Access/Foundation

Our Foundation programme is designed for students who aim to enter top universities in the UK; in particular, we provide extra support for international students.

This programme is not tied in to any one university, so students can apply to whichever one they want. We have an excellent record of getting students into both the Russell Group and other top universities throughout the UK.

For international students, we offer free IELTS sessions alongside all other studies, including EAP (English for Academic Purposes) and Study Skills classes with tutorial support. Free Maths sessions are available if required.

We have 100% success rate for international students, and 42% of international students enter top universities each year.

Below is a list of popular universities and subjects our international students have achieved:

Our Foundation programme offers the following subjects for international students:

Entry Requirements:

Academic Entry Requirement

• Two years’ transcript at High School (overall 60% or 75% in year 1) or equivalent.

English Language Entry Requirement

• IELTS 5.5 overall for Science related courses with a minimum of 5 in Writing.
• IELTS 5.0 overall for Business and Engineering courses with a minimum of 5 in Writing.

Tuition fees for 2019: £6,500 

Application process

Step 1 – Complete and return your Application Form

If you are doing a full-time National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 (A-Level equivalent) or above course, please download and complete an application form (click here) and submit it to us together with the following supporting documents:

• A copy of your academic qualification and transcripts
• A copy of a recent secure English language test (SELT) certificate, e.g. an IELTS certificate for UK visa applications
• A copy of your passport photopage
• A copy of your current and previous UK visas if you have been to the UK before

If any of your documents are in a language other than English (including qualifications) you will need to provide an official translation.

You can submit your application form and supporting documents as attachments to international@highbury.ac.uk or post to:
International Office, Highbury College, Tudor Crescent, Portsmouth, PO6 2SA, England

Step 2 – Await an offer letter

If you have met our entry requirements for your chosen course, we will send you a letter of acceptance confirming your place at the College and provide details about accommodation.

Step 3 – Payment

Full course fee payment is required before we issue you visa documentation, which you will need to apply for your visa. You will also need to pay a deposit of £250 if you require onsite accommodation.

Step 4 – Confirm your arrival

You should inform the College as soon as your visa has been issued and confirm your arrival date and time. This will enable us to ensure that your accommodation is ready for you when you arrive. If you require a taxi transfer from the airport this can be arranged for you at additional cost.

Take their word for it…

– Lu H. (Chinese) from Shanxi Province in China came to the UK in July 2015 to study on the Access to Business International Foundation/Access university preparation Diploma.
She has received three offer to study Accounting with Finance at Southampton University, Reading and Portsmouth.

– Abraha, S (Eritrea), originally from Eritrea