King’s International Foundation - Mathematics & Physics
Key information
Please note that applications are still open, please see more information under entry requirements. Students interested in Natural and Mathematical Sciences will excel on this pathway. It opens up over 30 degrees at King’s, including computer sciences and engineering as well as the maths and physics options suggested in the pathway name. This pathway is not available for Blended study. Read the ‘Degree eligibility’ tab below carefully for the range of degrees that this will prepare you to study.
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
- 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 area.
During the first semester, you will receive dedicated support to apply for your degree.
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.
Accounting & Finance BSc
Artificial Intelligence BSc
Artificial Intelligence MSci
Artificial Intelligence with a Year in Industry BSc
Biomedical Engineering MEng
Biomedical Engineering BEng
Computer Science MSci
Computer Science BSc
Computer Science with a Year in Industry BSc
Computer Science with Management BSc
Computer Science with Management & a Year in Industry BSc
Electronic Engineering MEng
Electronic Engineering BEng
General Engineering MEng
General Engineering BEng
Accepted national school qualifications
International School qualifications - important information
A levels
Grades BBB in three A-Levels excluding General Studies/Critical Thinking and including B in Mathematics and Physics
AS levels
Grades BBB in three AS-levels excluding Critical Thinking/ English General Paper/ General Studies/ Global Perspectives & Research and including B in Mathematics and Physics
Advanced Placement Tests (College Board)
44444 in five AP subjects including Mathematics and Physics and excluding AP Capstone Research and Seminar.
Advanced Placement Tests (College Board) and the ACT
26 in the ACT and 444 in three College Board AP subjects, including 4 in AP Mathematics and 4 in AP Physics and excluding AP Capstone Research and Seminar.
Advanced Placement Tests (College Board) and the SATR
444 in three AP subjects including 4 in AP Mathematics and Physics and excluding AP Capstone Research and Seminar, and the SATR at 1300 (minimum 600 in Maths and 620 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing).
American High School Diploma
GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale over the last two years of high school including 3.2/4.0 in the final year of high school in Mathematics and Physics
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels, including 5HL or 5SL in Mathematics and Physics
International Baccalaureate Certificates
555 in three International Baccalaureate Certificates including Maths and Physics (taken at standard or higher level)
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
A grade of ‘Pass’ in the core component and 55 in two IB Diploma Programme Certificates including 5HL or 5SL in an IB Certificate in Mathematics and Physics
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.
(*please see note below regarding English Language Entry Requirements for the King's International Foundation programme and Extended King's International Foundation programme.)
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 |
*Students who exceed this requirement will be transferred to the King's International Foundation programme, which starts on 23 September 2024. Students who exceed this English language requirement and still want to be considered for the Extended King's International Foundation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Tutor.
Teaching
As a full-time, 120-credit programme, all students undertake a minimum of 15 hours of live, face-to-face study on the programme, in addition to an average 20 hours of self-study a week. This includes 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 to provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning academic progress and general well-being as you progress through your studies.
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 modules on this course:
- Mathematics for Natural Science
- Physics
- English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
- Science & Society
*You will either study English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking, depending on your level of English when you start the course.
The English for Scientific Academic Purposes, Academic Expression & Critical Thinking and Science & Society modules are delivered by King's Foundations.
The Mathematics and Physics modules are taught by the Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences. This means that you are taught by King’s academics during your foundation year.
Please note: King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
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 by the deadline which will be stated in your offer. If you do not pay the deposit or provide evidence of financial sponsorship by the deadline stated in your offer, your offer will expire, and Kings reserves the right not to reinstate the offer.
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.
Application fee
£75
Our King’s International Foundation programmes will require a non-refundable application fee before you can submit your application to be considered. This step is built in to the application process. Please note that payment of an application fee is not a guarantee that you will receive an offer for your chosen programme as many of our programmes are competitive.
