International College

International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering

Start your journey to an undergraduate degree in engineering and science, where you will use fundamental mathematical and scientific principles to understand how the world works. 

Progress to a degree in Faculty of Engineering or Faculty of Science

The International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering leads to a wide range of undergraduate engineering and science degrees at the University.

Who is the programme for?

  • Ambitious students aiming to study at a top-ranking university
  • Those who are passionate about science and engineering
  • Students who are interested in a practical way of learning

Key facts

Course length: 1.5 or 2 semesters

Entry points: 
2 semesters – September and January
1.5 semesters – March

Age on entry:
Students will normally be 17 years of age or older

Entry requirements: Check academic and English language entry requirements

Fees: Check fees for your programme

Scholarships

Students sat in a lecture theatre

The International College and the University of Sheffield offer scholarships for students who show excellent academic potential.

What will you study?

This is a 1.5 or 2-semester programme that will be tailored to prepare you for your chosen undergraduate degree at Sheffield. Programmes have been developed in collaboration with the University so modules are relevant to your field of study. You will develop the academic and English language skills needed for undergraduate study. Some modules will be compulsory for progression on to specific degree programmes at the University.

Modules

  • Academic English Skills
  • Project Skills

Pathway modules (related to your degree choice)

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Mathematics

Why study science or engineering at Sheffield?

  • The University's Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering are some of the biggest and best providers of engineering research and education in the UK.
  • There are more than 100 science and engineering related progression degrees at the University of Sheffield.
  • Join a whole range of related societies and clubs – from Women in Computer Science Society to the Engineering Society.

360 video tour of the Diamond teaching facility

Outside the Diamond building at Sheffield

Progress to your degree

You will receive regular feedback on your progress throughout your course so you know you’re on the right track. We have a dedicated team that offers progression support throughout your studies. 

Once you complete your International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering and achieve the required grades, you can enter your chosen degree at the University of Sheffield.

Degree options

Degree Programmes Pathway Overall Grade % English Grade
BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering P&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Aerospace Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Private Pilot Instruction P&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Aerospace Engineering with Private Pilot Instruction P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Archaeology**/****! Any pathway 60% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Architectural Engineering" P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science with a Year in Industry P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
Mcomp Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Genetics****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Genetics with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Microbiology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Microbiology with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Bio-dental Science and Technology****!^ B&LS 67% 70% with min 60% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Bioengineering P&E or C&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Bioengineering P&E or C&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Bioengineering with a year in industry P&E or C&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Bioengineering with a year in industry P&E or C&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MBiolSci Biology****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MBiolSci (Hons) Biomedical Science****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MBiolSci (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Year Abroad****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with a Year in Industry P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Chemistry****! C&E or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MChem (Hons) Chemistry****! C&E or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Biological & Medicinal Chemistry****! C&E or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MChem Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry****! C&E or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MChem (Hons) Chemistry with Study Abroad****! C&E or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Chemistry with a Year in Industry****! C&E or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MChem Chemistry with a Year in Industry****! C&CE or B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Civil and Structural Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Computer Science P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MComp (Hons) Computer Science P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering P&E or C&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with a Year in Industry P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation Biology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MBiolSci Ecology and Conservation Biology****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering P&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering P&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Electronics and Computer Engineering P&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Electronics and Computer Engineering P&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Electrical Engineering P&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering P&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science****! Any pathway 64% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEnv Environmental Science****! Any pathway 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics P&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) General Engineering P&E 80% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng General Engineering P&E 80% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) General Engineering with a Year in Industry P&E 80% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng General Engineering with a Year in Industry P&E 80% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Genetics****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Genetics with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Geography****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BMedSci (Hons) Health and Human Sciences****! B&LS 60% 60% with min 50% in all skills

! Not available for March starters
** Delivered in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities
**** Students wishing to progress to these degree programmes 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/Pre Masters Programme
" Delivered in the Faculty of Engineering
Ω Only available for September entry. Students wishing to progress to this degree must turn 18 by the end of September of the academic year when they start their undergraduate course at the University. Please note that all foundation students embarking on a clinical dentistry degree will need to have read and agreed to the terms and conditions set out in the Clinical Student Entry Agreement.
^ Students wishing to progress to this degree must turn 18 by the end of September of the academic year when they start their undergraduate course at the University

Degree Programmes Pathway Overall Grade % English Grade
BEng (Hons) Intelligent Systems and Control Engineering P&E or C&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng Intelligent Systems and Control Engineering P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Materials Science and Engineering P&E or C&E 73% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Materials Science and Engineering P&E or C&E 76% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Mathematics P&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MMath (Hons) Mathematics P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Philosophy P&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc Mathematics and Statistics P&E 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MMath (Hons) Mathematics and Statistics P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BEng Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with a Year in Industry P&E or C&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with a Year in Industry P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BEng Mechatronics and Robotic Engineering* P&E or C&E 67% 50% with min 40% in all skills
MEng Mechatronics and Robotic Engineering* P&E or C&E 70% 50% with min 40% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Medical Genetics****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Medical Genetics with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Medical Microbiology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Medical Microbiology with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Microbiology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Microbiology with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology with a Year in Industry****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BMedSci (Hons) Orthoptics!~^^ Any pathway 60% 70% with min 60% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Physics P&E 64% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MPhys (Hons) Physics P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Physics and Astrophysics P&E 64% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MPhys (Hons) Physics and Astrophysics P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Physics with Medical Physics P&E 64% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MPhys (Hons) Physics with Medical Physics P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MPhys (Hons) Physics with Study Abroad P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Plant Sciences****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MBiolSci Plant Sciences****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Psychology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills

! Not available for March starters
^^ Students wishing to progress to this degree must turn 18 by the end of September of the academic year when they start their undergraduate course at the University
* Also available with a year in industry
**** Students wishing to progress to these degree programmes 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/Pre Masters Programme
~ Pass in an interview required as well as meeting progression requirements

Degree Programmes Pathway Overall Grade % English Grade
BEng (Hons) Software Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng (Hons) Software Engineering P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MEng Structural Engineering & Architecture# P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Theoretical Physics P&E 64% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MPhys (Hons) Theoretical Physics P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
Mphys (Hons) Theoretical Physics with Study Abroad P&E 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills
BSc (Hons) Zoology****! B&LS 67% 60% with min 50% in all skills
MBiolSci Zoology****! B&LS 70% 60% with min 50% in all skills

! Not available for March starters
** Delivered in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities
**** Students wishing to progress to these degree programmes 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/Pre Masters Programme
# Design portfolio required at application

Start your application to the International Foundation Year. 

Born in Malaysia. Made in Sheffield.

Dzikry from Malaysia

I’m having fun along the way. It prepared me in terms of writing lab reports. If I had to go in [to the University] with just my high school experience, it would be a lot more difficult. When we did applied mathematics here, we didn’t cover it at all back in Malaysia, so it was really interesting and it really helps in my mathematics studies now. 

Dzikry

International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering

BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

 

 

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 about starting your studies or check the latest COVID-19 information.