Program Overview

International Foundation in Business, Humanities and Social Sciences

Become a leader at Queen’s Business School

Study at Queen’s Business School and discover world-class facilities, diverse academic programs and vibrant student life at Queen’s University Belfast. From undergraduate degrees to postgraduate programs, Queen’s University Belfast offers courses that cover the full spectrum of today’s business sector.

Prepare for entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree in a range of accounting, business, economics, finance, humanities, social sciences and law-related subjects at Queen's University Belfast.

If you have a higher academic level, you may qualify for our Extended International Year One (Academic). This 12-month programme includes an additional term, helping you build the academic skills and subject knowledge needed to succeed.

With a single visa for the full course, you’ll save time and reduce costs while preparing for Year 2 of your degree. Choose from Extended International Year One in Accounting (Academic) or Extended International Year One in Management and Finance (Academic).

Key Information

• Continue to a wide range of undergraduate degrees at Queen's University Belfast.
• Business students will study real-world case studies from the international business environment.
• Politics students will examine the history and theory of international relations and apply knowledge to situations including war, conflict and environmental issues.
• Continue learning outside of the classroom through interactive field trips, which have included visiting the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Law Courts in Belfast.

Course Details

International Foundation in Business, Humanities and Social Sciences

Queen’s University Belfast International Study Centre

• 2024//26
• 4 Terms
• 5 Terms

Entry Requirements

• Age Requirement: 16
• All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 01 September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the Center. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 01 September of the preceding calendar year. Therefore have turned 17 before 01 September of the year they progress to university.
• 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
• iCAS: If you have a higher English language level, you may qualify for our iCAS – integrated Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – program. Combining your pathway and degree in a single study plan, you’ll only need one visa for the duration of your studies and can apply with alternative English language qualifications to IELTS.

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: £ 19,950.00
• 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: £ 22,737.00 - 31,733.00

The cost of your study plan may vary depending on factors including the pathway chosen, program length and choice of accommodation.

The prices shown are for the current academic year of 01 September 2025 – 31 August 2026 and are for indicative purposes only.

All students who confirm their offer on or before 31 January will pay the 2025/2026 price as per their existing offer letter. After 31 January 2026, where tuition fees have increased, all current offers will be reissued and students will receive a new offer with the new 2026/2027 pricing. Please note that the fees listed are for Year 1 of study only.

Modules

Core modules

• English Language and Study Skills -FDN: 30 Credit Units
• Foundation Mathematics: 30 Credit Units
• Foundation Business Studies: 30 Credit Units
• Further Mathematics for Engineering and Science: 30 Credit Units
• Foundation Economics: 30 Credit Units
• Foundation Politics and International Relations: 30 Credit Units

Progression

• P = Placement option available
• A = Study abroad option available

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.

Data Science with Year of Professional Experience-BSc (Hons)

• Final level %: A in Foundation Mathematics, BC
• English level %: C with a minimum of D in each component
• Additional Requirements

Advanced Accounting with Placement-MAcc

• Final level %: ABB
• English level %: B with a minimum of D in each component
• Additional Requirements

Financial Risk Management (with a Year in Industry)-BSc (Hons)

• Final level %: A (Mathematics) AB
• English level %: B with a minimum of D in each component
• Additional Requirements

Anthropology and History-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBB
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component

Anthropology and International Relations-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBB
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component

Anthropology and Philosophy-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBB
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component

Anthropology and Politics-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBB
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component

Archaeology and History-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBC
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component

Criminology and Sociology-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBB
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component

Philosophy and Politics-BA (Hons)

• Final level %: BBB
• English level %: Grade B with a minimum of D in each component