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International Foundation Programme - Business and Law

12, 9 or 6 months

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Response to Covid-19: As a result of Covid-19 and social distancing requirements, we are intending to teach this course using a mix of on-campus and online teaching. For students unable to travel due to travel restrictions in place in their country, students will be able to start online and join us when travel to Newcastle is possible. More information about our response to Covid-19 and FAQs are available here.

Overview

The International Foundation Programme in Business and Law is ideal if you are looking to study a business-related undergraduate degree.

This programme is designed to prepare you for degree-level study in the UK. You will be taught by staff who have a combination of academic and real-world business experience to enhance your understanding of business theories and concepts.

The course offers you the opportunity to develop your English language and study skills, combined with the study of academic subjects. The programme is multidisciplinary and provides progression on to a wide range of business degree programmes at Northumbria University.

Key facts

  • Learn the skills you need to succeed in your undergraduate business degree
  • Develop key understanding of contemporary issues in business including areas such as innovation, market knowledge, the impact of law, how external factors can affect business, etc.
  • Develop your awareness of academic culture in the UK as you integrate into student life within a UK university
  • Benefit from gradual assessment via portfolios that allows you to assimilate to UK academic life and develop your skills over the course of the programme
  • Upon completing this course, we will offer you guaranteed progression to one of our undergraduate degrees at Northumbria University
  • Other pathways are available for progression on to undergraduate degrees in Art, Design and Media; Engineering; Computing, English Language, Media Production, Psychology and Sport subjects
About this course

What will I study?

This course will introduce you to life studying in the UK and will develop the core academic and English language skills you will need to progress on to an undergraduate degree with Northumbria University.

One module, English for Foundation, will focus on your language development to help you meet the requirements of your target course and to refine your language further in an academic context. A second module, Academic Practice, will enable you to understand the range of core academic skills that you will use in the whole programme.

Four of the modules on the programme will be focused on preparing you for undergraduate study in the UK. This includes a Project Module where you will specialise in a particular aspect from within your broad subject area. You will create an artifact as well as engage in the pre-planning, project management and post-project reflection. These skills will enable you to plan and manage key parts of your undergraduate studies.

You will undertake two modules that will focus more on the world of business, entrepreneurship and innovation aiming to develop your business acumen. The first of these modules will introduce you to contemporary issues facing the business world today and learn vital management skills to ensure the efficient delivery of core business functions.

The programme is designed to provide a solid foundation to studying in a British university and you will benefit from staff who are used to supporting international students through this important transition.

Study plan

IELTS Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Mar-Jun July-Aug Sept
4.5 International Foundation Programme – Business and Law
(12 month)
 Summer break Start your undergraduate degree at Northumbria University
4.5   International Foundation Programme – Business and Law
(12 month)
5.0   International Foundation Programme – Business and Law
(9 month)		 Summer break
5.0     International Foundation Programme – Business and Law
(9 month)
5.5       International Foundation Programme – Business and Law
(6 month)
  

How will I be taught and assessed?

Contact hours

  • 22 hours per week in seminars, lectures, workshops, labs and tutorials

Self-study hours

  • 15-18 hours per week on independent study – making use of the University’s electronic learning portal Blackboard

Guidance tutor

  • Your first point of contact for anything outside the classroom that affects your learning
  • Meet at the start of each term
  • You can arrange to meet them at any point and they may contact you if necessary

Assessment

  • Portfolios – including coursework, presentations, reflective essays and in-class tests
  • Assessed continually through each module and submit a portfolio at the end
  • This allows you to gradually assimilate to the learning and teaching style
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Upon successful completion and subject to specific entry requirements, you can go on to study a range of Business and Law undergraduate degrees at Northumbria University.

To progress and be eligible for entry on to our undergraduate degree programmes you must achieve at least 40% in your International Foundation Programme.

Please note that our undergraduate degrees are currently being reviewed, however, we have previously offered the opportunity for students to progress on to the following courses:

Your target course
Accounting BSc (Hons)
Business Management BA (Hons)
Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
Business and Marketing Management BA (Hons)
Entrepreneurship BA (Hons)
International Business Management BSc (Hons)
Law LLB (Hons)
Marketing Management BA (Hons)
Tourism and Events Management BA (Hons)

If you would like to progress on to a degree in Art, Design and Media, Engineering or Computing, English Language, Media Production, Psychology and Sport subjects, please see our alternative pathway programmes:

Upon successfully passing your programme you will receive a Foundation Diploma in International English for Academic Communication which some other universities may also accept as an entry qualification.

