Program Overview

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King's International Foundation Programme in Business & Economics

Key Information

Course type: Foundation Study mode: Full-time Duration: 1 year Application status: Open Start date: 29 September 2025 Extended start date: 18 August 2025 Priority deadline: 16 March 2025

What Does This Course Cover?

This Business and Economics foundation pathway will develop the academic skills and subject knowledge you'll need to progress to an undergraduate degree in a related subject.

All students on this pathway will take a compulsory Business and Society module. This module will teach you about the global and local values, culture, and behaviors that define the different disciplines in the field of business studies. You'll cover a variety of topics, including business ethics, industrial relations, entrepreneurship, and business imperialism.

You'll learn about the relationship between business, ethics, and society with a dedicated compulsory module designed to introduce you to the different disciplines involved in business studies.

You will also take a core academic English module - English for Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking delivered by experts from King's Foundations, which will enhance your language skills within an academic context. It will further develop your academic skills in using sources, structuring assignments, writing essays, and delivering presentations.

The rest of your foundation in business and economics will be dedicated to your optional modules. You'll be able to choose two optional modules in any combination. For example, you can combine Business Management with Economics or study Social Sciences alongside Maths for Business & Economics.

Different module combinations lead to different degrees. For example, if you combine the Economics module and the Maths for Business & Economics module, you will be eligible for all of the degrees at KBS as well as other degrees such as Maths, Economics, and Psychology.

If you take the Social Sciences and Business Management modules, you can pursue a degree at KBS with no maths requirement or explore other areas of the university, including social sciences, international development, and geography.

Module Combinations

You can browse the optional module combinations below and find the entry requirements so that you know what you need to be aiming for to receive a conditional offer.

• Social Sciences + Mathematics for Business & Economics
  • Introduction to Social Sciences - International Foundation
  • Mathematics for Business & Economics
• Business Management + Social Sciences
  • Business Management - International Foundation
  • Introduction to Social Sciences - International Foundation
• Economics + Social Sciences
  • Economics - International Foundation
  • Introduction to Social Sciences - International Foundation

Core Modules

• Academic Expression & Critical Thinking
• English for Scientific Academic Purposes
• Business & Society

Language Requirements

Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test and can apply to the King's International Foundation pathway (rather than the Extended pathway from which they will be transferred, should they apply).

All other students need to show evidence that they meet the English language requirements by providing a copy of a certificate from an approved English language test. All English language tests must have been taken within two years of the King's International Foundation course start date.

Students That Need a Visa

If you need to apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK, we can only accept IELTS and Pearson results that have been provided by test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration: IELTS for UKVI (Academic) and PTE (Academic) are only valid if taken within two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.

Test	King's International Foundation	Extended King's International Foundation*
IELTS for UKVI (Academic)	6.0 overall with no skill below 5.5	From 5.5 overall with no skill below 5.0, to 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5
Pearson Test of English (Academic) UKVI	59 overall with a minimum of 54 in each communicative skill	54 overall with a minimum of 46 in each communicative skill

Students Who Don't Need a Visa

We accept a number of other English language tests if you do not require a student visa to study in the UK.

Qualification	King's International Foundation	Extended King's International Foundation*
Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE)/Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)/Cambridge C2 Proficiency	169 overall with a minimum of 160 in each skill	162 overall with a minimum of 154 in each skill
IELTS (Academic)	Minimum 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5	Minimum 5.5 overall, with no skill below 5.0
IELTS (Online)	Minimum 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5	Minimum 5.5 overall, with no skill below 5.0
Pearson Test of English (Academic)	59 overall with a minimum of 54 in each communicative skill	54 overall with a minimum of 46 in each communicative skill
TOEFL iBT	80 overall with a minimum of 20 in each skill	72 overall with a minimum of 17 in writing/speaking and 15 in listening/reading
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	Level III with pass in each skill	Level II with pass in each skill

Teaching & Structure

This Business & Economics foundation pathway is a full-time, 120-credit programme. Students study four 30-credit modules. All students undertake a minimum of 15 hours of live, face-to-face study on the pathway, in addition to an average of 20 hours of self-study a week.

The pathway is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and small group classes, which help you prepare for your undergraduate degree studies. Face-to-face teaching is complemented and supported by innovative technology with elements of digital learning and assessment embedded into the programme.

Every student is assigned a personal tutor. They will provide you with the regular opportunity to review your learning, academic progress, and general well-being as you progress through your studies.

Assessment

The nature of assessment varies by module. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations. The type of assessment may include:

• Essays
• Exams
• Presentations
• Group assessments
• Online tests
• Coursework

See each module page for more details.

Modules

You will study the following modules on this pathway:

• English for Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
• Business & Society

You will choose two optional modules. The available module combinations are:

• Business Management & Maths for Business & Economics
• Business Management & Economics
• Business Management & Social Science
• Economics & Maths for Business & Economics
• Social Sciences & Maths for Business & Economics
• Economics & Social Sciences

Fees & Dates

The final application deadlines for this programme are:

• Extended King's International Foundation: 15 June 2025 (23:59 UK time)
• King's International Foundation: 15 June 2025 (23:59 UK time)

After the priority application deadline, if the programme becomes full before the final deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications.

Full-time Tuition Fees:

King's International Foundation - £26,300 Extended King's International Foundation - £30,400

Tuition fees are subject to annual increases, in line with King's terms and conditions.

Deposit

Upon accepting an offer for the King's International Foundation Programme, you are required to pay a deposit of £5,500 to secure your place by the deadline, which will be stated in your offer.

This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an offer (unconditional or conditional) to study with us and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.

Payments are made online through the King's Apply portal.

All students need to pay the deposit, with the exception of sponsored students. If you are being sponsored by an employer or your government, for example, you will need to provide a valid Financial Guarantee letter.

Additional Costs/Expenses

In addition to your application and tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:

• Accommodation and living costs
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Books if you need your own copy or they are required for your module
• Library fees and fines
• Society membership fees
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Stationery
• Graduation costs

Please see our student Terms and Conditions for further fee details, including our refund policy.