
International Foundation Year
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
The many faces of inequality. Shifting relationships between the Global North and South. War, displacement and human trafficking. Child exploitation and care scandals. Black Lives Matter, transactivism, and the #MeToo campaign against sexual harassment. Rising Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and resurgent nationalism. Green politics. Fake news... Questions about how we understand, structure and change society have never been more urgent. This course welcomes students from across the world to the heart of London to provide them with an internationally and practically oriented understanding of the ways in which core debates within the social sciences can shape our responses to pressing social and policy questions.
“We study a diverse range of topics, taking multifaceted approaches to develop more detailed understandings of what can change the social world.”
Our Waterloo Campus is situated next to London’s Southbank Centre which includes the National Film Theatre, British Film Institute (BFI), Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery and the National Theatre. Covent Garden and the West End are only a short walk away, as is Shakespeare’s Globe. The on-site library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House. Most of the learning for this degree takes place at the Waterloo Campus, although please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
BBB Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
35 points including 665 at Higher Level.
Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
32 points including 555 at Higher Level. Notes: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Application deadline: 26th January 2022 - 18:00 GMT
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
The University has currently implemented a suspension of the resit policies due to the Coronavirus situation, which is in place for all undergraduate programmes. This has now been extended, therefore, this means that all our standard resit policies will pause for applications received in the 2021/22 admissions cycle.
The below is the standard resit policy for this programme and is expected to be reintroduced from the 2022/23 admissions cycle.
In a standard admissions cycle, we are able to consider applicants who have retaken their qualifications, however, you should bear in mind that your application for this programme will be reviewed alongside other strong applicants who might be viewed more favourably if they achieved the required grades within a standard timeframe, for example, a two year period for A-levels.
We consider applicants who have recently achieved grades which are below the entry criteria, and have subsequently studied/are studying another qualification to seek entry, such as an Access to HE Diploma or a Foundation programme, to be resit applicants.
Transfers
Transfers into this programme are not permitted.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure 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.
Teaching on the course is underpinned by a philosophy of active and collaborative learning. You will be expected, and supported, to take responsibility for your own learning and to work collectively with your teachers and peers to help co-create the curriculum. A range of learning techniques are used to offer students variety and flexibility in their study and significant scope for group work, interaction and projects aligned with participants’ own interests and commitments.
Face to face teaching is complemented by using of digital technologies. Teaching methods include: seminars, lectures and supervision; reading and extensive use of library resources; videos, narrated PowerPoint presentations and online discussion fora; policy analysis, formulation and communication tasks done individually and collaboratively; case studies; work-placement or work-related study; data collection and analysis; coursework assignments and their associated formative feedback. We will also give you a personal tutor to support you through your studies.
Per 15 credit module you can expect to typically have 2 hours of lectures, seminars and supervision per week over a 10 week term with 130 hours of self study.
Per 30 credit module you can expect to typically have 4 hours of lectures, seminars and supervision per week over a 10 week term 260 hours of self study.
For the Dissertation module you can expect to have 8.5 hours of lectures, seminars and supervision and 291.5 hours of self study.
The course uses a progressive model of assessment that helps you to build up your knowledge and skills in a systematic way as you progress through the course. A variety of modes of assessment are used to support and test academic rigour and to help you develop capabilities that are valued in work and civic life. These include:
In your final year you will write a dissertation. High quality formative assessment and feedback is used across the course to reinforce your learning and development.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 120 credits for each year of study.
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.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
The degree provides a rigorous intellectual grounding for careers in politics, public administration, NGOs and INGOs, charities, think tanks, and social advocacy organisations through its emphasis on generic transferable skills. The degree also provides a good basis for further training and postgraduate qualifications for a wide range of occupations including journalism, health management, social work and teaching.
The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £21,840 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
Our Waterloo Campus is situated next to London’s Southbank Centre which includes the National Film Theatre, British Film Institute (BFI), Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery and the National Theatre. Covent Garden and the West End are only a short walk away, as is Shakespeare’s Globe. The on-site library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House. Most of the learning for this degree takes place at the Waterloo Campus, although please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
BBB Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
35 points including 665 at Higher Level.
Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
32 points including 555 at Higher Level. Notes: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Application deadline: 26th January 2022 - 18:00 GMT
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
The University has currently implemented a suspension of the resit policies due to the Coronavirus situation, which is in place for all undergraduate programmes. This has now been extended, therefore, this means that all our standard resit policies will pause for applications received in the 2021/22 admissions cycle.
The below is the standard resit policy for this programme and is expected to be reintroduced from the 2022/23 admissions cycle.
In a standard admissions cycle, we are able to consider applicants who have retaken their qualifications, however, you should bear in mind that your application for this programme will be reviewed alongside other strong applicants who might be viewed more favourably if they achieved the required grades within a standard timeframe, for example, a two year period for A-levels.
We consider applicants who have recently achieved grades which are below the entry criteria, and have subsequently studied/are studying another qualification to seek entry, such as an Access to HE Diploma or a Foundation programme, to be resit applicants.
Transfers
Transfers into this programme are not permitted.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure 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.
Teaching on the course is underpinned by a philosophy of active and collaborative learning. You will be expected, and supported, to take responsibility for your own learning and to work collectively with your teachers and peers to help co-create the curriculum. A range of learning techniques are used to offer students variety and flexibility in their study and significant scope for group work, interaction and projects aligned with participants’ own interests and commitments.
Face to face teaching is complemented by using of digital technologies. Teaching methods include: seminars, lectures and supervision; reading and extensive use of library resources; videos, narrated PowerPoint presentations and online discussion fora; policy analysis, formulation and communication tasks done individually and collaboratively; case studies; work-placement or work-related study; data collection and analysis; coursework assignments and their associated formative feedback. We will also give you a personal tutor to support you through your studies.
Per 15 credit module you can expect to typically have 2 hours of lectures, seminars and supervision per week over a 10 week term with 130 hours of self study.
Per 30 credit module you can expect to typically have 4 hours of lectures, seminars and supervision per week over a 10 week term 260 hours of self study.
For the Dissertation module you can expect to have 8.5 hours of lectures, seminars and supervision and 291.5 hours of self study.
The course uses a progressive model of assessment that helps you to build up your knowledge and skills in a systematic way as you progress through the course. A variety of modes of assessment are used to support and test academic rigour and to help you develop capabilities that are valued in work and civic life. These include:
In your final year you will write a dissertation. High quality formative assessment and feedback is used across the course to reinforce your learning and development.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 120 credits for each year of study.
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.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
The degree provides a rigorous intellectual grounding for careers in politics, public administration, NGOs and INGOs, charities, think tanks, and social advocacy organisations through its emphasis on generic transferable skills. The degree also provides a good basis for further training and postgraduate qualifications for a wide range of occupations including journalism, health management, social work and teaching.
The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £21,840 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
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