Enquire now

Applicants should have the following:

Academic requirements

  • GCSE/iGCSE – 5 passes at A-C

We welcome applications from students who have obtained good grades in their upper secondary education.

We also now accept the following:

  • China – Successful completion of Senior Middle School 2 with a minimum average of 70% or higher, or successful completion of Senior Middle School 3 with a minimum average of 60% or higher
  • India – Standard 11 with 55%, Standard 12 with 50%.
  • Malaysia – SPM Malaysia School Certificate, Forecast results accepted – UEC pass grades also accepted.
  • Senegal – Baccalaureate/Baccalaureat Technique 10/20

Depending on your chosen degree course, specific subject requirements may apply. Our team will be able to help confirm the details for you.

For other country specific entry requirements, please check our Entry Requirements. Alternatively, please contact our team who will be able to help you.

English language requirements

There are multiple entry levels to the International Foundation Programme depending on your IELTS level:

  • 4.5 with no single sub score below 4.0, or equivalent, from a UKVI Approved centre will study the 12-month programme
  • 5.0 with no single sub score below 4.0, or equivalent, from a UKVI Approved centre will study the 9-month programme
  • 5.5 with no single sub score below 5.0, or equivalent, from a UKVI Approved centre will study the 6-month programme
  • Students intending to progress on to Law: IELTS 5.5 with no single element below 4.0, or equivalent, from a UKVI Approved centre

Age requirements

You must be over 16 years old

If you are under 18 at the start of the International Foundation Programme, you will need to include with your application a signed consent form by your parent or legal guardian. You can find a copy of this on our How to Apply page.

Enquire now

12 and 9 month IFP students only

The purpose of this module is for you to engage in language and skills learning which will empower you to develop techniques to become a better language learner. This module will provide you with the skills and an understanding of the English required to achieve success in subsequent university assessments on both the credit bearing modules of the IFP and your chosen undergraduate degree.

You will also have a more active understanding of your language learning which will in turn allow you to confidently apply the techniques you learn to enhance your grammar and range of vocabulary.

In addition to English, this module also contains some academic content streamed by pathway, providing an early opportunity to engage with your chosen specialism. This subject learning comes in the form of lexical development as well as some key content to lead you into your next steps in your academic journey.

Students on the 12-month International Foundation Programme will study 2-terms of this module.

All students will study the following modules:

This module is designed to help you to meet the English level needed for both the International Foundation Programme and your undergraduate degree, and to give you the tools you need to become an independent language learner. It will teach you how to learn language for academic study, take responsibility for your own language learning, and gain the habits of continuous learning which you will need on your undergraduate program.

You will learn to develop your:

  • Communicative abilities in English
  • Functional language ability across the main skills of English (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
  • Grammatical knowledge and accuracy in English
  • Vocabulary and fluency in English

You will develop your skills in this area and improve your ability to apply them in the subject of your undergraduate degree.

This module will help you to develop an understanding of current issues in business and how they impact on companies both at a national and international level. You will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required to manage a modern business.

Through this module you will begin to appreciate and understand that all the departments have specific functions but it is only when they integrate together and work in harmony that the business can begin to achieve or maintain success.

This module explores the concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation, and how they influence individual and organisational performance within the modern global economy.

You will explore the opportunities and disruptive nature of innovation, whether it be adapting an existing process to enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness to a complete transformation of a business model to develop and launch a new product which aims to sustain a competitive advantage.

In this module, you will develop an awareness of how ethical action is increasingly important in today’s interconnected world. Decisions we take in one sector of a society can rapidly influence another sector, crossing borders and having far-reaching effects on real lives. Whether it is in the ethical choices you make in business, environmental policy, law and order, medicine, politics, the media or academic research, this is a key topic you need to understood for the twenty first century.

Drawing on core philosophical principles, the Ethical Practices in Action module guides you in examining how choices we make and actions we take shape today’s world. Through understanding where ethics come from, why they are important and how they can help us make better choices, you will be better prepared to work in many areas of contemporary society, for instance in business, HR, healthcare, counselling, criminal justice, academia and politics.

