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.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

English language
  • International Business Administration (IBA) and Business Analytics (BA): IELTS with overall score of 5.5 (5.5 in writing and 5.0 in all components) or equivalent accepted tests (TOEFL iBT)*.
  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE): IELTS with overall score of 6.0 (no component below 6.0) or equivalent accepted tests (TOEFL iBT)*.
Academic
  • International Business Administration (IBA): Overall GPA of B or 80%. Maths as compulsory subject in the final year with a grade B or 80% equivalent.
  • Business Analytics (BA): Overall GPA of B or 80%. Maths and Physics as compulsory courses in the final two years. Maths in the final year with a grade B+ or 85% equivalent, Physics in the final year with a grade of minimum C or 70%.
  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE): Overall GPA of B or 80%. Maths required in final year, with a minimum grade B+ or 85% equivalent.
*Other tests (e.g. Duolingo) not listed above are not accepted. All students require an SELT, regardless of visa requirements/nationality.
Country Qualification
Brazil Certificado de Ensino Médio - grade 8.0 - incl. Maths 8.5 (IFY Science) or Maths 8.0 (IFY Business)
Canada Alberta: GPA of 80% or B with at least five relevant academic subjects at level 30-39 in grade 12 + Maths 80% or B (IFY Business) or 85% or B+ (IFY Science)
British Columbia/Manitoba/New Brunswick and other English-speaking provinces: GPA of 80% or B with at least five relevant academic subjects in grade 12 + Maths 80% or B (IFY Business) or 85% or B+ (IFY Science)
Ontario: GPA of 80% or B with at least six grade 12 university preparation courses (U or M) + Maths 80% or B (IFY Business) or 85% or B+ (IFY Science)
Quebec: refer to ISC/University
Chile Licencia de Educación Media/Licencia de Enseñanza Media with the humanístico-científica stream. Overall GPA 6.4. incl. Maths 6.5 (IFY Science) or Maths 6.4 (IFY Business).
China Senior high school graduation certificate (gaozhong) at an average of 80% or above - incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) and Maths 80% (IFY Business)
Colombia Bachiller Académico at an average of at least 8.0 in 5 relevant subjects incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or Maths 80% (IFY Business)
Ecuador Titulo de Bachiller - Satisfactorio or overall 8 - incl. Maths 8.5 (IFY Science) or Maths 8.0 (IFY Business)
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education - Overall 80% incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or 80% (IFY Business)
Ghana West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least 6 subjects with grades A1 to B2) - incl. Maths A1 (IFY Science) or Maths B2 (IFY Business)
IB (certificates) Only accepted when an additional high school diploma that is accredited in the national system is obtained and the diploma meets the general entry requirements of the Foundation Year.
India Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate/ Higher Secondary School Certificate at 80% or above - incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or Maths 80% (IFY Business). Not eligible: students with a Senior Secondary School Certificate from these three boards: CISCE, CSBE and NIOS
Iran Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies with a GPA of 13/20 . IFY Science: Mathematics and Physics + Experimental Science Stream with Maths grade 13/20. IFY Business: all streams accepted with Maths requirement 13/20. IFY Social Science: all streams accepted with Maths requirement 14/20.
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation (Sotsugyoshomeisho) Overall grades 4+ - incl. grade 3 for Math II / B (both IFY Science and Business)
Mexico Successful completion of Bachiller at an average of 80% - incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or Maths 80% (IFY Business)
Nigeria. Including West African School Certificate (WAEC) Senior School Certificate/West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades A-B or 1-6 in at least 6 subjects/ National Examinations Council (NECO) with grades A1-B2 in at least 6 subjects incl. Maths A1 (IFY Science) or Maths B2 (IFY Business)
Peru Certificado Oficial de Estudios at an average of 80% or above inc. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or 80% (IFY Business)
Saudi Arabia Tawjihiya (General Secondary Education Certificate) = high school graduation. An overall passmark of 85% or above, in academic subjects incl. Maths 90% (IFY Science) or Maths 85% (IFY Business)
South Korea SH3: 4th Grade average in rank, with at least 4th grade in relevant/prerequisite subjects.
College Scholastic Ability Test ranks(/stanine) may be used in place of Senior High 3 ranks of equivalent subjects, if the rank is higher, in order to calculate average rank.
Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 80%+ inc relevant subjects - incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or Maths 80% (IFY Business).
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma with 70% average - incl. Maths 85% (IFY Science) or Maths 80% (IFY Business)
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education (Mayatom 6)/Certificate of Completion grade 12 with overall 3 - incl. Maths 3.5 (IFY Science) or Maths 3 (IFY Business)
USA High school Diploma Min GPA 3.30 (grade B+, 80%) with minimum 6 academic subjects + 3 years of Mathematics with min. grade B (IFY Business) or 3 years of Mathematics including Pre-Calculus with minimum grade B+ (FY Science). Note: students may be accepted only when submit a statement from the school where no courses at AP or honors level are being offered.
Venezuela Titulo de Bachiller en Ciencias/ Humanidades at an average of 80% - incl. Maths Excelente (IFY Science) or Maths Bueno (IFY Business)
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc/Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccaulaureate. Successful completion of year 12 with grade 8.0 average; Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 8.0+ - incl. Maths 8.5 (IFY Science) or Maths 8.0 (IFY Business). Not eligible: High Schools for the Gifted

