Year 3: 55% or Year 2: 65% |
| Thailand | Successful 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 |
| Tunisia | Baccalaureate - minimum 10 points inc 12 in relevant subjects. |
| Turkey | Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 50% overall with minimum 50% in relevant subjects |
| UAE | Tawjihiyya (School Leaving Certificate): An overall passmark of 75% or above, no lower than 65% in relevant subjects. |
| Ukraine | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 7.0 |
| USA | Grade 11: 2.75 (77%) or Grade 12: 2.50 (74%) with minimum 4 academic subjects including relevant subjects at the same overall GPA GED: 600 overall with 150 in 4 academic subjects |
| Vietnam | Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 5.0+ or Year 11 with GPA 6.0 overall |
| Academic qualification | Grade |
| The Diploma of the International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma) and the Diploma Programme Course (IB Certificate) | 26 points |
| A/AS levels | 24 UCAS points (formerly 80 UCAS tariff points, excluding native language) |
| IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level | 4 passes at 9-4, (A-C) in relevant subjects (including native language) Math required at grade C for Engineering |
International Year One
The International Year One prepares students to enter an undergraduate degree at its second year - view the academic and language entry requirements here.
Academic
Students will generally need good high school graduation grades or equivalent, plus one year of further study.
English language
| Academic qualification | Grade |
| Academic IELTS for UKVI*^ | 5.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) |
| IGCSE/GCSE/O-Level | 5 passes at A-C in relevant subjects (excluding native language) with a C in Maths for Engineering pathway, plus one year of further study. New grades 9-4 in English and Maths. |
* If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English. The English language entry requirements stated are for information regarding entry to the course. If you require a UK visa to study, depending on the type of visa you need, the English language requirements and valid English tests to satisfy the UK visa criteria may differ.
^ For students looking to take the Academic Personal Tutorial steam (see below), students will require an IELTS (or equivalent level of):
- Business and Management and Economics: 6.5 overall with Reading and Writing 6.0 and no other subscore lower than 5.5
- Computer Science and Electronic Engineering: 6.5 overall with no subscore lower than 5.5
Academic English Skills and Academic Personal Tutorial** streams
The International Year One programmes will be available in two streams for the January 2021 intake, offered with either the Academic English Skills or Academic Personal Tutorial** modules, depending on your English language level.
If you are starting your studies with an English level lower than IELTS 6.5 overall (with varying subskill requirements, see entry requirements above) or equivalent, then you will study the Academic English Skills module. This will focus on building your English skills by improving your academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, and listening and recording information effectively.
If you join the programme with a higher IELTS 6.5 overall (with varying subskill requirements, see entry requirements above) or equivalent level, you will take the Academic Personal Tutorial** module. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will support, guide and advise you on your study skills, allowing you to focus on improving your academic abilities.
**Subject to approval
| Your country | Academic qualification(s) you need |
| Algeria | Bacc de l'Enseignment Secondaire with grade average of 12 |
| Bangladesh | Year 12 (HSC) GPA: 3.75 overall (3.75 in English, 3.5 in relevant subjects) plus 1 year of further studies (degree/diploma) (Note 1: HSC Maths GPA 3.75 is required for Computer Science, Electronic Engineering) |
| China | Year 12 (Senior High 3) with 65% or above in 4 or more key subjects or Year 12 Specialized secondary school : 70% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects) Year 11 (Senior High 2) with 70% overall and 60% or above in 4 or more key subjects / Year 11 Specialized secondary school with 75% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects) plus successfully completed 1 year of further year of study with a pass. Or 50% overall plus 50% in relevant subjects for Gaokao results. |
| Canada | High School Diploma Grade 12 65%+ |
| Egypt | Thanawiya Amma 75% plus successful completion of 1 year of further study |
| Ghana | West African Higher School Certificate with at least 3 'B' grades. Must include B in relevent subjects. |
| Hong Kong | HKDSE- 332 from eligible subjects, inc one elective. (Liberal Studies not eligible subject) |
| India | Year 12 HSC 60% (Note: 55% in relevant subjects required, can be taken from any year from Year 10, 11 or Year 12) |
| Indonesia | 7.0 SMU 3 (4 relevant subjects require) OR 1st Year university study with grade 2.0 and above |
