International Foundation Year entry requirements

Entry requirements for your programme

The requirements you need to join the three-term International Foundation Year vary depending on the University you are looking to progress to.

Generally, you need:

  • Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study (IGCSE/GCSE/O Level and IB Certificate are not accepted)

  • To be aged 17 or older.

Please see below for English language and academic requirements as well as country-specific requirements. If your country is not listed, please contact us to find out more information.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

English language  For IBEB:
  • IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 in all components)
  • TOEFL Overall 40. Minimum Sub Skills W – 15, S – 14, L – 5, R – 5
 For IBA:
  • IELTS 5.5 overall (5.0 in all components)
  • TOEFL Overall 52. Minimum Sub Skills W – 15, S – 14, L – 5, R – 5
Academic
  • Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study
  • For Business and Management Foundation: Maths is a compulsory course in the final year of the diploma. Alternative numerate subjects accepted include: Statistics, Algebra, Accounting, Calculus. 
Country Qualification
Argentina Bachiller (en)
Azerbaijan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Belarus Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio 
Cameroon Nuffic - GCE, O-level (at least 4 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C) + GCE, A-level (at least 2 subjects) = at least HAVO Diploma / Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire = HAVO Diploma / General Certificate of Education (Technical/Commercial) Advanced Level = At least HAVO diploma for the general education component Documents should always be checked for authenticity by Nuffic.
Canada Nuffic - High School Diploma (English-speaking provinces) = in most cases a HAVO diploma / Diplôme d’ Études Secondaires (DES) = HAVO Diploma / Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) = in most cases a HAVO diploma
China Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong) at an average of 70% or above
Ecuador Diploma Bachiller en Ciencias or Diploma Bachiller en Ciencias/Humanidades: overall score of 8 or higher
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education - Overall 75% inc relevant subjects
Ethiopia Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate/Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination = HAVO diploma (only if at least 6 subjects with A, B or C). IMPORTANT: documents should always be checked for authenticity by NUFFIC.
Georgia Secondary School Leaving Certificate Average 2.5 (combination of 2s & 3s) on 1-4 scale, 8 on a 1-10 scale or B
Ghana West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least 6 subjects with grades A1 to C6 IMPORTANT: documents should always be checked for authenticity by NUFFIC.
Indonesia Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas SMA/ SMU 3 at grade 6.5 or above 
Iran Pre-University Certificate 
Iraq Secondary School Certificate - / wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation (Sotsugyoshomeisho) 
Jordan Successful completion of Tawjihi with overall passmark of 80% or above and relevant subjects
Kazakhstan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C) IMPORTANT: documents should always be checked for authenticity by NUFFIC.
Korea High School Certificate (Upper Secondary Education) 
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama (General Secondary School Certificate) is comparable to GCSE A*-C where an overall passmark of 80% or above, inc relevant subjects. No lower than 70% in these subjects.
Malaysia Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM),Malaysia Certificate of Education, (or forecast) with aggregate of 20 or less in best five (5) relevant academic subjectsto include English and Mathematics. (Grading - C6 min.from old system / grade C min. [new system])
Mexico Successful completion of Bachiller at an average of 75% or above
Moldova Diplomă de Bacalaureat/ Attestat with minimum 7.0
Morocco Attestation de Baccalaureat
Myanmar High school Matriculation. Minimum of 60% achieved overall, inc 60% in 5 relevant subjects.
Nigeria Senior School Certificate/West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades A-C or 1-6 in at least 6 subjects/ National Examinations Council (NECO) with grades A-B or 1-4 in at least 6 subjects IMPORTANT: documents should always be checked for authenticity by NUFFIC.
Oman General Education Diploma Certificate/ General Secondary School Certificate with overall passmark of 80% or above. No relevant subjects below 70%
Philippines Only the new Senior High School diploma (until 18 years)
Russia (+ Chechnya) Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Saudi Arabia Tawjihiya (General Secondary Education Certificate) = high school graduation. An overall passmark of 80% or above, inc relevant subjects No lower than 70% in these subjects.
South Africa National Senior Certificate = 6 subjects grade 3 or above (relevant subjects)
Syria Only General Secondary Education Certificate
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma with 70% average 
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education (Mayatom 6)/Certificate of Completion grade 12 with good grades
Turkey Lise Diplomasi with good grades (4 years) minimum GPA of 3.0 (60%)
Ukraine Successful completion of Attestat with good grades Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
USA High School Diploma. However, it should be a diploma with an academic track. GED diploma not accepted
Uzbekistan Akademik Litsey Diplomi with grade 4 or higher
Venezuela Bachiller en Ciencias/ Humanidades 5 subjects minimum 13/20
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc/Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccaulaureate. Successful completion of year 12 with grade 7.0 average; Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 7.0+
Zambia High School Certificate / General Certificate of Education with average grade 4 Documents should always be checked for authenticity by NUFFIC.

