Usually 9–12 months
Subject modules plus academic English, study skills, assessment skills and the move into university. Accelerated or extended versions exist. Year 2 follows only when the published grades and attendance are met.
International Year One in the United Kingdom
Into Year 2,not into every degree.
An International Year One is for students who have finished secondary school but do not meet direct Year 1 entry. Done to the required standard, it normally leads to Year 2 of an approved bachelor's at that university. It is not a transferable first year.
- The usual length
- 9–12 monthsThe usual length
- Where successful students go
- Year 2Where successful students go
- A common starting range
- IELTS 5.5–6.0A common starting range
The pathway
What an International Year One is
An undergraduate pathway for students who have finished secondary school but do not meet direct Year 1 entry, or who need more academic and English preparation. Subject study, academic skills and English are set at a level meant to line up with the first year of a selected degree. At the required standard, students normally progress to Year 2 of an approved bachelor's.
It is not a route into every degree. Progression is tied to one university, one subject pathway and a list of approved degrees. Professional or highly selective subjects can add academic, portfolio, mathematics, science or English conditions.
Common course titles
- International Year One in Business / Business Management
- International Year One in Accounting and Finance
- International Year One in Computing / Computer Science
- International Year One in Engineering
- International Year One in Economics
- International Year One in Media and Communications
- International Year One in Architecture
- International Year One in Life Sciences
- International Year One in Psychology
- International Year One in International Relations / Politics
Checked 3 October 2026
Ten Navitas colleges, ten different names
Each college is run with its university and uses its own name for this stage. The degrees below are examples, not the full list. Availability changes by intake.
First Year Pathway
ARU College
Anglia Ruskin University
Subjects. Business and Finance; Creative Industries (English, Media, Drama and Writing); other areas by intake.
Year 2 examples. Accounting and Finance; Business Management; Business Economics; Banking and Finance; International Business Management; Business Management and Digital Marketing; Film and Media; English; Drama.
Intake and campus vary by degree. Cambridge and Chelmsford.
International Year One
Birmingham City University International College
Birmingham City University
Subjects. Accounting, Economics and Finance; Business; Marketing; Engineering; Computing, Networking and Games Technology; Built Environment; Film, Animation and Technology; Health and Life Sciences; Sports Science.
Year 2 examples. Accounting and Finance; Business Finance; Economics; Finance and Investment; Business Management; Business with Marketing; Human Resource Management; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering.
International Year One / First Year Studies
Brunel Pathway College
Brunel University of London
Subjects. Business and Management. The IY1 launched for the May 2026 intake. Engineering is currently a foundation-only route.
Year 2 examples. Business and Management BSc (Hons). First Year Studies also lists Accounting and Business and Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management and International Business.
First Year (Integrated)
Hertfordshire International College
University of Hertfordshire
Subjects. Business and Economics; Computer Science, Cyber Security and Data Science; Engineering, AI and Robotics; other areas.
Year 2 examples. Business Management; Business Administration; Economics; Business Analytics and AI; Computer Science, including AI, Cyber Security and Networks; Data Science; Aerospace, Automotive, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics and AI Engineering.
First Year (Year 1)
International College Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth
Subjects. Business and Management; Accounting and Finance; Computing; Engineering. Architecture is currently a foundation-only route.
Year 2 examples. Business and Management; Marketing; Digital Marketing; Economics and Management; Accounting with Finance; Economics; Computer Science; Cyber Security and Forensic Computing; Software Engineering; Civil, Mechanical and Electronic Engineering; Robotics and AI.
Year 1 undergraduate pathway
International College Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
Subjects. Business and Management; Accounting and Finance; Computer Science and Cyber Security; other Year 1 routes by subject.
Year 2 examples. International Business Management; Business and Management; Business with Marketing; Business with Data Analytics; Accounting and Finance; Computer Science; Cyber Security; Data Science with AI.
Scottish honours degrees are four years, so students enter Year 2 of 4.
International Year One
Keele University International College
Keele University
Subjects. Business; Computing.
Year 2 examples. Accounting and Finance; Business Management, including with Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resources or Marketing; Economics; Economics and Finance; International Business Management; Computer Science, including AI, Cyber Security, Games and Software Engineering; Data Science.
International Year One
Manchester Metropolitan University International College
Manchester Metropolitan University
Subjects. Business and Management; Business and Finance; Business, Sports, Events and Hospitality; Computing and Engineering; Art and Design; Humanities and Social Sciences; Health Studies; Science.
Year 2 examples. Business Management; International Business Management; Business Administration and Management; Computer Science; Cyber Security; AI and Data Science; Software Engineering; Computer Games Development; Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
GCSE-equivalent Maths is required.
First Year
University of Plymouth International College
University of Plymouth
Subjects. Business, Marketing and Finance; Computer Science; Politics and International Relations; Tourism and Events; Maritime Business; Environmental Sciences; Marine and Ocean; Education.
