5 tips from pathway graduates who progressed to their dream degree
Beginning your university journey abroad is exciting but it can feel like stepping into the unknown. There are a lot of new experiences to adjust to: university-level learning, a new country and new people. This is why so many international students decide to begin with a pathway programme.
A pathway programme sets you up for success
A pathway programme is an academic course created specifically for international students and taught by experienced educators. It helps students strengthen their academic knowledge and English language skills, while also preparing them to thrive as global citizens. These programmes build confidence, develop essential skills and provide the foundation for success at university and in future careers.
A pathway programme is also an excellent way to settle into life in a new country and education system. Taught at International Study Centres and Colleges, you will find a welcoming environment that’s all about supporting your goals and getting you to your dream degree.
Studying a pathway programme is proven to better prepare international students for university abroad as 89% of students completing our pathway programmes were eligible to progress to their desired university course.
My time at the International Study Centre was really fun. I got to meet a lot of people from all over the world. I'm grateful for the International Study Centre because it really helped with the time and all the coursework that I had to do in university, it helped me go through it a lot smoother. I really enjoyed my time there.
Verlane from Malaysia
Studied International Foundation Year
5 tips from pathway graduates
We’ve asked some of our students their top tips for studying abroad and how their pathway programme shaped their studies, careers and outlook on the future.
1. See your pathway as the first step, not a backup plan
A pathway programme isn’t a “second option”, it’s the smart first step towards your dream degree. Going into your programme with the mindset of working towards success will make all the difference. During this time you will strengthen study habits, adapt to new teaching styles and plan the next steps that will set you up for long-term success.
Khaled from Egypt used his International Year One programme at the University of Huddersfield International Study Centre as a launchpad to future goals. “I really want to do an MBA, and after working for some years I’ll probably start my own business,” he shares. When you treat your pathway as the first stage of your university life, you give yourself time to grow, explore and build the confidence that will carry you through your degree and beyond.
For Shaurya from India, the International Year One programme at Teesside University International Study Centre provided a strong start that he wouldn’t have gotten if he’d entered the university directly. “It helped me ease into the process,” Shaurya explains. “I wasn’t just put into the class straight away; they took their time and blended me in properly. I got to know the academic staff and my peers even before I joined the class.” By the time he progressed to his full degree at Teesside University, he already understood the learning style and felt part of the community.
2. Make the most of academic and career support
Support is one of the biggest benefits of a pathway programme. From one-to-one tutor sessions to career guidance, every resource is designed to help you reach your goals. Students who take advantage of these opportunities often find that it shapes their path beyond the classroom.
Yusuf from Turkey highlighted how useful the support was during his Pre-Masters Programme at Liverpool John Moores University International Study Centre. “Liverpool John Moores University has a good career advice service. This group helps students to see in which ways they need to get prepared to write an excellent CV and cover letter, and how to act in a real interview.”
Theresa from Nigeria also made the most of career opportunities during her International Foundation Year at the University of Surrey International Study Centre. “I applied for an internship because I wanted work experience in my field, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself, career wise, because it exposed me to life in the industry as an engineer.”
Both stories show that success comes from being proactive. The earlier you start exploring your interests and building experience, the stronger your skills will be when you progress to your degree.
3. Use your pathway year to build confidence
For many students, the biggest challenge isn’t academic. It’s adjusting to a completely new environment. The pathway year gives you the space to do that without feeling rushed.
Sumeya from Kenya said she chose the International Foundation Year at Durham University International Study Centre because she “needed a year to actually adjust. I didn’t want to throw myself right into the course in the first instance. I felt, because it was a different country, I would need time to figure myself out before I finally started my degree.” Her experience shows that success often comes from pacing yourself. A pathway programme is a great opportunity to learn how to manage your studies, ask for help when you need it and gain the confidence to participate in class. So by the time you progress to your chosen university, you’re not just prepared, you’re ready to thrive.
4. Build connections that last
The connections you make during your pathway year can open doors long after you finish your studies. Networking events, group projects and social activities help you meet people from different backgrounds and industries, and these relationships can pave the way to exciting opportunities and inspire new ambitions.
Studying the International Foundation Year at the University of Leeds International Study Centre, allowed Ivy from Kenya to connect with others, giving her the chance to develop in ways she didn’t expect. “You meet different people when they talk at events, which is helping me build my future,” she shares. “I am developing skills I never had previously, or ever thought I would even have the opportunity to develop.”
Similarly, Natalie from Malaysia who studied business at Durham University, shared that “employability events provided me with countless opportunities to network with people from the finest companies in their respective industries.” These experiences helped her expand her professional network and gain a clearer sense of her career direction. Pair these opportunities with the employability skills you will gain during your pathway programme and you’re looking at a bright future as a highly employable graduate.
Building relationships early creates a sense of belonging, and those connections often become sources of advice, collaboration and opportunity later on.
5. Keep your goals in sight
Every student’s story is different, but the most motivated ones never lose sight of why they started. Having a goal, even if it changes over time, gives your studies meaning and direction.
Omar from Egypt studied the International Foundation Year at the University of Huddersfield International Study Centre and he has a clear vision for his future. “I want a management role, CEO, ideally in Formula One,” he said. “I'd really like to be like Christian Horner – a team principal for a Formula One team. That would be the dream.” His focus drives his motivation through every challenge and keeps him on track to fulfill his career dreams. This has lead to Omar completing an internship at the Red Bull racing Formula One team, proving that if you keep your goals in sight, you can achieve incredible things.
For Awrad from Kuwait, who studied the International Year One at Cardiff University International Study Centre, success means using her skills to create positive change. She has clear goals of working for herself and making the field of architectural engineering more inclusive: “I hope to be working for myself in 10 years’ time and be able to do what I love and be the betterment of society. For us to include other women and encourage them to take part in a male-dominated field is an opportunity to change the view and add new perspectives.”
Whether your goal is to lead, innovate or inspire others, your pathway experience can be the moment that helps you find your direction and start building toward it.
Feeling inspired to take your next step?
For these students, a pathway was more than preparation, it was the start of their success story. With the right support, confidence and mindset, it can be yours too. Find out more about the study options available.
Looking back, I think it was a great decision to join the International Study Centre (ISC) because it's a great way for international students like me to bridge the gap. Studying at the ISC gave us a good foundation, so what we should expect when we start properly at the University of Aberdeen.
Hayder from Iraq
Undergraduate Foundation Programme
BEng Petroleum Engineering