STEM & Natural Sciences Pathway
Part of King's International Foundation Programme
Key information
This STEM & Natural Sciences foundation pathway is the ideal choice for anyone interested in studying traditional sciences, technology or engineering at a university level. If you choose the STEM & Natural Sciences pathway, you may be eligible to progress to a range of degrees that includes Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, General Engineering, Natural Sciences and Physics. However, you will not be guaranteed a conditional offer or be able to apply for Law directly, as you must apply via UCAS and submit your LNAT score as part of your application. You can read more about the modules and visit our module combination pages via the 'Teaching & structure' tab below. Select your modules carefully and look at our progression page to check the recommended and eligible degree tabs for each module combination for a detailed list of appropriate degrees.
You can browse the optional module combinations below and find the entry requirements so that you know what you need to be aiming for to receive a conditional offer.
Core modules
What does this course cover?
This foundation pathway focuses on the STEM and natural sciences academic content to enable you to progress to your desired undergraduate degree.
It is also designed to improve your English language skills in a scientific and academic setting. Throughout your foundation pathway, you’ll learn how to use academic sources and discover how to structure and write things like essays and lab reports or give academic presentations. You’ll improve the way you express yourself through speaking and writing and be able to understand more information when listening or reading.
Your scientific focus will extend to another compulsory Mathematics for Natural Sciences module that will teach you the A-level equivalent mathematics you need to study natural sciences or maths at degree level. You’ll cover things like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, complex numbers, differentiation and integration, and their application in pure and applied areas of maths.
During your STEM & Natural Sciences foundation pathway, you’ll also take a compulsory Science and Society module. This investigates how the development of scientific knowledge and technology poses ethical dilemmas while also looking at the philosophy and history of sciences.
You’ll explore the cultural norms, ideas, and practices of academic culture in the UK and compare them to perspectives from around the world to prepare you for life at a British university.
You will complete your foundation pathway by choosing one optional module. Depending on your university ambitions, you may opt to study physics, computer science, engineering, biology or chemistry.
Please note, students aiming to progress to Law will need to take the LNAT and complete an application via UCAS for university.
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Students that need a visa
If you need to apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK, we can only accept IELTS and Pearson results that have been provided by test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration: IELTS for UKVI (Academic) and PTE (Academic) UKVI are only valid if taken within two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. You can find a list of approved test centres on the UKVI website.
(*please see note below regarding English Language Entry Requirements for the King's International Foundation programme and Extended King's International Foundation programme.)
Students who don't need a visa
| Test | King's International Foundation | Extended King's International Foundation* |
| Cambridge Exams | 169 overall with a minimum of 160 in each skill | 162 overall with a minimum of 154 in each skill |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall with no skill below 5.5 | From 5.5 overall with no skill below 5.0, to 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 overall with a minimum of 54 in each communicative skill | 54 overall with a minimum of 46 in each communicative skill |
| TOEFL iBT Institution code: 0394 | 80 overall with a minimum of 20 in each skills | 72 overall with a minimum of 17 in writing/speaking and 15 in listening/reading |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Level III with pass in each skill | Level II with pass in each skill |
*Students who exceed this requirement will be transferred to the King's International Foundation programme, which starts on 29 September 2025. Students who exceed this English language requirement and still want to be considered for the Extended King's International Foundation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Tutor.
Teaching
This STEM and Natural Sciences foundation pathway is a full-time, 120-credit programme. Students study four 30-credit modules. All students undertake a minimum of 15 hours of live, face-to-face study on the pathway, in addition to an average of 20 hours of self-study a week. This includes preparation for live sessions, homework, completion of assignments, revision and any other work set by your teachers.
The STEM and Natural Sciences foundation pathway is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and small group classes, which help you prepare for your undergraduate degree studies. Face-to-face teaching is complemented and supported by innovative technology with elements of digital learning and assessment embedded into the programme.