Tilburg University

English language
  • IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 in Writing, 4.5 in all components)
  • TOEFL Overall 35-45. Subskills W- 14-17, S - 12-13, L - 3, R - 3
  • TOEIC (600)
Academic
  • A/S level - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced subsidiary (A/S) level (6 different subjects in total) Business International Foundation Year: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths
  • A Level - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced (A Level) level (6 different subjects in total) Business International Foundation Year: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths
Country Qualification
Armenia Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0/grade 4 or higher
Azerbaijan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Belarus Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio 
China Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong) at an average of 70% or above
Colombia Bachiller Académico - 5 relevant subjects inc. Maths (B) Good or above
Ecuador Diploma Bachiller en Ciencias or Diploma Bachiller en Ciencias/Humanidades: overall score of 7 or higher.
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education - Overall 75% inc relevant subjects
Georgia Secondary School Leaving Certificate Average 2.5 (combination of 2s & 3s) on 1-4 scale, 8 on a 1-10 scale or B
Ghana West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least 6 subjects with grades A1 to C6) 
Hong Kong HKDSE with minimum 3 grades at level 2 or higher
India Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate/ Higher Secondary School Certificate at 55% or above
Indonesia Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas SMA/ SMU 3 at grade 6.5 or above 
Iraq Secondary School Certificate - / wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation (Sotsugyoshomeisho) 
Jordan Successful completion of Tawjihi with overall passmark of 80% or above and relevant subjects
Kazakhstan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C) 
Korea High School Certificate (Upper Secondary Education)
Science & Engineering Foundation: Maths (not mathematics exercise) plus another Science subject (preferably Physics) in the final year of the diploma will be accepted.
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama (General Secondary School Certificate) is comparable to GCSE A*-C where an overall passmark of 80% or above, inc relevant subjects. No lower than 70% in these subjects.
Kyrgyz Republic Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0/grade 4 or higher
Malaysia Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Malaysia Certificate of Education, (or forecast) with aggregate of 20 or less in best five (5) relevant academic subjectsto include English and Mathematics. (Grading - C6 min.from old system / grade C min. [new system])
Mexico Successful completion of Bachiller at an average of 75% or above
Moldova Diplomă de Bacalaureat/ Attestat with minimum 7.0
Myanmar Basic Education High school Matriculation = 11 years. Minimum of 60% achieved overall, inc 60% in 5 relevant subjects.
Nigeria Senior School Certificate/West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades A-C or 1-6 in at least 6 subjects/ National Examinations Council (NECO) with grades A-B or 1-4 in at least 6 subjects 
Oman General Education Diploma Certificate/ General Secondary School Certificate with overall passmark of 80% or above. No relevant subjects below 70%
Philippines Secondary School degree not accepted
Russia (+ Chechnya) Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Saudi Arabia Tawjihiya (General Secondary Education Certificate) = high school graduation. An overall passmark of 80% or above, inc relevant subjects No lower than 70% in these subjects.
Singapore Singapore-Cambridge GCE A level in 2 content-based subjects plus Singapore-Cambridge GCE O level in 4 subjects with grades A-C (6 subjects in total).
South Africa National Senior Certificate = five subjects grade 3 or above (relevant subjects)
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma with 70% average 
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education (Mayatom 6)/Certificate of Completion grade 12 
Turkey Lise Diplomasi with good grades (3 years) minimum GPA of 3.0 (60%)
Turkmenistan Orta bilim hakynda Sahadatnama (Certificate of secondary education)
Uganda Uganda Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in 6 subjects with grades 1 - 6 + Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 1 subject with Principal pass
Ukraine Successful completion of Attestat with good grades Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
USA High School Diploma 
Uzbekistan Akademik Litsey Diplomi with grade 4 or higher
Venezuela Bachiller en Ciencias/ Humanidades 5 subjects minimum 13/20
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc/Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccaulaureate. Successful completion of year 12 with grade 7.0 average; Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 7.0+
Yemen General Secondary Education Certificate
Zambia School Certificate / General Certificate of Education with average grade 4

