On this page you can find the English language requirements and the minimum grades required to enter the International Foundation Year. The grades you need to enter the course will vary depending on what qualifications you have completed.
The information relates to programmes with a start date of November 2024 or later. Click here for programmes with a start date of up to October 2024.
The English Language requirements for entry to International Foundation Year programmes falls within the following English bands (Also see * for important note about SELT requirement):
Band 1: IELTS UKVI (Academic) minimum score of 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking*
Band 2: IELTS UKVI (Academic) minimum score of 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking*
*SELT requirement - Those that are looking to study a standalone (i.e. not integrated with degree) Foundation programme at level 3 (such as our International Foundation Years) and are not nationals of a Majority English Speaking Country (as defined by UKVI) must meet the requirements through an English test which is deemed as a SELT (Secure English Language Test) by UKVI and approved by Queen Mary as acceptable such as IELTS Academic UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI.
If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses. See Pre-sessional English course requirements.
For full information on English language requirements for foundation programmes, please visit English Language Requirements for Foundation Courses, Pre-Masters Programmes and Study Abroad Programmes
All students must be at least 17 years old on the 1st September of the academic year in which they begin their programme.
For students beginning the foundation in September 2024 or January 2025, this means they must be 17 on 01/09/2024.
The typical minimum academic entry requirements for the course can be found below listed by country. For countries not listed please contact foundationprogrammes@qmul.ac.uk
For pathways in Science and Engineering, applicants are required to have studied to an appropriate level in subjects related to their chosen discipline. These subjects need to have been taken in their final year of study in High School.
First Language A-Level will not be considered.
First Language AS-Level will not be considered.
For the International Foundation Year (Law) Pathway, AS levels will not usually be considered.
Maturity Diploma (General Secondary Education) - An overall mark of 8.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 8 in required subjects.
Baccalaureat de I’Enseignement Secondaire: Minimum grade of 12 overall.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 14 (Bien) in required subjects.
Habilitação Literarias (Secondary School Leaving Certificate): An average of 15/20.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 15/20 in required subjects.
Bachiller: 7/10 overall.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 7/10 in required subjects.
Certificate of Unified Examination: Overall average of at least 14/20.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 14/20 in required subjects.
Reifeprüfung /Matura: an overall final score of 2.5/5.0
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 2.2 in required subjects.
For the IFY (Law) pathway, applicants who have taken the above qualification will be required to meet the minimum direct academic entry requirements for LLB Law programmes.
Attestat (Certificate of Complete Secondary Education): Marks of 4 or above for all subjects.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4 in required subjects.
Tawjihiya: 80% overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80% in required subjects.
High School Certificate: 4.0/5.0 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4.0/5.0 in required subjects.
Certificado de Ensino Medio: An overall average of 7
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 8/10 in required subjects.
Diploma za zavarsheno sredno obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Secondary Education): overall final mark of 4.5/6.0 with 4.5 in one Matura subject
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we require at least 4.5 in required subjects.
Canadian High School Diploma (all provinces): Minimum overall grade of 70%.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, applicants with Canadian qualifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Licencia de Educación/Enseñanza Media: An overall grade of 5.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 6.0 in required subjects.
Senior High Year 2: 80% overall
OR
Senior High Year 3: 75% overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, you must complete Senior High Year 3, and we also require at least 75% in required subjects.
Bachillerato/Diploma de Bachillér: An overall average grade of at least 80% or 8/10.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80%/ 8/10 in required subjects.
Titulo de Bachiller (Academic Stream): 80% in final year.
Apolytirion: 15/20 overall including 12 or above for all subjects
Devlet Lise Diplomasi: 65% overall (60% in all subjects)
Maturitni Zkouska or Maturita: marks of 2 or above in all subjects.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least marks of 2 or above in required subjects
Titulo de Bachiller de la Republica del Ecuador: An overall mark of 7/10
French Baccalauréat or Option International du Baccalauréat: an overall final score of 11/20.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 12/20 in required subjects.
General Education Diploma (Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestasi): A minimum of 9 in four subjects, no subjects below good (8).
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 9 in required subjects.
Abitur: an overall final score of 2.5/5.0
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 2.5 in required subjects.
WAEC: A minimum of 6 credits (grades) at C4 or Higher.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least C4 in required subjects.
Apolytirion: Marks of 15 or above for all subjects
***Only where not completing Pan-Hellenic Subjects*
Baccalauréat Unique / Baccalauréat 2ème partie: 14/20 overall
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Marks of 4, 3, 3, for core subject English Language + two relevant electives (any combination)
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
High School Diploma: overall average grade of 55%
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we require an overall average grade of between 55-75%. Students will be required to have studied required subjects at Higher Level
Standard XII (Central Board): 60% overall
Standard XII (State Board): 65% overall
SMA3/SMU3: 7.0 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 7.0 in required subjects.
IB Certificate/Diploma:
Minimum 16 IB points with marks of 4 or above in 4 subjects (excluding languages) at either Standard or Higher Level.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least a minimum of 3 (HL) or 4 (SL) in required subjects.
