Program Overview

International Foundation in Architecture

Overview

Prepare for entry to Year 1 of a professionally accredited undergraduate degree in Architecture or Planning, Environment and Development at Queen's University Belfast.

Key Information

• No portfolio requirement - the only Russell Group university with no portfolio needed for Foundation entry.
• Progress to Year 1 of a professionally accredited undergraduate degree at a UK top 20 architecture school (The Complete University Guide 2025).
• Learn from a qualified and highly experienced architect, with help developing your art portfolio during the program.
• Develop self-evaluation skills through weekly informal critiques of work produced in class.
• Learn in classes set up as workshops, and have the opportunity to draw and make detailed models.
• 100% of students progressed to BSc (Hons) Architecture at Queen's (based on students progressing in 2022).

Course Details

International Foundation in Architecture

• Duration: 4 Terms or 5 Terms
• Start Date: 2024/26

Entry Requirements

• Age Requirement: 16
• Academic Requirements: Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. All students must hold a GCSE grade 4/C Mathematics or equivalent.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum of 4.5 in writing and no less than 4.0 in all other subskills) or equivalent.
• Class size: 20

Important Dates

2025 Summer Start (June)

• Course start date: 16 June 2025 - Course end date: 19 June 2026
• Term 1 summer: 16 June 2025 - 22 August 2025
• Term 2 fall: 15 September 2025 - 12 December 2025
• Term 3 spring: 5 January 2026 - 13 February 2026
• Term 4 spring: 16 February 2026 - 19 June 2026

Fees and Pricing

• Estimated cost of attendance:
  • Tuition fee: £20,500.00
  • Accommodation: £1,932.00 - 10,168.00
  • Enrolment fee: £250.00
  • Textbooks: £105.00 - 865.00
  • Studio or lab fee (compulsory - programme dependent): £500.00
  • Approximate cost: £23,287.00 - 32,283.00

Modules

Core modules

• Practical Skills for Art Portfolio (30 Credit Units)
• Principles of Architectural Design and Practice (30 Credit Units)
• English Language and Study Skills - FDN (30 Credit Units)

Specialist modules

• Foundation Mathematics (30 Credit Units)
• Foundation Politics and International Relations (30 Credit Units)

Progression

• After successfully completing your pathway programme and achieving the specified academic and English language requirements, you can enter your degree.
• Explore the available degrees and their entry requirements below.

Planning, Environment and Development - BSc (Hons)

• Final level: BBC
• English level: B overall with a minimum of grade D in all components
• Additional Requirements: None specified

Geography - BSc (Hons)

• Final level: BBC
• English level: B overall with a minimum of D in all subskills
• Additional Requirements: None specified

Architecture - BSc (Hons)

• Final level: ABB
• English level: B overall with a minimum of C in Speaking and Listening and grade D in Reading and Writing
• Additional Requirements: None specified

Liberal Arts - MLibArts

• Final level: AAB
• English level: B overall with D in each subskill
• Additional Requirements: None specified