Every student is assigned a personal tutor. They will provide you with the regular opportunity to review your learning, academic progress and general well-being as you progress through your studies.
Assessment
The nature of assessment varies by module. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations. The type of assessment may include:
- Essays
- Exams
- Presentations
- Practical laboratory examinations
See each module page for more details.
Modules
You will study the following modules on this course:
- English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
- Science & Society
- Mathematics for Natural Science
You will choose one optional module from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Physics
*You will either study English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking, depending on your level of English when you start the course.
All of the modules support your subject and linguistic skills development as they encourage you to analyse concepts and develop ideas in your chosen subject area.
Deposit
Upon accepting an offer for the King’s International Foundation Programme, you are required to pay a deposit of £5,500 to secure your place by the deadline, which will be stated in your offer. If you do not pay the deposit or provide evidence of financial sponsorship by the deadline stated in your offer, your offer will expire, and King’s reserves the right not to reinstate the offer.
This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an offer (unconditional or conditional) to study with us and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
Payments are made online through the King's Apply portal.
All students need to pay the deposit, with the exception of sponsored students. If you are being sponsored by an employer or your government, for example, you will need to provide a valid Financial Guarantee letter. Please contact our Admissions team if you have any questions.
Application fee: £75
Our King’s International Foundation Programmes require a non-refundable application fee before you can submit your application to be considered. This step is built into the application process. Please note that payment of an application fee does not guarantee that you will receive an offer for your chosen programme, as many of our programmes are competitive.
If you apply for a pathway and receive a rejection your application fee will not be refunded. If you then choose to apply for a different pathway you will need to pay another application fee.
Please ensure that you carefully read the information about your chosen pathway and modules before applying.
Note: if you receive an offer, our King’s International Foundation Programme will also require a deposit to secure your place. This is in addition to the application fee; however, the deposit is used as a partial payment of the tuition fees upon enrolment. Your offer letter will include details of any deposit you must pay, deadlines, and payment methods. You should not make a deposit payment unless instructed to do so as part of an offer.
Find out more about how to apply for the International Foundation Programme.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to your application and tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:
- Accommodation and living costs
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- Books if you need your own copy or they are required for your module
- Library fees and fines
- Society membership fees
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Stationery
- Graduation costs
Please see our student Terms and Conditions for further fee details, including our refund policy.
You can browse the optional module combinations below and find the entry requirements so that you know what you need to be aiming for to receive a conditional offer.
Core modules
What does this course cover?
This foundation pathway focuses on the STEM and natural sciences academic content to enable you to progress to your desired undergraduate degree.
It is also designed to improve your English language skills in a scientific and academic setting. Throughout your foundation pathway, you’ll learn how to use academic sources and discover how to structure and write things like essays and lab reports or give academic presentations. You’ll improve the way you express yourself through speaking and writing and be able to understand more information when listening or reading.
Your scientific focus will extend to another compulsory Mathematics for Natural Sciences module that will teach you the A-level equivalent mathematics you need to study natural sciences or maths at degree level. You’ll cover things like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, complex numbers, differentiation and integration, and their application in pure and applied areas of maths.
During your STEM & Natural Sciences foundation pathway, you’ll also take a compulsory Science and Society module. This investigates how the development of scientific knowledge and technology poses ethical dilemmas while also looking at the philosophy and history of sciences.
You’ll explore the cultural norms, ideas, and practices of academic culture in the UK and compare them to perspectives from around the world to prepare you for life at a British university.
You will complete your foundation pathway by choosing one optional module. Depending on your university ambitions, you may opt to study physics, computer science, engineering, biology or chemistry.
Please note, students aiming to progress to Law will need to take the LNAT and complete an application via UCAS for university.
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Students that need a visa
If you need to apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK, we can only accept IELTS and Pearson results that have been provided by test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration: IELTS for UKVI (Academic) and PTE (Academic) UKVI are only valid if taken within two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. You can find a list of approved test centres on the UKVI website.