Diplom-Motevaseteh: 13/20 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 13/20 in required subjects.
Adadiyah: 80% overall
Diploma di Esame di Stato: an overall final mark of 65%
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 65% in required subjects.
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: Five relevant subjects with grades of at least 3 or above.
Attestat: 4.0 overall, with at least at least six grades of 4 and 5.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4.0 in required subjects.
Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): A minimum of C+
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least B- in required subjects.
Diplomë për Kryerjen e Shkollës së Mesme të Lartë (Diploma for High School Graduation) - GPA 3.4/4.0
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 3.4/4.0 in required subjects.
Attestat/Senior High School Certificate: An average mark of 4/5 or 80%.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4/5 or 80% in required subjects.
Thanawia: 80% overall
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education): Marks of 7or 70% or above for all subjects
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 7 or 70% in required subjects.
Lebanese Baccalaureat: 14/20.
Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama/Secondary Education Certificate: 80% overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80% in required subjects
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate): marks of 7 or above in all subjects
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least marks of 7 or above in required subjects.
Malaysia Higher School Certificate: Grades of C or above for all subjects.
SPM: B overall, Grade A in two required subjects
Matriculation Certificate Examination (MATSEC): B grades in 2 subjects at Advanced Level and B grades in 3 subjects at Intermediate Level in required subjects
Bachillerato: At least 80% in relevant subjects and 80% overall average or 8/10.
For the International Foundation Year (Humanities and Social Sciences pathways) the "Titulo de Bachiller técnico" is also accepted.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80% or 8/10 in required subjects.
Certificate of Complete Secondary Education: 80%/B (Good) or higher.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80%/B (Good) in required subjects.
Attestation du Baccalaureate: 12 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 14 in required subjects.
Basic Education High School Examination/Matriculation Examination: 75% overall.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 75% in required subjects.
Higher Secondary Education Certificate: A minimum of 75% overall.
WAEC: Six grades, minimum C4 in each subject
Upper Secondary Qualification (Vitnemal fra dan Videreganende Skole): an average grade of 3 and achieving a grade 3 in at least one related subject
Thanawia: 80% Overall
Higher Secondary School Certificate: 60% overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 60%/Grade B in required subjects.
American/International School in Pakistan: Overall GPA of 2.3
General Secondary Education Certificate (to Grade 12): 80% (Very good) overall.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80% (Very good) in required subjects.
Certificado de Educacion Secundaria Comun Completa: 14/20 overall
Senior High School (with Senior High School Diploma after 12 years): Minimum 80% in final year.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 80% in required subjects at grade 12.
Matura/Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci (Secondary School Certificate): an overall final mark of 60% and 60% in 3 subjects studied at advanced/extended level
Diploma de Ensino Secundario: an overall average mark of ‘bom’
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least a mark of 'bom' (14-17) in required subjects
Attestat: Minimum of 4 in all subjects
Singapore/Cambridge GCE Advanced Level
Grades of C or above for all subjects
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, applicants will be considered on a case by case basis.
Vysvedcenie o Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita: marks of 2 or above in all subjects
Senior High School Diploma SH3: Five subjects with a minimum average of 70%, or grade 4 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 70% or grade 4 in required subjects.
Titulo de Bachiller: an overall final average of 6
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 6 in required subjects.
General Secondary Certificate (al Shahâda al-Thânawiyya al-cÄmma or Baccalauréat): Minimum overall average of 80%.
National Senior Certificate (with matriculation endorsement): grades BBBCC (66655) in five or more subjects and awarded with merit
Maturity Certificate: an overall final score of 4.3/6.0
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4.3/6.0 in required subjects.
Senior High School (Year 3): 70% Overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 70% in required subjects.
Certificate of Completed Secondary Education: 4 out of 5 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4/5 (Good) in required subjects.
Mathayom Suksa 6: 3.0 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 3.0 in required subjects.
Baccalaureat: An overall grade of ‘assez bien’ (12-13)
Certificate of Complete Secondary Education: 4 out of 5 overall
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least 4/5 in required subjects.
Devlet Lise Diplomasi: 70% overall
Atestat pro Povnu Zagal’nu Sersdniu Ovitsu (Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education): Grades of ‘good’ (7-9) or above for all subjects
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least ‘Good’ (7-9) in required subjects.
Umumiy o'rta ta'lim to'g'risida attestat / shahodatnoma (Certificate of General Secondary Education): Marks of 4 or above for all subjects.
US High School Diploma: 3.0/4.0
Titulo de Bachiller/Título de Educación Media General: 15/20 overall
Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc (Year 12): GPA of 7.0 overall
General Secondary Education Certificate: Overall grade of at least 80%
Zambian High School Certificate: An overall average of 3 in final year.
For the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering, we also require at least grade 3 in required subjects.
If you have not yet taken an English proficiency test, you can still apply for the International Foundation Year and will be made a conditional offer subject to meeting the minimum requirement.