Apply

International Foundation in Architecture

Queen’s University Belfast International Study Centre

Prepare for entry to Year 1 of a professionally accredited undergraduate degree in Architecture or Planning, Environment and Development at Queen's University Belfast.

There's no portfolio requirement for admission to the International Foundation in Architecture - you'll prepare your art portfolio during the program.

If you have a higher English language level, you may qualify for our iCAS – integrated Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – program. Combining your pathway and degree in a single study plan, you’ll only need one visa for the duration of your studies and can apply with alternative English language qualifications to IELTS.

Apply for one of our iCAS programs.

Key Information

  • No portfolio requirement - the only Russell Group university with no portfolio needed for Foundation entry.
  • Progress to Year 1 of a professionally accredited undergraduate degree at a UK top 10 architecture school (The Complete University Guide 2027).
  • Learn from a qualified and highly experienced architect, with help developing your art portfolio during the program.
  • Develop self-evaluation skills through weekly informal critiques of work produced in class.
  • Learn in classes set up as workshops, and have the opportunity to draw and make detailed models.
  • 100% of students progressed to BSc (Hons) Architecture at Queen's (based on students progressing in 2022).

Course Details

International Foundation in Architecture

Queen’s University Belfast International Study Centre

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bermuda
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • China Mainland
  • Congo, Democratic Republic of the
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong, China
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • International
  • Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Korea (South)
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao, China
  • Macedonia, Republic of
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestinian Territory
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and Grenadines
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)
  • Taiwan, China
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania, United Republic of
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic)
  • Viet Nam
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
Age Requirement

16

All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 01 September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the Center. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 01 September of the preceding calendar year. Therefore have turned 17 before 01 September of the year they progress to university.
Academic Requirements
Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. All students must hold a GCSE grade 4/C Mathematics or equivalent.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in all subskills) or equivalent.
iCAS

If you have a higher English language level, you may qualify for our iCAS – integrated Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – programme. Combining your pathway and degree in a single study plan, you’ll only need one visa for the duration of your studies and can apply with alternative English language qualifications to IELTS.

Apply for one of our iCAS programs

DISCLAIMER: Although we strive for accuracy and completeness on this page, in certain circumstances entry requirements may change. We do our best to keep this page up to date and to inform applicants of such changes promptly. For details of how and when entry requirements may change, please review our Terms and Conditions. If you feel you have been unfairly disadvantaged due to a change in entry requirements you may raise a complaint via our complaint process.

Academic Year 2026/27

14th September 2026 - 18th June 2027

  • Term 1: 14th September 2026 - 11th December 2026
  • Term 2: 4th January 2027 - 26th March 2027
  • Term 3: 12th April 2027 - 18th June 2027
Academic Year 2026/27

11th January 2027 - 27th August 2027

  • Term 1: 11th January 2027 - 19th March 2027
  • Term 2: 5th April 2027 - 28th May 2027
  • Term 3: 31st May 2027 - 27th August 2027

Estimated cost of attendance

Tuition fee

£ 20,500.00

Enrolment fee

£ 275.00

Textbooks

£ 340.00 - 515.00

Studio or lab fee (compulsory - programme dependent)

£ 575.00

Approximate cost

£ 21,690.00 - 21,865.00

The cost of your study plan may vary depending on factors including the pathway chosen, programme length and choice of accommodation.

Prices shown here are provisional and reflect the cost of tuition fees for this programme for the 2026/27 academic year. Tuition fees for this programme may increase in future academic years. See more information about tuition fees here.

All students who confirm their offer on or before 30 November 2026 will pay the 2026/2027 price as per their existing offer letter. After 30 November 2026, where tuition fees have increased, all current offers will be reissued and students will receive a new offer with the new 2027/2028 pricing. Please note that the fees listed are for Year 1 of study only.

You’ll typically need to earn 120 credits from all module options to successfully complete the programme.
Core modules
Credit Units
English Language and Study Skills -FDN30 Credit Units
Practical Skills for Art Portfolio30 Credit Units
Principles of Architectural Design and Practice30 Credit Units
Elective modules
Foundation Mathematics30 Credit Units
Foundation Politics and International Relations30 Credit Units
Please note that the modules listed here reflect the course structure for the 2025/26 academic year and may not reflect the structure of the course in future academic years. Should the structure of the course – including the modules studied as part of it – change, we will inform applicants at the earliest opportunity. More information about when we might make changes to our courses – and your rights if we do – can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

P

= Placement option available

A

= Study abroad option available

After successfully completing your pathway programme and achieving the specified academic and English language requirements, you can enter your degree. Explore the available degrees and their entry requirements below.

No results found, please search again