International Foundation Programme

A MODERN INTERNATIONAL AWARDING AND ASSESSMENT ORGANISATION

A MODERN INTERNATIONAL AWARDING AND ASSESSMENT ORGANISATION

The bridge from school to a degree.

The bridge from school to a degree.

A foundation route, benchmarked to Level 3, preparing students for undergraduate study through academic English, research skills, critical thinking and pathway-specific academic preparation.

A foundation route, benchmarked to Level 3, preparing students for undergraduate study through academic English, research skills, critical thinking and pathway-specific academic preparation.

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How the programme is built

How the programme is built

A common academic core. A pathway towards the intended degree.

A common academic core. A pathway towards the intended degree.

Every learner develops the academic English, research, critical thinking and independent-learning capabilities required for undergraduate education.

Pathway study then adds preparation relevant to the learner’s intended field.

Every learner develops the academic English, research, critical thinking and independent-learning capabilities required for undergraduate education.

Pathway study then adds preparation relevant to the learner’s intended field.

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The Academic Skills core

The Academic Skills core

Recognition rests on governance, assessment and assurance.

Recognition rests on governance, assessment and assurance.

A compulsory module benchmarked to Level 3 (30 credits, 300 notional learning hours) developing English for Academic Purposes, research and information literacy, critical thinking, digital literacy, academic integrity and independent learning. It supports students from CEFR B1 / IELTS 5.5 toward CEFR B2 by completion, across a 30-week academic year in two semesters.

A compulsory module benchmarked to Level 3 (30 credits, 300 notional learning hours) developing English for Academic Purposes, research and information literacy, critical thinking, digital literacy, academic integrity and independent learning. It supports students from CEFR B1 / IELTS 5.5 toward CEFR B2 by completion, across a 30-week academic year in two semesters.

Two pathways

Two pathways

Different destinations. The same academic foundation.

Different destinations. The same academic foundation.

The programme combines a common Academic Skills core with pathway-specific study.

The Humanities pathway prepares learners for degrees across business, law, social sciences and related disciplines. The STEM pathway prepares learners for study across science, computing, engineering and related fields.

The programme combines a common Academic Skills core with pathway-specific study.

The Humanities pathway prepares learners for degrees across business, law, social sciences and related disciplines. The STEM pathway prepares learners for study across science, computing, engineering and related fields.

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01 —

Humanities pathway

For law, business, social sciences, humanities and related routes: academic reading and writing, critical analysis, research literacy, referencing (Harvard, APA and, where relevant, OSCOLA), academic speaking and independent study.

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02 —

STEM pathway

For science, technology, computing, mathematics, business-management and technical routes: scientific and technical academic English, scientific report writing, data and numerical literacy, technical source evaluation and academic integrity.

Assessment & progression

Assessment & progression

Assessment built for the next stage.

Assessment built for the next stage.

Pass mark 40%, with one resit per failed component capped at 40%. The Foundation Programme prepares learners for undergraduate study at UK and international universities, supported by LAI’s university progression relationships where formal routes are agreed. Recognition and progression vary by country and institution.

Pass mark 40%, with one resit per failed component capped at 40%. The Foundation Programme prepares learners for undergraduate study at UK and international universities, supported by LAI’s university progression relationships where formal routes are agreed. Recognition and progression vary by country and institution.

Component

Component

Duration / Format

Duration / Format

Weighting

Weighting

Semester 1 assessment

In-year

25%

Semester 2 assessment

In-year

25%

Final written examination

2 hours

50%

Portfolio (6–8 academic artefacts + 500-word reflective synthesis)

Portfolio (6–8 academic artefacts + 500-word reflective synthesis)

Built across the year, milestone submissions

Built across the year, milestone submissions

Evidenced

Evidenced

Recognitions

The Recognition Standard.

LAI gives its own awards through programmes accredited by City & Guilds. LAI works with academic partners, including the University of Greenwich, for teacher training, professional development and capacity building at LAI-approved schools. LAI accredited programmes hold IBCC equivalency in Pakistan, and an ECCTIS review is in progress. Recognition varies by country, institution, programme and applicant profile. See Recognition & Benchmarking for detail by market.

See recognition by market

City & Guilds accredited programmes; LAI awards the programme.

© Copyright 2026 LAI. All rights reserved.

City & Guilds accredited programmes; LAI awards the programme.

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© Copyright 2026 LAI. All rights reserved.

City & Guilds accredited programmes;
LAI awards the programme.

© Copyright 2026 LAI. All rights reserved.