Avalon's University Foundation

Avalon’s Foundation Degree programme provides a gateway to study at a UK university and/or a career in Business, Management, Law, Economics and other related studies.

What will it qualify me to study at university?

By completing Avalon’s Foundation Degree Programme you are eligible to apply to any university, for any course except Medicine. This course teaches transferable skills, qualities that are essential for any course. If you are successful in the Foundation Exam, you will automatically be accepted at 3 Universities:

Coventry University

University of Bedfordshire

University of Derby

What will I study on the University Foundation Year?
This course will provide you with the academic training, language and study skills to start your undergraduate studies. Avalon promises to:

• Develop your English language abilities in order for you to successfully compete with your classmates at university

• Teach you the study and life skills which you will need on your degree programme

• Provide you with academic training to prepare you for UK Higher Education study

There are three essential parts to this course that you will study. These modules are IELTS (essential entry requirement for every UK university), Undergraduate Study Skills and a professional business subject for academic training.

1. IELTS

In this module, students follow the IELTS exam syllabus. They bring their English skills up to the correct level, and concentrate on the language needed in university study.

This includes:

• Reading and analysing texts & graphs

• Writing essays

• Speaking & Listening

Students can take the IELTS exam if they wish. All universities have a minimum IELTS score as an entry requirement.

2. Transferable Academic Study Skills

This part of the course focuses on the skills you need to study in university. They include:

• Listening to lectures & Taking Notes

• Research & Referencing

• Participating in Seminars & Tutorials

• Essays & Scientific Writing

• Presentations

• Exam Technique

• Team-Working

• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

We use books prepared by the University of Reading.

Intended learning outcomes from Academic Study Skills

Assessable outcomes

This module should enable students to:

• produce well-organised and relevant written work, which makes use of appropriate use of language and academic style

• demonstrate effective communication skills - written and oral

• problem solve academic questions

• interpret and analyse a range of information

• use IT as required (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, email and the internet)

• work with others in a team. You will learn skills in negotiating, listening to others in the group, sharing responsibilities/tasks and meeting deadlines.

Weekly Schedule for Study Skills
Every week the students will:

• Listen to a mini-lecture from their tutor – on a variety of topics.

• Take notes

• Reconstruct the main points in teams

• Clarify their understanding by questioning the tutor

• Receive research tasks from the tutor

• Clarify the task with peers and tutor

• Research the topic either individually in pairs, using library and internet

• Write a short essay on the topic

• Give a presentation to the class and get feedback from peers and tutor

• Participate in a discussion seminar.

Our Philosophy

At the beginning of the course, all your study takes place during class time. So your tutor is there to guide you at all times, and your fellow students are studying next to you – you are not left alone to study at home. During internet research sessions, you will have your own IT work station. And every 6 weeks, your tutor will give you a tutorial, where you can discuss your progress.

As you improve you will need the tutor less and less because you will have the skills and confidence to organise your own study, and succeed. At this stage you are an independent learner, ready for a University course.

REMEMBER…

…your tutor will show you how to research and prepare work…
…Art & Design is our speciality…
…you will be given a computer to write and research in class…
…you will have a tutorial every 6 weeks

3. Professional Subject

In this part of the course you study a professional business subject:

• Business Management
• The Business Environment
• Introduction to Accounting

(These courses are subject to availability)

International students need to know what studying at university in the UK feels like. This module allows you to gain an insight into how your degree programme will be taught – lectures, seminars, assignments.

English for Academic Purposes – Non essential part:

For students studying a 48 week Foundation Programme they will study an additional module in English for Academic Purposes. This module will focus specifically on the type of language the student will need for the course they wish to study at university.

How will I be taught?

This course is taught over 20 hours per week. Class sizes never exceed 20 students and are normally 10-15. You will have a lot of personal support from your teachers. Lessons will be given as lectures and/or seminars.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of the academic year, you will be assessed at a standard equivalent to Advanced level. Assessments will be carried out through a combination of exams, assessments and essays.

When can I join the course?

You can begin the course at ANY TIME. You will join an IELTS class immediately and then transfer to Study Skills when your teachers see that you are ready. Be advised that most universities only enrol students on courses in September and January. This may have an influence as to when you join Avalon's foundation course.