Сư³æ´«Ã½

Сư³æ´«Ã½ logoHome
Students on a university campus

Can you still study abroad with low grades?

Smiling lady working on laptop

For many students, the dream of studying at a university abroad might seem impossible due to not meeting the entry requirements for the course they wish to study. Or perhaps you did have a conditional offer at a UK university, but didn’t quite meet requirements when your final year grades came in. There are answers for both of these scenarios, and studying abroad is still very much within your reach.

If you are hoping to study abroad in the UK but didn’t meet the course requirements of your conditional offer, there is always the possibility of securing a place on a course through the UCAS clearing process, where courses with places to fill are available until October, at the start of UK term time.

If you don’t meet the academic requirements to study at university at present, one solution is pathway programmes, which may also be referred to as foundation courses. These courses are designed to raise students’ academic skills to the levels required to study at a university.

Undergraduate pathway programmes

For students wishing to study an undergraduate degree course, these courses are often known as international foundation year courses.

Foundation year courses will help you to prepare academically for studying an undergraduate degree. This will include getting you familiar with the teaching methods to expect, such as examinations, coursework and group seminars. These courses will get you ready to study your chosen degree course, and as such they will focus on subjects specific to those covered in the degree course. For example, they may prepare you to study a degree in the field of Business, or  Engineering, or the Arts.

If you need to improve your language skills, universities also offer courses to get your language skills ready for studies, such as English Language Preparation programmes.

Usually if you complete your foundation year course with sufficient grades, your university will be able to offer you a place on your chosen undergraduate programme. You may also wish to move to a different university at this point.

Pre-Masters programmes

Often specifically tailored to international students, Pre-Masters programmes are tailored to building students academic standard, study skills and English language ability to the standard required to begin a postgraduate degree course.

These could be suitable for you if you wish to choose a new career path, or take your studies in a new direction, or simply wish to improve your knowledge in a subject you have already studied. Upon successful completion of a Pre-Masters programme, you will be ready to enrol on a postgraduate degree programme.

Finding the suitable pathway courses for you

When you have chosen either the undergraduate or postgraduate degree course that you wish to study, and you have checked and found that you do not currently meet the admission requirements, firstly check whether the university offers the appropriate foundation programme that would lead to the course you wish to study.

If you need to widen your search, look at other universities offering the appropriate foundation courses. You can also search for Pathways to university programmes on Сư³æ´«Ã½.

Related topics

Search for courses now

International study advice

Read our key advice article to help you make the best decision for your education and start your International study adventure.

Person holding a compass
How to choose the ideal study destination for you

In this article we look at how to approach choosing where in the world you would like to study.

World map on a blackboard
Deciding to study abroad: The first steps

Read Сư³æ´«Ã½'s suggestions on your first steps when deciding where to study abroad, with helpful tips to make your decision easier.

Students reading a book
English Language Testing for International Students

Find out more about English language tests, your options and what is required as an overseas student.

Lady holding bank notes
How much does it really cost to study abroad in 2024?

Сư³æ´«Ã½.com take a detailed look into the costs of studying abroad and all the aspects that you should budget for when embarking on your studies.

A visa document
10 Common Student Visa Question

We answer 10 common questions about applying for a student visa to help make your visa application quick and easy.

A visa document and a world map
International Study Visas

Find out more about international student visas for studying abroad, as well as how, where and when to apply for yours.

A piggy bank with coins
Funding and Scholarships for International Students

Find out more about funding and scholarships for international students, and what financial assistance might be available to you.

Person selecting a book from a shelf
How to choose the right course for you

How to choose a course that fits you? Check our top tips on choosing which course is best for you to help you make an informed decision.

See more international study advice

Sign up to Сư³æ´«Ã½.com

Sign up to Сư³æ´«Ã½.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.

Sign up now
Students with books and test tubes
Search for courses