About the course
International Year Zero (IYZ) is the first, foundation-level stage of a four-year International Incorporated Bachelor’s (IIB) degree, offered at the University of Bedfordshire in a range of popular subjects.
IYZ is designed to help you gain extra skills in your subject area as well as in English language, before you continue to year one of your chosen University of Bedfordshire undergraduate degree course. You choose your subject degree before you start your IIB.
The course is divided into three 10-week terms of teaching plus two days of final assessments. Each unit is studied in a single term or across two terms. To pass the course, you must submit all assignments and pass all of the units, gaining 100 credits out of a possible 120 credits.
Why choose this course?
- Learn in small classes with an emphasis on participation in a lively learning environment
- Work with highly qualified, experienced tutors who are sympathetic to the needs of international students
- Benefit from having your progress supported through detailed feedback on exercises you complete during each unit
- Study for 20 hours a week in class and work a similar number of hours independently outside class time
We support you every step of the way
We offer a Merit Scholarship, worth £2,400* over 3 academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 112 UCAS tariff points or more for UK and EU applicants.
We also offer a range of financial support for those of you applying from outside of the UK and EU.

Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Academic English Skills (FYU004-0) Compulsory
- Cefl Subject Studies (FYU005-0) Compulsory
- English For Specific Purposes (FYU006-0) Compulsory
- English For Study (FYU007-0) Compulsory
How will I be assessed?
The assessment strategy for this course takes account of the combined goals of developing subject knowledge, English language competence and academic skills. The range of assessment tasks is therefore broad, incorporating: essays; poster presentations; examinations; portfolios; case studies; oral presentations; projects. The research related unit aims to bring together many of the skills learned during the year and give students a taste of planning and managing a research project related to one of the subjects that they have been studying.
Why study in the School of Education and English?
- Broad spectrum of opportunities to study language and linguistics
- 92% satisfaction with English Language and TEFL, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
To learn more about the following UCAS entry requirement tariffs:
- 80 – 96 tariff points
- 96 – 112 tariff points
- 112- 120 tariff points
and information on qualifications to achieve those points visit beds.ac.uk/entryrequirements
You can check your qualifications are valid for UK universities through the UCAS Tariff Calculator
For International and EU entry requirements please visit your country page
Don't forget you may be eligible for one of our scholarships or bursaries
Entry Requirements
Applying from the UK?
To learn more about the following UCAS entry requirement tariffs:
- 80 – 96 tariff points
- 96 – 112 tariff points
- 112- 120 tariff points
and information on qualifications to achieve those points visit beds.ac.uk/entryrequirements
You can check your qualifications are valid for UK universities through the UCAS Tariff Calculator
Applying from outside of the UK?
For International and EU entry requirements please visit your country page
Don't forget you may be eligible for one of our scholarships or bursaries
How will this course improve my career prospects?
Having undertaken a year of foundation level study, your English Language and academic skills will enable you to begin degree level study at the University of Bedfordshire feeling confident and eager for the challenges you will face. You will also feel 'at home' within the culture of higher education in the UK.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Fees and Funding
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Extra Costs
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student