International Foundation Programme
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application deadline for the January 2013 course is Friday 14th December 2012. After that date we will not be able to accept any more applications for this course.
The next International Foundation Programme will start in September 2013.
Course Description
The International Foundation Programme is a Pathway programme which prepares international students for university entry. It is an official entry route into undergraduate degree courses at Aberystwyth University, and offers a guaranteed university place to students who satisfy the entry requirements and successfully complete the course.
The course is organised and taught by university staff with long experience of working with international students, supported and supplemented by college staff with expertise in specific academic subjects.
Course Level
Because this course prepares students to enter an undergraduate degree course, the course levels are:
| English Language | CEFR Level B2 |
| Academic Subjects | NQF Level 3 |
Entry Dates
This course has entry dates in September, January and February.
| Course | Dates | Length | IELTS Entry Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFP1 | September to June | 30 weeks | 5.0 overall score, with at least 4.5 in each skill |
| IFP2 | January to September | 30 weeks | 5.0 overall score, with at least 4.5 in each skill |
| One-Semester IFP | February to June | 15 weeks | 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in each skill |
| Extended IFP | September to September | 42 weeks | 4.5 overall score, with at least 4.0 in each skill |
Course content
The International Foundation Programme includes:
- English Language. Students are helped to raise their English language skills to the level required for living and studying in a British university.
- English for Academic Purposes. The course includes a strong focus on academic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
- Academic Subject study. Students gain a background of studying other subjects through the medium of English. The subjects studied depend on their planned degree studies.
- British Culture. Students are introduced to cultural studies, to help them with everyday life as well as developing their understanding of the subjects that they will study.
- The Skills Agenda. All students develop skills of independent study, research skills, and the ability to work individually and in groups, which are essential for their degree studies.
Degree Subjects
Students can be prepared for entry to undergraduate programmes in most subjects including:
- Agriculture / Animal Science
- Art / History of Art / Gallery Studies
- Biological Sciences
- Business / Finance / Management / Business Law
- Celtic Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminology
- Geography & Earth Sciences
- History
- International Relations/ International Politics
- Law
- Mathematics & Physics
- Performance & Media / Theatre, Film & TV Studies
- Psychology
- Welsh
Other departments will consider students from this programme. Please enquire.
Examinations
The International English Centre is a testing centre for the IELTS examination.
Entry Requirements
Students who are accepted onto this programme should be able to satisfy the University's requirements for entering a degree course.
You should have a senior high school leaving certificate from your own country, an English language level of approximately 5.0 IELTS (6.0 for the One Semester course), and an adequate pass in Mathematics.
Students who wish to enter an undergraduate degree programme will be required to make a special UCAS application at the end of their course. Help can be given with this.
The offer of a university place is subject to normal matriculation requirements, which normally include previous educational background and successful completion of the International Foundation Programme.
Students whose English language score is not up to the required level will be required to join a Pre-Foundation English Language Course (e.g. Target English or the English Language Summer school.)
What is included
The tuition fee includes tuition, supplementary learning materials and use of facilities such as multi-media language laboratory, resource centre, university library and computer services, and subsidised rates for sports and recreational facilities. Students may be required to buy the standard course books on arrival.