FAQs

In most cases, to apply for an undergraduate or graduate Pathway program, you’ll need to take an IELTS or TOEFL iBT. Minimum language requirements are different for each program and degree, so check the requirements on the program pages. You won’t need to take these tests before applying to the Academic English, General English, Campus Year Abroad or Study Abroad with English programs.

When you submit your application we’ll need copies of your academic transcripts, and a UKVI approved IELTS test may be required for some courses. Read more about UKVI IELTS or contact us for more details. The test must have been taken within the last two years prior to the start date of your intended academic programme. For most English Language programmes you’ll just need to provide your IELTS UKVI certificate. For General English courses you’ll need to provide a copy of your passport.

Accepting your place is easy! Even if you hold a conditional place on a course you can still accept your offer. If, for any reason, you don’t meet your conditions, you'll receive a refund with no cancellation charges payable.

To accept your place, just complete and sign the acceptance form we included with your offer letter and return the form along with your deposit.

Your deposit is part of your total payment which usually includes deposits for the tuition fee and accommodation. You can find the required deposit amount in your offer letter.

If you are going to study in the UK your deposit will also include fees for Uniplan medical insurance. If you are planning to study in the US you will pay your health insurance fees after you arrive at the university.

Your offer letter will explain your different payment options. If you are a sponsored student, (a student that receives financial assistance from a government, organisation or company,) you’ll only be required to pay a deposit for items not provided by your sponsorship, such as accommodation.

If you have any questions about your offer, your course, accommodation, or anything else please contact us or your education counsellor.

You can check details about eligibility requirements for each course or program at any of our universities by using the course selector. If you want to chat with us about what the best choices are for you, we are happy to help!

When you submit your application to a Pathway, you'll need to provide these documents: a copy of your passport, copy(ies) of your academic transcripts and certificates of all high school and post-secondary education, a copy of a valid English language exam, and proof of financial support for your first year of expenses (bank letter or certificate). If you are already studying in the US, you also need to submit a copy of your US visa and current I-20 form. If someone other than you will be paying for your studies, then you need to submit an official financial guarantee from a sponsor or an affidavit of financial support signed by the person whose name appears on the bank letter or certificate.

An International Foundation programme is designed to help when you don’t meet the requirements for direct entry to an undergraduate degree programme. You’ll also adapt to the education system at a British university and improve your English language skills.

The Pathway programs at our US university partners allow you to earn credits toward your bachelor's or master's degree while improving your academic and English language skills. You can save time by entering a Pathway program if your language scores and grades don't quite meet the university's direct entry requirements.

International Year One (sometimes called an International Diploma) is equivalent to the first year of a UK undergraduate degree (or second year at Scottish universities). It will prepare you for second year-entry to your chosen university degree programme (third year if you are studying at a Scottish university). You’ll develop your study skills, English language, and subject knowledge, ready for university study. You'll also receive support from our friendly staff to complete your UCAS application to your chosen degree programme.

A Graduate Diploma in the UK is a pre-master's course. It will prepare you for a master's degree in the UK. You’ll learn about postgraduate study, covering areas such as research skills, English language skills, group work and effective time management. You’ll also benefit from guidance on personal and academic development. (Note: In the US, this type of program is called a graduate Pathway, which guarantees your progression to full degree status and usually allows you to earn credits toward your master's degree.)

We offer several academic English courses in the UK: Academic English (AE), General English and Pre-sessional English courses. With Academic English, you’ll learn about the language and gain the study skills needed for successful academic study at university. Pre-sessional English will help you if you hold an offer from a university for an undergraduate or postgraduate course and are academically qualified, but want to improve your English. It focuses on academic English and general study skills.

A multi-pathway or choice centre is an INTO Centre where you study an INTO pathway and can progress to a wide range of universities in the UK. The multi-pathway centres are INTO Manchester (progressing to NCUK universities), INTO London (progressing to INTO Affiliate universities) and INTO University of Stirling (progressing to a range of leading Scottish universities).

You can take a Secure English Language Test (SELT), or contact us to find out more about taking an INTO test. IELTS tests are Secure English Language Tests that are taken at approved testing centres and provide evidence of your English language level.

You’ll be expected to: attend classes on time; complete all coursework and exams; respect other students and staff; work hard in, and out of, class; and, ensure all work submitted is your own.

If you fail an assessment you may be able to re-sit it. Failing a course, or having to re-sit, may affect the choice of universities you can progress to. But, we’ll be there to advise you on your options.

100% of INTO students who pass pathway courses progress to higher education.

We guarantee to find you a place to study on an appropriate degree and university if you successfully complete your International Foundation programme, follow professional advice offered by INTO staff and meet minimum attendance requirements.