(*please see note below regarding English Language Entry Requirements for the King's International Foundation programme and Extended King's International Foundation programme.)
Students who don't need a visa
| Test | King's International Foundation | Extended King's International Foundation* |
| Cambridge Exams | 169 overall with a minimum of 160 in each skill | 162 overall with a minimum of 154 in each skill |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall with no skill below 5.5 | From 5.5 overall with no skill below 5.0, to 6.0 overall, with no skill below 5.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 overall with a minimum of 54 in each communicative skill | 54 overall with a minimum of 46 in each communicative skill |
| TOEFL iBT Institution code: 0394 | 80 overall with a minimum of 20 in each skills | 72 overall with a minimum of 17 in writing/speaking and 15 in listening/reading |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Level III with pass in each skill | Level II with pass in each skill |
*Students who exceed this requirement will be transferred to the King's International Foundation programme, which starts on 29 September 2025. Students who exceed this English language requirement and still want to be considered for the Extended King's International Foundation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Tutor.
Teaching
This STEM and Natural Sciences foundation pathway is a full-time, 120-credit programme. Students study four 30-credit modules. All students undertake a minimum of 15 hours of live, face-to-face study on the pathway, in addition to an average of 20 hours of self-study a week. This includes preparation for live sessions, homework, completion of assignments, revision and any other work set by your teachers.
The STEM and Natural Sciences foundation pathway is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and small group classes, which help you prepare for your undergraduate degree studies. Face-to-face teaching is complemented and supported by innovative technology with elements of digital learning and assessment embedded into the programme.
Every student is assigned a personal tutor. They will provide you with the regular opportunity to review your learning, academic progress and general well-being as you progress through your studies.
Assessment
The nature of assessment varies by module. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations. The type of assessment may include:
- Essays
- Exams
- Presentations
- Practical laboratory examinations
See each module page for more details.
Modules
You will study the following modules on this course:
- English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking*
- Science & Society
- Mathematics for Natural Science
You will choose one optional module from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Physics
*You will either study English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking, depending on your level of English when you start the course.
All of the modules support your subject and linguistic skills development as they encourage you to analyse concepts and develop ideas in your chosen subject area.
Deposit
Upon accepting an offer for the King’s International Foundation Programme, you are required to pay a deposit of £5,500 to secure your place by the deadline, which will be stated in your offer. If you do not pay the deposit or provide evidence of financial sponsorship by the deadline stated in your offer, your offer will expire, and King’s reserves the right not to reinstate the offer.
This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an offer (unconditional or conditional) to study with us and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.
Payments are made online through the King's Apply portal.
All students need to pay the deposit, with the exception of sponsored students. If you are being sponsored by an employer or your government, for example, you will need to provide a valid Financial Guarantee letter. Please contact our Admissions team if you have any questions.
Application fee: £75
Our King’s International Foundation Programmes require a non-refundable application fee before you can submit your application to be considered. This step is built into the application process. Please note that payment of an application fee does not guarantee that you will receive an offer for your chosen programme, as many of our programmes are competitive.
If you apply for a pathway and receive a rejection your application fee will not be refunded. If you then choose to apply for a different pathway you will need to pay another application fee.
Please ensure that you carefully read the information about your chosen pathway and modules before applying.
Note: if you receive an offer, our King’s International Foundation Programme will also require a deposit to secure your place. This is in addition to the application fee; however, the deposit is used as a partial payment of the tuition fees upon enrolment. Your offer letter will include details of any deposit you must pay, deadlines, and payment methods. You should not make a deposit payment unless instructed to do so as part of an offer.
Find out more about how to apply for the International Foundation Programme.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to your application and tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:
- Accommodation and living costs
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- Books if you need your own copy or they are required for your module
- Library fees and fines
- Society membership fees
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Stationery
- Graduation costs
Please see our student Terms and Conditions for further fee details, including our refund policy.
Key information
