Study International Foundation Year
The International Foundation Year will help you take a step towards gaining the right qualifications to get onto your dream bachelor's degree at Salford.
We are ranked as one of the top 10 University English Language Centres in the UK and throughout the year you'll study modules related to your degree so you can feel confident taking the step up to an undergraduate degree.
Gain the flexibility you need with our September or January start dates.
Pathways onto our degrees
If you pass the International Foundation Year with the right grade, you will get a guaranteed offer to study one of our undergraduate courses.
Look at the degrees offered as part of the International Foundation Year below.
Which courses are offered as part of our IFY?
Art and Design
When you study the Art and Design IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take in the first year of your School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology programme.
If you opt for the Art and Design IFY you will study the following four modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Creative Risk Taking 20 credits
- Credits Digital Media Applications 20 credits
- Creative Practice Major Project 40 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from small group tutorials, to individual tutorials and group workshops. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessment and project work.
The following degrees are available with the Art and Design IFY:
- BA (Hons) Animation
- BA (Hons) Costume Design
- BA (Hons) Fashion Design
- BA (Hons) Fashion Image Making & Styling
- BA (Hons) Graphic Design
- BA (Hons) Fine Art
- BA (Hons) Film, TV and Stage Design
- BA (Hons) Interior Design
- BSc (Hons) Games Design and Production
- BA (Hons) Photography
- BA (Hons) Television and Radio Production
The Art, Design and Media IFY can only be joined in September.
Biological Sciences
When you study the Biological Sciences IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Environment and Life Sciences programme.
If you opt for the Biological Sciences IFY you will study the following five modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Credits Biological Principles 20 credits
- Scientific Method 20 credits
- Science for Health 20 credits
- Chemical Principles 20 credits
You will have various class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. You will also have laboratory classes to prepare you for your Undergraduate programme. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, in-class mini-tests, and project work.
The following degrees are available with the Biological Sciences IFY:
- BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science
- BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
- BSc (Hons) Human Biology and Infectious Diseases
The Biological Science IFY can only be joined in September.
Business Management
When you study the Business IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Salford Business School programme.
If you opt for the Business IFY you will study the following three modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Mathematics 40 credits
- Economics for Business 40 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. Classes for English and Maths are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, in-class mini-tests, and case studies for Economics for Business.
The following degrees are available with the Business IFY:
- BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
- BSc (Hons) Business Economics
- BSc (Hons) Business and Finance
- BSc (Hons) Business Management
- BA (Hons) Business Management with Law
- BSc (Hons) Sport Business Management
- BSc (Hons) Business Information Technology
- BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
- BSc (Hons) International Business Management
- BSc (Hons) Business Management with Marketing
- BSc (Hons) Business with Supply Chain and Project Management
The Business IFY can be joined at two entry points, in January and in September.
Built Environment
When you study the Built Environment IFY, you will be well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your built environment programme.
If you opt for the Built Environment IFY, you will study the following three modules:
English and Study Skills 40 credits
Mathematics 40 credits
Physics 40 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, in-class mini-tests, and project work.
The following degrees are available with the Built Environment IFY:
- BSc (Hons) Architecture
- BSc (Hons) Architectural Design and Technology
- BSc (Hons) Architectural Engineering
- BSc (Hons) Building Surveying
- BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management
- BSc (Hons) Interior Architecture
- BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying*
- BSc (Hons) Real Estate Development and Management
The Built Environment IFY has two entry points and can be joined in January or September.
*no January intake available
Computer Sciences
When you study the Computer Science IFY, you will be well-prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your computing or mathematics degree course.
If you opt for the Computer Science IFY you will study four modules:
- English and Study Skills - 40 credits
- Mathematics 1 and 2 - 40 credits
- Computer Programming - 20 credits
- Computer Systems - 20 credits
During your studies, you will experience a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials and workshops. Classes for English and Maths are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge, so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, in-class mini tests, and project work for Computer Science modules.
The following degrees are available with the Computer Science IFY:
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cyber Security
- BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
The Computer Science IFY can only be joined in September.
Engineering and Physics
When you study the Engineering and Physics IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take in the first year of your Computer, Science and Engineering or Built Environment programme.
If you opt for this IFY you will study three modules outlined below:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Mathematics 40 credits
- Physics 40 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. You will also have laboratory classes to prepare you for your undergraduate programme. Classes for English and Maths are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English, and 24 for the laboratory.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, and in-class mini-tests, and you will produce laboratory reports for physics.
