A cost-effective route to university, the St Andrew’s foundation course, accredited by NCFE and internally assessed, is run for students who must be at least 16.5 years old. It can commence in September (1 year or 2 year options available) or January (6 month or 18 month options available) and has been designed with international students in mind.
St Andrew’s deliberately does not tie its foundation course to a particular university. Instead, highly experienced personal tutors provide individual daily one to one university support for every student, helping guide them on the wide range of options available and choosing the right subject at the best university for them. Results are some of the top for foundation students in the UK with 88% of students in 2022 going onto top universities for their subject and a very high percentage onto university each year.
Starting your education aged 16 or 17 from overseas can be daunting for many particularly when plunged into a university environment with little pastoral care and support. By contrast, St Andrew’s home-from-home boarding environment, with excellent and dedicated house parents who look after their students, discuss issues and help solve any problems, is vital in helping students adjust, feel comfortable and motivated to succeed.
St Andrew’s smaller class sizes also ensures that every student is given individual attention, enabling them to improve their grades and maximise results. There is a wide range of subjects to study at Foundation level and IELTS preparation is in-built to ensure students meet the IELTS entry requirements for their chosen university. Those joining in September must have a minimum of 5.0 IELTS whilst those coming in January must have achieved IELTS 5.5.
There is a higher pass rate nationally for international students on foundation course than for those doing A-Levels and students who may not have succeeded at A-Levels or who may enjoy a more practical approach to learning are often successful on a foundation course. Over 80% of the Russell Group universities accept foundation courses as a route to undergraduate entry.
Subjects that can be studied at foundation levels are as follows:
| Art | Economics | Science |
| Architecture | International Relations | Engineering |
| Business | Humanities |
We are also introducing a Medicine Foundation from September 2023 which will give our students direct entry into St George’s University – Grenada, West Indies. Students wishing to progress on must achieve at least three Bs at A-Level or 75% in their Medicine or Science Foundation.
To see the university entrance requirements for foundation students please click below:
