International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities

Whether you want to be an entrepreneur, solicitor, landscape architect or something else entirely, this is the first step. 

Sheffield student outside campus

Study modules related to your chosen progression degree

Progress to a degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

The International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities will prepare you for your chosen undergraduate degree in the humanities and social sciences at Sheffield. The Faculty of Social Sciences includes the Management School, the School of Law and Sheffield School of Architecture.

Who is the programme for?

  • Students with the ambition to study at a high-ranking UK university
  • Students who want the skills to have a successful career in business
  • Students who will benefit from spending a year in a supportive and international environment

What will you study?

This is a 1.5 or 2-semester programme that has been developed in collaboration with the University, so modules are relevant to your field of study. Core modules are studied by everyone on  this programme and will develop the English and academic skills you need for your degree. The pathway modules you study will depend on your chosen progression degree at the University.

Modules

  • Academic English Skills (AES)
  • Project skills
  • Academic Success

Pathway modules (related to your degree choice)

  • Social Sciences
  • The Built Environment
  • Management
  • Accounting and Financial Management
  • Principles of Economics
  • Mathematics
  • Principles of Law
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities

Why study business, social sciences and humanities at Sheffield?

  • 90% of Sheffield University Management School's research has been classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
  • Social Sciences students will benefit from innovative education and learning spaces in new flagship building for Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield, The Wave.
  • Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield is ranked amongst world’s best in global subject rankings (78th in the world according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Key facts

Course length: 1.5 or 2 semesters

Entry points: 
2 semesters – September, November (Enhanced Induction) or January
1.5 semesters – March

Age on entry:
Students should be at least 17 years of age on entry to the International College*.

Entry requirements: Check academic and English language entry requirements

Fees: Check fees for your programme

*For some degrees, students must be aged 18 or over upon progression to the University. Please visit the relevant programme route page for more information.

Sheffield University Management School

is triple accredited: AACSB, AMBA & EQUIS.

Progress to your degree

You will receive regular feedback on your progress throughout your course so you know you’re on the right track. And our progression support team is available to support you throughout your studies. 

Once you complete your International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities and achieve the required grades, you can enter your chosen degree at the University of Sheffield.

Notes:

  • Places are limited on some degree courses, so you are advised to apply and confirm your place as soon as possible.
  • In addition to the overall academic and English grades as displayed in the table below, students are also required to meet the minimum module grades for their chosen progression degree. All information will be provided to students when they begin their studies on campus.
Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish Grade
No Results

Please note

Design portfolio required at application to the International College.

  • Architecture BA (Hons)
  • Architecture and Landscape BA (Hons)

Language degrees not suitable for native speakers.

  • Chinese Studies BA (Hons)
  • Chinese Studies and Business Management BA (Hons)
  • Chinese Studies and History BA (Hons)
  • Chinese Studies with Japanese BA (Hons)
  • East Asian Studies BA (Hons)
  • Japanese Studies BA (Hons)
  • Japanese Studies and History BA (Hons)
  • Korean Studies BA (Hons)
  • Korean Studies with Japanese BA (Hons)
  • Music and Korean Studies BA (Hons)

Students must be 18 or over when starting their degree.

  • Architecture BA (Hons)
  • Architecture and Landscape BA (Hons)
  • International Business Management with Study Abroad BA (Hons)
  • Digital Media & Society BA (Hons)
  • Sociology BA (Hons)
  • Sociology with Social Policy BA (Hons)

Students wishing to progress to the following degree at the University will require an English level of IELTS 0.5 (or equivalent) higher than the standard level of entry to their International Foundation Year. Students are also required take part in a blog chat and pass in an interview as well as meeting progression requirements.

  • Journalism Studies BA (Hons)

Portfolio will be completed in International College but does not count towards progression.

  • Architecture BA (Hons)
  • Architecture and Landscape BA (Hons)

Personal statement of why students wish to study degrees below and a portfolio are part of the progression requirements before the end of the IFY programme.

  • Landscape Architecture BA (Hons)
  • Landscape Architecture BSc (Hons)

Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit or equivalent.

  • Music BMus
  • Music and Korean Studies BA (Hons)
  • Music and Philosophy BA (Hons)

English language courses

If you need additional support to reach the English language level for this programme you can take one of our English language courses first.

Find out more
Sherry from China

Born in China. Made in Sheffield.

My pathway here is Social Sciences and the course modules, such as Politics and Sociology, are very relevant to my progression. The English language has helped me improve my English ability and also my academic ability. Those are things that I’ve never experienced in my home country.

Sherry
International Foundation Year Business, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities
BA(Hons) International Politics and Securities Studies

Chukwuemeka from Nigeria

How to apply

Ready to apply? Discover how to submit an application and learn more about fees, semester dates and entry requirements.

Students outside campus

University of Sheffield International College

The University of Sheffield International College helps you improve your English, develop your academic skills, and grow the confidence needed to succeed in a degree at the University.

Students studying in class

English language courses

Improve your English skills with one of our English language courses designed to support international students studying a pathway programme at the International College.

Ready to join us?

Our student enrolment advisors are here to help with your application and answer any questions you have about studying with us.