International Foundation Programme - Computing

International Foundation Programme - Computing

12, 9 or 6 months

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Response to Covid-19: Our focus is on providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students. Our priority is on ensuring continued access to learning. More information about our response to Covid-19 and FAQs are available here.

Overview

The International Foundation Programme in Computing is ideal if you are looking to study a computing-related undergraduate degree.

This programme has been designed specifically to support international students who wish to study an undergraduate degree at Northumbria University. You will study on the Computing pathway to prepare you for your undergraduate degree in a range of science degrees at Northumbria University.

You will study a combination of Computing modules alongside an English module and an Academic Practice module. The combination of modules will enable you to develop key skills and understanding in language, study skills, critical thinking and a good understanding of knowledge relevant to Computing.

Key facts

  • Learn the skills you need to succeed in your undergraduate science degree
  • 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 successfully completing your International Foundation Programme you will be guaranteed a place on a computing-based undergraduate degree at Northumbria University
  • Progress onto courses in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Networks and IT for Business
About this course

What will I study?

The International Foundation Programme supports your integration to UK study by providing you with an opportunity to explore the style and strengths of the British approach to teaching and learning. For example, you will learn to how to engage critically with a range of academic texts to enrichen your understanding of the subject area along with its application to professional practice and behaviour.

In addition, the teaching of Computing modules means you will deepen your English language, academic listening and reading capabilities, your ability to interpret your findings and present to your peers and tutor, in appropriate written and oral format – specific to the requirements of undergraduate degrees in Computing.

You will develop your academic skills, techniques and processes with an emphasis on building your personal capacity for creativity, critical and independent thinking. You will also learn how to demonstrate effective academic writing, analysis skills, interpersonal communication and the ability to work in multi-cultural teams.

Study plan

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

  • Total of 40 hours per week overall study time, including 20/22 hours of lectures and seminars

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

Formative and summative assessments which are made up of portfolio tasks, written coursework, project planning, group and individual presentations, self and peer reflections, learning journals and examinations.

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Upon successful completion and subject to specific entry requirements, you can go on to study a range of business undergraduate degrees at Northumbria University.

To progress and be eligible for entry onto 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 progression course
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence*
BSc (Hons) Data Science*
BSc (Hons) Games Computing*
BSc (Hons) Networks and Cyber Security*
BSc (Hons) Business Computing*

*Available from September 2023.

If you would like to progress on to a degree in Art, Design and Media; Engineering, Science, English Language, Law, Media Production, Psychology, Sport, politics and social science 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.

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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

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

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.

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All modules are core and worth 20 credits unless specified.

12 and 9 month IFP students only

Term of study will depend on entry point. Students on the 12 month IFP will have 2 periods of this module. 9 month IPF students will have 1 period.

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.

At the end of the module, your language capabilities will be assessed to determine the English module you will study on the International Foundation Programme.

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.

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.

In the first section of this module, you will study the basics of web technologies and you will learn how they support the needs of modern organisations. Moreover, you will study the security related problems that information systems can create for organisations. You will engage in analysing case studies to enhance your understanding of the benefits and problems of information systems for organisations.

In the second section of this module, you will study the basics of web design and web evaluation. Effective and efficient implementation of information systems within an organisation needs careful consideration of end users. Using computer labs, you will be able to implement a web evaluation technique on ecommerce websites. This section of the module will develop your design skills and website development.

The continued and ever changing digital landscape requires you to be open, flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of a rich digital environment. This module is designed to prepare you with the fundamentals of a range of industry standard software to practically navigate your way in this ever expanding digital world.

Embracing new technology and concepts to communicate your message enables you to reach potential clients, businesses and organisations regardless of where they may be located. The digital skills developed on this module offer the opportunity for you to increase your capacity for creative, innovative and original thought.

This hands-on module aims to broaden your digital literacy and uncover your digital potential, ensuring you are ready, not only for further study but for the wider digital economy.

This module will equip you with vital knowledge of computing that will enable you to succeed in your studies at NorthumBria University. Computing and information technology has changed and is changing society and how we work and life. But what is information? How is information created, stored, and processed? Using many hands-on practical sessions you will be exposed to some of the latest technologies underlying the Internet of things.  You will be challenged to find your own solutions to some of the classic problems of computing and develop your key problem-solving skills.

Using some of the latest educational tools you wrangle your own code. While your future might not be the creation of code, seeing  the basics of how it is done will equip you for a world where code creates your future.

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.

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The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2022/23. 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.

Tuition fee 2023/24

  • IELTS 4.5 will study the 12-month programme: £20,500
  • IELTS 5.0 will study the 9-month programme: £16,500
  • IELTS 5.5 will study the 6-month programme: £11,000

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.

Some students may need to purchase some equipment for their modules such as scientific calculators or materials for specific modules. It is wise to allow for a budget of up to £300 a year to cover these costs.

You do not need to purchase learning materials, as these will be available to you via the Virtual Learning Environment or from the library.

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

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.

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How to apply

When you are ready you can apply online to study the International Foundation Programme – Computing. Applying online allows you to upload all of your supporting documents and you will automatically receive your student application number.

October January March
12 month Apply for October 2023 Not available Not available
9 month Apply for October 2023 Apply for January 2024 Not available
6 month Not available Not available Apply for March 2024

Information for disabled applicants

At Northumbria, we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.

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.

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:
£20,500 (12 months) £16,500 (9 months) £11,000 (6 months)
Leads to:
Undergraduate degrees in Computing
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:
18
Assessment methods:
Coursework - portfolios, presentations, essays and in-class tests
Scholarship or bursaries:
Available
Payment plan:
Not available
Starts:
January, March, October
testimonial image
testimonial image

“The International Foundation Programme is very supportive and will enable me to progress on to my chosen undergraduate degree. I have chosen to study a Computer Science degree because I’m very interested in the sector and there are loads of job opportunities back in my home country; Bangladesh.”

Aksar Ahmed Bahar
International Foundation Programme

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