INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION PROGRAMme:
Guaranteed university access for business degrees
The International Foundation Programme is a two or three-term course intended for international students who aspire to advance to undergraduate courses in the UK or internationally to study business, economics, accounting, finance, marketing, and other related fields. The programme comprises academic modules, study skills, and one-to-one tutorials to furnish you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your selected university course.
Programme details
Our pre-university Business Management Foundation Programme is your gateway to a competitive degree course in business through progression agreements with universities across the UK.
Entry requirements will vary from country to country, so it's best to contact us to discuss your individual education background and goals.
The International Foundation Programme in Business Management will:
- Help you develop an analytical approach to your studies and apply newfound knowledge to practical scenarios.
- Encourage you to explore various learning styles to see what suits you best.
- Improve your study skills such as reading and note-taking strategies, essay construction, research methods, and translating theory into practice.
- Challenge you to work in teams, actively participate in class, and present to small groups.
- Enhance your communication skills in speaking, negotiating and writing.
- Develop your 21st century skills such as collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
Throughout the Foundation in Business Management course, you will participate in our Academic English programme, helping you prepare to meet English language standards set by your chosen university.
Assessment and feedback
Our assessment practices model those found in UK Higher Education with detailed feedback and support for mock, practical and final assignments.
We continuously monitor the progress of our students across the course duration – in lessons, progress tutorials and group work – as well as attendance for visa compliance.
All coursework, both formal and informal, is submitted electronically via an encrypted online service, and we use Unicheck to guard against plagiarism for all formal assessments.
With final examinations, we ensure our students have the preparation needed to succeed and to progress to higher education; this includes opportunities for resits for assignments and exams as needed.
SCL International College's Business Management Foundation Programme has been developed with an appreciation of the specific requirements of business schools. For example, the curriculum uses problem-based learning and real-world case studies – a method of teaching increasingly found in international business schools.
As an integral part of our pre-university pathway programme into business, international students will gain comprehensive knowledge of the British university environment and of different aspects of living and studying in the UK. A vital part of our programme involves training students to adapt their skills and knowledge to the specific context and environments of UK universities. We guide students through the UCAS process, ensuring they achieve the best offers in the most appropriate universities for each individual; our partners guarantee a place, subject to passing the relevant qualifications.
Student success and progression
At SCL, we are committed to ensuring you gain the necessary English language qualifications and study skills to advance to a British university. Your academic tutor will take a personal interest in your progress and help you develop your study plan accordingly.
With our personalised approach, we achieve great success with students who may not have a traditionally strong academic record, but who show huge potential. By the time you complete our programme, you will have the knowledge base and confidence needed to excel both academically and personally when studying business at a university in the UK.
You will also take a variety of courses specifically designed to prepare you for enrolling on a business degree programme in the UK. Our Business Management Foundation Programme focuses on improving academic and language skills as well as basic statistical concepts, which are important for most undergraduate level courses related to business.
Business Studies
The course begins by introducing you to the ways business organisations of all types function. It examines the global environment in which businesses operate and how they can respond to external factors. The principal aim of the course is to prepare you for degree courses in Business and Management-related programmes, and as such, you will be encouraged to apply theories to practical situations. Your coursework allows you to trace the different stages of starting a business and navigate the internal and external challenges which businesses encounter.
Accounting
You'll learn the basic concepts of financial and managerial accounting as a valuable way of understanding how businesses work in general. The Accounting module gives you an introduction to basic accounting principles and helps you to apply these principles in different situations.
Economics
The third module, Economics, combines a study of micro and macro content in exploring a range of economic issues drawn from national and international contexts. It promotes an understanding of economic concepts and theories through a critical consideration of current economic problems and challenges that affect everyday life.
Hands-On Project
The final portion of the course ends with a project that consolidates your learning and further prepares you for undergraduate studies. You will have up to an additional six weeks to write up your project after the completion of the course.
ADVANCING TO A BUSINESS DEGREE AT UNIVERSITY
When you study with us, we offer guaranteed admission to at least one of 16 British and international universities, upon successful completion of your course. In addition to those 16 universities, students have also received offers of admission from over 20 highly ranked universities across the country.
SPRING 2025 ENROLMENT - 25 WEEK COURSES
Spring Term
6 January - 28 March
Spring Break
31 March - 18 April
Summer Term
21 April - 27 June
WINTER 2025 ENROLMENT - 39 WEEK COURSES
Winter Term
7 October - 13 December
Spring Term
6 January - 28 March
Summer Term
21 April - 27 June
Winter Break
16 December - 3 January
Spring Break
31 March - 18 April
WINTER 2025 ENROLMENT - 25 WEEK COURSES
Winter Term
7 October - 13 December
Winter Break
16 December - 3 January
Spring Term
6 January - 28 March
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students who enrol on this International Foundation Programme typically have good high school grades. You must be at least 18 years old by the time your course starts, and you are expected to have an English language level equivalent of:
- 5.0 in IELTS
- 40 on TOEFL
- 154 on Cambridge English
- B1 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH COURSES AVAILABLE
English level not quite good enough? Don't worry!
We offer customised Pre-Sessional English courses year-round, helping you to improve your English in all four disciplines and enabling you to enrol on one of our main programmes or apply to university.
DISCOVER THE SCL EXPERIENCE
SCL International College offers an all-inclusive campus experience within a big city.
Everything you need is here in one place – from the classrooms to the café and everything in between!
BENEFITS OF SCL INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Guaranteed university place upon successful completion of our course.
One-to-one support
Our tutors are highly qualified and have experience teaching international students, so they understand the kind of personal support you may need.
University application assistance
We support each individual student through the process of applying to your chosen universities. Our partner universities guarantee you a place on passing your course.
Preparation for British academic life
A vital part of our programme involves training students to adapt their skills and knowledge to the specific context and environment they will encounter when they are enrolled in undergraduate courses.
State-of-the-art facilities
SCL’s modern classrooms have the latest hardware and software and our libraries offer a flexible space for you to work alone or in groups. Students also have 24/7 access to online resources, study tools and materials.
An international environment
Our team of academic professionals comes from all over the world and will help you develop the social and learning skills required for studying at a UK higher education institution.
Plus, when you stay with us you’ll enjoy a ready-made community of international students from over 65 nationalities!
On-site accommodation
Whether you're attending this course on your own or with friends, we'll always have space for you. All rooms come with an en-suite bathroom, kitchenette and optional weekly cleaning and linen service.
We also have an in-house events team who hosts regular activities free of charge.
Small class size
At SCL International College, you'll enjoy our smaller classes for individualised learning, with 5 students average (maximum 12) per class.
Great location in London
We're located in the student capital of the world – London! You'll have easy access to the entire city, major airports and railway stations. Stay with us and you’ll even get discounts to local restaurants, cafés and shops!
A smooth transition to a UK uni

Continuing on to university in london?
Stay as long as you like!
Our campuses are an easy 15–30-minute journey to many universities across the city.
Students progressing on to university in London can easily extend their accommodation at The Stay Club where you’ll find a modern, safe and welcoming atmosphere to live, study, socialise and enjoy the very best of London.
- No moving
- No stress
- No hassle
Get ready to call London home!

Wondering which course is right for you?