International Foundation Programme Business and Social Science

English requirements

From IELTS 4.5 (with no single element below 4.0)

Course details

What will I study?

Studying on the International Foundation Programme – Business and Social Science Pathway will allow you to explore the subject area which you have chosen for your studies at undergraduate degree level.

English term

For those of you who require additional English language support, you will study a 3-term International Foundation Programme that includes a term of English language preparation. This aims to improve your English language skills with a focus on the development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. You will also study vocabulary, grammatical accuracy and oral fluency.

Studying a term of English allows you to:

Improve your English language skills so that you are better prepared for the modules and assessments you will need to study on the foundation programme
Develop your self-confidence and team-working skills by working on a group video project based around a current UK issue
Become accustomed to how English is applied in a University context
Make friends with other international students from all over the world whilst improving your English

The term of English is also applicable for those of you who have had little opportunity to study in an English institution or are looking for a more gradual introduction into studying at University.

How will I learn?

You will be taught in larger groups for lectures and smaller groups for seminars and workshops. You will also meet with your tutors individually for additional academic support.

To prepare for your lectures and seminars, you will have access to our online learning platform, where you can access course information, content and your weekly reading lists.

In addition to lectures, seminars and workshops, you are expected to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week on self-study.

Independent study activities can include preparatory reading for seminars, research for your assessments, revision quizzes, practice writing tasks, discussions with your classmates in preparation for group presentations.

Contact hours

16-20 hours of lectures, seminars and workshops per week
20-30 minutes of 1-1 tutorials with your Academic English and/or your Pathway subject tutor per week

Self-study hours

15-20 hours per week

Assessment

Coursework, presentations, portfolios, projects and in-class tests

Modules

All modules are core and worth 20 credits unless stated.

3-TERM ONLY:

Language & Skills for Academic Study (0 credits)

This module focuses on the development of academic vocabulary and grammatical structures and aims to enhance your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. The module also aims to enhance your use of functional language through the completion of a group video project based on a current UK issue.

3-TERM & 2-TERM:

Academic English

This module aims to develop the core language skills (reading, writing, listening & speaking) you need to demonstrate for academic study at the undergraduate level.

The module has been designed to help you develop the type of language used in an academic context and help you engage effectively with the teaching environments you will experience at the undergraduate level, together with the types of materials and sources you will be expected to use.

Module content will include: listening to lectures and note-taking; critical reading of semi-academic and academic texts: production of a variety of writing genres; participation in a variety of speaking tasks. You will also enhance your academic vocabulary and grammatical accuracy.

Academic Language in Context

This module has been designed to help you develop your English language and academic skills in the context of your area of undergraduate study.

You will be introduced to academic reading and listening resources linked to some of the topics covered in the related pathway subject modules. Tasks will focus on developing language and vocabulary related specifically to your subject area.

A team-based learning approach will be adopted in this module and you will work on a group project.

Applied Academic Skills

The main aim of this module is to help you gradually develop as an independent learner- so the scope of the content is wide and varied. A combination of practical, interactive sessions and independent tasks will help you gain and practice skills in:

Personal and study skills (e.g. time management, assessment planning)
Digital literacy – basic IT skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, email communication, etc.
Academic seminar discussions
The importance of good academic conduct – referencing, citation and avoiding plagiarism
Preparation for assessment

By completing this module, you will have enhanced your existing ICT skills, developed competence in research and study skills, the ability to work independently and with others and you will have learned how to maximise your opportunities as a student at a UK university.

Research Project

The module provides you with an opportunity to select an area of interest related to your target degree and explore this in the context of academic study. You will be given several tasks which help to guide you through each step of the process of developing an academic essay.

During this process, you will develop key knowledge and skills that you will need in your undergraduate degree, such as research skills, essay planning, organising ideas in a written format, and using academic sources.

You will also have an opportunity to enhance your presentation skills by delivering a presentation on the topic of your essay.

Humanities & Social Science in Action

This module is designed to introduce you to humanities and social sciences in a UK context. You will gain an understanding of the foundations in areas such as social policy, history, education, literature, psychology, politics, media, gender, and criminology. You will be encouraged to explore current issues and relevant topics in the subject area to gain an understanding of the issues that affect British society and the wider political, cultural and sociological perspectives.

You will learn how to evaluate information from sources, critically engage with literature, and present your ideas effectively. Success in this module will develop a broad knowledge base necessary to succeed during undergraduate study.

Management Fundamentals

This module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to explore business and management, and to appreciate the extent to which this area of study pervades everyday lives, academia, the workplace and wider society.

You will be encouraged to explore current issues and relevant topics in the subject area and you will learn how to apply the theories and concepts studied in real-world situations.

The module takes a practical approach and content will be relevant in both the UK context and from wider European and global perspectives.

The topics studied will give you a taste of further themes that can be developed during undergraduate study and also the employment opportunities available beyond the University.

The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2024/25. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have the following:

Academic requirements

GCSE/iGCSE – 5 Passes at A-C
Where UCAS tariff is applicable or relevant, applicants should have an equivalent of 30 UCAS tariff points from either 1 A Level and 1 AS or a minimum of 2 AS Level qualifications.

For country-specific entry requirements, please contact our team, who will be happy to assist.

English language entry requirements

UKVI SELT IELTS 5.0 (with no single element below 4.5) or equivalent UKVI SELT – you can join the International Foundation Programme (2-term IFP)
UKVI SELT IELTS 4.5 (with no single element below 4.0) or equivalent UKVI SELT – you will need to complete an additional term of English before joining the International Foundation Programme (3-term IFP)

If you have the equivalent of IELTS 5.5 overall with no sub-score below 5.5, we will be able to provide one CAS to cover the whole of your foundation and undergraduate study at the University of South Wales. This means that as long as you pass and progress normally on your academic programme and do not require additional time on your visa, you will only need to apply for your Student Route visa once during your entire UK study and there will be no additional English language testing requirements other than the English assessment in your IFP programme.

Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.

Minimum age requirements

Please note, you must be over 17 and turn 18 within the first 3 months of your pathway programme.

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