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

English language
  • IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 in Writing, 4.5 in all components)
  • TOEFL Overall 35-45. Subskills W- 14-17, S - 12-13, L - 3, R – 3U
  • TOEIC (600)
Academic
  • A/S level - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced subsidiary (A/S) level (6 different subjects in total) Business International Foundation Year: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths Science International Foundation Year: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Physics and GCSE grade A in Maths
  • A Level - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced (A Level) level (6 different subjects in total) Business International Foundation Year: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths Science International Foundation Year: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Physics and GCSE grade A in Maths
Country Qualification
Armenia Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0/grade 4 or higher
Azerbaijan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Belarus Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio 
China Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong) at an average of 70% or above
Colombia Bachiller Académico - 5 relevant subjects inc. Maths (B) Good or above
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education - Overall 75% inc relevant subjects
Georgia Secondary School Leaving Certificate Average 2.5 (combination of 2s & 3s) on 1-4 scale, 8 on a 1-10 scale or B
Ghana West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least 6 subjects with grades A1 to C6) 
Hong Kong Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) with minimum 3 grades at level 2 or higher
India Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate/ Higher Secondary School Certificate at 55% or above
Indonesia Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas SMA/ SMU 3 at grade 6.5 or above 
Iraq Secondary School Certificate - / wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation (Sotsugyoshomeisho) 
Jordan Successful completion of Tawjihi with overall passmark of 80% or above and relevant subjects
Kazakhstan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C) 
Korea High School Certificate (Upper Secondary Education)
Science & Engineering Foundation: Maths (not mathematics exercise) plus another Science subject (preferably Physics) in the final year of the diploma will be accepted.
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama (General Secondary School Certificate) is comparable to GCSE A*-C where an overall passmark of 80% or above, inc relevant subjects. No lower than 70% in these subjects.
Kyrgyz Republic Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0/grade 4 or higher
Lebanon General Secondary Certificate/ Baccalaureate, minimum 12 points inc relevant subjects
Malaysia Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Malaysia Certificate of Education, (or forecast) with aggregate of 20 or less in best five (5) relevant academic subjectsto include English and Mathematics. (Grading - C6 min.from old system / grade C min. [new system])
Mexico Successful completion of Bachiller at an average of 75% or above
Moldova Diplomă de Bacalaureat/ Attestat with minimum 7.0
Myanmar Basic Education High school Matriculation = 11 years. Minimum of 60% achieved overall, inc 60% in 5 relevant subjects.
Nigeria Senior School Certificate/West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades A-C or 1-6 in at least 6 subjects/ National Examinations Council (NECO) with grades A-B or 1-4 in at least 6 subjects 
Oman General Education Diploma Certificate/ General Secondary School Certificate with overall passmark of 80% or above. No relevant subjects below 70%
Philippines Secondary School degree not accepted
Russia (+ Chechnya) Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
Saudi Arabia Tawjihiya (General Secondary Education Certificate) = high school graduation. An overall passmark of 80% or above, inc relevant subjects No lower than 70% in these subjects.
Singapore Singapore-Cambridge GCE A level in 2 content-based subjects plus Singapore-Cambridge GCE O level in 4 subjects with grades A-C (6 subjects in total).
South Africa National Senior Certificate = five subjects grade 3 or above (relevant subjects)
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma with 70% average 
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education (Mayatom 6)/Certificate of Completion grade 12 
Turkey Lise Diplomasi with good grades (3 years) minimum GPA of 3.0 (60%)
Turkmenistan Orta bilim hakynda Sahadatnama (Certificate of secondary education)
Uganda Uganda Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in 6 subjects with grades 1 - 6 + Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 1 subject with Principal pass
Ukraine Successful completion of Attestat with good grades Grades 1-5. 4= good, 5 = excellent
USA High School Diploma 
Uzbekistan Akademik Litsey Diplomi with grade 4 or higher
Venezuela Bachiller en Ciencias/ Humanidades 5 subjects minimum 13/20
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc/Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccaulaureate. Successful completion of year 12 with grade 7.0 average; Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 7.0+
Yemen General Secondary Education Certificate
Zambia School Certificate / General Certificate of Education with average grade 4

