Your guide to UK study options

An International Year One (IYO) is a degree preparation course that allows students to progress directly to the second year of their chosen degree.  
 
It’s a great option for students who want to study a UK bachelor’s degree but don’t yet meet the entry requirements — including those who hold an offer from a Kaplan partner university but didn’t get the required grades. An IYO can help them stay on track and still follow their original study plan. 

The course content is equivalent to first year studies, so students who pass with the required and grades good attendance immediately qualify for second year, saving them time and money!

The Foundation Certificate leads to the first year of a bachelor’s degree, while an International Year One (IYO) offers progression directly into the second year. A Foundation adds an extra year before university study, whereas an IYO allows students to complete their degree in the usual three years.  
 
IYOs are grouped by broad subject area — for example, an Engineering IYO covers core topics that prepare students for a range of related degrees in year two, depending on what the university offers.

A Digital Pathway is a fully online degree preparation course, giving students the flexibility to study from home while progressing to a UK university degree. It offers the same high-quality content as on-campus courses and includes a range of programme options — Foundation Certificate, International Year One, Pre-Master’s, as well as online Pre-Sessional English and Pre-Pathway courses. 

Ideal for students who want to begin their UK education journey from their home country, with the same expert support and outcomes. 

• Bournemouth University International College 

• Kaplan International College London 

• Nottingham Trent International College 

• University of Brighton International College 

• University of Essex International College 

• University of York International Pathway College 

• UWE Bristol International College 

 
Pricing for IYOs can be lower than direct entry. Visit our Fees and Costs page to learn more. 

• City St Georges, University of London 

• Cranfield University 

• Queen Mary University of London 

• TEDI-London 

• University of Birmingham 

• University of Bristol 

• University of Westminster 

• University of York 

Yes! By completing a Kaplan preparation course with the required grades and good attendance, students are guaranteed entry to their chosen degree. 

Check dates and how to apply on our UK application page. 

Kaplan offers a wide range of premium student accommodation options across the UK. From studio flats to ensuites to shared rooms, there’s something for every student. Students could also get £500 off their accommodation fees!  
 

👉 See what’s available

To secure housing quickly, students need to accept for offer to study. If they indicated in their application that they’re interested in Kaplan accommodation, your student should be able to access the Kaplan Living accommodation portal through their Kaplan Student Account.

For a UK visa application, students will need: 

• passport 

• CAS number 

• SELT reference number or proof of English level (if applicable) 

• academic qualifications 

• financial evidence (bank statement or financial guarantee) 

 
If they are under 18, they will also need a birth certificate and a letter of consent from their parents, and secure accommodation before they apply for their visa.  

 
In some countries students will need to provide a TB test certificate. Full details of required documents can be found in our Visa Application Guide. 

Students receive their university offers within business 2 days of submitting their application, following that they will receive either a conditional or unconditional offer to their university of choice. When students receive an unconditional offer, they are advised to secure their place by paying their deposit. Following this, they receive their Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies or CAS number, which is integral for visa applications.

Students can certainly apply for a pathway programme if they have not received their university results; they will receive a conditional offer with their applications are missing this information.

Once students have accepted their offer and received their CAS number, they will be in a position to apply for a student visa. This can be done up to 6 months before their course start date if applying from outside the UK, or up to 3 months if applying from inside the UK. 
 

The latest point by which students can apply for a visa is 4 weeks before the enrolment period ends, or 10 days if priority or super priority visa services are available — depending on local processing times. 
 

Please note: these timelines do not apply to all colleges.

To apply for a UK student visa, students need a CAS, proof of funds to cover tuition and living costs, a valid passport, and evidence of  English language ability and evidence of your Academic and English language proficiency.  
 
They may also need a TB test certificate, to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and attend a biometric appointment. All documents must meet strict UKVI standards, and their application must be submitted online before your course start date. We advise to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays.  

For more guidance, visit our dedicated visa guidance page.

The most common reasons for visa refusals are applying too late and submitting incomplete or incorrect financial documents. Students should also avoid providing insufficient proof of funds — often caused by small currency exchange fluctuations — so it’s a good idea to include slightly more than the minimum required. 

 
Other frequent mistakes include mismatched CAS details and missing key evidence, such as consent letters or test certificates. Some students also underestimate the importance of credibility interviews. 

 
To avoid delays or refusals, it’s essential to check everything carefully and make full use of the support available from us.

As part of a student’s application, they may be asked to attend a short interview to confirm that their intentions to study in the UK are genuine. Kaplan offers practice credibility interviews, so students are aware of the questions they’ll be asked and how best to answer them.

