King's International Foundation - Liberal Arts & Social Science
Key information
The King’s International Foundation Programmes are specialist academic courses designed for ambitious international students who want to progress to a related undergraduate degree at King’s College London or another UK university. They are full-time programmes to develop your essential knowledge in a chosen degree subject area; introduce you to the UK education system; and improve your academic English so you are fully prepared for your degree.
Which Foundation should I take?
King’s International Foundation Programme is for students with an IELTS score of 6.0 with no skill below 5.5. This option is for students who do not require any additional academic English language support.
The Extended King’s International Foundation Programme is for students with an IELTS score of 5.5 with no element below 5.0. This option starts in August with an additional 5 weeks of online intensive academic English preparation. Students will then integrate with the rest of the King’s International Foundation student cohort starting in September.
King’s International Foundation Blended Programme is for students who wish to study their first term online, from September, and arrive on campus in January to join the regular Foundation Programme.
Extended King’s International Foundation Blended Programme is as above plus five weeks' online intensive English in August.
What does this course cover?
The King's International Foundation provides a structured journey for you to enter into a science-based undergraduate degree at King’s, or at another university in the UK. Up to 90% of students met their entry conditions to progress to King’s for undergraduate study over the last five years.
You will learn essential skills to prepare you for the demands of undergraduate study including:
- Critical thinking
- Essay writing
- Research
- Exam techniques
- Presentation skills
By the end of the programme, you will have improved your overall academic skills, your academic language and have a more detailed understanding of your chosen academic subject.
During the first semester, you will receive dedicated support for making your UK university application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Ancient History BA
Classical Studies & Comparative Literature BA
Classical Studies with English BA
Classics and the Ancient World BA
Comparative Literature BA
Comparative Literature with Film Studies BA
Culture, Media & Creative Industries BA
Digital Media and Culture BA
English BA
English & Modern Languages (French, German, Portuguese or Spanish) with a year abroad BA
English Language & Linguistics BA
English with Film Studies BA
Film Studies BA
Geography BA
Geography and Environmental Science BSc
Accepted national school qualifications
International School qualifications - important information
A levels
Successful completion of 3 A levels - BBB. Cannot consider General Studies/Critical Thinking.
AS levels
Successful completion of 3 AS levels only - BBB. We cannot consider: Critical Thinking/English General Paper/General Studies/Global Perspectives & Research.
American High School Diploma
Successfully complete the high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
32 points overall with 3 HL subjects at 555.
Dual Diploma Students - National High School Diploma PLUS partial or full completion of International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, SAT or APs or A levels
Students will be assessed on the basis of their National High School Diploma only. Students will need to demonstrate previous study of required subjects for certain Foundation courses. See below for details by country.
International Baccalaureate Certificates
555 in three International Baccalaureate Certificates
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
A grade of ‘Pass’ in the CP core, and two IB Diploma Programme Certificates (taken at standard or higher level) at 5
English language requirements
All students need to show evidence that they meet the English language requirements by providing a copy of a certificate from an approved English language test. All English language tests must have been taken within two years of the King’s International Foundation course start date.
Students that need a visa
If you need to apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK, we can only accept IELTS and Pearson results that have been provided by test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration: IELTS for UKVI (Academic) and PTE (Academic) UKVI are only valid if taken within two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. You can find a list of approved test centres on the UKVI website.
Students who don't need a visa
| Test | King's International Foundation | Extended King's International Foundation |
| Cambridge Exams | 169 overall with a minimum of 160 in each skill | 162 overall with a minimum of 154 in each skill |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall with no skill below 5.5 | From 5.5 overall with no skill below 5.0, to 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 overall with a minimum of 54 in each communicative skill | 54 overall with a minimum of 46 in each communicative skill |
| TOEFL iBT Institution code: 0394 | 80 overall with a minimum of 20 in each skills | 72 overall with a minimum of 17 in writing/speaking and 15 in listening/reading |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Level III with pass in each skill | Level II with pass in each skill |
Teaching
A typical academic week comprises of a minimum of 15 hours of contact time. You are expected to commit to an average of additional 20 hours a week of independent study, which incudes preparation for live sessions, revision homework, completion of assignments and any other work set by your teachers.
The programme is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, classes and laboratory-based practicals. We use a delivery method that ensures students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face-to-face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
You will be assigned a personal tutor who you will meet with on a regular basis to give you individual advice on your progress and how they can best support you.
The first term of the blended programmes will be studied online where you will be expected to participate in online and self-directed study tasks, flexibly, for up to 35 hours per week. During the online component of the course, classes will include a combination of self-directed interactive learning units, live online lessons, and collaborative tasks.
Assessment
The nature of assessment varies by module. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations. The type of assessment may include:
- Essays
- Exams
- Presentations
- Practical laboratory examinations
See each module page for more details.
Modules
You will study the following required modules on this course:
- Liberal Arts
- Introduction to Social Sciences
- English for Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
- Culture & Society
*You will either study English for Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking, depending on your level of English when you start the course.
All modules support your critical thinking skills development as they encourage you to analyse concepts and develop reasoned arguments within your chosen subject area.
Full time tuition fees:
King's International Foundation - £23,160 (2023-2024)
Extended King's International Foundation - £26,820 (2023-2024)
Tuition fees are subject to annual increases, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Deposit
Upon accepting an offer for the King’s International Foundation programme you are required to pay a deposit of £5,500 to secure your place. We highly recommend that you accept by 31 March to guarantee your place. King’s reserves the right to close pathways once they reach capacity.
