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The Kent International Foundation Programme (IFP) is primarily designed for international students, allowing them to develop their academic knowledge and skills, and if required their English language ability, for entry to Undergraduate study at university.
Overview
The programme, on offer at the University of Kent for over 25 years, takes place on the Canterbury campus and students are full members of the University with access to University accommodation and all academic, welfare, social and sport facilities on campus. With academic subject modules and academic skills modules taught by highly qualified University of Kent tutors, the IFP leads to a range of degree programmes in the Social Sciences including pathways to Anthropology, Business, Journalism, Law, Psychology, and Politics.
The Social Sciences IFP has two start dates; one in September and one in January. See 'Related to this course' below for other IFPs.
Course structure
The International Foundation Programme is a modular course taught over three terms, starting in September. All students take one core module in Academic Skills Development and either complete a Foundation Project module or take a module in English for Academic Study.
The Academic Skills Development classes help you work to develop all the necessary skills to fully enjoy your academic experience in the UK, for example, seminar and group work communication skills, developing as an independent student, improving skills in analysis, critique, time management, and project management. You will then take modules which are relevant to your chosen undergraduate degree programme.
This course structure is indicative of the modules available for this programme. Modules are based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
Teaching and assessment
Our IFP is entirely managed and delivered by the University of Kent, allowing us to offer teaching of exceptional quality. Teaching is organised in small groups and includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and independent learning. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to apply the skills learnt in one module to all other modules and find relations between modules in order to broaden their education.
Assessment on the majority of modules will be through a combination of final examinations and coursework, including assignments from 1,000 to 2,000 words, and tests from 45 minutes to 3 hours in length.
Programme aims
Our aims are to provide students with:
- a range of modules covering the foundations of a range of subjects in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences
- teaching informed by current research and scholarship to encourage active involvement
- opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in a range of activities within the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences
- a stimulating and challenging education
- a firm conceptual foundation in the subjects necessary for progression to stage one in their chosen pathways
- academic literacy through the English language modules
- general critical, analytical and problem-solving skills
- the ability to manage their own learning and carry out some independent research appropriate to foundation level
- appropriate academic and pastoral guidance.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the structures, registers and varieties of English to a level sufficient for you to be successful on a University of Kent degree programme
- the inter-disciplinary nature of academic skills in the humanities, social sciences and sciences
- academic literacy and skills, in particular, the use of English for Academic Purposes
- an appropriate degree of factual and conceptual knowledge of biosciences history, economics, sociology, literature, philosophy, politics, mathematics and quantitative methods, law, business management, design, programming, analogue electronics and electrical principles and measurements for the purposes of university study, depending on the modules taken
- academic and social cultures and practices other than the students’ own
- intercultural language issues.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual abilities in the following:
- present, evaluate and interpret a variety of data using defined techniques in a logical and systematic fashion
- develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with the basic theories, methods, principles and concepts of the subjects
- engage in critical reflection, verbal discussion and written and interpretative analysis of key material
- separate fact from opinion and identify a writer’s argument as opposed to what is a counter-argument in a text
- assess the merits of contrasting theories and explanations, and make links across different subjects
- present rational and reasoned theses and arguments to a range of audiences
- distinguish between and use an appropriate range of technical and numerical systems and/or a range of spoken and written academic and other registers, styles and genres.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- demonstrate knowledge of the main methods of enquiry and analysis in the humanities, social sciences and sciences
- present data in graphic and textual form in a manner appropriate to the subjects being studied
- evaluate and interpret data and information, develop arguments and come to sound conclusions in accordance with the relevant theories and concepts related to the subjects being studied
- demonstrate an appropriate level of (subject-specific) linguistic competence
- evaluate the reliability and validity of source data (factual, theoretical, quantitative and qualitative) and incorporate your own opinion in an appropriate manner
- be able to work in laboratory and workshop environments and use appropriate equipment and tools (for Sciences or Architecture and Arts pathways)
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- work with others through the preparation of projects, seminars and presentations, and through general pair and group work in class
- recognise your own strengths and weaknesses and improve your performance as a result
- recognise how skills learned in one module can be applied in another
- apply critical and academic skills across all modules
- communicate information to specialist and non-specialist audiences and show a degree of audience awareness in terms of written and oral text
- demonstrate a degree of autonomy, showing the ability to learn effectively using your own resources, be organised and meet deadlines
- select and use appropriate library and IT applications and resources.
Careers
Students progress to studying at degree level in the area of Social Sciences. For further information on careers, please see the relevant undergraduate degree programme.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
To gain entry on to the IFP programme, you need the following:
- a good academic school-leaving certificate with particular strengths in subjects that are relevant to your intended area of study.
- GCSE grade A/B/C Maths or equivalent for some degree programmes. If you do not have this level of qualification, you will need to take the IFP Maths & Stats module.
- 5.0 IELTS with no less than 5.0 in each band, or equivalent.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Access to HE Diploma | Not applicable |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | Not applicable |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must pass IELTS at 5.0 overall, with 5.0 in all four categories. Please note that the IELTS test must be taken at an approved UKVI test centre and the test report must include a UKVI number.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
View scholarship opportunities for this programme on the International Pathways website.
Please note that Student Loans Company (SLC) funding is not available for UK/EU students intending to study on the IFP (September or January start), as this is a one year stand-alone programme.
Undergraduate degree programmes following on from the IFP will be eligible for SLC funding.