Year 2 examples. Accounting and Finance; Business Management; Economics; Marketing; Computer Science; Music and Sound Production.
First Year (Integrated)
The College, Swansea University
Swansea University
Subjects. Business Management; Computer Science; Engineering.
Year 2 examples. Business Management; Computer Science; Software Engineering; Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electronic and Electrical, Materials and Mechanical Engineering.
September start for Computer Science and Engineering.
Before you enrol
Length, entry and progression
Stronger than a foundation
Entry is provider- and country-specific: secondary school at a stronger level than a foundation, but below direct Year 1. Some providers accept selected post-secondary study. Engineering and Computing may require Mathematics. Science routes may require the relevant science.
English around 5.5–6.0
A common range is IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall, often with minimum components. Extended programmes may start lower. Some destination degrees need higher English. Whether a UKVI SELT is required depends on the sponsor.
For Nepali students: direct Year 1 from NEB Higher Secondary is not accepted by every UK university. Some require a foundation. Selected International Year One providers may consider strong Grade 12 results or extra study. Check the provider and the destination degree. Passing does not open every degree at the university, and changing subject after enrolment can affect progression.
The visa around the pathway
Fees, work and what it does not give you
Work permission is not automatically a bachelor's allowance. An International Year One is not normally a Graduate visa qualification, and it does not normally allow dependants. For applications on or after 1 January 2027, an eligible bachelor's completed later is 18 months on the Graduate Route.
| Item | Current planning information |
|---|---|
| Student visa fee | £558 for an application from outside the UK. |
| Maintenance, London | £1,529 a month for up to 9 months (maximum £13,761), plus relevant course fees. |
| Maintenance, outside London | £1,171 a month for up to 9 months (maximum £10,539), plus relevant course fees. |
| Funds period | Where evidence is required, funds generally need 28 consecutive days, subject to the finance rules and exemptions. |
| Work while studying | Not automatically a bachelor's allowance. Degree-level study with an eligible sponsor can be up to 20 hours a week in term time. Below-degree study can be limited to 10 hours, and some pathway arrangements carry no work permission. Check the CAS. |
| Graduate visa | An International Year One is not normally an eligible qualification. A student who later completes an eligible UK bachelor's may qualify. From 1 January 2027 the standard period for eligible bachelor's graduates is 18 months. |
| Dependants | An International Year One does not normally qualify a student to bring dependants. Exceptions such as qualifying government sponsorship are separate. |
Student visa fee
- Current planning information
- £558 for an application from outside the UK.
Maintenance, London
- Current planning information
- £1,529 a month for up to 9 months (maximum £13,761), plus relevant course fees.
Maintenance, outside London
- Current planning information
- £1,171 a month for up to 9 months (maximum £10,539), plus relevant course fees.
Funds period
- Current planning information
- Where evidence is required, funds generally need 28 consecutive days, subject to the finance rules and exemptions.
Work while studying
- Current planning information
- Not automatically a bachelor's allowance. Degree-level study with an eligible sponsor can be up to 20 hours a week in term time. Below-degree study can be limited to 10 hours, and some pathway arrangements carry no work permission. Check the CAS.
Graduate visa
- Current planning information
- An International Year One is not normally an eligible qualification. A student who later completes an eligible UK bachelor's may qualify. From 1 January 2027 the standard period for eligible bachelor's graduates is 18 months.
Dependants
- Current planning information
- An International Year One does not normally qualify a student to bring dependants. Exceptions such as qualifying government sponsorship are separate.
Frequently asked questions
No. It is a pathway that lines up with the first year of selected degrees and adds academic skills and English. Successful completion normally leads to Year 2 only of the approved degrees on that pathway.
International students who have finished secondary school but do not meet direct Year 1 entry, or who need more academic and English preparation. Entry is normally stronger than a foundation and below direct Year 1. Some providers also consider selected post-secondary study.
Only within the provider's rules, and a change can remove the original progression route. Grades, English, attendance and any degree-specific conditions still apply. Do not assume a subject change keeps automatic Year 2 entry.
Country- and provider-specific. Engineering and Computing often want prior Mathematics. Science routes may want the relevant science. Check both the pathway and the Year 2 degree.
A common range is IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall, often with minimum components. Extended versions may start lower. Some destination degrees need higher English before progression. A UKVI-approved SELT depends on the sponsor and the visa arrangement.
No. You need the published grades, the English standard, the attendance requirement and any extra conditions on the named degree. Selective, professional, portfolio, mathematics or science programmes can keep extra conditions.
It depends on the course level, the sponsor and the CAS. Degree-level study can allow up to 20 hours a week in term time. Below-degree study can be limited to 10 hours, and some pathways allow no work. Check the CAS rather than assuming a bachelor's allowance.
Normally no. It is a pathway, not the bachelor's. A student who later completes an eligible UK bachelor's may qualify. For applications on or after 1 January 2027, that period for eligible bachelor's graduates is 18 months.
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