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International Foundation Year in Engineering

Find out more about our Engineering programme

Your pathway to the first year of an engineering degree

The programme includes academic modules, study skills and English language training, providing complete preparation for your undergraduate degree.

  • Gain understanding of mechanics and mathematics relevant to your undergraduate study
  • Develop your knowledge of physics and learn about atomic physics, materials, heat and gases and oscillations and waves
  • Life science students will focus on biology and chemistry, developing their knowledge in key areas such as cell biology, physiological processes in animals and plants, inorganic and organic chemistry, and an overview of contemporary science

Core modules

These modules are designed to develop your English communication skills and to ensure you learn a range of study skills, including writing and reading strategies, presentation and seminar participation, organisation of time and materials, meeting deadlines and responding to feedback. By the end of the course we would expect you to be able to take notes and write essays in English. You should also have the confidence to give presentations, answer follow-up questions and contribute to seminar discussions.

You will complete a self-study project on a topic that you will take, in consultation with your tutor, from the academic discipline that you will subsequently study at degree level. This will also include computer skills.

Optional modules

You will be introduced to the relationships between forces, linear motion and energy and the conditions for static equilibrium of a body. You will be provided with an understanding of mathematical modelling of force combinations, non-linear motion and non-uniform motion related to varying forces. The module will enable you to identify the application of theory to practice and develop independent study skills in preparation for progression to engineering programmes.

You will be given an introduction to physiological processes in animals and plants with an emphasis on mammalian physiology (especially human). You will also acquire an understanding of biologically important molecules and cells and tissues in preparation for progression to degree programmes in biological and biomedical sciences.

You will be provided with an understanding of the core concepts of physical chemistry. This will include inorganic and organic chemistry, and an overview of contemporary science.

This module provides you with an understanding of mathematics in preparation for studying undergraduate degrees in science. You will develop skill in mathematical application, method and technique.

You will learn the principles of atomic physics, materials, heat and gases, oscillations and waves in preparation for undergraduate degrees in engineering. You will also be introduced to electricity and electronics and develop independent study skills to support your learning.

You will acquire an understanding of mathematics in preparation for studying undergraduate degrees in science and engineering. You will also develop skills in mathematical application, method and technique, as well as independent study skills.

Progress to semester two

To progress to semester two, you need to obtain required grades in modules.

Overall English Study Skills
40% 50% 40%

Entry requirements

English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI overall 4.5* (min 4.0 in writing)
Nationality: Available to international and EU students
Age: 17+

Academic entry requirements

Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study. Please see below. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Country Qualification
Bangladesh Successful completion of High School Certificate at an average grade of 50%
Bahrain Tawjahiya (secondary school leaving cert) average grade 60% or above, including relevant subjects
China (Mainland) Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 70% or Senior High 3 at an average of 65% or above
China (Hong Kong) Successful completion of the HKCEE with 4 x E's in academic subjects or Form 5 in a minimum of 3 academic subjects (grades will be assessed on a case by case basis) or HKDSE with minimum grades 222 in relevant subjects
China (Macau) Successful completion of Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with an average grade of 60%
Ghana Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades 1-8 in 4 relevant subjects
India Successful completion of Standard 10 with 65% or Standard 10+1 with 55%
Indonesia Successful completion of SMU 2/Sikolah Menegah with a average of 7.0
Iran Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with passes in 4 relevant subjects
Japan Successful completion of Kotogakko with a GPA of 2.0
Jordan Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 50% in 4 relevant subjects
Kazakhstan Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama (General Secondary School Leaving Certificate) average grade 60% or above, including relevant subjects
Korea Korean high school graduation equivalency exam - 60%+ including relevant subjects
Libya Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 60%
Malaysia SPM, 4 A-C grades in relevant academic subjects including English and Maths. 4 'O' Level passes at grade C or above in the appropriate subjects, or equivalent evidence of satisfactory completion of secondary or high school education.
Mexico Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade of 65%
Myanmar High School Diploma: 60% PLUS 1 year of further study
Nigeria Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with grades 1-8 in 4 relevant subjects
Oman Thanawiya Amma (School Leaving Certificate) average grade 60% or above, including relevant subjects
Pakistan Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate (50%) or SSC (65%)
Qatar Successful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 60%
Russia Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with a GPA of 3.5
Saudi Arabia Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 60% in 4 relevant subjects
Taiwan Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 60% or Senior High 3 at an average of 55% and passes in 4 or more subjects
Thailand Successful completion Mathayom 6 with a GPA of 2.0 in relevant subjects
Turkey Successful completion of Deviet Lisen Bitirme Diplomasi or High School year 3 - minimum overall grade 45%, including relevant subjects
UAE Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 60%
Ukraine Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with a GPA of 4.5
Vietnam Successful completion of Year 12 with a GPA of 6.0

