Program Overview

Overview of the International Foundation Year Programme

The International Foundation Year (IFY) programme is designed to provide international and EU students with a direct route to undergraduate study at Queen Mary or other UK universities. This one-year programme allows students to progress to any degree in the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary, including law, business management, economics, international relations, politics, comparative literature, linguistics, languages, film studies, history, and geography.

Structure of the Programme

The IFY programme starts in either September or January, and modules are assigned based on the degree the student wants to study after completing the foundation year. The programme includes compulsory modules such as English Language and Study Skills and an Independent Study Project. Students also study modules in three further academic subjects based on their chosen pathway.

Compulsory Modules

• English Language and Study Skills
• Independent Study Project

Pathway Modules

• Business studies : Introduction to Business and Management; Management
• Economics : Microeconomics; Macroeconomics
• Mathematics for economics : Pure Mathematics for Economics; Statistics for Economics
• International Relations and Politics : Introduction to Politics; Introduction to International Relations
• Geography : Introduction to Human Geography; The Human Geography of London
• History : 20th century European History I: ; 20th century European History II:
• Literature : Introduction to English Literature; Introduction to American Literature
• Film studies : Introduction to Film Studies; European and American Art Cinema
• Spanish : Spanish Language and Culture I; Spanish Language and Culture II (September start only)
• Japanese : Japanese Language and Culture I; Japanese Language and Culture II (September start only)
• French : French Language and Culture I; French Language and Culture II (September start only)

Teaching and Learning

Students receive approximately 17 hours of contact time per week in semester one and 15 hours per week in semester two, comprising lectures, smaller seminar groups, and one-to-one tutorials. They complete a further 20 to 25 hours of independent study each week.

Assessment

Assessment typically includes a combination of coursework (writing tests, reports, presentations, seminar skills) and/or examination.

Resources and Facilities

The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid studies, including:

• Classrooms equipped with audio-visual equipment
• Access to the QMplus virtual learning environment
• E-portfolio software Mahara to develop writing and study skills
• The Queen Mary library at Mile End, as well as to Senate House Library and other University of London resources
• A well-appointed 41-seat cinema for film lectures

Entry Requirements

The International Foundation Year (IFY) accepts applicants with a wide range of different qualifications. The grades needed to enter the course vary depending on the qualification completed. For country-specific details, please refer to the detailed entry requirements.

Supporting Documentation

Applicants need to provide:

1. Copies of high school qualifications/transcript so far, showing the subjects being studied in the final year.
2. A copy of the UKVI IELTS (or accepted equivalent) certificate if already taken.
3. A scanned copy of the data page of the passport (including any previous UK visas).

Progression onto Undergraduate Degree

On successfully completing the IFY and meeting the progression requirements, students are guaranteed a place on their chosen degree programme at Queen Mary.

Academic English Language Proficiency

All IFY applicants must provide a valid UKVI Academic IELTS (or accepted equivalent) test score that meets the minimum requirements for their chosen pathway.

Funding

Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of undergraduates. Scholarships are available for home, EU, and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available.

Support from Queen Mary

The university offers specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through the Advice and Counselling Service.

Careers

The International Foundation Year (IFY) offers a route to undergraduate degrees in a vast range of disciplines. Recent graduates have gone on to gain degrees in Business Management, Economics, History, Law, Linguistics, and Politics.

Career Support

All Queen Mary students have access to the Careers and Enterprise Centre, which can offer:

• Specialist advice on choosing a career path
• Support with finding work experience, internships, and graduate jobs
• Feedback on CVs, cover letters, and application forms
• Interview coaching

About the School

The School of the Arts combines innovation, discovery, and excellence in education and research in Drama, Film, Modern Languages, English & Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Linguistics, and Liberal Arts. The school ranks in the top 100 worldwide for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). With a commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and social mobility, collaborations with external organisations, prominent writers, and performers, and facilities that support both academic and practice-based learning, an education in the School of the Arts equips students with critical thinking and practical skills, unleashes their imagination, and enables them to reach the levels of excellence needed in today’s industries.