As a successful pathway student, you’ll have access to a number of university progression options. Each progression option will follow a specific pathway and specific requirements for both English/study skills and overall grade. You’ll also find some courses have specific requirements, such as:

• successfully completing an interview;
• having previously studied a relevant discipline;
• having previously completed a degree; or
• having IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in English language.

Normally, it will take you three years to complete a standard undergraduate degree (four years in Scotland). A master's degree normally takes a year, and a PhD takes three years.

Normally it will take you four years to complete a standard bachelor's degree in the US, including the undergraduate Pathway. Most master's degrees in the US are designed to be completed in two years. Some terminal master's degrees (such as the MBA) are designed to be completed in three years. A PhD takes about five years to complete.

When you arrive at a UK airport, you'll need to enter the UK through Immigration. You'll meet an Immigration Officer who will check your documents.

• If you are coming to the UK on a Tier 4 visa, please provide Immigration with your CAS statement, the first few pages of your offer from INTO, your passport and your visa.
• If you are coming into the UK on a student visa, please provide Immigration with your visa letter, a copy of your unconditional offer and your passport.

Once you have been through Immigration you can collect your luggage and go to your INTO Centre.

When you arrive in the US, you'll need to present the following to the Immigration Officer: Passport with new visa inside, I-20, I-94 Card (small white card you'll be given on the plane) and a Customs form. You should also have your admission letter and proof of finances in your carry-on luggage in case you are asked to show them. You'll then need to collect your baggage. We do our best to have staff and students waiting to greet you when you arrive at the airport near your university. If you requested an airport transfer from us, we will arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation.

Only pack as much as you can physically carry! Most airlines allow 20–23 kg of checked luggage and there are strict size and weight restrictions on all hand luggage. Make sure that you keep documents, essential medication (and related prescription), your phone and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. Check the pre-departure guide for a more detailed packing list.

In the UK, you should arrive two days before your course start date. If you're late, you may miss classes and important induction events. In the US, your student visa allows you to enter the country 30 days before the program start date. If you will live on campus and choose to arrive before the assigned move-in date, you will need to arrange your own temporary housing. Check the pre-departure guide for to find information about local hotels.

We can arrange for a taxi to meet you upon arrival at the airport. To book a pickup, please complete the arrival details form and return it to the INTO Admissions Office for your chosen Centre at least seven days before you arrive. In the US, we do our best to have staff and students greet you at the airport near the university when you arrive.

All universities and centres have Wi-Fi, so you'll be able to Skype home. You may also want to check with your mobile/cell phone operator before you leave to ensure it will work in your destination.

You'll apply for accommodation in your course or program application. If you do not apply for accommodation when you apply for your course, you can contact our admissions team to add accommodation later. We do recommend that you apply for accommodation as early as possible since space fills up quickly at each of our centres.

Accommodation is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis in the UK. Once you've paid your accommodation deposit you'll be guaranteed your preferred accommodation. Some of our US universities require on-campus housing for students with an undergraduate Pathway in their Study Plans; your housing is guaranteed if it is a requirement for your program.

Each country has specific visa requirements which we will help you to understand.

You can pay your fees by bank transfer or by credit card. Full details of your deposit, and how you can pay it, will be included in your offer letter.

You'll need to pay your fees before you start your course to avoid delaying your registration. If you're paying by credit card, you'll usually need to let your provider know in advance.

Refunds can only be made where visa applications are refused or you don't meet the required conditions.

You'll need to pay a deposit to hold a place on your chosen course up until six weeks before the course starts. If you have applied for accommodation, you will need to pay an additional deposit to guarantee your placement in accommodation.

We recommend you bring enough money to cover your first two weeks costs. This should be around £250 or $400. Please don't carry larger amounts of cash. Check our country guides to find out how we help you set up a bank account.

You'll need to have full travel, medical and health insurance. Unless you provide proof of suitable insurance during the application process, we will register you for appropriate medical insurance for your study plan. If you will study in the UK, Uniplan Insurance will automatically be added to your course fees. If you will study in the US, you will pay your fees after you arrive at your university.

You'll be given this during Welcome or Orientation Week. Once you have your student card you'll be able to use all the facilities on campus.

If your information changes before you arrive you should inform the admissions team that processed your application. If your details change while you are at the centre or university, you'll need to give your new information to the staff at your centre or university.

Yes! Most cities have European restaurants and grocery stores, Asian supermarkets and other international stores which sell authentic ingredients. Larger cities have a Chinatown district and international neighborhoods with restaurants that offer authentic cuisine. Please plan to share your home recipes with university staff and classmates.

Yes! Many larger supermarkets will have a halal foods section. You'll also find halal food shops in many cities, particularly in the UK and in larger cities in the US.