Other qualifications

The Diploma of the International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma) and the Diploma Programme Course (IB Certificate)
 20 / 40 UCAS points
IGCSE 4 passes at A-C in relevant subjects

Where does this course take me?

Successful completion of this programme leads to a range of undergraduate degrees at LJMU, subject to achieving the required grades.

Extended International Foundation Year & International Foundation Year in Engineering, Computing and Life Sciences

Degree progression Award Subject-specific 
module grade
 English grade
(Applied) Mathematics with Engineering
 BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Animal Behaviour (i)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Architectural Engineering BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Architectural Technology BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Architecture BA (Hons)
 60% 50% with 40% in each component
Audio and Music Production BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Applied Chemistry (ii)(iii) BSc (Hons) 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Biochemistry %
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Biology (i)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Biomedical Science %
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Building Services Engineering
 BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Building Services Engineering Project Management BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Building Surveying BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Civil Engineering
 BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Computer Forensics
 BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Computer Games Development (ii)
 BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Computer Science BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Computer Security (ii)
 BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Computer Studies BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Computer Technology BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Construction Management BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Control and Automation Engineering BEng (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
 BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Electrical Power Engineering BEng (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Electronic Engineering
 BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Environmental Health BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Facilities Management BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Food and Nutrition
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Forensic Anthropology (i)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Forensic Science (iii)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Geography (i)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Mathematics
 BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Mathematics and Data Science
 BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Mathematics with Finance BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Mechanical and Marine Engineering
 BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Mechanical Engineering
 BEng (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Mechanical Engineering with Management BEng (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering BEng (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Multimedia Computing BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Nautical Science
 BSc (Hons)
 55%
 50% with 40% in each component
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Pharmacy (ii)%† MPharm (Hons) 60% IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
Product Design Engineering
 BSc (Hons) 55%
50% with 40% in each component
Pharmaceutical Science % BSc (Hons) 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Psychology (i)
 BSc (Hons) 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) 55%   50% with 40% in each component
Real Estate BSc (Hons) 55%   50% with 40% in each component
Science and Football (ii)
 BSc (Hons)
 60% 50% with 40% in each component
Software Engineering BSc (Hons)
 55% 50% with 40% in each component
Sport and Exercise Science (ii)
 BSc (Hons)
 60% 50% with 40% in each component
Sports Business (ii) BSc (Hons) 60% 50% with 40% in each component
Sport Psychology (Applied) (ii)
 BSc (Hons)
 60% 50% with 40% in each component
Wildlife Conservation (i)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component
Zoology (i)
 BSc (Hons)
 50% 50% with 40% in each component

(i) Must have studies Biology modules
(ii) Minimum 55% in all modules
(iii) Must have studied Chemistry modules
% Must have studied Biology and Chemistry modules
* Must have relevant Engineering undergraduate degree
† Students will be required to take an Academic IELTS for UKVI test in Semester 2 and will receive additional support should they need it. Students will also be required to take a further Academic IELTS for UKVI test before the completion of their International Foundation Year course; this is in addition to Academic English Skills. Please note, students must achieve a progression exit requirement of Academic IELTS for UKVI overall 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component) to successfully progress.


*The English language entry requirements stated are for information regarding entry to the course. If you require a UK visa to study, depending on the type of visa you need, the English language requirements and valid English tests to satisfy the UK visa criteria may differ.

If you are applying to study in the UK under the Tier 4 student route it may be necessary for you to submit a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of your visa application.

Find out more about valid test providers and approved test centre locations for tests taken on or after 6 April 2015 (as well as information about valid SELT tests if taken before 6 April 2015**). To find out if you are exempt from the SELT requirement and to find out about acceptable English language tests please contact us.

** SELT taken before 6th April 2015 is only valid if used as part of a Tier 4 visa application submitted before 5th November 2015. The certificate is subject to the validity periods as outlined in the table in the link above.