| Iran | Pre Uni Year Peeshdaneshgahe 14/20. Or 1 year Kardani 14/20, or 2 year Kardani 13/20. |
| Japan | High School leaving certificate with 3.5 GPA accepted alone If GPA lower than 3.5, one year of further study required after completion of High School/Upper Secondary School leaving certificate Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination: pass in 4 (Grade B) subject, including pass in relevant subject |
| Jordan | Successful completion of Tawjihi 80% plus evidence of further study |
| Kazakhstan | Certificate of Secondary Education with grade 4 & 5 across all subjects plus evidence of further study |
| Kenya | Kenyan Cert (KCSE) grades 1- 6 in 5 or more subjects |
| Korea | SH3: Grade C/70%/ Rank 4 with at least 70%/C in relevant/prerequisite subjects. High School Diploma or Junior Vocational College Diploma. Or SH3 + 1 year of further study Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 75%+ inc relevant subjects. |
| Kuwait | General Secondary Education Certificate Tawjihiya 80% plus further year of study |
| Libya | Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80% or above plus evidence of further study post completion of secondary school |
| Macau | Form 6 (all schools): 65% average with relevant subject pass |
| Morocco | Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 14 |
| Mexico | Bachillerato 90% or 75% + 1 year of Higher Education with a pass |
| Myanmar | Basic High School Matriculation= Minimum 70% achieved overall, including 60% in 5 relevant subjects. No further studies required. |
| Nigeria | WAEC, SSCE or GCE grades A1-B3 in 5 or more subjects |
| Pakistan | Year 12 HSC/ Intermediate certificate: 65% overall or Year 12 HSC/ Intermediate certificate(Part I & II : 55% overall + 1 year of further study Associate diploma and other diplomas not eligible. (Note: 50% in relevant subjects required) |
| Qatar | High School Certificate 85% in relevant subjects plus 1 further year of study |
| Russia | Attestat with minimum GPA 4.0 plus successful completion of 1 further year of study with GPA of 3.0 |
| Saudi Arabia | General Secondary Education Certificate Tawjihiya 80% plus further year of study |
| Singapore | Singapore O Levels A1 – C6 in 4 subjects plus 1 year of study of Polytechnic Diploma / Polytechnic Certificate / Polytechnic Advanced Diploma. Or Singapore/Cambridge A Levels |
| Taiwan | SH3 (75%) or Senior High 3 (65%) + 1 year of further study GSAT - 40 from 4 relevant subjects Vocational High School Year 3: (75%) or Year 3 (65%) + 1 year of further Study |
| Thailand | High School certificate (MAW6) GPA 2.75 or GPA 2.0 + 1 year further study |
| Turkey | Successful completion of Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 60% overall |
| UAE | Successful completion of Tawjihiyya 80% plus evidence of further study |
| Ukraine | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum of GPA of 7.0 plus successful completion of 1 year of further study with a minimum GPA 5.0 |
| USA | SATs 500 in Reading and Writing & Maths PLUS 500 in two SAT II subject test Or ACT 24 overall Or 2 APs at grade 3 in relevant subject areas |
| Vietnam | Successful completion of Year 12 with grade 7.5 plus 1 further year of study |
| Academic qualification | Grade |
| IB Diploma and IB Certificate | (if qualification attempted) 24 points (IB Certificate not accepted) (Subject pass level is 3) |
| A/AS levels | 52 UCAS points (including native language) |
Other relevant subjects at school completion will also be considered to meet entry requirements.
English Language Preparation Programme
Our programmes can be taken with an additional course of English preparation - find out what academic requirements our English language programme require.
Academic
Students normally need to have a minimum of 12 years of schooling with good grades.
English language for International Foundation Year
| Duration | Entry requirements |
| 10 weeks | IELTS Academic 4.5 overall (4.5 in all other skills) |
English language for International Year One
| Duration | Entry requirements |
| 6 weeks | IELTS Academic 5.0 overall (5.0 in all other skills) |
| 10 weeks | IELTS Academic 5.0 overall (4.5 in all other skills) |
| 16 weeks | IELTS Academic 4.5 overall (4.5 in all other skills) |
* If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English. The English language entry requirements stated are for information regarding entry to the course. If you require a UK visa to study, depending on the type of visa you need, the English language requirements and valid English tests to satisfy the UK visa criteria may differ.
Secure English Language Test
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 as part of your visa application.
Check the UK government website for guidance and information 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 Secure English Language Test requirement and to find out about acceptable English language tests, please contact us.
Fees & funding
Once you've chosen your pathway programme, check out the fees associated with your study abroad journey.
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