Yes! Universities offer a large variety of cuisine in on-campus dining halls and restaurants, particularly in the US. You will always be able to find vegetarian, Kosher, halal and gluten-free options. In most cases, university dining services will take student suggestions for recipes, so if you want to see a specific item on the menu, please ask!

INTO UEA is an examination center for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that offers exam dates throughout the year.

• The IELTS Academic test measures the English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher education environment.
• The IELTS General Training test measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context.

Both tests assess all of your English language skills including reading, writing, listening and speaking. You’ll receive separate scores for each of these skills, as well as an overall score.

You can open a bank account in the UK after you arrive and register at your study centre. You’ll need your student enrolment letter in order to open a student bank account. Our student services will guide you through this process during your induction week.

You’ll need to bring your passport, visa, CAS Statement, transcripts, certificates and TB certificate, if applicable.

We’ll provide you with essentials such as a pillow, duvet and bedding, if you’re planning to stay at INTO residential accommodation.

If you'd like to study in the UK, you may need to take an IELTS Academic for UKVI to show your English language ability in order to apply for a Tier 4 Student visa. All students applying for a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, at below degree level, must provide an appropriate IELTS Academic for UKVI with their visa application.

Don’t worry if you haven’t received your final transcripts and certificates yet. We can always give you an offer that’s conditional on achieving specific academic or English grades. When you provide your final certificates and meet the conditions of your offer, we will change your offer to an unconditional one.

No, you won’t need a visa to study in the UK. Although the UK recently voted to leave the EU, this will have no effect for at least two years. Please contact us for further details.

Yes, you may need a visa for an INTO course.

You’ll need to provide a recent bank statement in your name, or your parent's name, showing funds to cover full tuition fees + £1265 per month of study with INTO (up to a maximum of nine).

INTO Manchester and INTO London operate on the INTO Manchester sponsor license. Students studying at other INTO centres will be sponsored for their tier 4 VISA by their host university.

You’ll need to provide a bank statement in your name, or your parent's name, showing funds to cover full tuition fees + £1015 per month of study with INTO (up to a maximum of nine).

Students from some countries are required to provide a TB certificate.

You’ll need to hold an unconditional offer to study with INTO and have paid your deposit for your INTO course. We’ll then issue a CAS number that you’ll use for your visa application.

Applications can be made online for Tier 4 visas via the UK Government’s website.

If you are studying at INTO London or INTO Manchester, you’ll need to return home to apply for a new visa. If you are studying at another centres, you can apply for your next visa in the UK, if the course starts within 28 days of the end of your current visa.

Students at INTO Manchester and INTO London can’t work in the UK on a Tier 4 visa. Students at other INTO centres can work a maximum of 10 hours per week, or 20 hours per week if studying a Graduate Diploma or undergraduate/postgraduate degree.

Yes, we speak Arabic, Russian, Chinese and Farsi.

Yes, you can.

A tourist visa will only allow you to study for four weeks.

Most of our centres can provide a walk-in assessment for English language for the English for University Study (EUS) programme.

Four terms of study in the UK will require a Tier 4 visa.

All our centres are multinational and we have students from all over the world.

On this course you’ll study Academic English. You’ll learn how to develop your academic skills such as researching and presenting, alongside improving your English.

Most of our centres accept students of 16 years of age and above.

General English is for everyday conversation. It will improve your English language skills but it isn’t designed to help students prepare for IELTS.

You’ll need to check with other non-INTO partners, if they accept our assessment.

If you achieve the equivalent IELTS grade required by our INTO partner, you won’t need to re-take IELTS.

To ensure you are eligible to progress on to the relevant university, you must:

• Meet the minimum attendance requirements for your INTO course.
• Meet the University’s required progression grades for your chosen degree course - each individual degree programme has unique progression requirements.
• Follow the academic advice and guidance of INTO staff throughout your pathway programme.

If you follow these guidelines, we guarantee you a conditional offer at your pathway provider university. If you are studying at one of our multi-pathway choice Centres, you will be eligible for a conditional offer at a relevant INTO affiliate or partner university.

Have questions about progression? Contact us

Due to changes in the way visas are being processed they can take up to 30 working days to come through. It is recommended you apply as soon as you have received your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from INTO.

INTO Centres in the UK and US have partnered with Ingenico, one of the world’s major payment providers, to take payments via Ingenico’s GlobalCollect platform.

Working with Ingenico allows INTO to offer a much broader range of secure payment methods and currencies in many countries across the world.

This is why you will see GlobalCollect’s name on your bank statement and not the name of the INTO Centre in question.

You will also see GlobalConnect as the account name for local payments.