International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities
Source: https://usic.sheffield.ac.uk/programmes/international-foundation-year/business-social-sciences-and-humanities Parent: https://sheffield.ac.uk/international/entry-requirements
Whether you want to be an entrepreneur, solicitor, landscape architect or something else entirely, this is the first step.
Study modules related to your chosen progression degree
Progress to a degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
The International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities will prepare you for your chosen undergraduate degree in the humanities and social sciences at Sheffield. The Faculty of Social Sciences includes the Management School, the School of Law and Sheffield School of Architecture.
Who is the programme for?
- Students with the ambition to study at a high-ranking UK university
- Students who want the skills to have a successful career in business
- Students who will benefit from spending a year in a supportive and international environment
What will you study?
This is a 1.5 or 2-semester programme that has been developed in collaboration with the University, so modules are relevant to your field of study. Core modules are studied by everyone on this programme and will develop the English and academic skills you need for your degree. The pathway modules you study will depend on your chosen progression degree at the University.
Modules
Core modules
- Academic English Skills (AES)
- Project skills
Pathway modules (related to your degree choice)
Architecture, Landscape and the Urban Environment (A)
- Social Sciences
- The Built Environment
Business, Management and Finance (BM&F)
- Management
- Accounting and Financial Management
Economics (E)
- Principles of Economics
- Mathematics
Social Sciences and Humanities (SS&H)
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
Why study business, social sciences and humanities at Sheffield?
- 90% of Sheffield University Management School's research has been classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
- Social Sciences students will benefit from innovative education and learning spaces in new flagship building for Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield, The Wave.
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield is ranked amongst world’s best in global subject rankings (82nd in the world according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
Key facts
Course length: 1.5 or 2 semesters
*Entry points:*2 semesters – September, November (Enhanced Induction) or January\ 1.5 semesters – March
Age on entry:\ Students should be at least 17 years of age on entry to the International College*.
Entry requirements: Check academic and English language entry requirements
Fees: Check fees for your programme
*For some degrees, students must be aged 18 or over upon progression to the University. Please visit the relevant programme route page for more information.
World top 100
in:
- Architecture\
- Geography\
- Arts and Humanities\
- Communication\
- Development Studies\
- Sociology\
- English Language\
- Politics
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Top 10 in the UK
for:
- Criminology (1st)\
- Architecture (3rd)\
- Communications and Media Studies (3rd)\
- Town and Country Planning and Landscape (4th)\
- Linguistics (5th)\
- Music (5th)\
- Law (8th)\
- Accounting and Finance (9th)
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Sheffield University Management School
is an AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS accredited business school, one of over 120 business schools in the world to have achieved triple accreditation (MBA Today 2024)
Progress to your degree
You will receive regular feedback on your progress throughout your course so you know you’re on the right track. And our progression support team is available to support you throughout your studies.
Once you complete your International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities and achieve the required grades, you can enter your chosen degree at the University of Sheffield.
Notes:
- Places are limited on some degree courses, so you are advised to apply and confirm your place as soon as possible.
- In addition to the overall academic and English grades as displayed in the table below, students are also required to meet the minimum module grades for their chosen progression degree. All information will be provided to students when they begin their studies on campus.
Search Degree Programmes
| Degree Programme Name | Award | Overall Grade | English Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting & Financial Management BA (Hons) | BA | 67% | 60% with min 50% in all skills |
| Accounting and Financial Management and Economics BA (Hons) | BA | 67% | 60% with min 50% in all skills |
| Architecture and Landscape BA (Hons) | BA | 70% | 60% with min 50% in all skills |
| Architecture BA (Hons) | BA | 70% | 60% with min 50% in all skills |
| Business Management and Economics BA (Hons) | BA | 67% | 60% with min 50% in all skills |
| Business Management BA (Hons) | BA | 67% | 60% with min 50% in all skills |
| Criminology BA (Hons) | BA | 67% | 70% with min 60% in all skills |
Please note
The degrees listed below have additional conditions
Design portfolio required at application to the International College. Read the University of Sheffield’s guidance here.
- Architecture BA (Hons)
- Architecture and Landscape BA (Hons)
Language degree not suitable for native speakers.
- Music and Korean Studies BA (Hons)
Students must be 18 or over when starting their degree.
- International Business Management with Study Abroad BA (Hons)
Students wishing to progress to the following degree at the University will require an English level of IELTS 0.5 (or equivalent) higher than the standard level of entry to their International Foundation Year. Students are also required take part in a blog chat and pass in an interview as well as meeting progression requirements.
- Journalism Studies BA (Hons)
Portfolio will be completed at the International College and students need to pass as well as meeting the academic progression requirements.
- Landscape Architecture BA (Hons)
Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit or equivalent. Students without the required Music qualifications need to submit their portfolio (1-2 pieces of recorded performance video or compositions), which will be assessed by the School before students can be admitted to the International College.
- Music BMus
- Music and Korean Studies BA (Hons)
- Music and Modern Languages and Cultures BA (Hons)
Five-year integrated masters course, which includes one year working in a professional landscape practice. Students need to create a portfolio during their pathway programme and present it with a personal statement to the Department for approval before progression.
- Landscape Architecture MLA
English language courses
If you need additional support to reach the English language level for this programme you can take one of our English language courses first.
Born in China. Made in Sheffield.
My pathway here is Social Sciences and the course modules, such as Politics and Sociology, are very relevant to my progression. The English language has helped me improve my English ability and also my academic ability. Those are things that I’ve never experienced in my home country.
Sherry\ International Foundation Year Business, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities\ BA(Hons) International Politics and Securities Studies
How to apply
Ready to apply? Discover how to submit an application and learn more about fees, semester dates and entry requirements.
University of Sheffield International College
The University of Sheffield International College helps you improve your English, develop your academic skills, and grow the confidence needed to succeed in a degree at the University.
English language courses
Our English language preparation courses will help you develop your English language skills to the level required to begin your chosen pathway programme.
Ready to join us?
Our student enrolment advisors are here to help with your application and answer any questions you have about studying with us.