The decision to pursue an International Foundation Year at Queen Mary University of London represents a strategic investment in a globally recognised education. This programme helps international students prepare for their chosen undergraduate degree with support from Queen Mary's expert teachers.

At the foundation level, the university academics offer pathways to various disciplines at the undergraduate level by studying Humanities and Social Sciences or Science and Engineering subjects.

While studying foundation at Queen Mary University of London, international students will not only develop academically but also experience the university curriculum, learning styles, and campus facilities—all before starting their full degree. Through concise reading, we will learn about the offers and speciality of Queen Mary University of London Foundation Year for International Students for the year.

What is a foundation year?

A Foundation Year (also known as a foundation programme or pre-university year) is a one-year academic course designed to prepare students for entry into a university undergraduate degree. There are many factors that can contribute to a student choosing a Foundation Year. The duration of the programme is generally between 9 months to 2 years of study.

This kind of preparation programme is designed for students who have completed their high school but do not meet the university entry requirements, or with non-standard qualifications, or with study gaps, or maybe have a change in career line or for students who want to adapt to a new education system. A foundation year can give students a second chance, for students who are somehow not able to get higher education.

A Foundation year prepares a candidate with the required academic and personal skills to excel in a university degree. In addition, students are taught English to cover their language proficiency skills. At present, international students are more attracted to doing a foundation year rather than other conventional 2-year-long methods.

Why study a foundation year at Queen Mary University of London?

• The university achieves high in research studies both globally and domestically. At present, QMUL ranks 25th in the world and 6th in the UK for quality of research (The World University Rankings 2025). In addition, 92% of research was assessed as internationally excellent or world-leading (REF 2021).
• Students have the ability to do a fully integrated foundation year and get academic guidance directly from the teachers and lecturers from the main university body. This will help international students not only to become familiarised with university style, but also get the same level of study care before starting their future degree.
• One of the prime reasons to choose QMUL is that, after completing the foundation year with a required mark, a student is sure to get guaranteed access to eligible undergraduate degree programmes at the university.
• Enrolling on a course at Queen Mary gives you a guaranteed on-campus accommodation chance, so that you can live in close proximity to the main campus. Making travelling, more easier.
• The foundation year certificate provided by Queen Mary is recognised and accepted by other universities in the UK and many reputed institutions globally.
• The education quality of Queen Mary is widely accepted by institutions throughout the UK and overseas; The university has been maintaining an excellent standard in teaching and student support for the past years.
• International students can have 2 options in choosing their foundation year route. First, there is the standalone International Foundation Year One Programme, and the second is the Integrated Foundation Year Programme. Both give you the same level of qualification achievement, but the integrated foundation year is integrated with the 3 or 4-year honours studies, and the foundation guidance is provided relevant to the subject that the student will continue study at QMUL.
• Another reason to consider studying a foundation year at QMUL is that students get full access to campus facilities, including the library, career service, and sports facilities. Foundation students are given the same level of experience as university students, and in addition, are provided with extra care for a smoother transition to the university curriculum.
• Additionally, students studying at QMUL will get full access and experience of the University of London facilities, including the Senate House Library and Student Central.

Offered Foundation Programmes

International Students can choose to study the International Foundation Year in September or January intake.

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) offers an Integrated Foundation Year course. Achievement-specific progression results can give students direct access to the first year of their chosen undergraduate degree. At present, the university provides foundation studies in two major subject areas. They are described in detail below

Humanities and Social Sciences

Science and Engineering

Student life at QMUL

Queen Mary is considered a campus university, which means students can live in the same area where they study. The accommodation is affordable, and the cost is cheaper compared to London’s average rent. Living at one of QMUL's accommodations includes water, electricity, cleaned communal areas, wifi and insurance coverage on personal possessions. The location of the main campus is just a short walk from the two nearest tube stations, Stepney Green and Mile End.

International students living at QMUL can save a lot of travel costs, as travelling inside London city is fairly expensive and busy compared to other cities in the UK. But the city’s transport council offers discounts for travelling on the Underground Metro and buses.

The main campus area inside London has every amenity a student requires. Grocery shops, gyms, study spaces, cafes, restaurants, libraries, and student union are all present on campus. Students can go out for recreation at Victoria Park and go on a stroll beside the canal of Mile End Park, situated in close proximity to the campus. Besides, students living outside the campus can go to Westfield Market, Brick Lane Market, Spitalfields Market and Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, all of these places within 15-20 minutes of travel.

Students can also visit landmarks such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard and other famous locations within the city, giving them the chance to have an engaging student life experience. Museum of London Docklands, Whitechapel Gallery, V&A Museum of Childhood & British Museum are also in the central London area that students can visit. Overall, student life is nothing short of amazing as London is termed as the best student city in the world.

Student Testimony

“ Now that I have managed to progress into my LLB Law degree, I'm in first year currently, and I would like to become a barrister, so you know, do a qualifying bar course, and after that, I would like to do a master's in entertainment law.

I would say that the foundation year was one of the most wonderful and valuable experiences of my life. I really enjoyed studying a variety of subjects that were not directly focused on law, so you had you know different experiences and you gained different skills, but particularly with English Language and study skills, I would say that I gained a lot of transferable skills that were easy to apply in my first year. For example, conducting proper research, successfully setting out your argument, and you know constructing bibliographies, references, and citations.

Apart from the academic context, I would say that managing to develop great relationships with both your tutors and your peers was a great experience, getting to meet people from all over the world and be encouraged to collaborate when it came to group discussion or projects, it was great to adjust.”

On graduating International Foundation Year
At Queen Mary University Of London

Choosing the International Foundation Year at Queen Mary University of London could be your smart step towards a successful future. As it helps international students adjust to university life, gain confidence, and get ready for their chosen undergraduate degree. With expert teachers and strong academic support, students are prepared with utmost care to start their undergraduate journey with a solid foundation.

FAQ
Q. What is Queen Mary University of London’s ranking in the UK and worldwide?

A: Queen Mary University of London is ranked 41st in the UK and 120th globally according to the latest rankings. It is also ranked =141st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Q. Where is Queen Mary University of London located?

A: The university’s main campus is in Mile End, East London, with additional campuses in Whitechapel, Charterhouse Square, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, West Smithfield, and Ilford.

Q. What scholarships are available for international students?

A: Queen Mary offers several scholarships, including the Queen Mary Global Excellence Scholarships, Westfield Trust Bursaries, and British Council Women in STEM Scholarships.

Q. What are the top-ranked courses at Queen Mary University of London?

A: Queen Mary provides exceptional academic guidance in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Computer Science, and Business & Management, ranking among the top universities in these fields.

Q. What is the cost of studying at Queen Mary University of London?

A: Tuition fees for international students range from £19,000 to £52,000 per year, depending on the course.