University of Bath International Foundation Year

- an introduction

Welcome to the University of Bath International Foundation Year. This is a one-year course, beginning in September each year, which will prepare you for entry onto your chosen degree at the University of Bath. If you achieve the necessary grades at the end of the course, you will be guaranteed automatic entry into Year 1 of your chosen degree course. You will not need to apply through UCAS.

Who is the IFY for?

The course is for international students whose qualifications are not appropriate for direct entry to a degree programme because of their home country’s education system. It is designed to cover the key principles, theories and practical skills which are the standard entry criteria for the University of Bath, and broadly based on the A-level syllabus.

What do you want to study?

Students who want to progress to degrees in the Science and Engineering faculties at the University of Bath can find a wide variety of exciting opportunities, with challenging and interesting subject areas. Science graduates are sought after in all areas of business, as well as in the scientific industries. Mathematics graduates are some of the most sought-after across all industries, and mathematics can provide an excellent grounding for various careers including those in finance and accounting.

Those students who want to progress to degrees in the Humanities and Social Science faculty (including Economics) or the School of Management will also find a wide range of fascinating subject areas such as education, economics, health, politics, psychology, business and social sciences to choose from. A degree in economics, for example, provides you with a wide array of both subject-specific skills and transferable skills which are highly sought after by employers. Students in the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies are the potential world leaders of the future, and those studying psychology have a wide range of career options open to them including jobs in management, human resources, market research and communication.

For more information on all the available progression degrees, click here.

Bath College

The University of Bath has accredited Bath College to teach the International Foundation Year, and students may progress from Bath College to their intended undergraduate degree programme at the University of Bath if they achieve the progression grades in the required subjects. You can be sure of the highest quality teaching and learning experience, and excellent support while you are studying at Bath College.

Find out more about the college by watching the video on this page.

What our students say

Berkay HEPER, from Turkey, BSc Management. ‘Bath is even better than I expected, it’s small and beautiful and very friendly. The IFY classes are interesting, and very different from school. We are treated as adults, and can speak to our teachers using their first names, and this is a new kind of study pattern for me. It is good preparation for going to the University of Bath. I also have to learn to take care of myself for the first time, including doing my own laundry and cooking. I am lucky that the other students I share accommodation with are all very friendly and helpful!’

Umaima AL MURAZZA, from Oman, BSc Biology ‘I have now been in Bath for two months, and it is a real change of environment from Oman, especially the weather! But Bath is a peaceful, cute place and it feels safe and friendly. One of the main challenges for me at first was managing my own time. Our tutor suggested that we set up a timetable for ourselves, for our private time as well as our study time, and this has been really helpful. I have made some good friends here.’

The information on this website is monitored regularly, and every effort is made to ensure that it is accurate. However, the information is subject to change, and we reserve the right to amend the contents. For the most up-to-date information on University of Bath degrees, please see the University of Bath website. No liability will be accepted for errors or omissions.