International Foundation Year

Year 1

All students take three core modules.

Semester One

Academic English (semesters one and two)
This module has been designed to ensure that students have the specific English language skills needed to study as an undergraduate student. Students are also taught how to show the sources of the information they use in their work by referencing their work using the Harvard referencing convention.

Critical Thinking and Research Skills (semesters one and two)
This module has two elements. First, students are introduced to the key concepts of critical thinking needed to analyse, evaluate and compare arguments and develop different points of view. Secondly students are taught how to research a topic using the resources available at the university. The students use all these skills in the second semester to carry out a research project on a topic related to their chosen undergraduate degree subject.

The Global Society (semesters one and two)

In this module students explore a wide range of concepts, trends and problems which impact upon global society today. These could include the globalised economy, the role of international organisations, international aid, health, human rights, and the effects of globalisation on cultural, economic, political and social life. The module gives students foundational general knowledge about current global issues which is essential for their undergraduate studies.

Semester Two

Subject-specific modules
Students who are going to study management, law, languages or economics or will have the choice subject-specific modules during the year: e.g. English for Law, Understanding law; Mathematics and statistics; Mathematics for economists, Survey Methods for Business and Social Sciences, Understanding management and organisations.

Students who are not going to study in these areas can select from any of the modules they are interested in, take a module to learn a new language or consolidate their general English.