International Foundation Programme

How you'll study

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. 

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.