Managing projects that produce a final outcome/artefact are an everyday part of working and academic life. Learning the skills of how to organise your time, find resources and use your personal strengths is essential for your future career. This module is designed to support you to carry out a project in your subject-specific area and will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to complete your project successfully.

You will gain an understanding of the essential steps in the project life cycle and have the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on your (and your fellow students’) progress throughout the project work, to the project completion stage.

This module will also introduce you to academic research skills and develop your ability to critically appraise and organise material. This module takes a holistic and reflective approach to your learning, with you developing a portfolio of your improved project planning, research and evaluation skills, and production of an artefact.

The Academic Practice module has a series of practical sessions that link with your other pathway modules to prepare you for your undergraduate degree. These sessions feature the broad range of essential study skills such as research, critical analysis, ICT, presentation and seminar skills.

Developing and improving study skills is a gradual and long-term process. It is also an individual process. If you are new to higher education or have not studied for some time, you may feel worried about tackling your first assignment; taking an exam; or juggling study with other commitments. Here, this module is designed to help you to acquire the academic literacy and language skills you need to succeed at university.

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Tuition fees 2020/21 & 2021/22

  • IELTS 4.5 will study the 12-month programme: £19,500
  • IELTS 5.0 will study the 9-month programme: £15,500
  • IELTS 5.5 will study the 6-month programme: £10,000

Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University Pathway student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.

The modules you will study do not require you to purchase additional textbooks.

Scholarships and bursaries for international students

Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for a country bursary and/or scholarship when studying this programme.

All of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically applied when we process your application and one of our team will be able to confirm your eligibility.

Scholarships and bursaries

Payment plans

If you need support to spread the cost of your tuition, you may be eligible for our payment plan.

Payment plans

How to find out more

Enquire now to find out more information about the International Foundation Programme, studying with us, the application process, and to have any other questions you have.

Enquire now

How to apply

When you are ready you can apply online to study the International Foundation Programme – Business and Law. Applying online allows you to upload all of your supporting documents and you will automatically receive your student application number. Please ensure you fully understand the entry requirements and apply for the appropriate course duration. In buttons:

Apply for 12 month
Apply for 9 month
Apply for 6 month

If you are accepted you will receive one offer letter for the International Foundation Programme – Business and Law followed by the appropriate degree programme. Once you have successfully completed the International Foundation Programme and achieved the required grades, you can gain direct admission onto your chosen degree at Northumbria.

We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your programme. After receiving your offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa (if required) and it is important that you arrive in good time to enrol on to your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.

If you are unable to apply online, then you can download a PDF application form and email it to pathway.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk.

Download an application form

Supporting documents

For us to assess your application in a timely manner, it is important that you provide us with the following documents:

  • Fully completed application form
  • Personal email address must be included on the application form
  • Transcripts and/or certificates (including a certified translation if not in English)
  • Passport – copy of personal details page
  • Proof of financial sponsorship if applicable
  • Reference
  • Confirmation of immigration history including copies of previous and current visas if applicable

You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.

Course information

Level of study:
Foundation - NQF Level 3
Fee:
International Fee:
£19,500 (12 months) £15,500 (9 months) £10,000 (6 months) (20/21)
Leads to:
Undergraduate degrees in Business and Law
Entry requirements:
5 GCSE/iGCSE passes at grade A-C, or equivalent
IELTS requirements:
From IELTS 4.5 with no single element below 4.0, or equivalent, from a UKVI Approved centre
Duration:
12, 9 or 6 months
Class hours per week:
22
Average class size:
16-18
Assessment methods:
Coursework - portfolios, presentations, essays and in-class tests
Scholarship or bursaries:
Available
Payment plan:
Available
Starts:
January, March, October, July 2022
Next application deadline:
06 September 2021
testimonial image
testimonial image

“I enjoy the creativity of the programme and the balance of academic and informal teaching methods. The teaching and support helps me to find alternative methods to learn and approach assignments, which gives me confidence that I will do well in my studies at undergraduate level.”

Oluwanisola Esele Oyefeko
International Foundation Programme - Business

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The pathway programmes detailed on this website are run in partnership with QA Higher Education - a UK higher education provider. All of our pathway programmes are validated by the University and taught by QA Higher Education and University staff.