The King’s International Foundation Programme (STEM & Natural Sciences) is a specialist programme designed for ambitious international students who require additional language support.

It is a one-year, full-time, level 3 pre-undergraduate academic programme designed to prepare you for undergraduate study at King’s College London or other top UK universities. Students who successfully complete the programme receive a Foundation Certificate. It aims to develop your academic language, essential subject knowledge, and study skills, and introduce you to the UK education system so that you are fully prepared for your degree.

Key benefits

• Academic preparation for your undergraduate degree at one of the top universities in the world, with strengths in course design, learner management, teaching, academic staff profile, care of students, premises and facilities, learning resources, accommodation and leisure opportunities(British Council Accreditation report 2022).

• Receive a guaranteed conditional offer for course-related undergraduate degrees at King’s*.

• Benefit from our team of experienced and highly qualified tutors who will give you the very best start in your academic studies.

• Enjoy the UK university experience from day one, with access to our world-class facilities and support.

• Become part of a vibrant, multicultural community studying at a prestigious university in the heart of London.

*Some courses have additional requirements, such as interviews or achieving a certain grade for externaltests, such as the UCAT or LNAT.

As a full-time, 120-credit programme all students undertake a minimum of 15 hours of live, face-to-face study per week, in addition to an average of 20 hours of self-study, which includes preparation for live sessions, revision, homework, completion of assignments and any other work set by your teachers. Please note that while there are normally no live classes during Reading Weeks and holidays, you are expected to use these periods to work on your assignments and complete other self-study to address any areas for development.

This programme is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, classes, and practicals. 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. 

All students on the King's International Foundation programme are allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in helping you to get the most out of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university. Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning, academic progress and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidanceon how to seek further support, if needed, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King's student.

You will receive dedicated support when making your university application with enhanced support to progressing to a UG programme at King’s.

The nature of assessment varies by module. Most modules are assessed through coursework and final examinations. In addition, some modules are assessed through presentations and practical laboratory examinations.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they may change if the course modules change

Course structure

The King’s International Foundation Programme (STEM & Natural Sciences) consists of one core module:

• English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Communication Skills for STEM*

Two compulsory modules:

• Science & Society
• Maths for Natural Sciences

And one of the following optional modules**:

• Physics
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Biology
• Chemistry

*You will study either English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Communication Skills for STEM, depending on your level of English when you start the course.

**Selected upon application

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.Intensive English elementThe programme starts in August with an intensive period of language-focused study preparation. This will enable you to get the best possible start before joining the main Foundation modules from September.

English for Scientific Academic Purposes

This module provides you with the skills you need to express yourself through speaking and writing within a variety of academic contexts in the natural sciences. It also aims to develop reading and listening skills within those same contexts. The module focuses on understanding your strengths and weaknesses, reflecting on and redrafting work using feedback, and working effectively under pressure. The module helps you develop an ability to understand and make effective use of academic articles, books and lectures while avoiding plagiarism. It also teaches you to structure and write critical assignments, and to give academic presentations.

Academic Communication Skills for STEM

This module is designed to develop your ability to express your ideas clearly, coherently and appropriately in specific academic contexts, both orally and in writing, with a focus on STEM disciplines. It will also give you an understanding of different academic genres and of the discoursal features of academic texts in a range of disciplines and develop your critical thinking skills so that you are able to put forward logical, evidence-based arguments and evaluate those of others.

Science & Society

Students taking this module will explore issues in modern science and their effect on society. They will discuss the ideas, cultural norms and practices of UK academic culture, and compare them with other perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of science and the values and assumptions that are often hidden beneath the surface. Students will use a range of thinking tools to form thoughts and arguments and discuss with classmates to better understand themselves and others.

Maths for Natural Sciences

This module will provide you with an in-depth introduction to major mathematics topics required for successful undergraduate study. The module is delivered through a combination of theoretical lectures and problem-solving tutorials. These will support you in manipulating your knowledge of these key concepts so that you are able to apply them and discuss them in familiar contexts. This will also support you in beginning to understand more complex applications.The module explores the principles of algebra and functions, exponentials and logarithms, matrices, differentiation, probability and statistics, and will focus on their application in business and economics.

Physics

This module will provide you with an in-depth introduction to major physics topics required for successful undergraduate study. The module is delivered through a combination of theoretical lectures, problem-solving tutorials and laboratory-based practicals. These will provide you with a thorough introduction to the key subject areas of basic mechanics, waves, atomic and nuclear physics, thermal physics and electromagnetism. You will be supported in manipulating your knowledge of key concepts so that you are able to apply them and discuss them in familiar contexts.

Computer Science

This module provides you with the key skills and ways of thinking that are excellent preparation for an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. Alongside covering relevant academic subject knowledge, the module has a strong emphasis on problem-based learning, looking at the process of developing solutions through a rigorous process, from design to implementation and evaluation.The module covers general-purpose programming and blends lecture and lab-based tuition, ensuring you are well-versed in theoretical and practical matters.

Engineering

The module provides you with the key skills and ways of thinking that are excellent preparation for an undergraduate degree in Engineering at King's. Alongside covering relevant academic subject knowledge, the module has a strong emphasis on problem-based learning and developing sociotechnical solutions through looking at the process of developing solutions through rigorous processes, from design to implementation and evaluation. As part of this, the module covers practical engineering skills, including programming, electronics, and mechanical activities, providing a solid introduction to Engineering. The course blends lecture and lab-based tuition, ensuring you are well-versed in theoretical and practical matters.

Biology

This module will provide you with an in-depth introduction to the major biology topics required for successful undergraduate study. The module is delivered through a combination of theoretical lectures, problem-solving tutorials and laboratory-based practicals. It will develop essential knowledge and understanding of concepts of biology, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations. The module will also support you in understanding advances in technology, including information technology, relevant to biology.

Chemistry

This module will provide you with an in-depth introduction to the chemistry skills and knowledge required for successful undergraduate study. The module is delivered through a combination of theoretical lectures, problem-solving tutorials and laboratory-based practicals. It will develop essential knowledge and understanding of concepts of chemistry, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations.

Upon accepting an offer for the King’s International Foundation Programme, you are required to pay a deposit of £6,000 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 King’s 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, with the exception of 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 require a non-refundable application fee before you can submit your application to be considered. This step is built into the application process. Please note that payment of an application fee does not guarantee that you will receive an offer for your chosen programme, as many of our programmes are competitive.

If you apply for a pathway and receive a rejection your application fee will not be refunded. If you then choose to apply for a different pathway you will need to pay another application fee.

Please ensure that you carefully read the information about your chosen pathway and modules before applying.

Note: if you receive an offer, our King’s International Foundation Programme will also require a deposit 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 enrolment. 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 do so as part of an offer.

Find out more about how to apply for the International Foundation Programme.

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 they are required for your module
• Library fees and fines
• Society membership fees
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Stationery
• Graduation costs

Please see our student Terms and Conditions for further fee details, including our refund policy.