Guildford is a well-off county town about thirty-five minutes by train from London Waterloo, and the University of Surrey sits on a hill beside its cathedral. The International Study Centre on campus is run with Study Group and teaches foundation, first-year and pre-master's programmes. Surrey is known for engineering, hospitality, business and its professional training placement year. Passing at the right level leads into a Surrey degree.
Guildford, United Kingdom
Official website: isc.surrey.ac.uk
Pathway centre run with Study Group
University of Surrey
Stag Hill, Guildford
£20,000 – £26,000
International students, pathway programmes, per year
£13,000 – £16,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on isc.surrey.ac.uk before you apply.
International Foundation Year (Business, Economics and Law)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0
International Foundation Year (Engineering and Science)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0
International Year One (Business Management)
DiplomaDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5
Pre-Master's (Business and Management)
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5
Pathway teaching on Surrey's main campus.
Progression into degrees with a professional training year.
Guildford's short train ride to London.
Most students progress into a Surrey degree after passing.
Surrey's placement year gives students UK work experience before graduating.
Graduates can apply for the UK Graduate visa.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Stag Hill campus has a lake, residences and teaching buildings on one site, a few minutes' walk from Guildford station. The cobbled High Street runs down to the River Wey.
Guildford is safe and green, with the Surrey Hills close by, but rents are high for a town of its size. London is under forty minutes by train.
CAS from University of Surrey
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
The centre accepts applications year-round. Apply two to three months before your start date to leave time for the CAS and visa.
Most programmes start in September or January.
A UK Student visa, sponsored by University of Surrey. Once you hold a CAS, apply online, show funds held for 28 days, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Most decisions come back within three weeks from outside the UK.
Business, economics and engineering foundations, the business first year and the business pre-master's are popular. Foundation entry needs completed secondary school and IELTS around 5.0; the pre-master's needs a bachelor's degree and IELTS 5.5.
Study Group offers some scholarships on pathway fees, and Surrey has awards for international students who progress. Ask when you apply.
