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Prospectus
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International Foundation Programme
(4-year degree programme)

Study a comprehensive programme leading to a range of degrees at the University of Cumbria on one integrated visa for the entire duration of your degree.

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Our pathways
Our programmes

Progression scholarships

£1,000 per year of study for an undergraduate degree, or £4,000 per year if you progress into Nursing

Start date

September 2026
January 2027

Visa type

Integrated visa
(International Foundation Programme + Degree Programme)

Cost

£16,000

About the programme

The International Foundation Programme is your first step toward a wide range of undergraduate degrees at the University of Cumbria. You’ll study on one integrated visa for the full duration of your degree, beginning with a comprehensive foundation year designed to build your academic skills and subject knowledge.

The programme combines a set of core modules with subject-specific modules tailored to your chosen progression degree stream. This structure allows you to strengthen essential academic skills while beginning to specialise in your field of interest.

This supportive approach is delivering excellent outcomes, with a 100% pass rate across all programmes and cohorts, student satisfaction of 97.5%-100%, and successful progression to degree study at the University of Cumbria. Students from our first progression cohort advanced into subjects including Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Sports Coaching & Physical Education, and International Business Management.

 

Key facts

Minimum English language level:

Academic IELTS 5.5 overall (with no component below 5.5)

Academic entry requirements:

Students need to achieve GCSE/iGCSE with minimum grades of 44444 (or equivalent), which is approximately equivalent to 5 subjects at grade C.

Each application will be considered individually and assessed on their ability to succeed on the International Foundation Programme.

Academic Entry Requirements vary depending on where you studied. Please see the link for details for your country.

Minimum age requirement:

All students must be 18 years of age at the time of enrolment for their programme.

Tuition fees:

The tuition fee for the International Foundation Programme is £16,000. Scholarships of up to £3,000 are available for this programme.

Progression scholarships:

On successful completion of our programme, you will be eligible for a progression scholarship for the remainder of your study time at the University of Cumbria.
 
You will receive £1,000 per year of study for an undergraduate degree, or £4,000 per year if you progress into Nursing.

Our pathways

September 2026

You will study the following modules:

Semester 1:

  • English Language Development and Proficiency
  • Foundations of Mathematics
  • Foundations of Health and Social Care
  • Introduction to Medical Biosciences Laboratory Techniques 

Semester 2:

  • Exploring Research: Foundations for Inquiry
  • Foundations of Biology for Health Sciences
  • Professional Practice in Health and Social Care
  • Bioethics and Biomedicine

Download the full programme specification for detailed information on course structure, modules, and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the International Foundation Programme, you may progress to one of the following programmes:

*Progression to these degrees is subject to meeting professional body requirements and successful interview. This includes a criminal background and medical check (undertaken when in the UK) and will require you to have a higher IELTS score at point of entry.  IELTS scores required at the end of the foundation year are available here.

January 2027

You will study the following modules:

Semester 1:

  • Communication Skills
  • Qualitative Research Skills

Chosen Stream Modules

  • Fundamentals of Management
  • Foundations of Law and Psychology

Semester 2:

  • Academic English: reading and writing skills
  • Quantitative Research Skills

Chosen Stream Modules

  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Social Issues in Contemporary Society

Download the full programme specification for detailed information on course structure, modules, and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the International Foundation Programme, you may progress to one of the following programmes:

*The International Foundation Programme will be taught from the International College based at the University of Cumbria Lancaster campus whilst the remainder of the programme will be taught at the stunning Ambleside campus in the heart of the English Lake District.

**The International Foundation Programme will be taught from the International College based at the University of Cumbria Lancaster campus whilst the remainder of the programmes will be taught at the Fusehill Street, Carlisle campus, a city on the border with Scotland and close to the English Lake District.

You will study the following modules:

Semester 1:

  • English Language Development and Proficiency
  • Foundations of Mathematics
  • Introduction to Programming

Semester 2:

  • Exploring Research: Foundations for Inquiry
  • Web Development
  • Data Structures and Algorithms

Download the full programme specification for detailed information on course structure, modules, and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the International Foundation Programme, you may progress to the following programme:

 

You will study the following modules:

Semester 1:

  • English Language Development and Proficiency
  • Foundations of Mathematics
  • Foundations of Health and Social Care
  • Introduction to Medical Biosciences Laboratory Techniques 

Semester 2:

  • Exploring Research: Foundations for Inquiry
  • Foundations of Biology for Health Sciences
  • Professional Practice in Health and Social Care
  • Bioethics and Biomedicine

Download the full programme specification for detailed information on course structure, modules, and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the International Foundation Programme, you may progress to one of the following programmes:

*Progression to these degrees is subject to meeting professional body requirements and successful interview. This includes a criminal background and medical check (undertaken when in the UK) and will require you to have a higher IELTS score at point of entry.  IELTS scores required at the end of the foundation year are available here.

Prepare for university success

If you have any questions about studying with us or need assistance with your application, our admissions advisors are available to help.

Enquire now
Apply now