As an international student, it can be challenging to match your credentials with the requirements in countries where you’d like to study. One way international students can bring their skills up to the level required to study abroad is through pathway programs. This blog explores the types of pathway programs, also known as “foundation programs,” available in the United Kingdom, and which students are best suited to them.
Keeping your study abroad options open? Look at pathway programs in the United States.
Choosing Your Pathway Program
A pathway or foundation program is an introductory course taken before enrolling at a university or college. Pathway programs help international students prepare for and gain access to a postsecondary program if they’re not able to enter the institution directly.
Most programs are taught on-campus, so students benefit from exposure to UK culture and the institution’s teaching style. During their course, they may also use campus facilities.
Because different UK pathway programs serve different students, think about your key goals before applying.
- Need to improve your English language proficiency? Apply for a Pre-Sessional English course.
- Did your secondary school end in Year or Grade 12? Most students in the UK take Grade 13, so enhance your skills to match them with a Bachelor’s Preparation/Foundation Year course.
- Are your credentials overqualified for a Foundation Year program? Look at an Accelerated Bachelor’s Preparation course.
- Moving to a new field of study for your master’s degree, or returning to academia after time away? The Pre-Master’s program might be right for you.
We’ll dive into what each of these programs are below. Read on!
Pre-Sessional English
These foundation programs are great for students with good grades, but who don’t have the English language skills needed to thrive in an academic setting. Courses range from a few weeks to a year, and are taught by professors trained to work with international students.
Students enrolled in these courses will gain:
- Academic writing skills
- Research skills
- Strengthened presentation skills
- Analytical and critical thinking skills
Pre-Sessional English courses don’t grant academic credentials, and students aren’t eligible to work while taking them, unlike other pathway programs. However, graduates may include this course in their undergraduate application, verifying their language proficiency and improving their chances of being accepted.
Bachelor’s Preparation Courses (International Foundation Year/International Year Zero)
Because most students in the UK enter university after Year 13, and many students elsewhere graduate after Grade/Year 12, international students need to catch up. They can do this with Bachelor’s Preparation courses.
Bachelor’s preparation course content is equivalent to the UK curriculum for Year 13, and allows international students to enter first-year studies with the same knowledge as their UK-based peers. Participants also benefit from a support system that includes personal development plans, smaller classes, and access to Student Support Officers. These courses are a year long, and may include English-language study, but not all do—so check the course outlines before applying.
The exception to the Year 13 rule is Scotland, where undergraduate degrees are four years long, not three. At Scottish institutions, students may start their studies after finishing Year/Grade 12. For students who graduated in Grade/Year 11, Scotland offers pathway programs to bridge that gap.
Students who graduate from Bachelor’s Preparation courses are guaranteed a place at the affiliated university. This sets them up well for the next step in their study abroad journey.
De Montfort University International College offers a wide range of bachelor’s preparation courses.
Accelerated Bachelor’s Preparation/International Year One
International Year One courses are taught on-campus by instructors trained to work with international students. They combine Foundation Year studies with first-year course material. Students study the same material as mainstream first-year students, but receive extra academic and English-language support. As such, these pathway programs are best for international students who don’t qualify to start a bachelor’s degree immediately, but who are overqualified for the International Foundation Year.
Accelerated Bachelor’s Preparation students earn academic credit, and can transition to the second year of their degree in as little as seven months. This allows them to graduate at the same time as their UK-based peers, thus saving money on living expenses and tuition.
Pre-Master’s Program
Pre-Master’s courses prepare students for postgraduate study. Participants build academic skills, access research opportunities, and hone their scholarly writing. Study skill development and English-language training are also key parts of the curriculum. These UK pathway programs last up to a year, and help international students meet the academic and language requirements for their master’s degree.
Pre-Master’s programs can support students:
- Transitioning to a different field.
- With a long gap between their undergraduate degree and applying for their master’s.
- Who wish to improve their technical writing abilities.
- With credentials that don’t meet the degree course’s language or academic requirements.
Life as a Pathway Program Student
During your studies, you’ll attend classes at a UK university and work with fellow students. These courses will help you gain familiarity with the university’s assessment styles, and give you time to settle into your new country.
No matter which you choose, UK pathway programs can help you prepare for degree-granting courses. We wish you the best on your journey!
Check out UK pathway program options on the ApplyBoard Platform!
