International Foundation Programme (Spring start) - Credit
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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
2021-22: Our IFP will be offered both online and, if UK government guidelines allow, on campus. Applicants will be asked to select their mode of delivery at the point of offer.
The programme, on offer at the University of Kent for over 40 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 wide range of degree programmes at the University.
Progression on to your degree programme is automatic at the end of the IFP, if you achieve the required grades.
Spring-start IFP Progression Routes
Our Spring-start (Jan/Feb) IFP provides access to honours degrees in:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business, Management & Marketing
- Business Information Technology and Business Information Technology with a Year in Industry
- Classical & Archaeological Studies
- Computing and Computing with a Year in Industry
- Criminology
- Cultural Studies
- Economics
- Film
- Journalism
- Law
- Media Studies
- Politics & International Relations
- Psychology
- Sociology & Social Policy
Please see our Autumn-start (Sep) IFP if your intended progression route is to one of the following subjects:
- Anthropology & Conservation
- Architecture
- Art, Drama & Theatre
- Biology & Biochemistry
- Biosciences & Biomedical Sciences
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence
- English Language & Linguistics
- English Literature & Creative Writing
- History
- Music Business, Production & Technology
- Philosophy
- Software Engineering
For a full list of degree programmes you can progress to from the Kent IFP, see our Progression Requirements page.
International Programmes provides high-quality in-house pathways to Kent degrees, as well as variety of pre-sessional and in-sessional academic skills and language support. It also supports the University's internationalisation agenda with training in global leadership and intercultural communication.
Entry requirements
You are more than your grades
At Kent we look at your circumstances as a whole before deciding whether to make you an offer to study here. Find out more about how we offer flexibility and support before and during your degree.
Entry requirements
The entry requirements below demonstrate the type of qualifications you will need to apply for the International Foundation Programme (IFP). Some of our courses have subject specific requirements. Please visit the International Pathways site for more information.
To gain entry on to the IFP, you need the following:
- a good academic school-leaving certificate with particular strengths in subjects that are relevant to your intended area of study approved by the University of Kent
- a secondary school-leaving certificate approved by the University of Kent
- appropriate national or international qualifications
- to satisfy specific departmental entry requirements
- for progression to some degree programmes, GCSE grades A/B/C maths or equivalent. If you do not have this level of qualification, you will need to do the IFP Maths module.
The University welcomes applications from international students. To gain entry on to the IFP, you need the following:
- a good academic school-leaving certificate with particular strengths in subjects that are relevant to your intended area of study approved by the University of Kent
- a secondary school-leaving certificate approved by the University of Kent
- appropriate national or international qualifications
- satisfy specific departmental entry requirements
- for progression to some degree programmes, GCSE grades A-C/9-4 maths or equivalent. If you do not have this level of qualification, you will need to do the IFP Maths module.
For details of entry requirements per country please visit the International Pathways site.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advice about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
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A level
CDD
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GCSE
Minimum of 3 x 6s (Bs) and 2 x 4s (Cs)
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Access to HE Diploma
Not applicable
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BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)
The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and National Extended Diploma qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis.
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International Baccalaureate
24 points
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International Foundation Programme
Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average.
English Language Requirements
All students requiring a student visa to study in the UK who are not from a majority English speaking country will need a IELTS for UKVI with a minimum of 5.0 in all skills or a Pearson PTE Academic UKVI with a minimum of 36 in all skills. A list of majority English speaking countries is available on the English Language Requirements website. If you will be applying for a student visa, you need to take the IELTS or PTE at a UKVI accredited centre; the correct tests are called IELTS for UKVI and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI.
Students who do not require a visa or are applying to study online in 2020-2021 can join on their high school grades where suitable or other English language qualifications such as:
- IELTS Academic: minimum 5.0 in all skills
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 62; Reading 15; Writing 15; Listening 14; Speaking 19
- PTE Academic: minimum 36 in each skill
- GCSE English (first language): 4 (C)
- GCSE English (second language): 5 (B)
If you have another English-language qualification that is equivalent to IELTS, please email us at internationalprogrammes@kent.ac.uk and we will be happy to advise you.
Form
Course structure
Duration: 6 months
The International Foundation Programme is a modular course taught over two terms, starting in spring.
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.
Foundation year
You take the compulsory module LZ036 and either LZ035 or LZ037 based on the level of your English. You then choose a further 90 credits from the remaining list of optional modules.
Compulsory modules currently include
LZ036 - Academic Skills Development (15 credits)
Through this module, students will develop the transferable linguistic and academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP. The programme of study will cover academic writing, reading, speaking and listening skills.
