Foundation Courses in USA for International Students 2025

By Jakir Hossain

Foundation courses in the USA offer a unique chance for international students to bridge the academic gap and prepare for a successful undergraduate education. These programmes deliver detailed academic guidance, English language learning materials, and cultural immersion.


By enrolling in a foundation programme, you can greatly increase your academic skills, maximise your English language expertise, and adapt to the American education system. Additionally, foundation studies often offer smaller classroom sizes and more in-person attention from teachers and lecturers, allowing you to receive the support you need to prepare for higher studies in your preferred subject area.


Moreover, achieving good results in a foundation course can increase your chances of getting admission to top-rank universities in the USA. By demonstrating your academic potential and commitment to your foundation studies, you can prepare yourself as a potential applicant.

Basics of Foundation Programme

Develop in English

The basics of a foundation programme are to develop a student’s English skills. This prepares an individual to tackle future courses that need advanced English expertise, as most study areas are in English.


The programme is tailored to improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in academic English so that a student does not find it difficult to understand lectures or study materials.

Subject-Specific Preparation

Foundation courses provide subject-specific academic guidance providing the student with a basic idea of what they are going to study at the university level in their preferred study area. For example, a student intending to pursue a Law degree or a Bachelor at law (LLB) shall get basic knowledge in Law and Government & politics in their foundation year.


This helps the student gain advanced knowledge on what subject area they are going to study and gives a headstart in Hons studies. Thus subjects like mathematics, science, or social studies are being taught in the foundation year, depending on the student's intended major.

Develop Study Skills and Time Management

Foundation courses also help students adjust to the academic environment in the U.S. This kind of programme is made to aid in preparing students for starting higher education, including how to properly value time, manage coursework, take notes, do workshops and engage in discussions.

To Adopt a New Culture

Helping international students adapt to living and studying in the USA is another service of the foundation programme. Slowly you will be given ideas physically and mentally about how cultures of different States operate with programmes that may include orientation sessions, short research and social activities, to help you better integrate into the U.S. lifestyle both socially and mentally.

Institutions in the USA offering Foundation Programmes

Here are some popular institutions offering foundations in the USA:

1. University of California

  • Programme Name: Berkeley Global Access (BGA)
  • Starting intake: Spring (January) and Fall (September)
  • Duration: 1 year (Full-time)
  • Study Location: Berkeley, California, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $13,900–$18,400
  • Entry requirements: 3.0 minimum GPA in Higher Secondary and IELTS 7 or TOEFL 90 or Duolingo 125

2. New York University (NYU)

  • Programme Name: NYU Global Pathways
  • Starting intake: Fall (August) and Spring (January) terms
  • Duration: 1 Year or more
  • Study Location: New York City, USA
  • Tuition Fees: Starting from $14,000 every semester
  • Entry requirements: 3.0 minimum GPA in Higher Secondary and IELTS 6 minimum

3. University of Illinois Chicago

  • Programme Name: UIC Global Program
  • Starting intake: September & January
  • Duration: One academic year (full-time)
  • Study Location: Chicago, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $ 27,998 yearly. (only the tuition, excluding prices of registration, books and other university services) * Tuition fees and costs may increase for next year
  • Entry requirements: High School degree and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English proficiency degree

4. University of Southern California (USC)

  • Programme Name: USC International Academy - Pathway programmes
  • Starting intake: September and January
  • Duration: 1 year (full-time)
  • Study Location: California, USA Tuition Fees: $34,952 per semester
  • Entry requirements: Students must show strong academic credentials but may be admitted with slightly lower English proficiency scores

5. Columbia University

  • Programme Name: Columbia University’s Undergraduate programmes (Through the Columbia Global Centers)
  • Starting intake: Fall Term (August) & Spring Term (January)
  • Duration: 9 months or 1 year term
  • Study Location: New York, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $92,742 per annum including living costs, books and personal expenses
  • Entry requirements: High School degree and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English proficiency degree

6. University of Denver

  • Programme Name: English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program
  • Starting intake: Fall, Winter and Spring Terms
  • Duration: One academic year (two semesters)
  • Study Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $82,634 (including food, housing, books, course materials, transportation and personal expenses)
  • Entry requirements: Higher secondary degree with GPA of at least 3.0 or O-levels or equivalent with an English proficiency degree equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall.

7. Boston University

  • Programme Name: Boston University International programmes (BU Global programmes)
  • Starting intake: Late August or early September
  • Duration: 1 year (Full-time)
  • Study Location: Boston, USA
  • Tuition Fees: Starting from $66,670 per year
  • Entry requirements: Secondary school records with IELTS 6.5 (SAT or ACT score can aid in your application).

8. University of Washington

  • Programme Name: UW Pathway Program
  • Starting intake: July
  • Duration: 11 weeks or 9 months
  • Study Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Tuition Fees: starting from $43,209 per year
  • Entry requirements: secondary school records and senior year grades with TOEFL 80 (iBT) or IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115.