Tilburg University

English language
  • All degrees: IELTS with overall score of 5.5 and minimum 5.0 in all components or equivalent accepted tests (TOEFL iBT)*.
Academic
  • Minimum average grade (GPA) of 70% in the final year and Mathematics compulsory subject in the final year of the diploma.
*Other tests (e.g. Duolingo) not listed above are not accepted. All students require an SELT, regardless of visa requirements/nationality.
Country Qualification
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2º Grau / Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio with minimum average grade of 70%
Canada Grade 12 Diploma, grade requirements vary by state. Minimum average 70% in 4/5 subjects , including Maths and 70% overall
Chile Licencia de Educación Media/Licencia de Enseñanza Media (humanístico-científica) with a minimum average grade of 70%
China Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong) with a minimum average grade of 70%
Colombia Bachiller Academico with 5 relevant subjects, with a minimum average grade of 70% or C
Egypt Shahâdat itmâm al-dirâsa al-thânawiyya al-`âmma (General secondary education certificate) with a minimum average grade of 70%
Ghana West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC) with at least 6 subjects (grades A1 - C6) with minimum average grade of C4
India Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate/ Higher Secondary School Certificate with minimum average grade of 70% or above
Iran Diploma pre-2018:Pre-University certificate with GPA 16/20 or higher. Diploma after 2018: Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies with a minimum average grade of 70%
Japan Upper Secondary School certificate (Kotogakko - Year 12/Senior 3) with a minimum average grade of 3.5 in the final year
Korea (South) High School Certificate (Upper Secondary Education) with Rank 5 Average and Rank 5 in Mathematics.
Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - with minimum average grade of 70%
Mexico Titulo Academico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General with a minimum average grade of 75%
Nigeria West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC) with at least 6 subjects (grades A1 - C6), with minimum average grade C4
Peru Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa with minimum average grade of 70% (14/20)
Saudi Arabia General Secondary Education Certificate with minimum average grade of 80% and 70% in Mathematics
Taiwan SH3 / Year 12 with a minimum average grade of 70%
Thailand Completion of Year 12 (MAW 6) with minimum average grade of 70% (2.8)
Venezuela Titulo de Bachiller / Titulo de Educacion Media General with a minimum average score of 70% in the required subjects
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc/Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccaulaureate. Successful completion of year 12 with minimum average grade of 7.0; Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with minimum grade of 7.0

Hanze University of Applied Sciences

English language
  • IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 in Writing, 4.5 in all components)
  • TOEFL Overall 35. Subskills W - 14, S - 12, 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)
    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)
    Students need to have GCSE grade C or above in Maths
Country Qualification
Afghanistan 12 Grade Graduation Certificate 75% overall including 75% in relevant subjects
Azerbaijan Successful completion of Attestat grades 3 plus including relevant subjects
Bangladesh Higher Secondary Certificate (humanities/sciences)/Alim Certificate with good grades. Min 60% overall and min. 50% in Maths for IFY Business, min. 50% Maths and Science for IFY Science. Maximum age 21 years & 364 days
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio grade 6.0 including relevant subjects
Cameroon GCE O level (4 x A-C) + A level the same OR Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire = 12/20
China Senior high school graduation certificate (gaozhong) at an average of 70% or above  including in relevant subjects
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 6 or higher
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education - Overall 75% inc relevant subjects
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) at grade 6.5 or above
Iran Pre-University Certificate 12/20 (grade C) inc. 12 in relevant subjects
Iraq Secondary School Certificate – / مدرسیة وثیقة الإعدادیة المرحلة) wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya) grades 75% including relevant subjects
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation grades 3.0
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C)
Korea SH3: 5th Grade average in rank, with at least 5th grade in relevant/prerequisite subjects

College Scholastic Ability Test ranks(/stanine) may be used in place of Senior High 3 ranks of equivalent subjects, if the rank is higher, in order to calculate average rank.

Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 70%+ inc relevant subjects
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 70% or above
Morocco Baccalaureat grade 12/20 incl. relevant subjects
Nepal Higher Secondary Certificate with good grades. Min 60% overall and min. 50% in Maths for IFY Business, min. 50% Maths and Science for IFY Science
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. Min 60% overall and min. 50% in Maths for IFY Business, min. 50% Maths and Science for IFY Science
Peru Certificado Oficial de Estudios/ Higher Secondary School Certificate with 14 overall inc. relevant subjects
Russia (+ Chechnya) Successful completion of Attestat grades 3 plus including relevant subjects
Rwanda Advanced General Certificate of Secondary Education
South Africa National Senior Certificate with minimal requirements for admission to a bachelor’s degree programme - grades 4 in relevant subject
Syria Secondary School Certificate – / grades 75% including relevant subjects
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma with 70% average
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 (Mayatom 6)/Certificate of Completion grade 12 with minimum grades 2.0/60%
Turkey Teknik Lisesi Diplomasi minimum GPA of 3.0 (60%)
Ukraine Secondary Certificate with 4 on a 12 point scale
USA High school Diploma Min GPA 2.50 (grade C, 75%) with minimum 4 academic subjects
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+
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

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