Hanze University of Applied Sciences

English language
  • IELTS 5.5 overall (5.5 in Writing, 5.0 in all components)
  • 1 term ELP = IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 writing, 4.5 all components
  • TOEFL Overall 35-45. Subskills W- 14-17, S - 12-13, L - 3, R - 3
  • TOEIC2: 600
Academic
  • A/S level - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced subsidiary (A/S) level (6 different subjects in total) Business IFY: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths Science IFY: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Physics and GCSE grade A in Maths
  • A Level - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced (A Level) level (6 different subjects in total) Business IFY: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths Science IFY: Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Physics and GCSE grade A in Maths
Country Qualification
Afghanistan 12 Grade Graduation Certificate
Azerbaijan Successful completion of Attestat
Bangladesh Higher Secondary Certificate (humanities/sciences) / Alim Certificate. Min 60% overall and min. 50% in relevant subjects Maths
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio
Cameroon GCE, O-level (at least 4 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C) + GCE, A-level (at least 2 subjects) / Baccalauréat de l'Enseignement Secondaire
China Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong)
Colombia Bachiller Académico
Ecuador Bachiller en Ciencias
Egypt General Secondary Education Certificate
Ethiopia Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate/Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination (only if at least 6 subjects with A, B or C)
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least six subjects with a score of A to C) / West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least six subjects with a score of A1 to C6)
India Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate / Higher Secondary School Certificate with marks ranging from A-E in 5 subjects
Indonesia Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA)
Iran Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies (academic programme) / Pre-University Certificate
Iraq Secondary School Certificate - / wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i'dâdiyya)
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C)
Korea High School Certificate
Malaysia Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
Mexico Successful completion of Bachiller
Morocco Attestation du Baccalauréat
Nepal Higher Secondary Certificate with 60% or above
Nigeria Senior School Certificate ( WAEC) (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C or 1-6) / Senior School Certificate (NECO) (at least 6 subjects with A or B or 1-4)
Pakistan Higher Secondary School
Certificate with a final result of at least Grade C
Peru Certificado Oficial de Estudios/ Higher Secondary School Certificate
Russia (+ Chechnya) Successful completion of Attestat
Rwanda Advanced General Certificate of Secondary Education
South Africa National Senior Certificate with minimal requirements for admission to a bachelor's degree programme
Syria General Secondary Education Certificate
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma
Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (an A, B or B15 in at least 6 examination subjects plus the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education with a principal pass for at least 1 subject / Certificate of Secondary Education (A, B or C in at least 5 examination subjects plus the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education with a principal pass for at least 2 subjects and a subsidiary pass for at least 1 subject
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education
Turkey Teknik Lisesi Diplomasi
Ukraine Successful completion of Attestat
USA High School diploma
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc / Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccalaureate
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level (final result of A, B or C obtained for at least 6 examination subjects) plus the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 1 subject / Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level (final result of A, B or C obtained for at least 5 examination subjects) plus the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 2 subjects

International Foundation Year

Holland International Study Centre student Guillaume

Find out more about the International Foundation Year.

Fees

Fees for your programme and how to pay them