If you decide to apply to more than one programme which charges an application fee, you will need to pay for each application submitted. Please note, applicants are only permitted to have one active King’s International Foundation programme at any time, therefore, if you submit more than one application, the King’s Admissions team will contact you to ask which application you wish to remain, and any other applications will be rejected. The application fee is non-refundable.
Please ensure that you read the information about your chosen programme carefully before applying.
Note: If you receive an offer, our Kings International Foundation programmes will also require a deposit payment to secure your place. This is in addition to the application fee, however, the deposit is used as a partial payment of the tuition fees upon enrolling. Your offer letter will include details of any deposit you must pay, deadlines, and payment methods. You should not make a deposit payment unless instructed to as part of an offer.
Can I apply to more than one Kings International Foundation programme at King's?
You can only be holding one active application for a Kings International Foundation programme at any time. Therefore, if you apply for one programme and are made unsuccessful or withdraw, then you can at that time then submit a new application for another King’s international Foundation programme, subject to that programme being open to new applications. You will need to pay for the new application submitted.
Can I change my programme?
If your application has not yet had a decision, then if you change your mind after submitting an application, and before a decision has been made, then you should contact the Admissions team via King’s Apply to request the change of programme. If a programme remains open to new applications, the Admissions team will be able to switch your application to the new programme without payment of a new application fee. Please note, this is not a guarantee that you will receive an offer for the new programme, as many of our programmes are competitive. If you request to switch programmes, your date of application submission will be considered the date on which the request is submitted.
If your application has been made unsuccessful, you would need to submit a new application for another King’s international Foundation programme, subject to that programme being open to new applications. You will need to pay for the new application submitted.
If you are holding an offer, then your offer is specific to the specific King’s International Foundation programme applied for, as will be detailed in your offer letter (if an offer is made). Before enrolment:
- if you wish to be considered for a different programme of study you will need to submit a new application through King's Apply, and be considered alongside other applicants for that programme.
- if you wish to change to a different mode of study e.g. Extended to Standard, or Blended to Non-Blended (where applicable) on the same programme, please contact the Admissions Office through the King's Apply portal for advice. A request does not guarantee that the change can be permitted.
Once your application has been set-up for enrolment onto the programme, there is no guarantee that you will be able to change your programme or mode of study: however Student Services can provide advice on internal transfer procedures.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to your application and 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
- 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 area.
During the first semester, you will receive dedicated support to apply for your degree.
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.
Accounting & Finance BSc
Artificial Intelligence BSc
Artificial Intelligence MSci
Artificial Intelligence with a Year in Industry BSc
Biomedical Engineering MEng
Biomedical Engineering BEng
Computer Science MSci
Computer Science BSc
Computer Science with a Year in Industry BSc
Computer Science with Management BSc
Computer Science with Management & a Year in Industry BSc
Electronic Engineering MEng
Electronic Engineering BEng
General Engineering MEng
General Engineering BEng
Accepted national school qualifications
International School qualifications - important information
A levels
Grades BBB in three A-Levels excluding General Studies/Critical Thinking and including B in Mathematics and Physics
AS levels
Grades BBB in three AS-levels excluding Critical Thinking/ English General Paper/ General Studies/ Global Perspectives & Research and including B in Mathematics and Physics
Advanced Placement Tests (College Board)
44444 in five AP subjects including Mathematics and Physics and excluding AP Capstone Research and Seminar.
Advanced Placement Tests (College Board) and the ACT
26 in the ACT and 444 in three College Board AP subjects, including 4 in AP Mathematics and 4 in AP Physics and excluding AP Capstone Research and Seminar.
Advanced Placement Tests (College Board) and the SATR
444 in three AP subjects including 4 in AP Mathematics and Physics and excluding AP Capstone Research and Seminar, and the SATR at 1300 (minimum 600 in Maths and 620 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing).
American High School Diploma
GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale over the last two years of high school including 3.2/4.0 in the final year of high school in Mathematics and Physics
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels, including 5HL or 5SL in Mathematics and Physics
International Baccalaureate Certificates
555 in three International Baccalaureate Certificates including Maths and Physics (taken at standard or higher level)
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
A grade of ‘Pass’ in the core component and 55 in two IB Diploma Programme Certificates including 5HL or 5SL in an IB Certificate in Mathematics and Physics
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.
