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 Titulo de Bachiller (HAVO) - grade 7
Azerbaijan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Minimum Grades 3/3.5
Belarus Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0
Brazil Certificado de Ensino Médio - grade 6.0
Cameroon GCE O level + A level the same OR Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire = 12/20
Documents should always be checked for authenticity by Nuffic
Canada High school Diploma 60% (High School Diploma (English-speaking provinces)/ Diplôme d’ Études Secondaires (DES) / Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
China Senior high 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 7/7.5 or higher
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education - Overall 80% 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 12/13-20 (grade C) inc. 13 Maths
Iraq Secondary School Certificate - / مدرسیة وثیقة الإعدادیة المرحلة (wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya) Overall 80% inc relevant subjects
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation (Sotsugyoshomeisho) grade 3 Good
Jordan Successful completion of Tawjihi with overall passmark of 80% or above and relevant subjects
Kazakhstan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grade 3/3.5 and above
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) with minimum Rank 5 Average and Rank 5 in relevant subjects
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 Successful completion of SPM (Malaysia Certificate of Education) (or forecast) with a minimum of 5 C grades
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 12/20
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. Minimum Grades 3/3.5 and above
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 4 or above (relevant subjects)
Syria Certificate of General Secondary Education - overall 80% inc relevant subjects
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma with 60% average
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education (Mayatom 6)/Certificate of Completion grade 12 with minimum grades 2.0/60%
Turkey Lise Diplomasi with good grades (4 years) minimum GPA of 3.0 (60%)
Ukraine Certificate with 7.5 on a 12 point scale
USA High school diploma (= HAVO) Min GPA 3.0 (80%) with min.77% GPA 2.77 in relevant subjects
Uzbekistan Akademik Litsey Diplomi with grade 4 or higher
Venezuela Bachiller en Ciencias/ Humanidades 5 subjects minimum 14/20
Vietnam Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc/Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccaulaureate. Successful completion of year 12 with grade 6.0/6.5 average; Secondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 6.0/6.5
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. 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)
    Business IFY: 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 IFY: 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
Bangladesh Higher Secondary Certificate (humanities/sciences)/Alim Certificate with good grades. Min 60% overall and min. 50% in Maths. (Business only)
Belarus Attestat with minimum GPA 7.0
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio
China Senior high 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 - / مدرسیة وثیقة الإعدادیة المرحلة (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 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
Nepal Higher Secondary Certificate with good grades. Min 60% overall and min. 50% in Maths (Business only)
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%
Pakistan Higher Secondary School Certificate with a final result of at least grade C. Min. 50% in Maths. (Business only)
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. Subskills W - 14, S - 12, L - 3, R – 3
  • TOEIC (600)
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
  • IELTS 5.5 overall (no score below 5.5)
  • TOEFL Overall 46. Minimum Sub Skills W-18, S-16, L-7, R-8
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 3 subjects with marks ranging from A-C, plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced (A Level) level (5 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 or other life science and GCSE grade A in Maths
  • For Science Foundation: Maths and Physics are compulsory courses in the final year of the diploma with Grade C equivalent. Maths: alternative numerate subjects accepted include Calculus, Algebra (we will not accept statistics, accounting and economics). Physics: if Physics has been studied in year 11 only, a Life Science (grade C equivalent) is required in final year.
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 Ensino Médio - grade 6.0
China Senior high 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 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 - / مدرسیة وثیقة الإعدادیة المرحلة (wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya) Overall 75% incl. relevant subjects
Japan High School Certificate of Graduation (Sotsugyoshomeisho) Grades 3+
Jordan Successful completion of Tawjihi with overall passmark of 75% or above and relevant subjects
Kazakhstan Successful completion of Attestat with good grades. Grades 3 majority incl. relevant subjects
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) (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
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama (General Secondary School Certificate) is comparable to GCSE A*-C where an overall passmark of 75% or above, inc relevant subjects. No lower than 65% 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 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 3 majority incl. relevant subjects
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 3 majority incl. relevant subjects
USA High school Diploma Min GPA 2.50 (grade C, 75%) with minimum 5 academic subjects + 3 years of Mathematics (for Business Foundation) or 3 years of Mathematics including Pre-Calculus (Science Foundation)
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 5.0 overall (5.0 in Writing, 4.5 in all components)
  • 1 term ELP = IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 writing, 4.5 all components
  • TOEFL Overall 35. Subskills W - 14, S - 12, 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
  • Science, Engineering and Computing Pathway - Engineering Route: Physics is required subject with Grade C equivalent (equivalent grades will be noted below in markets). If Physics has been studied year 11 only, than a Life Science (grade C equivalent) is required in final year for progression onto the BSc Mechanical Engineering
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
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 High School Certificate
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 Successful completion of Attestat grades 3 plus including relevant subjects
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

Find out more about the International Foundation Year.

Fees

Fees for your programme and how to pay them