For international students wishing to study in England and ease gently into student life, the University of Southampton Pathway Centre provides foundation courses. Foundation programmes are managed by ONCAMPUS Southampton, giving students the chance to get used to student life whilst acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to progress to the undergraduate level.

Students complete a foundation programme, studying for up to 25 hours per week. This provides enough free time for a part-time job to cover everyday living costs. Most foundation courses are completed over one academic year, as students get used to life in Southampton and develop their understanding of colloquial and formal English.

Studying a foundation course, students have access to wellbeing support and university facilities. Each student will follow the pathway most suited to their future plans, being assigned to the Business, Economics, Finance and Management pathway, the Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway, the Humanities and Social Sciences pathway, the Life Sciences pathway or the Art and Design pathway, before progressing on to their chosen degree study course.

ONCAMPUS courses are specifically designed for students that have completed their high school exams in their own country, but do not qualify immediately for degree study in the UK.