BUINTCOL:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 subjects with grade 2 or E average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 14 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 18 points

NTIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 subjects with grade 2 or E average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 14 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 18 points

UBIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 subjects with grade 2 or E average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 14 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 18 points

UWEBIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 subjects with grade 2 or E average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 14 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 18 points

KICL – Westminster:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 subjects with grade 2
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 14 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 18 points

KICL – City Bayes Business School:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade D
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade D
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 passes with grade 5 or B average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 18 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points

KICL – City Non-Bayes Business School:

• A Levels: 18 UCAS Points in at least 2 academic subjects
• AS Levels: 18 UCAS Points in at least 2 academic subjects
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 5 passes at grade E or above
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 16 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 20 points

TEDI – London Digital and KICL***:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade D
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade D
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 passes with grade 5 or B average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 18 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points

KICL – B’ham*:

• A Levels: 2 passes at C or 3 passes at D (or 64 UCAS Points)
• AS Levels: 4 passes at C or 48 UCAS points
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes with grade 5 or B average
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 22 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

KICL-York**:

• A Levels: 48 UCAS Points and at least 2 academic subjects (minimum grade average of D)
• AS Levels: 3 passes at grade CDD (32 points)
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at 5555*
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 21 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

KICL – Bristol*:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade C
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade B
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 5 passes at grade B in academic subjects
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 26 points with a min 4 in required subjects
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

KICL-QM:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade DD
• AS Levels: N/A
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

UEIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at Grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at Grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 3 passes
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 14 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 18 points

TUNIC:

• A Levels: 48 UCAS Points and at least 2 academic subjects (minimum grade average of D)
• AS Levels: 32 UCAS Points and at least 2 academic subjects
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes with  grades 6655
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 21 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

IPC**:

• A Levels: 48 UCAS Points and at least 2 academic subjects (minimum grade average of D)
• AS Levels: 3 passes at grade CDD (32 points)
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes with grades 6655*
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 21 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

GIC*:

• A Levels: 56 UCAS Points and at least 2 academic subjects
• AS Levels: 32 UCAS Points and at least 2 academic subjects
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 2 passes at grade A and 3 passes at grade B in academic subjects
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 24 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

UoLIC*:

• A Levels: 3 passes at Grade D or 64 UCAS points (E grades not accepted)
• AS Levels: 5 Passes at Grade D or 4 passes at grade C or 48 UCAS points (E grades not accepted)
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 22 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

*Post results options is not in operation at these universities; these are standard entry requirements. ​

** (LSBE, MEAS, CSE / S&E) – 1 math, 1 science – to be included​

***Any IB/AS/iGCSE/A Level candidate without Maths will be considered, but they will need to be referred to TEDI-London.​

BUINTCOL:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade 5 or B average**
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points

NTIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade 5 or B average**
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points

UBIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade 5 or B average**
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points

UWEBIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade 5 or B average**
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points

KICL – Westminster*:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade D
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade 5 or B average**
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 22 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: 24 points

KICL-City:

• A Levels: 2 passes including a pass in Maths
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade E​
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade B or above including B in Maths
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points including 4 points in Maths​
• IB Diploma Year 1: 22 points including 4 points in Maths​

KICL-B’ham*:

• A Levels: 2 passes at B or 3 passes at C including Math
• AS Levels: 4 passes at grade B with minimum B in Math
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 26 points with minimum 4 in Math
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

KICL-York*:

• A Levels: 2 passes at B or 3 passes at C including Maths​
• AS Levels: 64 UCAS Points and at least 4 academic subjects, including B in math ​
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 26 points with minimum 4 in Maths​
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

KICL-QM:

• A Levels: N/A
• AS Levels: N/A
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: N/A
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

UEIC:

• A Levels: 2 passes at grade E
• AS Levels: 2 passes at grade D
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: 4 passes at grade 5 or B average**
• IB Diploma/Certificate: 20 points
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

TUNIC:

• A Levels: N/A
• AS Levels: N/A
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: N/A
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

IPC*:

• A Levels: N/A
• AS Levels: N/A
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: N/A
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

GIC:

• A Levels: N/A
• AS Levels: N/A
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: N/A
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

UoLIC:

• A Levels: N/A
• AS Levels: N/A
• I/GCESs/O-Levels: N/A
• IB Diploma/Certificate: N/A
• IB Diploma Year 1: N/A

*Post results options is not in operation at these universities, these are standard entry requirements.​

** iGCSEs/O Levels (Not from UK)​

• A levels: CCC​

• IB Diploma/Certificate: 29 points overall​

Any IB/AS/iGCSE/A Level candidate without Maths will be considered, but they will need to be referred to TEDI-London for their review​