Course

International Foundation Programme

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Our International Foundation Programme prepares you with the skills and knowledge needed for your undergraduate study.

It is designed specifically if you do not meet the English language criteria of your undergraduate programme and/or do not have the British ‘A’ level or equivalent qualifications. The IFP therefore provides a pathway for you to improve your Academic English skills to meet University entry requirements and subject content.

Course overview

The IFP prepares you for undergraduate study by developing your subject knowledge and academic skills.

Programme Structure

This is a one academic year full-time Programme, which allows you to study a number of subjects that interest you the most. The programme follows the University’s academic year calendar, and these dates can be found on our Semester Dates webpage.

Each IFP module has a credit value, and you select modules to a value of 120 credits in total. Everyone on the IFP takes the English for Academic Purposes modules and you may choose one optional module per semester.

Modules cover a variety of subjects including Arts in Britain, Business Studies, Media and English for Academic Purposes.

We have excellent progression rates. 

What you need to know

Course start date

September

Location

On Campus

Course length

2 semesters

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Typical offer

RQF level 3

Fees

£16,700

Course features

  • Be taught the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking for academic study
  • Learn how to study independently and gain academic study skills
  • Study subject-specific content at ‘A’ level standard
  • Be taught by a dedicated, caring and expert team

Course details

Learning and teaching
The Programme starts with a welcome and induction meeting for all students which introduces you to relevant staff and helps you to become familiar with the overall environment in which you will be studying.  It also introduces you to the University, city of Winchester and the Programme. The Programme employs a variety of teaching and learning strategies, with a focus on developing a range of knowledge and skills, providing you with the ability to apply them to selected areas of study. As well as the development of Academic English language skills, you will begin to develop academic and research skills which are relevant to the UK's Higher Education system. Within the teaching staff there is a highly student-centred approach to teaching students, with the emphasis on bringing out the best in you. This comprises not only helping you realise your academic potential but ensuring you have benefitted from your cultural experience.

Assessment
A variety of summative and formative assessments are employed on the IFP. This aims to develop an awareness of the UK’s Higher Education assessment practices to enable you to plan, undertake, and submit work which matches the standards and expectations of the University. Informal formative feedback is always an integral part of language learning, and you will constantly receive feedback on your use of language in the classroom. 

More formally, you receive weekly feedback on a wide range of assessment tasks, both in the classroom with tutor feedback to the whole group or on an individual basis for written or oral assignments.

A range of assignment types are used, including essays (of various lengths), practical write ups, verbal presentations, reports, reflective diaries, research projects, portfolios of media genre, listening and reading assessments. This diversity of assessments is necessary to ensure that you meet a range of assessments that will prepare you for your future undergraduate programmes.

Student Support
The teaching team offers you extensive support and guidance whilst you are on the IFP and includes three hours per week of group tutorials. This includes pastoral and academic support to help you acclimatise to studying at a UK university. All students progressing from the IFP onto a degree programme at the University are given access to Academic English support by ELTSU in order to help bridge the transition to studying on a UK degree programme.

Modules

PLEASE NOTE THE MODULES LISTED ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLISHING. PLEASE NOTE THE UNIVERSITY CANNOT GUARANTEE THE AVAILABILITY OF ALL MODULES LISTED AND MODULES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AT WWW.WINCHESTER.AC.UK/TERMSANDCONDITIONS.

Modules

Introduction to English for Academic Purposes

This module introduces students to English for Academic Purposes by developing their academic confidence and linguistic abilities simultaneously. Throughout the module students encounter a broad range of subject areas, each exploited for vocabulary and language development. Students gain exposure to a variety of increasingly academic textual sources, acquiring speed in reading. Students utilise listening skills through exposure to lectures and presentations. Speaking follows a functional approach that allows for language acquisition, especially lexis. Students learn to write balanced academic texts, using appropriate skills including: structuring arguments, research, referencing, choice and use of language.  

English for Academic Purposes

This module is designed to help students to use English for Academic Purposes with increasing confidence and effectiveness in an academic context. The main goal of the module is to prepare students for studying on an academic degree programme in the next academic year. Throughout the module students encounter a range of subject areas, each exploited for vocabulary and language development, encouraging linguistic and knowledge acquisition. Students gain additional exposure to a variety of academic textual sources, acquiring speed in reading. Students will utilise listening skills through exposure to a selection of listening texts. Speaking follows a functional approach that allows for language acquisition, especially lexis. Students learn to write balanced academic texts, using appropriate skills including: structuring arguments, research, referencing, choice and use of language.

Optional modules

Introduction to Business Studies 15 credits

Introduction to Media 15 credits

Introduction to the Arts in Britain 15 credits

Applied Business Studies 15 credits

Introduction to Psychology 15 credits

Entry requirements

RQF level 3

RQF level 3 or equivalent qualification.

 

If English is not your first language
Entry onto the International Foundation Programme requires an overall IELTS score of 5.0 with a minimum of 4.5 or equivalent in writing, reading, listening and speaking.

If you require a student visa to study in the UK, you must take the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) version of the IELTS test and not the standard IELTS (Academic) version.

RQF level 3 or equivalent qualification.

If English is not your first language
Entry onto the International Foundation Programme requires an overall IELTS score of 5.0 with a minimum of 4.5 or equivalent in writing, reading, listening and speaking.

If you require a student visa to study in the UK, you must take the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) version of the IELTS test and not the standard IELTS (Academic) version.

Additional costs

For 2022 entry:

£8,350 per semester
Total Cost | £16,700

For more information please contact our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1962 827023