(*please see note below regarding English Language Entry Requirements for the King's International Foundation programme and Extended King's International Foundation programme.)
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 |
*Students who exceed this requirement will be transferred to the King's International Foundation programme, which starts on 23 September 2024. Students who exceed this English language requirement and still want to be considered for the Extended King's International Foundation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Tutor.
Teaching
As a full-time, 120-credit programme, all students undertake a minimum of 15 hours of live, face-to-face study on the programme, in addition to an average 20 hours of self-study a week. This includes 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 to provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning academic progress and general well-being as you progress through your studies.
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 modules on this course:
- Mathematics for Natural Science
- Physics
- English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
- Science & Society
*You will either study English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking, depending on your level of English when you start the course.
The English for Scientific Academic Purposes, Academic Expression & Critical Thinking and Science & Society modules are delivered by King's Foundations.
The Mathematics and Physics modules are taught by the Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences. This means that you are taught by King’s academics during your foundation year.
Please note: King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
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 by the deadline which will be stated in your offer. If you do not pay the deposit or provide evidence of financial sponsorship by the deadline stated in your offer, your offer will expire, and Kings reserves the right not to reinstate the offer.
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.
Application fee
£75
Our King’s International Foundation programmes will require a non-refundable application fee before you can submit your application to be considered. This step is built in to the application process. Please note that payment of an application fee is not a guarantee that you will receive an offer for your chosen programme as many of our programmes are competitive.
If you decide to apply to more than one programme which charges an application fee, you will need to pay for each application submitted. Please note, applicants are only permitted to have one active King’s International Foundation programme at any time, therefore, if you submit more than one application, the King’s Admissions team will contact you to ask which application you wish to remain, and any other applications will be rejected. The application fee is non-refundable.
Please ensure that you read the information about your chosen programme carefully before applying.
Note: If you receive an offer, our Kings International Foundation programmes will also require a deposit payment to secure your place. This is in addition to the application fee, however, the deposit is used as a partial payment of the tuition fees upon enrolling. Your offer letter will include details of any deposit you must pay, deadlines, and payment methods. You should not make a deposit payment unless instructed to as part of an offer.
Can I apply to more than one Kings International Foundation programme at King's?
You can only be holding one active application for a Kings International Foundation programme at any time. Therefore, if you apply for one programme and are made unsuccessful or withdraw, then you can at that time then submit a new application for another King’s international Foundation programme, subject to that programme being open to new applications. You will need to pay for the new application submitted.
Can I change my programme?
If your application has not yet had a decision, then if you change your mind after submitting an application, and before a decision has been made, then you should contact the Admissions team via King’s Apply to request the change of programme. If a programme remains open to new applications, the Admissions team will be able to switch your application to the new programme without payment of a new application fee. Please note, this is not a guarantee that you will receive an offer for the new programme, as many of our programmes are competitive. If you request to switch programmes, your date of application submission will be considered the date on which the request is submitted.
If your application has been made unsuccessful, you would need to submit a new application for another King’s international Foundation programme, subject to that programme being open to new applications. You will need to pay for the new application submitted.
If you are holding an offer, then your offer is specific to the specific King’s International Foundation programme applied for, as will be detailed in your offer letter (if an offer is made). Before enrolment:
- if you wish to be considered for a different programme of study you will need to submit a new application through King's Apply, and be considered alongside other applicants for that programme.
- if you wish to change to a different mode of study e.g. Extended to Standard, or Blended to Non-Blended (where applicable) on the same programme, please contact the Admissions Office through the King's Apply portal for advice. A request does not guarantee that the change can be permitted.
Once your application has been set-up for enrolment onto the programme, there is no guarantee that you will be able to change your programme or mode of study: however Student Services can provide advice on internal transfer procedures.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to your application and 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