This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an offer (unconditional or conditional) to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
Payments are made online through the King's Apply portal.
All students need to pay the deposit, except for sponsored students. If you are being sponsored by an employer or your government for example, you will need to provide a valid Financial Guarantee letter. Please contact our Admissions team if you have any questions.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:
- Accommodation and living costs
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- Books if you need your own copy or are required for your module
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Society membership fees
Please see our student Terms and Conditions for further fee details, including our refund policy.
What does this course cover?
The King's International Foundation provides a structured journey for you to enter into a science-based undergraduate degree at King’s, or at another university in the UK. Up to 90% of students met their entry conditions to progress to King’s for undergraduate study over the last five years.
You will learn essential skills to prepare you for the demands of undergraduate study including:
- Critical thinking
- Essay writing
- Research
- Exam techniques
- Presentation skills
By the end of the programme, you will have improved your overall academic skills, your academic language and have a more detailed understanding of your chosen academic subject.
During the first semester, you will receive dedicated support for making your UK university application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Ancient History BA
Classical Studies & Comparative Literature BA
Classical Studies with English BA
Classics and the Ancient World BA
Comparative Literature BA
Comparative Literature with Film Studies BA
Culture, Media & Creative Industries BA
Digital Media and Culture BA
English BA
English & Modern Languages (French, German, Portuguese or Spanish) with a year abroad BA
English Language & Linguistics BA
English with Film Studies BA
Film Studies BA
Geography BA
Geography and Environmental Science BSc
Accepted national school qualifications
International School qualifications - important information
A levels
Successful completion of 3 A levels - BBB. Cannot consider General Studies/Critical Thinking.
AS levels
Successful completion of 3 AS levels only - BBB. We cannot consider: Critical Thinking/English General Paper/General Studies/Global Perspectives & Research.
American High School Diploma
Successfully complete the high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
32 points overall with 3 HL subjects at 555.
Dual Diploma Students - National High School Diploma PLUS partial or full completion of International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, SAT or APs or A levels
Students will be assessed on the basis of their National High School Diploma only. Students will need to demonstrate previous study of required subjects for certain Foundation courses. See below for details by country.
International Baccalaureate Certificates
555 in three International Baccalaureate Certificates
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
A grade of ‘Pass’ in the CP core, and two IB Diploma Programme Certificates (taken at standard or higher level) at 5
English language requirements
All students need to show evidence that they meet the English language requirements by providing a copy of a certificate from an approved English language test. All English language tests must have been taken within two years of the King’s International Foundation course start date.
Students that need a visa
If you need to apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK, we can only accept IELTS and Pearson results that have been provided by test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration: IELTS for UKVI (Academic) and PTE (Academic) UKVI are only valid if taken within two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. You can find a list of approved test centres on the UKVI website.
Students who don't need a visa
| Test | King's International Foundation | Extended King's International Foundation |
| Cambridge Exams | 169 overall with a minimum of 160 in each skill | 162 overall with a minimum of 154 in each skill |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall with no skill below 5.5 | From 5.5 overall with no skill below 5.0, to 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 overall with a minimum of 54 in each communicative skill | 54 overall with a minimum of 46 in each communicative skill |
| TOEFL iBT Institution code: 0394 | 80 overall with a minimum of 20 in each skills | 72 overall with a minimum of 17 in writing/speaking and 15 in listening/reading |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Level III with pass in each skill | Level II with pass in each skill |
Teaching
A typical academic week comprises of a minimum of 15 hours of contact time. You are expected to commit to an average of additional 20 hours a week of independent study, which incudes preparation for live sessions, revision homework, completion of assignments and any other work set by your teachers.
The programme is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, classes and laboratory-based practicals. We use a delivery method that ensures students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face-to-face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
You will be assigned a personal tutor who you will meet with on a regular basis to give you individual advice on your progress and how they can best support you.
The first term of the blended programmes will be studied online where you will be expected to participate in online and self-directed study tasks, flexibly, for up to 35 hours per week. During the online component of the course, classes will include a combination of self-directed interactive learning units, live online lessons, and collaborative tasks.
Assessment
The nature of assessment varies by module. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations. The type of assessment may include:
- Essays
- Exams
- Presentations
- Practical laboratory examinations
See each module page for more details.
Modules
You will study the following required modules on this course:
- Liberal Arts
- Introduction to Social Sciences
- English for Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
- Culture & Society
*You will either study English for Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking, depending on your level of English when you start the course.
All modules support your critical thinking skills development as they encourage you to analyse concepts and develop reasoned arguments within your chosen subject area.
Full time tuition fees:
King's International Foundation - £23,160 (2023-2024)
Extended King's International Foundation - £26,820 (2023-2024)
Tuition fees are subject to annual increases, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Deposit
Upon accepting an offer for the King’s International Foundation programme you are required to pay a deposit of £5,500 to secure your place. We highly recommend that you accept by 31 March to guarantee your place. King’s reserves the right to close pathways once they reach capacity.
This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an offer (unconditional or conditional) to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
Payments are made online through the King's Apply portal.
All students need to pay the deposit, except for sponsored students. If you are being sponsored by an employer or your government for example, you will need to provide a valid Financial Guarantee letter. Please contact our Admissions team if you have any questions.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:
- Accommodation and living costs
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- Books if you need your own copy or are required for your module
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Society membership fees
Please see our student Terms and Conditions for further fee details, including our refund policy.
Key information
Contact us
For more information regarding our courses please contact us using the details below
