Entry requirements
Below you will find academic entry requirements for admission to all of our courses. If you have any doubts about whether you meet these requirements, please contact us:
For admission to the International Foundation Year
Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study (see table below)
Age: Students are usually 17 years old
Nationality: Available to international and EU students
| China (Mainland) | Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 70% or Senior High 3 at an average of 65% or above |
| China (Hong Kong) | HKCEE 4 x E's in academic subjects or Form 5 in a minimum of 3 academic subjects (grades will be assessed on a case by case basis) or HKDSE with minimum grades 222 in relevant subjects. There is no Maths requirement for the Creative Arts/Humanities routes |
| China (Macau) | Successful completion of form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with average grade 60-65% in relevant subjects |
For admission to the International Year One
Academic: One or more of the following (please see table below):
- Excellent (senior) high school graduation grades
- Completed A Levels, IB or an internationally-recognised Foundation Year programme
- Completed the first year of an HND or Advanced Diploma
- In the first year of study on a relevant undergraduate degree
Experience: Relevant work experience (for mature students only)
Age: Students are usually 18+ years old
Nationality: Available to international and EU students
| China (Mainland) | Successful completion of Senior High 3 at an average of 80% in 4 relevant subjects |
| China (Hong Kong) | Successful completion of HKALE 2 A Level subject passes or 1 A Level plus 2 AS Level passes. Or, successful completion of HKDSE with minimum grades of 333 in 3 relevant subjects |
| China (Macau) | Successful completion of form 6 or Senior Middle 3 with average grade 70% in relevant subjects |
For admission to the Pre-Master's
Academic: One or more of the following (please see table below):
- Recognised higher/advanced diploma in a related subject area
- Recognised degree in related field (eg BSC Business Studies)
- Honours degree in any subject (eg BA International Relations)
Age: Students are normally at least 20 years old
Nationality: Available to international and EU students
| China (Mainland) | 3 year Junior College Diploma at 60% in a related subject or a recognised first degree or JCD (4 years) at 60% %) (3 year Junior College Diploma holders of a non-classroom based, non-related major will be assessed on a case by case basis.) |
| China (Hong Kong) | Recognised first degree (honours/ordinary) in related subject area |
| China (Macau) | Recognised first degree (honours/ordinary) GPA 2.0 in related subject area |
If you require additional English language training before you start your ISC academic programme, you can first join either the English Language Preparation (ELP) or the English for Pre-Master’s (EPM) programmes, delivered at the International Study Centre. English Language Preparation
International Foundation Year
You will need an IELTS of 4.5 (minimum 4.0 in writing) or equivalent to begin the International Foundation Year. If you have an IELTS of 4.0 (4.0 in all components), you will need one term of English language training and two terms if you are currently at IELTS 3.5.
International Year One
You will need an IELTS of 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in writing) or equivalent to begin International Year One. If you have an IELTS of 4.5 (with 4.5 in writing), you will need one term of English language training and two terms if you are currently at IELTS 4.0 (with 4.0 in writing).
Pre-Master's
You will need an IELTS of 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all components) or equivalent to begin the Pre-Master’s. If you have an IELTS of 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in all components) you will need one term of English for Pre-Master’s, and if you have an IELTS of 4.5 (minimum 4.5 in all components), you will need two terms.
