International Foundation Programme for Medicine and Dentistry
Our International Foundation Programme is a one-year course designed to prepare international students to study on our five-year MBChB Medicine (A106) and BDS Dentistry (A206) degrees.
The course is specifically provided to cater for you if your national qualifications do not make you eligible to apply directly to the Medicine or Dentistry courses.
The programme aims to supplement and develop your scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as providing a foundation in the language, communication and study skills required to succeed on a clinical degree course.
Upon successful completion of the programme, and subject to successful application and interview for our clinical degree courses, you are then eligible to enter either the MBChB or BDS courses with a standard equivalent to conventional entry qualifications.
Course details
The programme uses a mix of teaching and enquiry-based learning (EBL) techniques.
It is delivered in partnership with Xaverian College and teaching is split roughly 50/50 between the two sites.
You will be registered as a full-time student of The University of Manchester.
Most of the A-level content in biological sciences and chemistry is provided at Xaverian and this supplements the EBL sessions at the University which help you begin to apply the subject knowledge gained to short clinical scenarios or cases.
You will also have weekly laboratory practical sessions and lectures, delivered at the University by University of Manchester staff, as well as the opportunity to research a medical topic
We measure your performance on the programme both throughout and at the end of the course using methods that include short answer and multiple-choice questions, written reports on laboratory-based skills, and a student selected component.
You will be given feedback on your performance in assessments, as well as general feedback on your overall performance on the course.
You will usually be expected to start your application for progression to the five-year programmes shortly after you start the foundation year in order to meet the UCAS deadline in October.
You will be supported throughout the application process including guidance on personal statements, work experience and interview advice. To receive an offer to progress to the five-year programmes, you must be successful at the interview stage.
If you are offered a place on the five-year programme, your offer will be conditional upon the successful completion of the International Foundation Programme and achieving the required level of English.
Teaching on the International Foundation Programme is split roughly 50/50 between the University and Xaverian College which is situated very close to the University campus, in neighbouring Rusholme.
As a foundation student, you will also be eligible to use the University’s libraries. The University also has outstanding facilities for medical students and dentistry students (YouTube video).
Tuition fees for the academic year are still to be confirmed. Tuition fees do not include accommodation or living expenses.
There are no scholarships offered by the University, but students sponsored by their governments are advised to contact their respective embassy for application guidance.
We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry to our International foundation programme.
Generally, the programme is open to applicants from countries where the standard domestic education system consists of 12 years rather than 13.
You are advised to first check whether their local qualifications make you eligible to apply directly to our five-year programmes. See our international entry requirements.
Please note that if you have taken qualifications that we accept for direct entry onto the five-year programme, but have not achieved the required grades, you are not eligible to apply to the International foundation programme.
If you are not eligible to apply directly to one of the five-year programmes, please see the guidance below.
This list is not exhaustive and is intended to act only as a guide. If your country is not listed below you are encouraged to contact us at sms.ify@manchester.ac.uk to determine the eligibility of an application.
Country specific qualifications
Kuwaiti Shahadat Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama
You must have achieved 90% or higher in the Kuwaiti certificate with 90% in individual science and mathematics subjects.
Saudi Arabian Tawjihiyah
You must have achieved 90% or higher in the Saudi Arabian certificate with 90% in individual science and mathematics subjects.
United Arab Emirates Tawjihiyya
You must have achieved 90% or higher in the Emirati certificate with 90% in individual science and mathematics subjects.
English language qualifications
You must have IELTS at 6.0 overall with no less than 6.0 in any category. English language requirements must be satisfied at the point of application.
If you will require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must have the UKVI version of the IELTS test at the point of application.
There is one intake to the International foundation programme per year. Please contact the admissions team for information on how to apply.
Email: sms.ify@manchester.ac.uk
Contact us
If we can answer any questions about the programme or how to apply, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Tel: +44 (0)161 529 4577
Email: sms.ify@manchester.ac.uk
The University also holds a number of open days throughout the academic calendar.