9. University of Texas at Austin

  • Programme Name: Foundation Scholars Program (FSP)
  • Starting intake: Late August
  • Duration: 1 year (full-time study)
  • Study Location: Austin, Texas, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $40,032 per annum
  • Entry requirements: GPA of at least 3.0 in Higher Secondary with IELTS 6.5 or equivalent English proficiency degree. Also Accepts SAT, TOEFL, Duolingo

10. Kent State University

  • Programme Name: Exploratory Program
  • Starting intake: September
  • Duration: 3 semesters (full-time)
  • Study Location: Kent, USA
  • Tuition Fees: Approximately $22,904 per year for Internationals
  • Entry requirements: High school diploma, GED or equivalent & minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112

11. University of Michigan

  • Programme Name: Michigan English Language Institute (MELI)
  • Starting intake: Winter and Summer
  • Duration: 9 months or 1 year
  • Study Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $60,946 to $65,216 per year (excluding living costs and miscellaneous)
  • Entry requirements: High school completion or equivalent, TOEFL iBT: Minimum 60–80 (varies by institution) or IELTS: Minimum 6.0

12. Edmonds College

  • Programme Name: Foundation for International Studies
  • Starting intake: Winter, Spring & Summer
  • Duration: 2 years or Three Quarters (Full-time)
  • Study Location: Lynnwood, USA (Distance Learning & On-Campus)
  • Tuition Fees: Yearly $21,901.00 (separate payments for books and materials)
  • Entry requirements: High School Certificate & IELTS 6 or decent PTE score or other equivalent English language proficiency Certification

13. Suffolk University

  • Programme Name: INTO USA Foundation for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes
  • Starting intake: Fall (September)
  • Duration: 1 year (full-time)
  • Study Location: Springfield, MA Tuition Fees: $46,954 per annum
  • Entry requirements: Complete a secondary school education equivalent to a US high school diploma or O-levels with IELTS 6 minimum or equivalent TOEFL score

14. Washington State University

  • Programme Name: Undergraduate Foundation program (UF)
  • Starting intake: Spring (January) and Fall (August)
  • Duration: 1 Year (full-time)
  • Study Location: Pullman, Washington, USA
  • Tuition Fees: $56,096.67 for the year 2025-2026 Intake
  • Entry requirements: A U.S. equivalent of C+ grade or higher in secondary education and a higher secondary school certificate

15. Tricoci University of Beauty Culture

  • Programme Name: Diploma in Cosmetology
  • Starting intake: September
  • Duration: from 9 to 12 months
  • Study Location: Chicago, USA
  • Tuition Fees: Waiting to be announced for the upcoming year. Please check the University Website.
  • Entry requirements: High School Certificate and IELTS 6 or decent PTE score or equivalent English language proficiency Certification.

Private Foundation Providers

There are many certified teaching institutions, that provide foundation preparation and are in partnership with universities all over the USA. Private foundation providers also have study centres all over the globe where students can study their foundation courses and save a lot on tuition fees.


Passing from one of these private institutions will give you the same level of degree as you would from an on-campus U.S. university foundation programme. Here is a list of some of the popular private institutions providing academic guidance on foundation courses.


1. NCUK (The Northern Consortium of UK Universities)

In partnership with California State University, Drew University, The University of Alabama, Illinois State University, George Mason University, Oregon State University, Suffolk University and many more.

Website Link: NCUK University Pathways


2. ELS Education Services

In partnership with Dominican University of California, University of La Verne, University of St. Thomas, Florida Tech, Saint Joseph’s University, Eckerd College, Middle Tennessee State University and many more.

Website Link: ELS College Year Program


3. CATS Academy Boston

In partnership with Full Sail University, The Savannah College of Art and Design, Quincy College and others.

Website Link: High School Diploma


4. Kaplan International Pathways

In partnership with Arizona State University, Pace University, University of Connecticut and many others.

Website Link: Kaplan Pathways


5. INTO University Partnerships

In partnership with Saint Louis University, Oregon State, Hofstra University, George Mason University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, George Mason University and many others.

Website: INTO University Partnerships


6. Navitas USA

In partnership with University of Massachusetts Boston, University of New Hampshire, Florida Atlantic University and many more universities are on their list.

Website Link: Navitas USA


7. Shorelight Education

In partnership with universities like American University, Florida International University, University of Nevada Reno, Fairfield University, South Eastern University, and University of Utha, Auburn University to provide academic bridge programmes and cultural support.

Website Link: Shorelight Academic program


All of these foundation providers are trained to provide appropriate materials and meet the needs of international students, and some U.S. universities also offer similar preparation programmes for domestic students who need additional support in transitioning to uni-level work.


In short, the States is a great destination for choosing your career platform, providing numerous foundation programmes for you to choose from and preparing yourself as a competent scholar for pursuing undergraduate degrees.


FAQ

Q. Is a Foundation course same thing as a Pathway programme?

Ans. Foundation courses are considered pathway programmes. Foundation courses serve as a pathway to higher education, making them an excellent option for international students who do not meet a university’s direct entry requirements.


Q. What is the length of a foundation programme in the USA?

Ans. A foundation programme generally takes 9 months (or 1 year) of full-time study. Some specialised foundation courses may take up to 2 years depending on the number of subjects and areas of study.


Q. What is the tuition fee of the Foundation Programme in the USA?

Ans. Typically, the cost of a foundation course in the USA can range anywhere from $30,000 to $70,000 per year. However, it's important to note that this is just an estimate, and actual costs increase every year.


Q. Is passing a foundation course difficult?

Ans. Foundation study can be easy if your previous education is similar to the foundation course's curriculum. These courses are generally designed to be accessible to international students with diverse academic backgrounds. They provide an English language development, structured learning environment and support systems to help students adjust to the academic demands of a university.