The following degrees are available with this IFY:
- BEng Acoustical and Audio Engineering
- BEng / MEng Aeronautical Engineering
- BEng Aircraft Engineering with Pilot Studies
- BEng / MEng Civil Engineering
- BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics
- BEng / MEng Mechanical Engineering
- BSc (Hons) Physics
- BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering & Production
The Engineering and Physics IFY is available to start in September or in January.
Environment
When you study the Environment IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Environment and Life Sciences programme.
If you opt for the Environment IFY you will study the following five modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Biological Principles 20 credits
- Earth Processes 20 credits
- Environmental Conservation 20 credits
- Science for Health 20 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. You will also have laboratory classes to prepare you for your Undergraduate programme. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessment, in-class mini tests, and project work.
The following degrees are available with the Environment IFY:
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
- BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology
- BSc (Hons) Zoology
The Environment IFY can only be joined in September.
Health (Prosthetics and Orthotics)
When you study the Health (Prosthetics and Orthotics) IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Prosthetics and Orthotics programme.
If you opt for the Health (Prosthetics and Orthotics) IFY you will study the following four modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 Credits
- Mathematics 40 Credits
- Physics 20 Credits
- Biological Principles 20 Credits
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. You will also have laboratory classes to prepare you for your undergraduate programme. Classes for English and Maths are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English, and 24 for the laboratory.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessment, in-class mini tests, and you will produce laboratory reports for Physics.
The following degree is available with the Health (Prosthetics and Orthotics) IFY:
The Health (Prosthetics and Orthotics) IFY can only be joined in September.
Health and Psychology
When you study the Health IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Health programme.
If you opt for the Health IFY you will study the following four modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Credits Mathematics 40 credits
- Science for Health 20 credits
- Communication for Health 20 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. Classes for English and Maths are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessment, in-class mini tests, and project work.
The following degrees are available with the Health IFY:
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
- BSc (Hons) Podiatry
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling Studies
- BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology
- BSc (Hons) Psychology of Sport
- BSc (Hons) Sports Science
The Health IFY can only be joined in September.
Law
When you study the Law IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Salford Business School programme.
If you opt for the Law IFY you will study the following three modules:
- English and Study Skills (40 Credits)
- Economics for Business (40 credits)
- Law, Politics, and Society (20 credits)
- Law, Society, and Behaviour (20 credits)
You will have a variety of class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, in-class mini-tests, and case studies for Economics for Business and Introduction to English Law and Systems.
The following degrees are available with the Law IFY:
The Law IFY can be joined in either September or January.
*This course requires a higher entry level in the first year of the degree.
Music
When you study the Music IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take on the first year of your Music programme.
If you opt for the Music IFY you will study the following five modules:
- English and Study Skills 40 credits
- Introduction to Music Theory 20 credits
- Music Theory & Compositional Techniques 20 credits
- Foundation Musicianship Skills 20 credits
- Foundation Performance Studies 20 credits
You will have a variety of class types, from small group tutorials to band work, individual tutorials and group workshops. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessment, performances, and project work.
The following degrees are available with the Music IFY:
The Music IFY can only be joined in September.
Politics
When you study the Politics IFY, you will be very well prepared for the modules you will take in the first year of your School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology programme or your Salford Business School Programme.
You will have various class types, from large lectures to small group tutorials. Classes for English are streamed according to your previous subject knowledge so you will be with people at your level. You will have a maximum class size of 18 students for English.
There are different kinds of exams across the modules, ranging from traditional end-of-year assessments to continuous assessments, in-class mini-tests, and case studies
You will study the four modules below:
- English and Study Skills 40 credit
- Economics for Business 40 credit
- Law, Politics and Society 20 credits
- Law, Society and Behaviour 20 credits
The following degrees are available with the Politics IFY:
This course can be started in September or January.
Why study at Salford?
Get up to £3,500 scholarship when you move on to one of our undergraduate programmes.
Study at our beautiful green campus located just minutes from Manchester, an exciting city famous for sports, music, science and the arts.
Become part of our friendly and multi-cultural community. Join 4,500 international students who study here.
Got a question?
Whether you've got a question about the IFY or life at Salford, our friendly team will be happy to help.