Optional modules may include
LZ004 - Economics for University Study (30 credits)
The module will propose alternative solutions to the problem of resource allocation leading to consideration of the operation of the market mechanism; how the decisions and actions of economic agents are co-ordinated. Economic systems will be evaluated including treatment of circumstances in which markets are considered to fail. Market failure will be analysed utilising the micro-economic techniques developed earlier. In dealing with macro-economic issues such as inflation and unemployment, the UK economy will be used as the primary example, but students will be encouraged to apply their understanding to problems and policies in other economies as well. Likewise, the treatment of international trade will focus on the position of the UK economy with particular emphasis on its place within the European Union and the debate over the adoption of the Single Currency.
LZ007 - Politics and International Relations for University Study (30 credits)
Through this module, students will be given a broad introduction to the study of politics and international relations with particular emphasis on key debates within the discipline as well as contemporary events. Students will be introduced to the contested nature of politics before moving on to consider how political systems are formed, what major ideas are that drive them as well as the question of how we compare political systems. This will deepen into an examination of political ideologies as well as the role of the state and the nation. Furthermore, students will consider national government functions and how the decision making process works, and how this is being challenged by the process of globalisation. From globalisation, we will move to consider IR as an important aspect of the study of politics, looking at the key theoretical approaches (realism, liberalism) while relating this to contemporary events (war on terror, global economic changes). Students will also spend time studying international history in the twentieth century as an important background to contemporary events as well as a sustained examination of the politics or decolonisation and development. Lastly, the module will draw out some of the ethical questions which arise in international relations and give students an opportunity to debate and discuss them.
LZ013 - Mathematics and Statistics for University Study (30 credits)
Through this module, students will develop their analytical and problem solving skills to successfully complete other related modules on the IFP. The programme of study will be divided into lectures in calculus, algebra and statistics.
As part of the orientation process, students will take a pre-course test which, along with other factors, will determine whether they go into the upper or lower band. This will involve an in class test in the first week. Students will then be grouped according to their mathematical ability and academic focus. The teaching in the upper bands will be geared more towards systematically working towards a solution while that in the lower bands will deal with mathematical techniques.
LZ018 - European and International Business for University Study (30 credits)
The module will focus on alternative solutions to the problem of business resource allocation leading to consideration of the operation and function of marketing and how the decisions and actions of managers are co-ordinated. Operational systems will be evaluated, including treatment of circumstances in which management techniques are considered to fail. Financial failure will be analysed utilising the ratio analysis techniques developed. In dealing with human resource issues such as recruitment and selection, the UK model will be used as the primary example, but students will be encouraged to apply their understanding to problems and policies in other countries as well. Likewise, the treatment of team management will focus on the position in the UK with particular emphasis on its place within the overall organisation culture of firms.
LZ019 - Law for University Study (30 credits)
The module will aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature and sources of English law, including its political nature and the hierarchy and structure of the English Legal System. Included within this, the problems associated with the interpretation and implementation of the law will be highlighted. The political nature of law and its relation to justice will also be stressed. In the second period, separate areas of the law will be considered (e.g. criminal law, contract law, and constitutional law) in order to give students a feel for the many different branches of law and how these often inter-relate.
Which one's right for you?
Some other similar courses you may be interested in.
Fees
The 2021/22 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
- Home full-time £9250
- EU full-time £12600
- International full-time £16800
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
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.*
Your fee status
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.
Additional costs
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 students intending to study on the IFP (autumn or spring start), as this is a one year stand-alone programme.
Undergraduate degree programmes following on from the IFP will be eligible for SLC funding, as are undergraduate degree programmes 'with an integrated foundation year'.
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, online quizzes and tests from 45 minutes to two hours in length.
Contact hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Programme aims
On the IFP you will be provided with:
- a range of modules covering the foundations of a range of subjects
- teaching informed by current research and scholarship to encourage active involvement
- opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in a range of activities
- a stimulating and challenging education
- a firm conceptual foundation in the subjects necessary for progression to stage one in their chosen pathway
- academic literacy through the academic skills 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 will gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the inter-disciplinary nature of academic skills in the humanities, social sciences and sciences
- an appropriate degree of factual and conceptual knowledge of your chosen subject(s) for the purposes of university study
- academic and social cultures and practices other than your own
- intercultural language issues.
- the structures, registers and varieties of language required to be successful on a University of Kent degree programme
Intellectual skills
You will 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 studied
- engage in critical reflection, verbal discussion and written and interpretative analysis of key material
- 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
- separate fact from opinion and identify arguments and counter-arguments
- 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 will 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 will 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.
Teaching Excellence Framework
All University of Kent courses are regulated by the Office for Students.
Based on the evidence available, the TEF Panel judged that the University of Kent delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the UK.
Please see the University of Kent's Statement of Findings for more information.
Careers
Students progress to studying at degree level on a wide range of programmes. For further information on careers, please see the relevant undergraduate degree programme.
Apply for this course
There are two ways to apply:
- Apply online. When you apply, you must state which degree programme you want to study after your IFP.
- Alternatively, you can apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The institution code number of the University of Kent is K24, and the code name is KENT. You can view application instructions on the UCAS website.
Contact us
International student enquiries
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk